Bmw 840 1998/99

agent_smith

Saw one today parked in Rathfarnham. BOOOO-ING! What a aston martin rival. Absolutely stunning. Anybody ever driven one or know anyone with one. They go fairly reasonably on carzone and will likely be a future classic.
Times online love them http://driving.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/driving/used_car_reviews/article507701.ece
Is BMW planning on reviving an 8 series again ?

JHMEG

There's an 850 going around my estate for years... sooo much nicer than the current 6, which is pretty awful imho. I gather the 6-series is the new 8-series.

Seth Brundle

It will more than likely be revived with the CS
http://www.infomotori.co.uk/a_8_EN_19806_1.html
http://www.seriouswheels.com/cars/top-2007-BMW-Concept-CS.htm

BnA

I think they are simply stunning looking.

You can pick up some early 90's ones in the UK for 5k(ish).

Manuals are very hard to come by.

S.I.R

two of these around the corner from irishtown gardi station in dublin4 and you see atleast 5 a day in that generally area , couldn't agree more with you lot on the fact that it looks betterthen the 6 serise

Zion

Always wanted to get one but it's nearly impossible to find a manual one. I'm not ready for an automatic car yet

SouperComputer

Cheap to buy, not so cheap to run, even if you DIY your repairs. I was about to sign the papers on an 850i over here than found out that we have a little nipper on the way, so that cancelled that.

The 850CSI will be a classic for sure, well maintained "normal" ones might be, theres still some debate on it. The well maintained ones are getting fewer and fewer.

unkel

Saw one up close in a car park a few days ago. It was in great condition. Very nice motors indeed. Have stood the test of time well. I believe Gerry Ryan has a couple of them

SouperComputer wrote: »

Cheap to buy, not so cheap to run

Don't agree on the "not so cheap to run". The V8 models should be mostly trouble free as long as you get the '96 and later M62 engine, not the earlier M60 engine which can have the infamous Nikasil issue

The 850 is a different kettle of fish. Only for the brave with deep pockets

Congrats on the little nipper BTW!

agent_smith

so a 1998/99 should give (if its a good example) years of relatively trouble free motoring ?
I started doing some homework on them today. Just looking at how much you could pick one up for. Its a phenominal amount of car for the money. Then again you can get phenominal amount of ferarri, maserati, aston martin for the money around similar vintage.. the thing is ... they will cost you double again to maintain.
So who here has driven one ?

alpina

Nice car but don't be fooled into thinking you are getting that raw BMW white knuckle ride, you won't. Too big and wallowy (if such a word) will never reach proper classic status. If this is what you want seek out a CS, CSI, or original E24 6 series preferably M or even a low mileage pristine condition original M3 these have a chance off reaching classic status if not already, but the 840/850 never came close, too fat/heavy & soft..

Then again all above is IMO...

Barr

Its the only BMW I ever liked , it looks class even by todays standards.

Prices seem reasonable as well which is a bonus but as allready mentioned huge running costs

Max_Damage

alpina wrote: »

Nice car but don't be fooled into thinking you are getting that raw BMW white knuckle ride, you won't. Too big and wallowy (if such a word) will never reach proper classic status. If this is what you want seek out a CS, CSI, or original E24 6 series preferably M or even a low mileage pristine condition original M3 these have a chance off reaching classic status if not already, but the 840/850 never came close, too fat/heavy & soft..

Then again all above is IMO...

Nonsense. Any car can reach 'classic car' status. Hell, even shít heaps like the Morris Marina and Allegro have reached classic car status.

I agree with another of the above posters, they were the only BMW I ever really liked. The 850CSi can only be got with a manual 'box as far as I know.

xt40

Zion wrote: »

I'm not ready for an automatic car yet

did you never wonder why all high end luxury / gt cars come with auto boxes and the low end of the range all have clutch pedals?

SouperComputer

unkel wrote: »

Saw one up close in a car park a few days ago. It was in great condition. Very nice motors indeed. Have stood the test of time well. I believe Gerry Ryan has a couple of them



Don't agree on the "not so cheap to run". The V8 models should be mostly trouble free as long as you get the '96 and later M62 engine, not the earlier M60 engine which can have the infamous Nikasil issue

The 850 is a different kettle of fish. Only for the brave with deep pockets

Congrats on the little nipper BTW!

Thanks!

