Any one ever had a go of a 8 series BMW?
 

Are they any good?

Hiya, the first 850 with the 5.0ltr v12 is slow compared with the sportcars now ( 300bhp, 0-60 approx 7 secs ). My dad and me had a test drive in one between 16 - 17 years ago and i found it to be very cramped in the back (i'm 5ft 11 in) , although very smooth.The 840ci sport with the 4.4ltr v8, is the one to go for if you fancy the V8 because it doesn't suffer from the nikisil problem. Also the Csi bodykit looks alot better and is almost as quick as the 850 and handles better.
The first 850 had three different gearboxes, the first is a 4 speed auto (slushmatic) don't bother with that one go for either the rare 6 speed manual or 5 speed auto.The mpg for the V12's around town isn't brilliant which is to be expected.Also the 5.6ltr S70 motorsport engine (in the Csi & englarged for the B12) originally came from the first 850 so it's a recommended engine.Gearbox is 6 speed only.Or if you want the Alpina version go for the 5.7ltr B12 and 6 manual gearbox (more fun and includes involvement) but these are very very rare.The Csi and B12 are fitted with passive rear wheel steering ( AHK they call it ) like the Mitsi 3000GT.

Nathan.

Forgot to mention the performance figures, the Csi ( 380 bhp ) 0-60 very close to the 3.2 e36 M3 and the latter car = 5.5 seconds so around 5.7 seconds, the Alpina ( 416 bhp ) a tenth or two quicker and the 840ci ( m62 4.4 V8 286 bhp ) very close to the 850i.
Try these websites BMW 8 Series Worldwide Owners Group and BMW 8 Series Registry > Home for more info if you want an 8.

Nathan.

Also cost a fortune in repairs if something went wrong. If you like the pre-Bangle styling then go for it you won't be dissapointed. The 850 is quite old now so expect electrical faults, some might show rust here and there too and stay away from the 8's with gallactic mileage.Usually on Auto Trader UK - Buy & Sell New & Used Cars, Car Loans, Car Insurance you will find at least 40 8's for sale including a few Csi's, although them on now have been there for a while for obvious reasons if you look at there prices.Here is the alpina site The Alpina Register - the online BMW ALPINA Community .Here is the episode from the discovery channel about it

YouTube - uk bmw 850i

sorry for all the links.

Nathan.

a friend has one, looks good but oh boy has it cost some money when its gone wrong.

Not really a shock when the 840 cost £60000 new. I thin the 850 was nearer 80K! :eek2:

These are the 8's in order, as they came from Bravaria.

850I - M70 5.0ltr V12 300bhp, 4 speed auto, 5 speed auto and six speed manual.

Alpina B12 coupe' - 5.0ltr V12 350bhp, 4 speed auto only. Only 97 made world wide.

850CI - M70 5.0ltr V12 300bhp, 5 speed auto and six speed manual.

840CI - M60 4.0ltr V8 286bhp, 5 speed auto and six speed manual.

840CI - M62 4.4ltr V8 286bhp and more torque, 5 speed auto & maybe 6 speed manual box.

850CSI - S70 5.6ltr V12 380bhp (originally M70), six speed only. Breathed on by Bmw motorsport.Cost a fortune when new.1,510 made worldwide.New bodykit, AHK rear wheel steering, motorsport mirrors, E34 M5 throwing star alloys with M5 steering system, (oil coolers were not from parts bin) and that spec is for U.K. only.

Alpina B12 coupe' - 5.7ltr V12 416bhp, six speed manual & six speed shift-Tronic.Slightly different front air dam, AHK rear wheel steering & speed sensitive steering & oil coolers. Lowered suspension and carbonfibre bonnet.

850CI - M73 5.4ltr V12 326bhp, 5 speed steptronic only and not exported to U.K. you can find them in America.

840CI Sport - M62 4.4ltr V8 286bhp, 5 speed steptronic only. Twin brother of CSI, with Mtech bouncy bits, throwing star alloys, M3 style mirrors and new choice of colours.Same list or dealer price as the 840CI when new apparently.


Nathan.

Great info there well done :thumb:

A few photo's of some B12's, as they were shown off.

The Alpina Register - Photo Selector

The Alpina Register - Photo Selector

The Alpina Register - Photo Selector

The Alpina Register - Photo Selector

The last 5.7ltr B12 there shows the carbonfibre bonnet.

had a shot of an 840, loved it. A lot faster than i expected it to be.

one of the classic car magazines recently said that the 8 series was an up & coming classic car for the future

Thanks for the info. They still look very nice.