Any 8 Series experts???

[mdrc]

Do we have any 8 series experts? I'm thinking of swapping my everyday workhorse Jag for one - quite like the look, they're well specced, good on the motorway I would think and fairly reasonably priced - what are the downsides??

[rassi]

I have been looking at those also, and I believe that most would agree that they are very well made, but very costly to fix if/when something goes wrong.

As they are heavy beasts, they also wear tyres and brakes. If you get one, go for the V8, preferably the 4,4 litre version, and definitely not the thirsty V12.

For more information, see www.e31.net although that focuses on the 850 CSI - which I still lust for!

[sohlman]

Depend what you want for practicality by a late model 840i (4.4 V8 286BHP) these are good cars and the cheapest to run and as fast as the 850i(300BHP 5.0 V12). However if you want a very quick sporty car you will have to search for a manual which is difficult. The best by far is the 850csi (5.6 380BHP V12) which was very different to all other cars. It has some 100BHP more than an 840 , but the same weight and comes as standard with a 6 speed box. Basically the CSI was the M8 although not badget that way and can be tuned to silly specifications if required. Do bear in mind that these cars are heavy and so eat brakes and tyres if driven agresivly, but running cost are no different from a 7 series of the same age. The nose cone is easily damaged and so need to be checked, and electrics need to all work as costly to repair. Good luck in finding them. A late model 840 can be purchased for under 20k with low miles 30-40k and an 850csi can be got for the same price, but will probably be between 50-70 miles. Munich legends sometimes have them but they are very exspensive

[mdrc]

Thanks folks - very helpful - any other thoughts on sourcing one??.....the main dealer cars I've seen are well over the top pricewise but do come with some sort of warranty - are there good BMW specialists out there you would recommend or is it a matter of prising one away from a private enthusiast?

[rico]

IF you are a member or know someone who is, have a word around a golf club. Golfers seem to change cars regularly.Just saying as i was offered one a few months ago (now sold though).

[griffchris]

I bought a 94 850Csi with under 60k at the end of last year, and would thoroughly recommend one. It cost around £85k new, so I think it was an absolute bargain for under £20k, and has probably aged alot better than most cars of that age. Having previously owned a TVR Griffith, it actually compares quite well in terms of straight line performance ( if that's your thing) and obviously BMW reliability has been a massive bonus!

Only 165 were ever made in RHD form, so they are quite a rare sight. You will see them crop up in autotrader etc. but tend to all have starship mileage. I'd looked for one for a couple of months until the one that I eventually bought came on the market, and had seen and agreed on the price within 6 hours of the car coming on the market. BMW dealers also confirmed that low mileage examples sell very quickly- so if you see one with low mileage at an affordable price, don't hang about because it won't!

[craigw]

This one looks quite good doesnt it?

1995 N Reg BMW 8 Series 4.0 840 Ci Executive Autos Oxford Green With Parchment Leather Trim, 48,000 miles . Automatic Transmission, Huge Spec Includes, Climate Control, Cross Spoke Alloys, Electric Seats, Electric Seat Memory, Electric Sunroof, Computer, . . . . (trade) more info
£13,495

Its not mine btw.