I am looking to buy a 1995 840CI. It has 29,000 miles and is absolutely beautiful. The only thing wrong is the steering wheel adjustment isn't working. He said it is probably a fuse. Other than that it is about perfect.
No leaks, Interior is spotless.

What else should I look for? What would you expect to pay for a car like this?

Thanks for any help you can give me

Oh boy... you're in for a doozy of an answer to that one... I'll spare you the theatrics and give you the best I can from the top of my head (forgive me I have a bad memory about certain things).

Basically there is no "one answer to rule them all" when it comes to this car and there is a lot to consider before purchasing one. I'm not as well versed on the sources for such information but I will try to do my best.

e31faq.com is a great one.
roadfly.com.
to name the sad few I can remember.

However, to put it simply this forum has been done to DEATH with "Hi new to the forum I wanna buy an 8 what should I look for, etc etc etc..." so, I'm not sure how forum-capable you are but this forum is a great collective of knowledge as well as the people who frequent it. I'd honestly take a look at every page, I mean there's a lot of information to absorb... and I know what it's like to want something and want it now. I must say that 29k miles is a great find, but my concern is that it's been sitting for a while and there's a whole slew of problems that could potentially be lurking. Normally with our cars you want to have a very detailed and accurate paper trail of all the work and entire history of the vehicle but considering how low the mileage is, there shouldn't be too much of that. If that car is as spotless as I would love to believe it is it could well run you around 20k. If it isn't in that kind of condition, which I hate to say it but I doubt it is, then I'd say with how the market is right now around 15k. Then again what is the car worth to you. I'm not as great with the techno-babble but there's a lot of common sense to be had with owning an 8, if you're not finacially well off owning an 8 could be a greenback nightmare. Generally, the more you pay up front the less you pay in the long run. Now, I'd like to believe that this car is cherry and it may well be but wait for the rest of the gang to reply with more specifics and take what they say to heart. You won't find another community as tightly knit as this one, people really do care about helping each other out here.

I wish you the best and hopefully you soon will join us :).
Thomas

I am looking to buy a 1995 840CI. It has 29,000 miles and is absolutely beautiful. The only thing wrong is the steering wheel adjustment isn't working. He said it is probably a fuse. Other than that it is about perfect.
No leaks, Interior is spotless.

What else should I look for? What would you expect to pay for a car like this?

Thanks for any help you can give me

Price asking? Help will/can only begin with knowing that. Unless you tell us first, we feel like we're being farmed for free for you to set the price on your car.

well, I can't post the link but it is listed on autotrader. It should be easy to find. It is listed in the city of Fullerton, Ca. It is Black.

He is asking $23900. I haven't made him an offer yet. He will be faxing me a copy of the title, carfax, and another history report he has.

thanks
Ken

He is asking $23900.

Wow...

I used to live in Fullerton a looooonnng time ago. Good luck with your future possible purchase, and welcome:drink1. You'll have crazy 8 fever in no time:buttrock

Wow...For 29K miles and the car is as said, Not bad, IMO!

If were only a fuse to fix the steering, don't you think they would have put a new one in? I mean, being THAT easy to do....

I love My 95 840, though in hindsight, I wish I went for a 850.

I love My 95 840, though in hindsight, I wish I went for a 850.

Blasphemy! A traitor in our midst! This will further the myth that the V8 guys are all 12cyl wannabes for years.......just a little fun with my morning coffee:D

Blasphemy! A traitor in our midst! This will further the myth that the V8 guys are all 12cyl wannabes for years.......just a little fun with my morning coffee:D

...but alas, they will always be 4 cylinders short...

It is not about a difference in power, but as someone once said, " A man should own a 12 cylinder at least once in his life" (doesn't sound the same if you were to substitute "8 cylinder" into that saying)

All my stuff is V8's, just not my BMW's.... :)

The steering wheel issue concerns me. I would condition that he gets it fixed.

$23,900 seems like a fair price to me. It is not like there is too much to compare it to with only 29K miles. But I still would like to get a little better price.

The steering wheel issue concerns me. I would condition that he gets it fixed.

$23,900 seems like a fair price to me. It is not like there is too much to compare it to with only 29K miles. But I still would like to get a little better price.

Sit down and offer him $20K and ask that he fix the steering wheel (could be a fuse, could also be a module that cost over $800 at the dealer - part #32 31 1 160 011)

Just remember a car with too few miles will have the same problems, if not more than one that gets driven on a daily basis, especially when it comes to seals and gaskets...

Thanks for your advice and about the steering wheel. I will definately suggest he check that if we are to go further.

Ken

wise - always remember this bit of car-buying advice "If it were really that simple to fix, it would have been done already".

wise - always remember this bit of car-buying advice "If it were really that simple to fix, it would have been done already".


So true.


