840 ci - Interested in buying one - advice anyone
Discussion
Hi guys,
I've recently sold my 328i sport E36 which was great, however I fancy moving away from a 3 series for my next car, particularly so because I dont drive everyday, its going to be a purely evening and weekend car.
I've been thinking about a 1990's 911 for upto 15K but I'm a BMW man at heart, so I'm thinking about a 840 ci, pref a manual one?! - I've only seen autos, however i'm not that fussy and would suffice if the rest of the car is good.
I'd ideally like to spend about 10k and would like the sport model.
Any advice is very welcome.
I've recently sold my 328i sport E36 which was great, however I fancy moving away from a 3 series for my next car, particularly so because I dont drive everyday, its going to be a purely evening and weekend car.
I've been thinking about a 1990's 911 for upto 15K but I'm a BMW man at heart, so I'm thinking about a 840 ci, pref a manual one?! - I've only seen autos, however i'm not that fussy and would suffice if the rest of the car is good.
I'd ideally like to spend about 10k and would like the sport model.
Any advice is very welcome.
The 8 series is a beautiful car but if not well looked after can become a serious money pit. The V12 850ci (Auto and 5 speed manual)and 850 CSi (six speed manual) are the ones to buy for smoothness, but in the real world the 840 ci built after 1997 is the best model to drive and live with. The CSi model has the six speed manual gearbox and some additional suspension and engine tweeks as supplied by the M Sport department but is not actually a much better car to buy today. The CSi engine weighs a little less and has more output but the 850 engine does not give any real performance benefit over a newer 840 ci.
Ooo.. 8 Series
Very nice motors.. Loved the way the exterior looks.. but the dash is a bit dated for my tastes..
But in reply to your questions..
Difference between the Ci and the CSi
The 850CSi was the BMW Motorsport derived version of the 850Ci
It's as close to a production M8 as BMW ever got.
BHP up from 296 -> 372
6 speed manual box on all cars.
various chassis / suspension changes
CSi bodykit..
Some minor interior changes
They are rare as hens teeth in UK RHD form as they only made about 160 in the total production run from 92 - 96. and generally fetch a significant premium over the 850Ci
As far as the 840Ci goes..
They are all automatic cars I believe, I might be wrong there but I think that was the only box available on the 840Ci.
You've got the Nikisal issue to consider with all the V8 BMW from the 90s but after 1999 it's not a problem.
Some electrical gremlins, pop-up headlights that don't etc etc..
They can cost an arm and a leg to put right if they go wrong so buying one in good condition is vital..
But assuming the engine is sound and the electrics all check out they are good solid cars..
A later plate in sport trim is the one to have if you can get it..
Very nice motors.. Loved the way the exterior looks.. but the dash is a bit dated for my tastes..
But in reply to your questions..
Difference between the Ci and the CSi
The 850CSi was the BMW Motorsport derived version of the 850Ci
It's as close to a production M8 as BMW ever got.
BHP up from 296 -> 372
6 speed manual box on all cars.
various chassis / suspension changes
CSi bodykit..
Some minor interior changes
They are rare as hens teeth in UK RHD form as they only made about 160 in the total production run from 92 - 96. and generally fetch a significant premium over the 850Ci
As far as the 840Ci goes..
They are all automatic cars I believe, I might be wrong there but I think that was the only box available on the 840Ci.
You've got the Nikisal issue to consider with all the V8 BMW from the 90s but after 1999 it's not a problem.
Some electrical gremlins, pop-up headlights that don't etc etc..
They can cost an arm and a leg to put right if they go wrong so buying one in good condition is vital..
But assuming the engine is sound and the electrics all check out they are good solid cars..
A later plate in sport trim is the one to have if you can get it..
The 8-Series is a brilliant car, but I'd echo the warnings about cost. Whilst they're cheap to buy nowadays, the running costs are still commensurate with being the top-of-the-range BMW (as it was when launched).
The 850CSi was an "M-Car lite", and is quite different to the 850Ci. It's also around 100bhp up on the 840Ci, so there will be a noticable difference in performance. However the running costs will be more significant, they weren't produced as late and thus are olders cars, and are in short supply and thus still quite expensive.
850Ci's are by far the most common, accounting for approximately 75% of the Series, but most of the later cars are 840Ci's (the eighties bubble had burst by then!).
If I was looking for an 8-Series, I'd be inclined to go with a late (post 1995) 850Ci. If I were stumping up for 8-Series costs I'd want to get the full experience with the V12 soundtrack.
The 850CSi was an "M-Car lite", and is quite different to the 850Ci. It's also around 100bhp up on the 840Ci, so there will be a noticable difference in performance. However the running costs will be more significant, they weren't produced as late and thus are olders cars, and are in short supply and thus still quite expensive.
850Ci's are by far the most common, accounting for approximately 75% of the Series, but most of the later cars are 840Ci's (the eighties bubble had burst by then!).
If I was looking for an 8-Series, I'd be inclined to go with a late (post 1995) 850Ci. If I were stumping up for 8-Series costs I'd want to get the full experience with the V12 soundtrack.
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