OT - Was it Bimmer answer to Chevrolet Corvette? Does BMW still make one of these?

[Akhil]

http://www.autotrader.com/dealers/dda/detail.jsp?result_car_id=196753699&dealership_view_name=advbmwclearlake&car_id=196753699&dealer_id=1359502

[Jay 535i]

You're not familliar with the 8-series? Lots of power and comfort. Generally considered an inferior alternative to a Porsche 928. Let the flames begin. :D

The new 6 is its spiritual successor.

[dacoyote]

You're not familliar with the 8-series? Lots of power and comfort. Generally considered an inferior alternative to a Porsche 928. Let the flames begin. :D

The new 6 is its spiritual successor.

LOL.....

They look stupid to....

[Bill R.]

to be far superior to the 928 in all respects. I wouldn't own another 928 but i would own a 8 series if one came along for the right price.




You're not familliar with the 8-series? Lots of power and comfort. Generally considered an inferior alternative to a Porsche 928. Let the flames begin. :D

The new 6 is its spiritual successor.

[Akhil]

I am thing they don't make any more, Do they? With V-12 engine :) , how many HP does it has?

Akhil

[632 Regal]

I love the way they look, not too many of them around.

[Akhil]

Corvette or Firebird, Do they? :)

Akhil

[632 Regal]

theres a video of someone balancing a quarter on the engine while running, saw it in person at the Chitown meet 2 years ago.

[Jay 535i]

Akhil, they stopped making the 8 series around 1996, I think, give or take. It didn't sell well.

It was available with either the same 4.0 V8 found in the 540 or with the same V12 available in the 750, making 333bhp, if I recall correctly.

In the metal they look way better than a Firebird. One of the coolest features IMHO is that the 8 series has no B-pillar (unusual) and that the rear windows roll down (unusual for a coupe). With all four windows down and no pillar it looks really hot.

Bill, unfortunately for me I have never driven a 928 nor an 8-series, so I can't speak from personal experience. I'm sure you have good reasons for holding that opinion. What I said comes from what I've read over the years re: 928 versus 840/50. So it's not really my own opinion, but but it's all I have until I win the lottery. The consensus seemed to be that the 8-series is great, but really it's a rather soft touring GT which is not what most people expect while the 928, particularly in GT or GTS guise, is a much harder-core sports GT that outhandles and outperforms the 8 in most respects.

[DaCan23]

M70B50 - 5.0L V-12 4988cc
296bhp, 332 ft-lbs

M70B54 - 5.4L V-12 5379cc
322bhp, 361 ft-lbs

850CSi
S70B56 - 5.6L V-12 5576cc
372bhp, 402 ft-lbs

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

We used to refer to that whole 924 944 928 series as Audis in Porsche clothes. They were set up neat with the trans in the rear, but I never liked those fish eyes

The 840-850 series is a beautiful car.

The 850s are going cheaper and cheaper...I have one in my area going for 14K No body wants a V12.

[DaCan23]

I've always been an 8 series fan.... the prices supposedly are actually goin up a little lately.... maybe that one has major issues....

Or perhaps at this age it might need cats.... and you think the M60 cats are epxensive.... I think from a stealer they are 3000 a piece..


We used to refer to that whole 924 944 928 series as Audis in Porsche clothes. They were set up neat with the trans in the rear, but I never liked those fish eyes

The 840-850 series is a beautiful car.

The 850s are going cheaper and cheaper...I have one in my area going for 14K No body wants a V12.

[Jay 535i]

We used to refer to that whole 924 944 928 series as Audis in Porsche clothes.

That's ridiculous.

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

a lot of parts under the hood marked AUDI, and a VW hazard light switch from a super beetle

[Akhil]

since I don't see them in list when you do research for buying new car. That is the reason I thought, they don't make these any more. So I can never own one even if I can afford to buy some day :( . Older V-12 are going to be dam expansive to maintain.

Just curious, does any body know what was the Tag Price of this when new? :p


Thanks
Akhil

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

according to an old brochure

[Traian]

The V12 in the CSi is a Motorsport engine. It also has M suspension, M brakes, M bumpers and a unique 6-speed manual and interior trim. At least, that is what I know of the Euro CSi. BMW was pretty modest in not putting M badges on it.

