1995 BMW 840i

This six-speed manual, red-bodied (official colour: Hellrot 314) 840i is paired with a black leather interior and dates from 1995. It comes with factory fitted optional extras, including a CD autochanger and top tint to the front and rear screens. It has 115,338 miles on the odometer and comes with four new Toyo tyres, and a hand-written history, which is fully detailed in the red folder being sold with the car.

The vendor bought this motor from an airline pilot in February 2000 (see red folder for details of past owners and explanation of why Former Keepers at DVLA does not agree with number of true owners). The longest trip the vendor has done in this motor was when he moved house from Hampshire to West Wales on retirement in 2016. This car is being sold as the vendor is looking to get his affairs in order due to ill health.

There’s no denying that this car would benefit from partial restoration, so is likely to appeal to someone keen for a bit of a project. This is because the headlining has sagged; the rear screen is delaminated at the corners; there are small rust patches (namely on the door trailing edges and some bubbling above the windscreen). There is also a rust hole in the boot floor, adjacent to the screen-wash tank. The speed/rev counter is inoperative due to failed capacitors in the control unit. The vendor highlights that the battery may need replacing as it does not hold the charge, but it does start after charging. We haven't driven it. One of the adjustment cables on the driver’s seat has seized or broken and the sunroof operation is a bit sticky. Check the red folder for build data, but this car comes with the combination of the M60 engine and a virtually unique specification depending on whether you look at date of manufacture in Germany (October 1994) or date of first registration in UK (February 1995).

This red 840i features a sleek and elegant design that reflects the aesthetics of its time. It has a long, low-slung body with smooth lines and a graceful silhouette. The front end is dominated by the iconic kidney grille, and stylish pop-up headlights that give the car a distinct appearance. At the rear, you'll find angular taillights and twin, dual exhaust tips that add to the car’s sporty appeal.

As previously stated, there are a few areas of the bodywork that would benefit from some attention. This includes the rust on the door edges, scuffs on the passenger wing mirror, the bubbling on the corner around the windscreen, some scratches on the bonnet and blemishes to the paintwork on the nose. Whilst there is opportunity to make some aesthetic enhancements to the exterior, the 840i exudes a sense of timeless design, combining luxury and performance in equal measure.

The black leather contrasts beautifully with the exterior red. The front seats are fully electric, so that the perfect driving position is easy to attain. The back seats come with a drop-down arm rest. There are some marks to the upholstery, namely the small tear to the rear passenger seat. As mentioned, the headlining is marked and slightly sagging. The car comes with electric windows and the carpets, door cards and mats look to be fine. The generously sized boot houses a full-size spare under the floor. There is plenty of room for luggage for that continental touring holiday. It also comes with a first aid kit, toolkit and roadside triangle, which is a nice touch.

The 840i is equipped with a 4.0-litre (M60) V8 engine. This engine produces around 282 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. It utilises a 6-speed manual transmission to deliver power to the rear wheels, offering a balanced and enjoyable driving experience. There are plenty of photographs of the car’s underside, so take some time to examine them. There appears to be some surface rust on the exhaust and rear floor. No doubt the underside would benefit from a good clean due to the buildup of grime. Lift the bonnet and that powerful, yet refined V8 engine is a joy to behold. The engine and engine bay all looks to be in decent condition and everything looks to be in its right and proper place.

This car has had five prior keepers and the service history is somewhat sparse. This is because, after purchasing this long-desired vehicle, the owner and his business later fell on financially hard times. As such, it was taken off the road for long periods when he could not justify the expense of running it. As can be seen from the MOT history, the car has covered very few miles in the last ten to fifteen years, being continuously garaged throughout the off-road periods. That being said, it does come with a few invoices which show a few parts have been installed over the last few years, including a brake disc and a Bosch spark plug in 2017. The last MoT was done in March 2019, at which point there were a few advisories due to some corrosion on the underside and brake hose, as well as some wear to the suspension.

BMW still makes luxurious coupes, but the modern rather in-your-face design language is not to everyone’s taste. This delightful 840i harks back to a gentler time, where money and good taste went hand in hand. A head-turning car in its day, and even more so now, this car is ready for exciting new adventures. These cars don’t come up for sale very often and this one is the ideal motor for someone looking for a bit of a project. The price is available on request.

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