1993 BMW 8 Series

The first generation of the BMW E31 8 Series was produced from 1990 through 1999, with its development beginning in 1984 and its inaugural debut in 1989 at the Frankfurt Motor Show. It bristled with innovation, was luxuriously trimmed, developed by the company's motorsport division, and served as the company's flagship model. Power was initially sourced from an all-alloy, 5.0-liter V12 engine offering nearly 300 horsepower and 330 lb-ft of torque. The engine was paired to a five-speed automatic gearbox that could be operated manually. Zero-to-sixty mph was accomplished in 6.8 seconds with an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph. A 4.0-liter V8 engine was later offered, as was a 4.4-liter engine which addressed the lack of torque of the smaller-engined car.

As the company's top-of-the-range model, build quality was exemplary, the passenger compartment being virtually airtight, which necessitated the provision of an ingenious system that automatically dropped the windows slightly to facilitate door opening and closure. It offered the latest in suspension technology, with computerized monitoring and adjustment of damper settings. Safety too was paramount with body crumple zones, a rigid passenger cell, anti-lock brakes and driver/passenger airbags as standard.

The exclusive Gran Turismo wore modern styling and was classically proportioned with its low drag coefficient of Cd=0.29 being the result of CAD modeling and numerous hours of wind tunnel testing. The unibody chassis was lighter than that of its predecessor, and along with the Z1, was one of the company's first cars to use a multi-link rear axle. It was the first road-going vehicle to use a V12 engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission, and one of the first to use an electronic drive-by-wire throttle.

The first model of the 8 Series was the 850i, later becoming the 850Ci. The 840Ci was produced from mid-1993 to the close of 1995 with the 4.0-liter engine and from mid-1995 with 4.4-liter unit. The top-of-the-line 850CSi was built from 1992 through 1996.

The 8 Series began as the 850i and was equipped with the 5.0-liter M0B50 V12 engine that offered nearly 300 horsepower, paired with either a four-speed automatic or a six-speed manual gearbox. The 850i later became known as the 850Ci but its name change did not correspond with the arrival of the M73B54 V12 engine (with 322 horsepower) in October of 1994. Initially, both the M70 and M73 engines remained in production and both models were named the 850Ci.

The 4.0-liter M60B40 V8 engine powering the 840Ci produced 282 horsepower (210 kW) and was produced from mid-1993 to the close of 1995. The 4.4-liter M62B44 engine in the 840Ci was produced from mid-1995 forward. This engine produced the same amount of horsepower, more torque, and better fuel economy.

The prototype M8 became the 850CSi, utilizing the same engine as the 850i, but with significant modifications that it prompted a new engine code of S70B56. The 5,576cc (5.6-liter) unit received a Bosch Motronic 1.7 fuel injection system and produced 375 horsepower at 5,300 RPM and 406 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 RPM. A six-speed manual gearbox was the only transmission option. To cope with the more potent engine and to improve performance, the suspension receive stiffer springs and dampers that reduced its overall ride height and the recirculating ball steering ratio was improved for quicker response. More aerodynamically shaped bumpers were fitted, staggered throwing star wheels were placed at all four corners, and four round stainless steel exhausts tips replaced the square tips of the other models. Examples destined for the European market had reshaped mirrors, ventilated brakes with floating discs at the front, a four-wheel steering system known as AHK - Aktive Hinterachs-Kinematik, an engine oil cooler, and a rear differential cooler. The two-tone interiors had sports seats. The examples destined for the United States market had the 'BMW Motorsport' script on the door handles.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2022

Sold for $218,400 at 2022 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island.
The BMW E31 850 CSi was the company's high-performance flagship model between 1991 and 1996, with just 225 examples being sent to the United States market for the 1993 and 1994 model years. Power was sourced from the S70B56 V12 engine with lighter pistons, a forged crankshaft, retuned intake and exhaust, higher compression, upgraded camshafts, and auxiliary engine coolers. These modifications, along with an exclusive engine management system that allowed for selectable power maps and variable rev limiter, resulted in an increase in output over the 'standard' 850, now rated at 380 horsepower.

This particular example is serial number 00001, the very first example produced. It was completed on June 24th of 1993, earmarked for the U.S. market, but retained by the factory for exhibition purposes. Due to its press car duties, it was factory equipped with 'line alerts' - special codes used to activate additional quality checks on press vehicles.

This 850CSi was the only U.S.-market 850 CSi to be finished in Brilliant Red Metallic (308) over black nappa leather (0495/N4SW). After its press duties were finished, the car was delivered to BMW of Manhattan in March 1994 and used for display/exhibition purposes by BMW of North America until November 1994. The current caretaker acquired it in August of 1998 from Isringhausen BMW of Chicago, Illinois, then indicating 13,340 miles.

More recently, this BMW received NOS OEM rear mufflers, engine oil service, new ultra-high-performance tires, a full exterior ceramic coating regimen, two new batteries, and new control arm assemblies.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2022