The neat thing about the S70 is that it is the engine found in the McLaren F1, in 6.1L 4-valve trim. I think that gives the 8 some more dignity. I've never driven one, but most mags call it portly and slack, and the CSi is not.

[Traian]

Again, not from personal experience, but I've read the M70 V12 is not too expensive to maintain. It's a simpler design than the quad cam M60, and doesn't have any Achilles heel like oil pump bolts or Nikasil.

[paul p (chi-town)]

That's ridiculous.Well...............with the 924/944/968 it’s not completely wrong.
<caveat>Not that i’ve driven any of these.</caveat>
Buuuuut there was alot of part sharing to keep the cost of this car down. To be the attainable P-car there had to be some compromises. Then again 968 was the most expensive 4-banger for it’s time (Lotus Esprit?). Not to mention straight 4s are getting a little too big for their own good over 2-2.5 litres.
The 928 truly was an in-house car.
C&D did a comparison between just these two, an 850i and a 928S2(somethin like that) and picked the p-car. Being several hundred pounds lighter just gave it more of an edge. In this catagory of car i would probably make the same choice. Porsche does sports cars/coupes, BMW; sedans, they take slightly different approaches to a luxo GT.
Then again a proper p-car to me has a flat 6 somewhere behind the driver............preferably air-cooled.

I don’t know if Bill is commenting from his appreciation of BMW’s approach to the catagorical compromises (luxury vs. sport). Or he simply feels the bimmer is better built. On the former we can all be right, on the latter i trust his judgement.


”Hang up & Drive!” (http://homepage.interaccess.com/~motria/pablosgarage.html)
94 BMW 530iT&A 125K, ‘Helga’ (for sale? not below 35°F *grrrrrrr* parked)
92 BMW 325i 120K, ‘Rolf’ (blown clutch, 3 doors that don’t latch *rolleyes* parked)
91 Volvo 745T 194K, ‘Thor’ (13 psi *smirk* gulps 93oct, eats batteries, no power steering, daily *ouch*)
93 Datsun NX2000 165K ‘Carla’ (alive, thumpin MP3s *grin* Hers *sigh* )
"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." -- Benjamin Franklin.
Kinda makes the ‘Patriot Act’ an oxymoron, eh.......

[Jay 535i]

So I can never own one even if I can afford to buy some day :( . Older V-12 are going to be dam expansive to maintain.

Say what!? Expensive to maintain, perhaps, but certainly not more expensive than buying new! You certainly can have one some day if you want one.



Just curious, does any body know what was the Tag Price of this when new? :p

Adjusted for inflation, probably exactly the same as a new 645.

[632 Regal]

didnt BMW have another company build the 8 series? or the body or something?

[Akhil]

by the time that some day will come, most of these cars whould be gone of kept in Museum.:( And few would still be running on road then they would be considered Antique and would be more expensive than new ones. :(

Akhil

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

To writting that check for a nice used 8, but just I spent the money on a pair of 450cc implants for the wife.

8s are nice to look at, but so are 38Cs

Maybe later...

[Akhil]

Great sacrifice 8 for 38C .

LOL............

Akhil

[DaCan23]

I think you are tinking about the M1


didnt BMW have another company build the 8 series? or the body or something?

[Alexlind123]

theres a video of someone balancing a quarter on the engine while running, saw it in person at the Chitown meet 2 years ago.

A quarter wouldnt stay on my engine laying flat.

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

have very simular front ends, and are the only slant nosed pop up head light models.

[Jay 535i]

by the time that some day will come, most of these cars whould be gone of kept in Museum.:( And few would still be running on road then they would be considered Antique and would be more expensive than new ones. :(

Akhil

Nothing made after 1980 will ever be worth more than its sticker price, bar the odd ultra-rare supercar.

You can't compare modern cars to classics. Just because, 30 years after their debut, some 1970s Ferraris/Porsches/Whatevers are worth more than they were when new doesn't mean today's cars will be worth more 30 years from now than they are today. They won't.

