I might want to get me an 8... any tips?

[nammysu]

Hey Guys...

I might get myself an 840 or 850. I don't know what year or model is better. Is there anything I should know about these cars?

[TerryY]

I suppose that what you need to know depends on what you will expect it to do.

They are built as high speed Autobahn cruisers and excell at doing that.

No 8 series car is a good drag racer as built and it is quite difficult to make them into one. Too heavy and the engines are designed to run the hardest at the top end.

Any of the versions will get out of their own way of course but they are strongest from 50 or 60 up thru 100+. Owners are constantly commenting on effortless cruising at 140 mph. Hell of a ticket if you are caught though! Speed limiter is set at 155 mph.

Mods consist mostly of chipping, gear ratio changing and suspension upgrades. They are cold air/high flow from the factory so even though Dinan sells overpriced CAIs they like most of the aftermarket bits are HP neutral or actually losses.

Adding turbo(s) or a supercharger are the only Big Bang items proven to work.

Maintenance is not as bad as rumor has it. BUT they are getting older and BMW factory parts are quite pricy.

They are great head turners though.

[nammysu]

Hey thanks for the info! That sounds like about what I'm looking for. I don't plan in drag racing it or anything. I have my M3 for that. =)

But are there any problems or concerns that I should be aware of?

[TerryY]

There is a problem with some 840s with premature engine wear.
It was related to sulphur levels in the gas. I have an Eastern "born" 740 that has the problem and a California/Washington 840 that doesn't.
Otherwise both engines are nearly bulletproof.

Lifetime service 5 speed autos should be serviced at about 100,000 miles. Real pricey. The fluid alone is several hundred dollars.

850 CSi is the most desireable--and the highest priced.

How it has been treated seems to be the key. Records are good.

If the temp rises over the midpoint in normal driving make sure the car hasn.t been run overheated. The V12 headgaskets are sensitive to overheating. Pricey fix!!

Most of the E31 owners hang out here:

http://bimmer.roadfly.org/bmw/forums/e31/

There are several other places with less traffic but that is the biggie.

If you do buy one I have Euro chip sets for the 95 and earlier versions of both the V8 and V12. Seem to push both a bit over the 300 hp mark.

[BimmerBaby]

Good luck on ur hunt and new addiction