Hey Guys I'm semi Looking to buy an 8 series
Preferably the V12. Mostly cause V12s rule..
Is there any specific year i should look for or things i should stay away from
I don't care about mileage. its never been a concern for me.
Is the auto a total waste of money or is it reliable and work well?
Also If theres anyone in my area... Orange county Ca or so. Could you take me for a quick ride.
I know they are hard to find and the likely hood of me being able to find one to ride in is slim to none but i thought i would ask.
I'm a huge BMW fan and looking foward to owning a piece of history. Its a collection for me.
Ive got a few rare ones already hopefully i can add this one too.


Colin

http://wuffer.net/MyFiles/BimmerBuyerGuide.pdf
http://wuffer.net/MyFiles/E31ppc.pdf

Those two links will give you a good start. Also just start browsing through the forums here and on Roadfly like I did to get a sense of things these cars can be particular about. After a little bit of reading you will quickly get a feel for what is common and a pain, like upper oil pan gaskets and common and easy like seat cable stretching which is easily fixed.

I promise i have seen so many threads relating to this topic. And im fairly a new member. Someone should make a "Sticky" to all the new comers.

oooooooh i guess we should make the following answers to the sticky question sticky ,too then.
the 'sticky' idea has been talked about many times ...actually just a few days ago

why doesn't anyone want to use the search, i wonder

Cause its faster to ask a question from you smart guys...!!!LOL

This site gets queries responded to faster than searching on even google. That is probably the reason why its easier for members to post questions than sort through years of similar queries.

you want a six speed. Next up would be the later 95 to 97 model year Ci as these are the most advanced as well as the newest with a 5 speed Steptronic Automatic. I have one of these and am very happy I waited for one to come up.

Being in So Cal there are more 8's in California than just about any other state. I purchased my 1995 850 Ci from a gent in Nothern Cal and drove it back home to Florida! I used to live in California (Balboa Island, Irvine & Walnut Creek) so I had an excuse to visit some friends and buy a new car! There are anumber of folks from this board and Roadfly in your area (see link below).

http://forums.roadfly.com/forums/bmw/bmw-8-series-e31/forum.php?postid=8200647&page=1 (http://forums.roadfly.com/forums/bmw/bmw-8-series-e31/forum.php?postid=8200647&page=1)

There is a 97 850 Ci for sale at Long Beach BMW right now. Go there for a test drive. If you like it and can make a deal for 18 to 20 k I'd go for it if it is in good shape. BMW dealers usually only sell really good 8's and dump the bad one's at auction.

http://www.longbeachbmw.com/used-inventory/vehicle-details.htm?vehicleId=f6c006244046381e01c330aa1f1c 9983 (http://www.longbeachbmw.com/used-inventory/vehicle-details.htm?vehicleId=f6c006244046381e01c330aa1f1c 9983)

Search these sites - BMW CCA, cars.com (has a bunch listed right now), Roadfly classifieds, Yahoo (Auto Trader.com), eBay (to see any locally), you local paper also.

Check to see if this guy is still dealing in 8's as he is in your neighborhood also......... munitechmotorcars.com

- Regards, Scott

anyone want to take me for a ride?
I worry that the auto will have issues.
Cant get a V8 has to be 12
CSI?
and im guessing if you want to go turbo you have to buy the manual?
Is there an aftermarket as far as springs and shocks go to get the car lower?
and Exhaust to let some of that V12 sound out?

You want a ride? Come by anytime, I'll even let you drive it. The Auto will not have any more "issues" than any other part of the car. You need to remember that these were $100,000 vehicles 15 years ago and are built to much higher standards than your average family car. The car does need to be maintained though.
The only real super-significant power increase comes from twin-turbos or twin superchargers and that is $$$.
CSi - That is the limited production 850 that has the increased horsepower and 6 speed manual. Only 225 of them made it to the states, although some EURO versions were imported as well. High dollar cars.
Springs and shocks: yes there are , as are various different exhaust configurations from MAGNAFLOW to the expensive european stuff.
My suggestion would be to use the SEARCH button up top and see what you find in the archives - alot of info there.

Good choice on the V12

The bad news is that you will not be able to turbo-charge or supercharge your 850 in California anymore due to CARB emissions laws. If you want forced induction, you need to find an 8 that's already been modified back in the 90s.

I love the idea of the CSi it just seems to be kinda counter productive to drive a car that weighs this much as a manual.
Too bad your in texas or i would come out for a ride.
Koizumi your only in la.....
I decided to go for the V12 because its not something you see every day plus ive read in places that they will run for up to 300 thousand miles. That sounds like a win to me.
I have been using the search button but i guess it dislikes the way i choose to phrase things?
Dunno.
Car is carb. If your clever about it you can get around it. I mean I own a mini cooper putting down about 250 hp no ones noticed yet.