By expensive I mean the parts are pretty heafty. HVAC motor, OBC, MAF's if anything like this goes its much worse than an E38/E32 pricewise, especially if they know its for your 8'! Sure you casn use a MAF from an E32/E38/E39 (depending on your E31 year) on one, but how many people actually know this?

The rule of thumb over here (and agreed with some in the UK too) is that a good e31 will set you back around 15K. You either pay now, or pay later, kinda like the E34 M5. Wspecially as you get towards the 100K mark.

galwaytt

SouperComputer wrote: »

Cheap to buy, not so cheap to run, even if you DIY your repairs. I was about to sign the papers on an 850i over here than found out that we have a little nipper on the way, so that cancelled that.

Why would that cancel it? iirc, both my two as babes, were 'reared' in the back of my TT. (tough life :rolleyes:). So an 8-series should be a push-over, space-wise.......

Then they went to an 87 911, and now trundle around in the 968. All of these have been excellent 'family' cars.

unkel

SouperComputer wrote: »

By expensive I mean the parts are pretty heafty. HVAC motor, OBC, MAF's if anything like this goes its much worse than an E38/E32 pricewise

And (some) parts for an E38/E32 are much worse than your average family car. I'm the first to conceed. But how many parts are you going to need?

The only parts I needed for my 7-series in over 4 years of driving were a drivers window lifting mechanism (cable had broken - wear and tear). It cost the same as in most other cars. And a suspension job that I knew was coming at about 135k miles. It cost a grand including all labour. The car is now 12 years old

A main dealer timing belt job in a 2 year old car much cheaper car could cost the same...

galwaytt wrote: »

both my two as babes, were 'reared' in the back of my TT. (tough life :rolleyes:). So an 8-series should be a push-over, space-wise.......

Then they went to an 87 911, and now trundle around in the 968. All of these have been excellent 'family' cars.

Right on! I've a third nipper on the way. Most people in my situation would change their car for an MPV. Like yourself, I went for an old Porsche 2+2

SouperComputer

And (some) parts for an E38/E32 are much worse than your average family car. I'm the first to conceed. But how many parts are you going to need?

Well, thats just the thing, it seems that they are more prone to issues than the E38. Subjectivly, from what I know, an E31 will almost definately cost more to run and keep well maintained than an e38.

Why would that cancel it? iirc, both my two as babes, were 'reared' in the back of my TT. (tough life ). So an 8-series should be a push-over, space-wise.......

I duno if you've driven one yet Galwaytt, but theres nowhere near as much room as you might think in the back. The tt has more room to work with, especially with the getting baby seat in and out part.

Main reservation was guilt, I guess. I insist baby (Found out today its a girl) wants a v12, but mommy isnt so sure TBH I dont think i'd ever hear the end of the complaing of how hard it is getting baby in and out. She'd be a hot momma in an e31 tho.

That said, I havnt tried to get a baby seat into the e31, my wife would go nuts I think tho. From that view I was gearing towards E39 540iT. Hmmmm

&^%^k yiz, im lookin at E31's again. (*&£K


/edit, hey unkel, im back for a week in June, if you still have the E38 I could rent it

agent_smith

So who here has owned one / driven one. I saw some of the guys on the bmw forum rave about it and that its a real drivers car.
I saw a beautiful wine one 98 on pistonheads. Stunning in that colour.

SouperComputer

So who here has owned one / driven one. I saw some of the guys on the bmw forum rave about it and that its a real drivers car.

Meh, sounds like fanboyism.

Dont get me wrong, I love the E31, I think its an awseome car but in terms of being a "drivers" car it pales in comparison to the like of the E30 & E36 M3. Its heavy, slow off the line (gathers momentum at 100+) and not particularly nimble. For its weight (or mass for the pedantics) its a great car, and handles quite well but I don't think id describe it as a driver's car, needs to be more involving to be one IMO. Call a spade a spade as they say.

The 850CSI on the other hand, could be an entirely different kettle of fish, haven't driven any, so I cant comment.

unkel

SouperComputer wrote: »

Well, thats just the thing, it seems that they are more prone to issues than the E38

Ah, ok. Wasn't aware of that. Anyway that E39 seems a half decent compromise

SouperComputer wrote: »

hey unkel, im back for a week in June, if you still have the E38 I could rent it

My I'll start a limo business