Despite the low miles, all things rubber will have to be replaced. All fluids, too. Factor in (conservatively) $6k-$10k over the price of the car to get her back up to par. Also, cars with low miles are prone to problems that buyers are always shocked about when they arise. Cars are like people, if they sit around, they atrophy. They need to be driven.

There is nothing like owning a cranky prima donna principessa. They are hot hot hot but oh so tempermental and demanding for $$$.

When I purchased my 840, the automatic steering wheel positioner did crazy things. You could adjust it with the adjustment lever but the auto mode did its own thing. I made sure the seller ordered a new module as part of the purchase agreement. He ended up paying $400 for the module and I installed it myself which took about 2 hours of manipulating my hands through the confines of the radio hole in the center console (it is mounted behind the radio). Having a dealer perform this task at $125/hr, you can add a couple more bills to the discount of the purchase price.

Thanks for all the info and comments. I passed the steering wheel info to the seller. We'll see how he responds. The guy is kinda firm on his price, and I am thinking a few bucks less. We'll see if we can meet.

Ken

Just out of curiosity. What's sparks your interests about this car? The low mileage? V8 ? Long time fan?

I am a long time fan of this car! In my opinion, a classic in the making.

I tend to like unique cars, coupes, and just an overall car buff. I just turn my lease in on an SL500, before that I had the first year Volvo C70. I also like vintage mustangs. I have a 67 road race/ street mustang, I had and sold a 67 Mustang Convert., and a couple years back, I sold a 1966 Shelby GT350.

I also frequent many car shows and club events, vintage auto racing.


Ken

So true.


There is nothing like owning a cranky prima donna principessa. They are hot hot hot but oh so tempermental and demanding for $$$.

That's why cars are refered to as "she" and "her", and when she's acting up on the road, far from home and late at night, you end up saying "C'mon, baby, just a few more miles...please". I renamed mine Bitch, as in "That bitch is acting up again. Cheers:nutz:

"I tend to like unique cars, coupes, and just an overall car buff.
I also frequent many car shows and club events, vintage auto racing."


You might have considered my cabriolet that I just sold at Kruse auction last month! I sold it to pay for my 840.

If were only a fuse to fix the steering, don't you think they would have put a new one in? I mean, being THAT easy to do....

I love My 95 840, though in hindsight, I wish I went for a 850.


Just wondering why? i know there is the debate between the 12 and the 8 but just wondering why you would have gone for the 12 I went for the 8 because there was no FI for the 12

Just wondering why? i know there is the debate between the 12 and the 8 but just wondering why you would have gone for the 12 I went for the 8 because there was no FI for the 12

ah...but there are FI systems for the V12...

ah...but there are FI systems for the V12...

well yes but hardly easy and accessible. v8 i can go on the internet or make a call and order a system anytime.

I am a long time fan of this car! In my opinion, a classic in the making.

I tend to like unique cars, coupes, and just an overall car buff. I just turn my lease in on an SL500, before that I had the first year Volvo C70. I also like vintage mustangs. I have a 67 road race/ street mustang, I had and sold a 67 Mustang Convert., and a couple years back, I sold a 1966 Shelby GT350.

I also frequent many car shows and club events, vintage auto racing.


Ken


I'm putting it out there :eek:...Lord have Mercy :worship:....lol


You mention the words "unique", "car shows" and "vintage". :evil2
"I think a 8 is a 8 "IMO". BUT......there is room for teasing ( just recently been caught and PUNISHED :nuts..lmao..for "teasing", I neglected to share my opinion 1st)...BUT Lets say you have a kid..your son for example..You buy your 840 and just love it and I'm sure you will if you go ahead with the purchase. Plus if you buy your car now or soon, you can be a part of a unique date thats coming up thats truly one of a kind (08-08-08). so lets say your kid one day suprises ya and pulls in your driveway in a 850 :wave. And this is just a "Random" example.:devillook He will tease ya :bawl. Yes the 840 is unique..yes its a vintage model and yes there are many in car shows.....Yes you can upgrade both models and yes it aint cheap......."BUT" there is no "but" in 850.
Here's some unargueable facts that others tease about that I've heard...:rolleyes
There is no 840csi
840 Blue Book Value is less.
M8 wasn't engineered for a V8.
I'm sure they have others but I'm not keeping score.
:para:(I can hear the bullets flying by):para:
Again in my opinion a 8 is a 8..and don't you forget it!

Just giving a guy the heads up....since noone else will

Peace:angel2

It must be raining hard in Seattle!!

It must be raining hard in Seattle!!

:nono Actually nice and sunny. :D

...actually it is cloudy with a chance of insults 'round here. :stickoutt

And he thought the first round of punishment was bad... ;)

Oh, not at all!!

...actually it is cloudy with a chance of insults 'round here. :stickoutt

And he thought the first round of punishment was bad... ;)

Nooooooooooooo........not fair.....:bs:(