AndyWRX1

A general concensus is required to tell me if I am about to make a phenomenal error in judgement.

I've been offered an 850 Ci by a friend of a friend when my WRX goes back to the finance company next month

The price seems fair compared to Autotrader prices and it is still under warranty apparently (I dont quite understand how !) so I am not asking whether it is a good deal.

I just want to know what everyone thinks of them 'cos Evo magazine calls them a rich mans Probe which is pretty cutting by anyones standards but I am hugely tempted by the V12.

What do you think?

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

Nice car but you will look like a 1990's German **** baron !

I say dont do it !

AndyWRX1

Oh, so you've read my profile then.

ta

Andy

RON

I think they're luvly, I'd have to find an M850 though, just because!!!

midget1500

awesome car - there area few round here, very rare and they are really unknown to most people so don't attract unwanted attention.

AndyWRX1

oh dear, positive opinions.

Not making this decision easy........

RON

Do it!!!

the fuel consumption can't be worse can it???

timebomb

I had a 840 sport for 3 months early this year.
Amazing car. loved the rumble of the V8.
Why don't you cut down on fuel costs and get a debadged 840sport.
I pitched it once against my Clio172 mrk1 and the 840 won no problem.
Different story round the twisties though.
Amazing car i want one again.

The Zohan

I love these cars, a fitting replacement for the 635CSI imho.

Built to last forever, great shape and classy.

Not sure what you have been offered it for but i know they can be had for sensible money, say 10K.

V12 engine a gem but God help you if it has a problem, BMW or specialist service history essential, if not - walk away, no, RUN!

Thinking about getting an 840 sometime in the future.

Probably not too good on fuel, not sure of the MPG but would estimate a 18-20mpg average maybe single figures if pushed

This is a future classic and you can use it everyday!

andrewdelvard

Lovely Car. Some nice pics here http://mandrake.net/pictures/1997-bmw-850ci/

Flyboy-F33

I have an 840Ci (currently for sale) and they are lovely cars. Fuel consumption on the v12 will be a bit high, but I regularly get 23 around town and upto 29 on a run. Just about to have a stainless exhaust system fitted which will improve the sound qualities too. The biggest differencve you will notice is in the build quality (over your WRX). Watch out for the electrics and the on board computer, fiercely expensive to repair. And if it needs an exhaust system that will set you back £2.5K from BMW, there are no after market manufacturers that I have found, so getting a system built from scratch.

GG

brickboy

Love the idea of the big motor etc but I've always thought the 8-series was a bit too much like the old late 80s Supra in shape ... it's discreet but maybe too anonymous ...

Do your sums very carefully ... is there a trustworthy independent BMW specialist near you?

AndyWRX1

This is all great stuff, thanks.

From what I can work out the owner has paid £500 per year to maintain and extend the warranty which I can continue to do if I wish and all the parts and labour will be covered by a franchise BMW dealer. Has anyone heard of this before? He just a had a few grands worth of work done a couple of months ago all done 'gratis' courtesy of BMW.

Next, I quite enjoy the odd track day and I guess the tyres will not last very long at all if pushed with all that weight. Does anyone have any experience of that?

Given that everyone has mentioned the fuel economy, I think I will probably spend a couple of grand on a 306 turbo diesel for the daily 15 mile run to work.

Webdunk

BMW (GB) Apporved Used Warranty has just recently been upgraded to unlimited time/mileage. All you need to do is stay dealer serviced and renew for about the sum of £500 you mentioned annually.

Getting a good few 8er drivers @ BMW Car Club Forum now. They may be able to give you more gen...

[Edited by Webdunk - 8/29/2003 11:04:45 AM]

TRIGGER

I gathered from a M3 owner that the warranty will be invalid if they find out you have done a trackday though.

Webdunk

"I gathered from a M3 owner that the warranty will be invalid if they find out you have done a trackday though."

New car warranties were recently highlighted as excluding track day use. I think (in light of the new M3 CSL and the fact that M cars can come with track instruction) BMW re-thought their position and track use is now covered... well worth checking the small print though.

To my knowledge, my Approved Used warranty made no mention of track days...

beefola

I say go nuts mate, get it done. You really can't find much more metal, performance and Knight Rider style (if you get a black one) for so little money. Definately.
Or do as i'm planning to do in a couple of weeks and get a mint 635CSi, better looking imo, but older and cheaper.
So probably not as good.
So ignore that last bit!
Go for it mate!
Beef

TopBanana

Stupidly expensive if they go wrong. Very complicated apparently

LanciaChris

Fantastic cars, until they go wrong. We had the choice of either an 850 at £10k (water damage to the drivers seat, otherwise perfect), or a mint 944 cabrio at £8k. Went for the 944 in the end. I would have preferred the 850.

Ralf

the 8 Series Ci were introduced after even the 850i failed to deliver serious driving dynamics, and that with a 5.0 V12 6-speeder! No one said lame but you got the impression. It seems it was too late already, the 8 Series was never sold in big numbers.

Better drive it before you buy one. It certainly gives a different driving sensation compared with your Scooby. And big cars are never good for track days, mind.