E31 8 series views...

[Robertb]

Looking for views on the old 90's 8 series BMW... ownership and driving experiences, and general thoughts. I'm drawn to the 840Ci Sport versions.

I am fascinated by these cars and really want to own one some day... I keep looking at the classified ads, I've watched them get really cheap, and go back up but they are still reasonable value. I've a feeling I would regret selling my 996 4S for one, but maybe I wouldn't...

So please help me, either by telling me its a rubbish idea, or tempt me further with tales of how they are the best thing ever!

[Triumph Man]

I can't say how great or rubbish they are but I know I really want one - and tell myself that they're an E32 underneath, which is basically an E34, which is my car, so how bad can they be to maintain...?

[d_a_n1979]

Robertb said:

Looking for views on the old 90's 8 series BMW... ownership and driving experiences, and general thoughts. I'm drawn to the 840Ci Sport versions.

I am fascinated by these cars and really want to own one some day... I keep looking at the classified ads, I've watched them get really cheap, and go back up but they are still reasonable value. I've a feeling I would regret selling my 996 4S for one, but maybe I wouldn't...

So please help me, either by telling me its a rubbish idea, or tempt me further with tales of how they are the best thing ever!

Hell no; go for it

An E31 with the 4.4M62 V8 and well looked after is a superb car; like all cars of that age, they need work to keep them going. So either be prepared for a project, or pay for a well looked after example.

Tim's 'meeknet' website is a must: https://www.meeknet.co.uk/e31/

You'll find loads of info on there and his video's on YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TimmsBMWRepairsandInforma...

There are a few owners of E31s on here too, so hopefully they'll chime in; one of those threads here:

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Edited by d_a_n1979 on Friday 19th January 17:54

[helix402]

We used to call them the BMW Capri when I worked on them! They aren’t just an E32/4 underneath. For example some have rear steering (ARAK). They are big and wide. They have quite a presence. There’s a You Tube channel which features them, sorry-can’t remember the name.

[JW911]

I had a brief drive of an 850CSi many moons ago. Quite a machine. Four problems with them these days.

1) Finding one.
2) Finding a good one.
3) Finding a large fortune for number 2.
4) Mrs JW911 doesn’t like pop-up lights (or old cars).

As for the V8, a friend had one for a while and loved it. Arguably it’s a bit more nimble than the V12, which likely explains the four wheel steering in the CSi.

Edited by JW911 on Friday 19th January 19:29

[E31Shrew]

As others have said Go for it. They really are stunning cars but I do wonder about possible expenses going forward
Tim Meeks site is bang on and goes through all manner of challenges in fine detail. I'm sure if you got in touch with him he would spare some time for you
Ive had a couple. The first in 1999, ex demo 840 Sport Ind in Romantic Red! Covered 75000 miles in 18 months and not a single issue. The second I bought in 2006 , a 98 840 Sport Ind again in Avus Blue. The leading edge of the sunroof was showing a bit of grot and Info display had a couple of pixels missing. Had roof and bonnet repainted. Kept the car for 6 years and by all accounts its still going strong.
Good luck!
Heres a pic of the one I bought in 2006

[Robertb]

d_a_n1979 said:

Hell no; go for it

An E31 with the 4.4M62 V8 and well looked after is a superb car; like all cars of that age, they need work to keep them going. So either be prepared for a project, or pay for a well looked after example.

Tim's 'meeknet' website is a must: https://www.meeknet.co.uk/e31/

You'll find loads of info on there and his video's on YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TimmsBMWRepairsandInforma...

There are a few owners of E31s on here too, so hopefully they'll chime in; one of those threads here:

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Edited by d_a_n1979 on Friday 19th January 17:54

Thanks for the links, really helpful. I'll pore over Meeknet this weekend. I've also come across the M539 restorations videos.

Thoroughly enjoyed Salman's thread, which gives a good idea of the pitfalls with the cooling system. I have much to learn...

It seems, much like 996s, that the mileage is less important than the work that's been done.

