I am absolutely new to this site and hope u will all be kind to me...considering my member name. I know you guys may think I'm @ the wrong site but just keep reading.

I am looking to purchase an 8-Series and I have a couple of concerns/questions. Is it true that the tranny on automatic 8-series '91-'95 arent the greatest and have many problems? Should I go for a '96-'97 if I have to buy an automatic? Should I bypass the problem and buy a manual (any year)? What major/costly problems are these wonderful machine are notoriously known for? 8.40 or 8.50? Thanks in advance.

Start with the buyers guide at www.e31faq.com

Then Search the archives in the Roadfly E31 section for specific questions that the buyers guide raises.

Welcome to the club.I currently own a1995 Black on black 840ci and it turns alot of heads.In terms of comfort i have no problems and im 6 ft 4.I have had the car almost 3 yrs and just use it on weekends.I have upgraded the exhaust,installed the motor chip and added some nice chrome wheels but to tell you the truth i have had faster cars.I have had the car at 150mph buts its more of a cruiser and you would not know you were doing 90-100 unless you looked at the speedo.I have never had a problem with the motor on mine(4.0)but i have heard some stories about them.I had to do brakes,motor mounts,transmition oil change,bushings,sway arms replace sun roof and a common one is the headlight motor that causes the headlights to rise and fall.I also had to replace the abs controll unit $3500.00.Generally speaking they are nice cars good looking etc but they can and i mean can be money pits.I have spent about $12000 in the last 12-15 mts and nothing major has gone wrong so dont say i didnt warn you.Im thinking of selling mine,i like the Merc CL 500.Anyway good luck with your endevour and check full histroy on car.

I purchased my 94 840Ci in december and dumped a pile of cash (10k)on it,from gaskets,new exhaust system to motor mounts,etc...and all I can say is WORTH EVERY PENNY...less than a handfull of 8's where I live so it gets a lot of attention,...yesterday passed by the dealer to pick up fuel filters and found the car surrounded by most of the customers on the lot...
a lot of fun to drive 100 feels like 50 or 60km/h...
maintenance is high but is also a very reliable machine if taken care of...
I haven't had any major issues but problems and failures are common with whatever you're driving and cost comes with quality respectably.....

Check out the BMW Buyers Guide. The tell you what to look for, problem areas, etc. Great book to have before buying any BMW as it includes all models, specs, etc.

If you prefer an automatic, most definitely go with a '95 or later model year that has the 5.4L engine and five speed automatic transmission. Much less troublesome, and a vastly superior power train.

Also if you get a stick shift car you will get the V-12 engine, and this will lead to more costs.

If you prefer an automatic, most definitely go with a '95 or later model year that has the 5.4L engine and five speed automatic transmission. Much less troublesome, and a vastly superior power train.

This is good advice. But in reality, the later models are few and very far between, and the costs are almost CSI cost. While I was looking, and even since then as I keep checking, I have seen very few later 850s. Also, depending what part of the contry you live in, and how willing you are to travel a long way to check out a car, you may have troubles. I live in Ohio, and there aren't many 8's in this part of the country.

I considered 840 vs 850, and I finally decided if I was going to do it, I'm going for the WOW of the 850. Nothing like when someone is looking over the car and amazed, then I say "it's a V12" and they are even more amazed.

In then end you need listen to everyones comments, and weigh out what's important to you. Hope my little bit helps.

Mark

Try this for a Pre Purchase Inspection Checklist. I wrote one of them.

http://www.e31faq.com/Default.aspx?catId=86