Modern cars are just made in numbers too great for demand to ever drive the price that high. There will never be enough people fighting over them to drive the prices up beyond a fraction of the sticker price.

The era of the classic car is over and won't be repeated. Used cars aren't worth **** anymore, and they never will be. That's only good news for people like you and me who prefer used cars.

[Bill R.]

1991, he paid just under 85,000USD in 1991 , he also bought a 91 750 at the same time or within a month of each other.The 750 was just under 70k for it.





since I don't see them in list when you do research for buying new car. That is the reason I thought, they don't make these any more. So I can never own one even if I can afford to buy some day :( . Older V-12 are going to be dam expansive to maintain.

Just curious, does any body know what was the Tag Price of this when new? :p


Thanks
Akhil

[Phatty5BMW]

I tried to race an 850csi one day on the interstate when he was comming on the on ramp and a clear 5 mile stretch ahead of us..... But he didn't want to, he was putting up the ramp and on to the interstate so ya no chances. I wanted to see what the 535 could do against it. I rarely see 8-series and was trying to get that monster rollin :)


Pat

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

Told he and his buddies got smoked by what they first thought was an old Toyota supra coming up fast, and turned out to an 8 as it passed them all like they were parked..He said not one of their Rs could catch it.

[Akhil]

can have only 4 speed Auto tranny. It should be 5 or 6 speed top speed of over 150-200 MPH.


Any way, you guys have convinced me to at list thinking to get one ;) even though I wat looking for a 70iL.

What do you guys think about the price they are asking for? Does it seem resonable?


Akhil

[winfred]

ill try to remember to take the camera in tomorrow and snap some shots of the 95 840ci we have, i actually just got it back on the road today, had it running last night but is was too late and traffic was too thick to do anything but a few burnouts up and down the lot, i like it after putting a few miles on it with nice firm comfy seats and good road dynamics, it only shows 43k miles and i don't see any stickers showing a changed odo, it looks that clean under side under the hood and exterior but the interior suffered a little with getting wet, but nothing that won't clean up

[Akhil]

Winfred, does that 840ci has 4 speed auto too?

[winfred]

5 speed auto, 5hp30 zf that is one ****ing heavy tranny and huge it looks like something that came out of a dump truck (sorta reminds you of a allison 1000 without pto covers), i can only guess how bad the new 7 speed autos are to handle


Winfred, does that 840ci has 4 speed auto too?

[angrypancake]

The V12 in the CSi is a Motorsport engine. It also has M suspension, M brakes, M bumpers and a unique 6-speed manual and interior trim. At least, that is what I know of the Euro CSi. BMW was pretty modest in not putting M badges on it.

The neat thing about the S70 is that it is the engine found in the McLaren F1, in 6.1L 4-valve trim. I think that gives the 8 some more dignity. I've never driven one, but most mags call it portly and slack, and the CSi is not.


they also have the VIN that is specific to M cars. over at bf.c there is a section dedicated to the e31. the last one was 1997 i believe.

[Rustam]

about that fiberglass nonsense? with quasi-independent suspension sharing leaf springs between opposing wheels?
please...


http://www.autotrader.com/dealers/dda/detail.jsp?result_car_id=196753699&dealership_view_name=advbmwclearlake&car_id=196753699&dealer_id=1359502

[632 Regal]

this might help.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8814065833562820484&q=bmw

[Jon K]

http://e34.digital7.com/12-29-04%20Car%20Pics/IMG_3982.JPG

Customer at Thompson BMW has an 850csi. Its a csi, so I think the M badge is fine.

http://e34.digital7.com/12-29-04%20Car%20Pics/CRW_4013.jpg

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

I'm gonna go take a shower and sleep now......