[Robertb]

E31Shrew said:

As others have said Go for it. They really are stunning cars but I do wonder about possible expenses going forward
Tim Meeks site is bang on and goes through all manner of challenges in fine detail. I'm sure if you got in touch with him he would spare some time for you
Ive had a couple. The first in 1999, ex demo 840 Sport Ind in Romantic Red! Covered 75000 miles in 18 months and not a single issue. The second I bought in 2006 , a 98 840 Sport Ind again in Avus Blue. The leading edge of the sunroof was showing a bit of grot and Info display had a couple of pixels missing. Had roof and bonnet repainted. Kept the car for 6 years and by all accounts its still going strong.
Good luck!
Heres a pic of the one I bought in 2006

Thats a beautiful car... who doesnt like pillarless coupes!

[Robertb]

JW911 said:

I had a brief drive of an 850CSi many moons ago. Quite a machine. Four problems with them these days.

1) Finding one.
2) Finding a good one.
3) Finding a large fortune for number 2.
4) Mrs JW911 doesn’t like pop-up lights (or old cars).

As for the V8, a friend had one for a while and loved it. Arguably it’s a bit more nimble than the V12, which likely explains the four wheel steering in the CSi.

Edited by JW911 on Friday 19th January 19:29

Fair points. I was surprised when I showed Mrs B an ad a while ago, she said it looked good... normally she's not a fan of 'horrible retro things' as she puts it!

[Kawasicki]

I remember I used to think they were big but time moves on, they‘re very close in size to the current 4 series coupe.

[Robertb]

helix402 said:

We used to call them the BMW Capri when I worked on them! They aren’t just an E32/4 underneath. For example some have rear steering (ARAK). They are big and wide. They have quite a presence. There’s a You Tube channel which features them, sorry-can’t remember the name.

I remember seeing the pics of the prototypes being tested and thought it was unbelievably cool looking!

I'll have a good look on Youtube.

[d_a_n1979]

Robertb said:

d_a_n1979 said:

Hell no; go for it

An E31 with the 4.4M62 V8 and well looked after is a superb car; like all cars of that age, they need work to keep them going. So either be prepared for a project, or pay for a well looked after example.

Tim's 'meeknet' website is a must: https://www.meeknet.co.uk/e31/

You'll find loads of info on there and his video's on YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TimmsBMWRepairsandInforma...

There are a few owners of E31s on here too, so hopefully they'll chime in; one of those threads here:

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Edited by d_a_n1979 on Friday 19th January 17:54

Thanks for the links, really helpful. I'll pore over Meeknet this weekend. I've also come across the M539 restorations videos.

Thoroughly enjoyed Salman's thread, which gives a good idea of the pitfalls with the cooling system. I have much to learn...

It seems, much like 996s, that the mileage is less important than the work that's been done.

Yeah Sreten's videos are very good. From a DIYers perspective it's a great watch.

You'll not go wrong with advice from either channel etc...

Have you looked to see if there are any Japanese import E31s available or are they going to be out of budget?

[JW911]

If you’re feeling flush, there’s a good CSi for sale on AT at the moment.

[Robertb]

JW911 said:

If you’re feeling flush, there’s a good CSi for sale on AT at the moment.

Yes that’s a beauty, but well out of budget sadly!

There is one on car and classic for £34k, but it’s high miles and needs a bit of TLC.

I’d favour a V8 for the relative simplicity.

Need to go and see one really and have a good look around it, get a feel for whether the idea is a runner or not.

There is a nice looking velvet blue one for sale locally which I might arrange to view.

[The Conflated Outlier]

Triumph Man said:

they're an E32 underneath, which is basically an E34

They aren't though. E34 and E32 stuff has rear semi trailing arm IRS ( effective, never really goes wrong) but the E31 had a unique multi link rear end. The front suspension was also pretty much unique with very little shared with other BMW's.

Lots of parts are now NLA including rear suspension bits and silly stuff such as the front side repeaters. They are now at that age where they can consume a lot of money very quickly. Even late ones are looking very ropey underneath.

I had an 840Ci about 25 years ago when they were just about current. They were a nice big cruiser that had a bit more performance than a 330Ci. The handling is uninspiring really (heavy, fat tyres, worm and roller steering) and the four pot brakes are remarkably dead feeling at low speeds. Good for high speed work though. As a car, it wasn't as good as the 540i.

Dunno - I liked mine and am glad I had one before they got old but wouldn't want one now.