realtyman

I've always loved the styling of the 840/850 from the early 1990's.

I've been half-assed looking for one as of late as a toy.
I'm wondering if anyone has any first hand experience with one.
My father had a 1990 750iL which was essentially the 4-door version.
I know the interior is quite dated and if anything breaks it's at least a $1500 bill.
I also know that the 850csi is the one to get, but those are still over $50K for a good one.

My question is, should I be looking for an 840 or an 850?
I know that the 850 has that awesome torque of the 12 cyl but I'm guessing that there are many more mods for the 840's v8 and any major engine service should be less on the v8.

Any thoughts??

cobradav

I've just started thinking the same thing. Rather than take the M6 plunge as I have been planning I have started rethinking that I could divide that kind of money into some classic rides of note. The 840/850 was on the top of my list as I am not a true "Sportscar" buff, rather the GT type and the 8er certainly fits that bill. I have just started my nosing around. Looking in Roundel and some other sources. However, I am not into too much moding so I may want to see what I can find that has the most stock grunt which obviously is the V12. Will do some more research maybe we swap some notes. Saw a 850CSI with full DINAN w /57k miles at $65k. Probably on high side for what I am planning.

Fullspeed

I saw an 840i on the freeway the night I bought my 545i. I didn't even know such a car existed until I saw it. I must say, for a ten year old car it's gorgeous (and I'm not much of a fan of the 90's era vehicles). Looked humongous though - I wouldn't think it would handle anywhere near as well as the 645i.

cobradav

No it does not handle as well as the 6er or even the 5er w/sport pack. And that was its road to ruin so to speak. But it is a classic Grand Tourer and looks exotic as hell. In discussions with happy 8 owners they rarely if ever claim performance over any newer BMWs. Just the mystic and in some cases the rarity of this classic. Less than 7500 sold in US market in 6 years and only about 30,000 world wide.

realtyman

I'm on the same page as you cobradav. I'm not looking for something to carve through the corners, but I am looking for something that is "different" but still performs (a GT type car). I always loved the look of the 8 series. I know that the 850 csi is essentially an M8 and they go for top dollar. I could have had one a few years back with only 13K mi on the clock but they were looking in the $60K range at that time.
I'm still thinking that an 840 with some minor mods could be more fun and less $$ than an 850 (given that an 850 csi is still brining in M-type $$). Also, given the fact that my father has owned a couple of 12cyl BMW's servicing the 12 is quite pricey (not that the 8 is inexpensive).

Fullspeed

Why not a Z8? Sounds like exactly what you're looking for.

tachyon

The October 2005 issue of Bimmer Magazine has a great story about one fellow's '95 850csi. It looks beautiful. Go get one!

realtyman

Too much $$.

realtyman

Yes, the CSi IS the one to get. But being that it is essentially an M8, and they made very few of them, it commands a price more than twice an 840/850.

cobradav

I have April '04 Bimmer Mag with 2 articles on 8s. One is an 850Csi Euro spec that the owner brought over. Paid big bucks to get it done right. But it is a beaut. I can make do with the 840 and will try looking for the later model years. Same mag has the story on 84 8s at a festival in northern California. Must have been a blast with all that hardware there.