[ryan roopnarine]

I tried to race an 850csi one day on the interstate when he was comming on the on ramp and a clear 5 mile stretch ahead of us..... But he didn't want to, he was putting up the ramp and on to the interstate so ya no chances. I wanted to see what the 535 could do against it. I rarely see 8-series and was trying to get that monster rollin :)


Pat


um yeah. czaba csere here. once "raced" 91 850i when i was heading back to the owner's place, each car had 1 passenger in it. when i say "race", i mean floor it 20-40 mph on a 40mph road or 50-70 on a 70 mph highway. i switched down to s3 and hit the kickdown. for about 3/4 to 1 second, i had the guy, but then i guess he decided to get "serious" and push his accelerator ALL the way to the floor, and it was over. i don't think your 225ft*lb of torque would fare all that better either.

[callen]

Bill:

This one looks reaallly good...black...5.0L decent miles. I'm in Houston if you want me to look at it for you....(-:

I've always loved the 8...classic lines and unique.

callen

[Akhil]

I am in houston too, What is you plan for this weekend? Let go and have a test drive :p What do you think?

Akhil

[Incantation]

a lot of interesting, uneducated opinions about the 8. (not all)

the 8 was not designed to haul ass in slalom tests.. it was designed for high-speed autobahn commuting. it's big and heavy.. but the v12 makes it feel light when you accelerate. major balls under the hood there. it handles ok.. but it's no e30 m3, and does not compare in handling to the e24 m6 (its father). i would say it would handle similar to a 635 but again.. so much weight it just can't be that nimble.

and like it or not, nothing turns heads like that car. people sit and stare at it, take pictures, etc. and there is nothing sweeter than the exhaust note of that v12. i know because i own one:

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/1/web/733000-733999/733738_51_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/1/web/733000-733999/733738_52_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/1/web/733000-733999/733738_53_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/1/web/733000-733999/733738_54_full.jpg

if only the headlights weren't so gay.. i wish there was a mod to have fixed ones in there

[Incantation]

nonsense? haha too funny

[angrypancake]

finally, pictures of it. i've been waiting to see it for a while.

[winfred]

http://members.cox.net/kitlou/850.JPG
http://members.cox.net/kitlou/851.JPG
http://members.cox.net/kitlou/852.JPG

[winfred]

http://members.cox.net/kitlou/853.JPG
http://members.cox.net/kitlou/854.JPG
http://members.cox.net/kitlou/855.JPG

[CharlesAFerg]

to be far superior to the 928 in all respects. I wouldn't own another 928 but i would own a 8 series if one came along for the right price.

lol... We have two of those 928s, one euro (stick) and a (88?) S4 auto.

I dunno about the 8 series, I don't think you have really experienced the 928 if you still think that :-D. ;)

[Bill R.]

work on a couple of 850's and have driven them a fair amount... How long do i need to make a judgement? I also worked at a vw/porsche shop for about 4 years if that counts for anything too...;)





lol... We have two of those 928s, one euro (stick) and a (88?) S4 auto.

I dunno about the 8 series, I don't think you have really experienced the 928 if you still think that :-D. ;)

[winfred]

i've never owned a porsche nor would i but have driven many and worked on several and sold new/used parts for years and am not impressed with anything about the front engine cars

[dt8068]

www.e31.net has anything you need to know abou the 8, especially the csi.

he used to also have videos of himsel in his 850csi on the autobahn, in one video he hits 303Kph (188 mph)

[632 Regal]

sweeeeeet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.e31.net/pics/850_13small.jpg

[CharlesAFerg]

work on a couple of 850's and have driven them a fair amount... How long do i need to make a judgement? I also worked at a vw/porsche shop for about 4 years if that counts for anything too...;)

Well no stupid forum arguing, but the owner was a racer for quite some time I don't know the years of repair experience and that stuff either nor will i even bother saying if it was significant, but whatever. I like them better, they are in my opinion, much more capale, particularly more for their time I think.

Ugh I hate when people try to 'compete' with you on forums its rather bleak. Anyways, I personally like the way the 850 looks. I knew a guy in high school who actually had one from his parents(spoiled rotten, but a genius), it was bulletproofed or something, some ballistic shielding i dunno, quite interesting.

[Phatty5BMW]

LoL ya i know he would have taken me, but I wanted to see that beast rollin. I have always like 8 series and the chance i was cruizin i wanted to see if he would actually "race" It was worth a try i guess ;P

[angrypancake]

http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/3273/m8engine3ny.jpg