1996 BMW 840CI

This 1996 BMW 840Ci is a three-former-keeper example, It's finished in BMW's Individual Romantic Rot metallic paint, which looks great. This 8 Series is a well-used car, and despite the slightly aged bodywork, it doesn't fail to look attractive. Like how it'd have been when new, part of the 8 Series' appeal lies in not just the fact that it was the flagship BMW coupe but also its overall design both in and out.

The 8 Series was launched as an upmarket replacement for the E24 6 Series. It's said that BMW spent around 1.5 Billion Deutsche Mark to design the car's exterior using CAD, the result of which was an exceptional improvement in aerodynamics; the coefficient of drag was just 0.29. Launched first with a V12 followed by a more sensible V8, the BMW 8 Series had more than enough pace to satiate enthusiasts. Not exactly a super-light sports car, the 8 Series was more of a luxury GT, and it found more than 30,000 takers globally. The 840 was the so-called entry-level model, but it offered more than adequate performance for a luxury cruiser with sporting intent; in 1996, the 840Ci got a 4.4-litre V8. With just about 3000 units manufactured, it's a fairly rare car.

There’s no doubt that the 8 was more aerodynamic than its E24 6 Series but it was also way more stylish than BMW had ever been. Pop-up headlamps, pillar-less windows, hunkered-down stance, a fairly long bonnet, and an overall design that wasn't shared with any other BMW, it had a lot in its favour. Things that would look great on other BMWs continued to have a considerable impact on the 8, too. Like BBS wheels, for instance, which just look flawless on the E31, as if they were designed specifically for this grand tourer. Or the individual BMW Romantic Rot Metallic paint, which this 1996 BMW 840Ci has got.

The deep red paint hasn't lost its shine but it's not free from stone chips or small scratches. The bodywork looks to be in good shape, and apart from minute discolouration, the wheels look properly fresh, too. The sunroof appears to have some paint blemishes, and some of the rubber seals, like the one around the windscreen might be due for a replacement in the future. The front windscreen looks intact without any damage, and the rear glass seems to have got delaminated around the lower edges. The plastic nose cone doesn't appear to be damaged and the overall condition is very respectable.

The 8 Series was BMW's flagship coupe and it's evident in the way the cabin is put together. From leather upholstery to the ability to seat four, there was a lot on offer, although not in terms of space, which, for the rear passengers, is below-average at best. But the front occupants got to enjoy electrically adjustable memory seats. There was also a standalone car phone, climate control, a CD changer, among other things. The absence of a B-pillar made the cabin feel more spacious and as mentioned earlier, it did make the car look very stylish, too.

The 1996 BMW 840Ci here has nearly 145,000 miles on the clock, so one can expect it to have some wear. The leather seats have some cracks, some of the rubber seals near the door sills have seen better days, the door cards and dashboard plastics are good, and the rear seats seem unused. The onboard computer has a 'Brake Light Fail' message being flashed on it, the boot looks clean and it comes with the toolbox. The 8 might not have the Nokia phone that used to come with the car, but the CD changer, navigation computer, and even the cassette player are all intact.

In 1989/90, BMW launched the 8 Series with a V12 engine that made just under 300 hp and could reach 62 mph in just under 7 seconds. While an M8 never made it to the market, the top-spec 850 was even offered with a 5.6-litre V12 that made 375 hp and could hit the ton in just 6 seconds. But practicality and frugality weren't the V12's strongest points — something a V8-engined model could happily improve without compromising on the overall pace. That's how the 840 was born. Earlier offered with a 4-litre V8, the later 840Ci got a 4.4-litre, VANOS-equipped engine, which matched the 850Ci's performance but with improved economy.

This 1996 example is a later model one, which did benefit from the larger of the V8s. Although it made identical max power as the previous iteration, it was quicker and more frugal too. The rear-wheel-drive car has a five-speed automatic gearbox, which the critics say, works well with the GT nature of the engine. The underside looks clean but shows that the car has been used; it left the factory more than two and half decades ago, so that's not abnormal. There is some surface rust, too, but the MoT tests don't raise any warning.

According to the V5C and supplied paperwork, this 840Ci was registered in 1996. The accompanying service booklet does give an idea of the initial maintenance carried out in the first few years of ownership but it's not exhaustive. The MoT records do offer a deeper look at how much the car has run and its overall condition. In the last 22 tests, it has only failed five times; the rest are either a clean pass or with some advisories. The latest one, conducted last year, shows an advisory for an oil leak (not excessive), and is valid till July this year. From 1996 - 2006, it did about 70k miles, and the next 70k in the period till now.

The Private registration is also included in this sale.

The E31 8 Series was very different from BMWs of the past; fewer doors, more power, and more weight than others. It wasn't the usual, although highly agile and entertaining BMW saloon, that would get lost in the sea of company cars. The 8 Series stood out because it was the most expensive, feature-packed BMW GT money could buy. And that's not lost even now. It's a special car, one that's still well within the reach of many enthusiasts.

At an estimated £10,000 - 15,000, this 1996 840Ci promises to be a lot of car for entry-level hatchback money. Since it's the V8, running and maintaining it is unlikely to be as expensive as the V12, too. As you can see in the photos, it's not quite a concours-ready example, but at the same time, it's one that has been running all its life, with a clean-ish MoT record, and a decent condition overall. The biggest draw of course is the BMW Individual paint, which helps this 840Ci look even more appealing. While the 8 Series prices aren't as low as they once were, an example like this one is bound to offer years of enjoyable GT experience.

Viewing is always encouraged, within Govt. guidelines of course, and as stated this car is located at our Abingdon headquarters; we are open Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm and to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing to make an appointment. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.