1993 BMW 850 CSi

This example comes in its original factory set-up and has just under 122,000 miles showing on the odometer. The vendor has owned this 850CSi since 2009, using it as a weekend car for several years before moving it to storage, where it has spent the majority of its time over the last few years. The car is described as being in good working order, with no known issues to flag, and it comes with a spare wheel. In the words of the seller: “It drives lovely; there are no issues and it’s good to go…you just need to jump in and drive”. It’s being sold because it simply is not being driven enough, so reluctantly the vendor has accepted that: “it’s got the stage now where we’re not going to drive it, so we may as well let someone else enjoy it”.

The photographer felt that the car may currently be running on 11 cylinders..

Designed by Klaus Kapitza, using design cues from the M1 and the BMW Turbo concept, the 8 series boasts a sleek, aerodynamic body style with a long hood, short overhangs and a muscular stance. The exterior is further accented by a unique, aggressive front bumper with integrated air vents and fog lamps, as well as sleek side skirts and a rear spoiler that increase downforce and improve handling. Finished in a stunning shade of red called 'Brilliant Rot' this car sits on large, black alloy wheels to complement the car's dynamic appearance. There are a number of minor blemishes across the car, namely to the rear bumper on both corners; there’s some discoloration to the door handle, some bubbles to paintwork on the roof and there’s some delamination around the windscreen. Nonetheless, this car remains stylish, exuding an understated elegance that is both timeless and effortlessly cool.

The black leather is expertly crafted, offering a comfortable and supportive seating experience. The upholstery boasts a rich, deep black hue that perfectly complements the styling of this iconic model. The seats are electric and the door cards, carpets and seats look to be in sound condition throughout, save some signs of wear to the front seats commensurate with the mileage. The only imperfections worth highlighting are around the center console and gear stick where the upholstery looks worn, and the headlining has drooped somewhat. The car is also furnished with an electric sunroof.

The 850CSi's modified suspension includes stiffer springs and electronic dampers that reduced the car's ride height. The recirculating ball steering ratio was dropped 15% over the standard E31 setup. In Europe, all 850CSi's came with four-wheel steering (AHK – Aktiv Hinterachs-Kinematik or Active rear axle kinematics), along with upgraded and ventilated brakes with floating front discs, rear differential oil cooler and engine oil cooler. The CSi also features traction control and an adaptive gearbox. There is some mild surface rust on the exhaust and brake hydraulic pipes, and the underside of the nose has picked up some damage, otherwise the underside looks in fine shape.

This 850CSi is equipped with a 5.6-litre V12 engine, capable of producing 375 horsepower and 402 lb-ft of torque, mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. These were some of the first cars with ‘fly-by-wire’ throttles. The owner is confident that the car is mechanically sound and drives as it should. The engine bay is in nice order and the engine cover looks tidy. There is no evidence of leaks of oil, water or clutch fluid.

The vendor has owned the car since 2009, and it has been in storage for the majority of this time. The car comes with one key, its warranty and service handbook, the original owner’s handbook, a collection of MOT certificates, stamped service history and logbook. Please see document gallery.

With prices of the iconic E24 6-Series coupes having soared beyond the reach of mere mortals, the E31 8-Series has taken its place as the Go To coupe for lovers of Bavarian heavy metal. Prices have started to creep up, and the mean price for 850CSis sold in the last couple of years is over £70,000, with the most expensive going for almost £90,000. As such, this model is reasonably priced, as we estimate a prospective buyer will need to part with somewhere between £30,000-£35,000 to take this car home.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this car can be seen at the Market HQ; 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’.