Really i dont want to have to turbo it it should have ample power Im looking at this more as a weekend car. thats real nice on the freeway.

the BMW dealer in your area? I'm sure you could drive it. Once you drive one you will feel the 'force Luke'........

- Scotty

I havent had a chance to yet.
Ill likely have to wait till sunday to be able to do it.
but i will do it.
Im pretty annoyed i have to wait.

It Sold!!! damn. i was gonna go up there today.

No worries, 850s are like trolley cars (and women) -
If you miss one, there's bound to be another coming along right behind it...

Hey since your in my area do you think you could take me for a ride?
and we could talk 8 Series?

Shoot me a PM and we can connect somewhere -
Mine's not a great example (anymore) to let you know what to expect from a stock e31 anymore-but will be happy to answer any questions and let you drive it around.

Yeah right, I saw it while i was going to knotts berry farm one evening, Near Fairmount and Santa Ana, That car is beautiful...

Rockyyt's car is hot! It's an excellent example of how an 8 can be tastefully upgraded.

Thanks for the nice words!
Just to clarify - (because I do enjoy my car immensely except for the crack in my lower spoiler) what I was getting at was that it's not a good example of a stock e31 to drive due to the springs/shocks/chips/brakes/swaybars that have been upgraded. :)

It all sounds like stuff i would wind up doing anyway.
Is it a 850 or 840

^^^Rockytt's ride is a V12 :D

Thanks for the nice words!
Just to clarify - (because I do enjoy my car immensely except for the crack in my lower spoiler) what I was getting at was that it's not a good example of a stock e31 to drive due to the springs/shocks/chips/brakes/swaybars that have been upgraded. :)

Rockytt, what is your brake & swaybar setup on your car? Which spring combo do you use as well? Thanks!

I've got the 4-pot setup from the 840 in the front for brakes/looks :)
Swaybars are 26mm front from an e32 sport/rear is 17mm Hartge for e31

Running the H&R/Bilstein combo for springs/shocks

I've got the 4-pot setup from the 840 in the front for brakes/looks :)
Swaybars are 26mm front from an e32 sport/rear is 17mm Hartge for e31

Running the H&R/Bilstein combo for springs/shocks

Dinan has a 27mm adjustable bar for the E32 available at a discount. I would get it and not worry about the rear just yet...

OE H&R rears? Do you have the custom spring pads in the rear?

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp;?tracktype=usedcc&searchType=22&pageNumber=0&numResultsPerPage=50&largeNumResultsPerPage=0&sortorder=ascending&sortfield=YEAR+ascending%2cYEAR+descending&certifiedOnly=false&criteria=K-|E-ALL|M-_5_|H-|D-_44_|N-N|R-10000|I-1%2c7|P-YEAR+ascending%2cYEAR+descending|Q-ascending|X-popular|Z-78746&aff=national&paId=301772042&recnum=26&leadExists=true (http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp;?tracktype=usedcc&searchType=22&pageNumber=0&numResultsPerPage=50&largeNumResultsPerPage=0&sortorder=ascending&sortfield=YEAR+ascending%2cYEAR+descending&certifiedOnly=false&criteria=K-%7CE-ALL%7CM-_5_%7CH-%7CD-_44_%7CN-N%7CR-10000%7CI-1%2c7%7CP-YEAR+ascending%2cYEAR+descending%7CQ-ascending%7CX-popular%7CZ-78746&aff=national&paId=301772042&recnum=26&leadExists=true)

Does any 1 know this car? It looks like an auto but is listed as a CSi but gear stick looks like a auto.

Car is owned by 2 fine veteran members. It's a 100% legit CSi.

Dinan has a 27mm adjustable bar for the E32 available at a discount. I would get it and not worry about the rear just yet...

Well, remember, that just dealing with the front will increase oversteer-so you're going to make things worse, not better.

OE H&R rears? Do you have the custom spring pads in the rear?
OE H&Rs, and haven't bottomed out on them yet w/stock pads in the rear.

Dinan has a 27mm adjustable bar for the E32 available at a discount. I would get it and not worry about the rear just yet...

OE H&R rears? Do you have the custom spring pads in the rear?Rocky's correct Aura, Don't get more front bar until your sure of your rear bars size, If you go 27 in the front, You might wanna try 17 to 18mm in the rear, Whatever your choice, You don't wanna end up with too much front bar, Very unstable on either end when not mathched from my experience.

*** IF you can get that Dinan Bar and sat it to the side til a matching rear comes alone, Good idea, IMO!***

That CSI is so pretty i think im gonna have a fit.