1992 BMW 850i

Built in May 1992 and first registered on 1 August, this BMW 850i (aka 850Ci after they were renamed in 1992) has had a total of 8 owners and has covered a genuine 82,000 miles. That’s fewer than 3k miles a year on average.

It has the M70 5.0-litre (4988cc) all-aluminium V12 engine which delivers 296bhp and 332lb.ft of torque. It was also optioned with the M-Technic sports suspension and steering wheel.

Most importantly though, it has the much rarer 6-speed manual gearbox, confirmed as factory-fit via the VIN. Given the rarity, the current owner bought the car a couple of years back without seeing more than some photos and a description but was very pleased with his purchase and has since made sure everything has been brought up to a high standard.

Finished in BMW’s Mauritius Blue - a rather handsome colour that’s just a shade or two lighter than navy - there is some paint wear around some of the edges, a few light scratches here and there and the inevitable handful of tiny stone chips on the nose, but otherwise the bodywork and paint on this car are very good. It has been ceramic coated recently which really enhances the inky blue colour.

The rear windscreen is delaminating slightly down one side but so far this hasn’t affected rear visibility or the integrity of the weather seal.

The car sits on its original 17-inch BBS split-rim alloys which present in a largely excellent condition with just a light scuffing around the centre caps. All are fitted with matching Falken Azenis tyres dating from 2015.

The 850i badge on the rear is a later addition, the car having been ordered new with the “badge delete” option. It is unclear whether this car was originally an 850i or Ci as the designation changed during the year of its build - it isn’t massively important either as the model itself didn’t change.

The parchment-coloured leather upholstery has the patina and creasing of a “lived in” look, as you might expect, but there is no obvious damage to the seats or other trims around the interior. The leather clad steering wheel, gearstick and handbrake also appear in a used but undamaged condition.

The centre console is by no means fancy, the design is very business-like, but it is stuffed with all the toys that today we might take for granted like the dual-zone climate control, trip computer and a top-of-the-range BMW Bavaria Professional Radio Stereo with boot-mounted 6 CD-changer. As is common now on BMWs of this era, there are several dead and dying pixels in the LCD display, which makes it hard to read some of the information.

As far as we’ve been able to test, most of the electrics and interior equipment works as it should - although currently the radio powers up but doesn’t play. Worth noting also that the driver’s door clunks at each hold point on opening - not a big issue but a little unbecoming of such an otherwise luxurious coupé.

The carpets and matching fitted overmats front and rear all look fairly clean and intact, as does the headlining. The car has what may be the original fire extinguisher fitted under the driver’s seat. The sill kick plates are structurally solid but the silvering between the ridges is starting to peel off.

Underneath

The engine bay looks very clean and tidy, with evidence of renewal in recent years to some of the ducting and perishables. There is room for maybe a little improvement to the intake manifolds, which are looking very honest but maybe a tad scruffy compared to the rest of the engine compartment.

The undersides appear solid and undamaged with underseal coating across the floor panels. There is the usual road dirt across most of the running gear, as you would expect, but everything is very tidy and there are no signs of any corrosion or significant surface rust. The stainless exhaust fitted 5 years ago looks in excellent condition.

Inside the boot, the carpet and linings appear intact and largely clean with just one or two patches of discoloration. Set into one side wall is the CD changer and behind the lining opposite is the battery and jack. Under the floor is a 16-inch spare wheel fitted with a Continental tyre. Attached to the underside of the boot lid is the warning triangle and what looks to be a complete toolkit. There is also a full set of floor mats in addition to those already inside the car.

The BMW has a current MoT valid until March 2022. There is a good online MOT history back to 2006 when records were digitised and a handful of paper copies in the file. The one advisory remaining on the recent inspection - rear fuel pump hose perished - has since been addressed.

The 850Ci comes with its full owner’s book pack including the service booklet which lists the following alternate oil services and inspections - most of which were stamped up by Stratstone BMW of Derby:

Sep 1992 - 1,327 miles

Jun 1993 - 6,733

May 1994 - 14,314

Mar 1995 - 21,798

Nov 1995 - 29,020

Jul 1996 - 36,340

Apr 1998 - 42,013

Oct 1999 - 50,716

Apr 2001 - 54,236

Jan 2003 - 63,500

Jan 2005 - 71,534

Sep 2007 - 75,518

May 2015 - mileage unrecorded

Sep 2018 - 81,500

plus

Mar 2021 - 82,004 Walkers Autotech (service invoice)

There are numerous invoices from Stratstone supporting the service record and more recent garage bills from Phoenix Motorsports, Fritz’s Bits and others for the following:

May 2015 - various replacements and repairs c£2k

Feb 2016 - various investigations, replacements and repairs c£4.3k

Jun 2016 - stainless exhaust

Nov 2018 - air con recommissioning and regas

The BMW 8-series took rather a long time to make the transition from ageing luxury coupé to modern classic, but it’s certainly there now – buying guides have been appearing in the classic car press and prices have risen steadily from a low point perhaps five years ago. All these guides say the same thing: they encourage you or rather they urge you to buy a good one. Numerous electronic features and general complexity means that tired, ill-maintained 8-series can be money pits.

This example starts first time from cold and the combination of the 5.0-litre V12 and stainless exhaust gives a real throaty roar. It’s a torquey motor too; giving the car a sharp longitudinal tweak when you rev. It drives well too, a beautifully compliant and wafty ride with the option and capability to drop down a cog or two just for fun.

Only 98 European RHD 850i/Ci BMWs were built with the 5.0-litre M70 engine and 6-speed manual gearbox, and there appear to be barely a dozen or so still registered in the UK, so this one is something of a rarity. We think a well-maintained example like this, having a strong history and in good condition with sensible miles will fetch between £30,000 and £40,000.

It should provide seriously impressive continent-crossing abilities (when such things are allowed again) with the reassurance that it never passed through the hard-up ownership that some examples have suffered.

Viewing is always encouraged (within Govt. guidelines of course), and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; 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’.