Help on buying an 8 Series

[robmarrs]

Hi Ladies and Gents.

I am considering upgrading one of my current rides to an 840 (4.4) and i would appreciate any help and knowledge on what to look out for on these cars. Including how do you actually tell its a 4.4 engine!

A few years ago i bought an E30 M3 and spent £10k in 2 years on it, mainly 'cause i bought the wrong one, i don't want to do this again.

Thanks

Edited by robmarrs on Friday 7th March 11:14

[belleair302]

Rob, where are you based and what sort of money are you looking to spend? Send me a mail via the profile area on here and I may be able to help you.

The 840 Ci Sport was manufactured from September 1995 until May 1999 and the chassis numbers ran from CC66000 to CC67485 and all of these were 5 speed automatics with steptronic. Expensive cars to run on a daily basis, with bodywork and electronics, exhausts and suspension parts causing the most problems. The headlights are rubbish and the brakes are not great, but both can be improved for reasonable money.

Spend some time reading e31.net and e31faq.com

Edited by belleair302 on Friday 7th March 12:08

[burriana]

There are a few staunch supporters of the 8 series on here. Here are a couple of topics, mine was mainly asking about the 850 but I seem to remember the discussion covered 8s in general.

this one

and this one

And mine is sooooo close to being finished ... Talkwrench sent me a sound clip yesterday ... V12, custom straight through exhaust, de-catted

[robmarrs]

And mine is sooooo close to being finished ... Talkwrench sent me a sound clip yesterday ... V12, custom straight through exhaust, de-catted

[/quote]

TVR man too i see...... can't be louder than a Griff surely

Edited by robmarrs on Friday 7th March 17:17

[Job38]

burriana said:

And mine is sooooo close to being finished ... Talkwrench sent me a sound clip yesterday ... V12, custom straight through exhaust, de-catted

Oi - get that sound clip on here - immediately!

[Job38]

robmarrs said:

Hi Ladies and Gents.

I am considering upgrading one of my current rides to an 840 (4.4) and i would appreciate any help and knowledge on what to look out for on these cars. Including how do you actually tell its a 4.4 engine!

A few years ago i bought an E30 M3 and spent £10k in 2 years on it, mainly 'cause i bought the wrong one, i don't want to do this again.

Thanks

Edited by robmarrs on Friday 7th March 11:14

Go for it!
The 8 Series is a very, very special motor car.
Only one model generation ever made, never even 'face-lifted'.
Truly unique in the BMW range.

I'm no expert, but here goes:
Take your time, find the right one.
Use the advice of a few SERIOUS specialists on here.
Don't discount the V12 (V8 great - V12 better..........?)

If you can at all stretch to it, try and find an 850CSi
M Power S70 5.6L V12 with 6 speed manual box, M Power brakes and suspension, as well as rear-wheel steer.
Only 160 made in RHD.
So, very, very rare, but a sure significant classic.

(very biased, of course............. )

[wayneblackwell]

Rob,
It took me well over 6 months and several disappointed viewings to find my 8 as I was so picky because I wanted a low mileage example with all the extras.
Like previously mentioned all 4.4ltr (sport's) have the steptronic.
One of the most important things to take note of is whats the cars history like, these cars are not cheap on parts if its got loads of receipts and a full service history then your half way there
I would personally recommend you to get a full inspection just for added piece of mind.
Hope you don't mind me asking but whats your budget?
I would also say have a good look through www.clube31.net and read all about the prepurchase.

Good luck and have fun with your hunt

[burriana]

robmarrs said:

And mine is sooooo close to being finished ... Talkwrench sent me a sound clip yesterday ... V12, custom straight through exhaust, de-catted

TVR man too i see...... can't be louder than a Griff surely

oh

As Talkwrench pointed out, at 6000 revs a V12 will be similar in volume to a V8 at 9000 revs .... which as it has half as many cylinders again kind of makes perfectt sense

Can't wait to hear it under load!

[robmarrs]

wayneblackwell said:

Rob,

Hope you don't mind me asking but whats your budget?

upto 10k maybe a tad more for the right one

[wayneblackwell]

Well with a budget like that you will be able to get a decent example, there are a couple of nice ones on autotrader now

[burriana]

If you can stretch to about £13,500 you might be able to forget about the 840 and get ...

this beauty

awesome awesome cars and a half brother of the block that they bunged in the McLaren F1

[robmarrs]

Well i bought one last week for what i think is a good deal, 840 Ci sport Oxford Green, Silver leather, FBMWSH + Bills , cats done, 75000mls all for 7.5K

[burriana]

All sounds very well and good but you do realise that your post is totally worthless ...

WITHOUT PICTURES!

[wayneblackwell]

Nice one Rob, where are you located? Would love to see some pics.

[Job38]

Welcome to the world according to 8

Piccies !!!!

[dxb335d]

robmarrs said:

Hi Ladies and Gents.

I am considering upgrading one of my current rides to an 840 (4.4) and i would appreciate any help and knowledge on what to look out for on these cars. Including how do you actually tell its a 4.4 engine!

A few years ago i bought an E30 M3 and spent £10k in 2 years on it, mainly 'cause i bought the wrong one, i don't want to do this again.

Thanks

Edited by robmarrs on Friday 7th March 11:14

My only advice: Be VERY thorough, look at as many examples as you can before purchasing.

DONT buy on impulse, if it takes 6 months to find '' the right car'' so be it.

You dont want a lemon, best off looking at ''club'' cars and cars in owners groups!



good luck with finding your new toy!

Carlos

[burriana]

dxb335d said:

good luck with finding your new toy!

Carlos

Did you miss Rob's post 4 posts earlier Carlos?

[robmarrs]

burriana said:

All sounds very well and good but you do realise that your post is totally worthless ...

WITHOUT PICTURES!

I know..... but i have not cleaned it since picking it up, and that was on that god awful friday a week ago, so it looks DIRTY!!!!, got to make her look her best for the viewing public, (and i was a bit busy getting the TVR going for a blast with some fellow petrol heads last thursday).

I will hopefully remedy this ASAP.

Keep tuned

[robmarrs]

burriana said:

dxb335d said:

good luck with finding your new toy!

Carlos

Did you miss Rob's post 4 posts earlier Carlos?

Obviously ........ but i only looked at 3..... i think you instinctively know when you are looking at the right car, and i did make sure i took a lot of advice before buying.... sometimes deliberating too long looses the right one to another...... anyway time and my wallet will tell.

Edited by robmarrs on Monday 7th April 17:39

[dxb335d]

burriana said:

dxb335d said:

good luck with finding your new toy!

Carlos

Did you miss Rob's post 4 posts earlier Carlos?

Must have done mate? what have i missed?