BMW 8 E31

There are not many offers on the secondary market today for the BMW 8 Series. A decent copy can be purchased for 700-800 thousand rubles. The most well-groomed copies are estimated by the owners at 1 500 000 rubles. The most expensive are the rarest products of Alpina tuning studio. The BMW 8 Series was available in several versions: the 830i (practically non-existent), 840i and 850i. The most interesting is the BMW 850i with a 5-liter V12, which is quite suitable for the role of a “car for every day”. Most often, BMW salons left the 300-horsepower 850i and 850Ci.

Why is he so special?

The BMW 8 Series E31 is one of the most unique products of the Bavarian brand, after the M1. Work on the “eight” began in 1986, and ended with the premiere in 1989. The project cost 1.5 billion of the then German marks.

The E31 was not only luxurious, but also strong. The Germans quickly dubbed him the “Ferrari killer.” It was the first BMW to really compete with the best GT cars from Italy and the UK.

However, none of the independent journalists praised this car for its driving qualities and did not perceive it as a thoroughbred athlete. However, the admiration was evoked by calm and demeanor on the most difficult high-speed maneuvers, even on bad roads. It must be admitted that BMW aimed primarily at American customers, for whom the car should be comfortable and especially fast on the straights.

Unfortunately, the BMW 8 Series debuted at a time when the global economy was just emerging from the financial crisis and interest in luxury was low. For the new 840i in Germany asked for 130,000 marks, and for 850i – 180,000 marks. The Alpina B12 cost more than 200,000 marks. During 10 years of production, 30,621 copies were sold. From an economic point of view, the project was a failure.

Let's make the best BMW ever!

This is probably the motto of the BMW Supervisory Board when it allocated a huge sum of 1.5 billion marks for the project to the successor of the BMW 6 Series E24. For this kind of money, the car should be studded with equipment that is not used in any other model. And that's what happened in the end. It was a demonstration of BMW’s skill and level. Coupés cannot be denied elegance. The design was handled by Klaus Kapitza of Ford, with experience in low-resistance vehicles. Today, experts praise downforce more than aerodynamics. However, in the 80s, the coefficient of aerodynamic drag equal to 0.29 made a strong impression. Deprived of any spoilers and diffusers, the body was carefully designed for the impact of external flows and noise in the cabin. In particular, a large amount of work has been carried out to minimize wind noise in frameless windows. The front and rear side windows can be completely hidden. Before opening the doors, the glass is lowered a little. The coupe was equipped with seat belts integrated into the chair. This system does not change the position of the belt relative to the body after adjustment of the seat. The work on the suspension, like any other element, was very time-consuming. Instead of going straight to the Nürburgring, a simulator was developed first, with the help of which all the loads that the car experiences on the track were studied. As a result, engineers have created an innovative rear suspension called the “Z-axis”. The project was managed by BMW Technik, which developed a similar system for the Z1.

Only one engine is the right one.

Although the BMW 8 was offered with a basic V8, the only proper engine is the V12. The engine with a working volume of 4988 cm3 is designated M70V50 and develops 300 hp. It was installed until 1992 in 850i and until 1994 in 850Ci. These are the most popular versions of the model, sold in excess of 20,000 units. After 1994, the model 850Ci got a modified unit M73V54 volume of 5379 cm3, developing 326 hp. It was manufactured until the end of 1999. Top became 850CSi with the engine S70B56 capacity of 5576 cm3 and return 380 hp, produced in the period 1992-1996. The M70B52 is one of the few components that wasn’t designed from scratch specifically for the 8-series. The engine debuted in the BMW 7-series E32, where it proved itself perfectly. The big and heavy BMW 8 needed a powerful and lightweight unit. There is no better alternative than the M70. The engine weighed 248 kg and developed 450 Nm of torque. Technically speaking, the engine was in some sense a combination of two 6-cylinder units. For each of the heads there are separate computers that control ignition and fuel consumption. Each head has its own electronically controlled throttle, its own fuel pump and its own independent set of sensors. The block is poured out of aluminum, and in the noisiest places there is an insulating layer that suppresses sound. Double walls and noise insulation are present in the valve cover and crankcase. Even cylinder sleeves on the outside have a special silicon layer that softens vibrations. The engine is characterized by an unusually soft work.

A collectible car for every day?

The BMW 850, regardless of the version, is a great modern car for every day. The only drawback is too much fuel consumption – several dozen liters per 100 km. Even Americans complained about the engine’s gluttony. But they preferred only an 8-liter engine with a capacity of 200 hp. Of course, the installation of gas equipment is out of the question.

What is very important, with the maintenance and search for spare parts, there are no problems. As befits a reference car from the 90s, the BMW 850 breaks down thanks to the diligence of ambitious drivers. However, he is not prone to malfunctions. The ideal car does not have the right to design errors. Most importantly, they take care of the service in a timely manner. The oil in the engine is better to change every 10,000 km, and in the automatic transmission - every 30-40 thousand km.

In addition to natural wear, age also affects. After taking up the repair, you will have to look for original parts - new or beu. However, there are substitutes for suspension, braking system and most sensors on the market.

Fortunately, some elements can be changed without significant cost. For example, instead of adaptive shock absorbers, it is possible to use conventional, and instead of original brakes - analogues.

Don't skimp on diagnosis

If you are going to buy a BMW 8 Series, then you should not save on the diagnosis and opinion of specialists in the selection of used cars. A trouble-free past is the main condition for happy exploitation. Recovering a car after an accident is not easy. Another important thing is a good engine. Its repairs are very expensive, not to mention major repairs. Must work without comments and expensive elements of numerous equipment.

We also need to worry about the state of the machine. However, automatic transmission malfunctions are not so terrible and easier to eliminate, unlike the engine. Interestingly, repairing a manual transmission will be more expensive than automatic.

Let's make the best BMW ever!

• Coupés cannot be denied elegance.
• "Eight" without problems experienced 50-degree heat, both under maximum load and at idle.

A collectible car for every day?

• What is very important, with the maintenance and search for spare parts, there are no problems.
• As befits a reference car from the 90s, the BMW 850 breaks down thanks to the diligence of ambitious drivers.
• However, he is not prone to malfunctions.
• In addition to natural wear, age also affects.
• After taking up the repair, you will have to look for original parts - new or beu.

Don't skimp on diagnosis

• If you are going to buy a BMW 8 Series, then you should not save on the diagnosis and opinion of specialists in the selection of used cars.
• Its repairs are very expensive, not to mention major repairs.
• We also need to worry about the state of the machine.
• However, automatic transmission malfunctions are not so terrible and easier to eliminate, unlike the engine.
• Interestingly, repairing a manual transmission will be more expensive than automatic.

When looking for a BMW 8 Series, you should not chase a specific version, a specific color or a specific equipment. Each copy is unique in its own way.

• Why is it so special?: The BMW 8 Series E31 is one of the most unique products of the Bavarian brand, after the M1.
• Let’s make the best BMW ever!: It was a demonstration of the skill and level of BMW. Coupés cannot be denied elegance.
• Only one engine is correct: Although the BMW 8 was offered with a basic V8, the only correct engine is the V12.
• Collector’s car for every day?: What is very important, with the maintenance and search for spare parts, there are no problems.
• Don’t skimp on diagnosis: Its repairs are very expensive, not to mention major repairs.

Shows, bargaining and re-registration take time: buyers look, promise to think and disappear. Fair price after inspection closes the auction on the spot. If money is needed urgently, the purchase takes away waiting and repeat displays.

Leave a request with the car data. We will discuss the preliminary assessment and inspection. After checking the status and documents, we agree on the final price and terms of the transaction.