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8 Series (E31) (1991 - 1997) As the last E24 rolled off the production line in 1989, its replacement was quick on its heels to fulfill the fantasies of those looking for a touring coupe with all of the luxury, performance, and prestige of a BMW, only now with both 8 and 12 cylinder engines.

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  #1  
Old 02-15-2004, 07:53 PM
kies kies is offline
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How big is the 840/850 interior?

Hi All,

I've been researching a new car, when I stumbled upon and fell in love with the BMW 8 Series. I'm a tall guy, 6' 7", and I'm trying to figure out if I could fit into an 8 Series. I currently drive a 1996 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, and fit comfortably in it. I haven"t been able to find an 8 Series near me that I could go "try on". If anyone could let me what they think, I'd really appreciate it. Hopefully the 8 Series is comparable in size to the Monte Carlo, because i love it!!

~jeff
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Old 02-16-2004, 10:08 AM
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How well you fit will depend on how you are proportioned height-wise.

I am 6' 3" and pretty evenly divided above and below the waist. The fit is quite good as long as I don't plan on moving around a lot.

There was a poll once on Roadfly and drivers ranged from 5' and a couple of inches to 6' 10".

The tallest didn't plan road trips but thought that they were comfortable enough around town.

In my playing around in various BMWs I found that the front seat and cabin of a late 3 series Felt similar in general dimension.

I have a '95 thunderbird out front that has great headroom and feels quite comfortable to drive..But as I go down the stairs the 8 keys jump into my hand and off we go!!!
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Old 02-16-2004, 10:15 AM
kies kies is offline
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thanks for the input terry. i guess the only way to really find out is to try one on. unfortunately, i haven't been able to locate one near me, i'm in new jersey right outside of philadelphia. if i find one nearby, i'll take a drive to try it on. anyone come across one, please let me know!

thanks,
~jeff
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Old 02-18-2004, 01:19 PM
Tranceshark Tranceshark is offline
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I am a "sitting giant" -short legs, long chest sitting comparable to a 6´8" tall person. No problems. Please note that w/o a sunroof you have about 2" more space for your head

Greetings from Germany
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Old 02-18-2004, 01:45 PM
kies kies is offline
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thanks marc! i found and 840 about 3 hours from my house. i'm gonna try to get out there this weekend to "try it on". wish me luck!
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Old 02-26-2004, 11:09 AM
Tranceshark Tranceshark is offline
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I sure did!


...and? Do you fit?
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Old 02-26-2004, 11:34 AM
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i wasnt able to get out there yet. its not looking good for this upcoming weekend either. i'll post as soon as i get ti try one on. if anyone knows of any tall guys who own this car, please let me know about their experience!
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Old 03-30-2004, 11:37 PM
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How big is the 840/850 interior?

Hey Kies..

I'm 6'7" also.. and have a 93 850Ci.. my driver seat does not go back as far as the passenger seat.. (anyone have any idea why?).. and i'm hoping it is just some problem with the driver seat mechanism.. I fit.. but is a little tight.. it seems to be about 1inch or so less than the passenger in the horizontal .. mine is an automatic.. so no clutch.. that would complicate the matter..

I drive over an hour each way to work.. and the joy of driving.. outweighs the small inconvenience.. hoping to find it is the seat mechanism and will have that repaired..

an inch or two would really change that tight fit..
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Old 03-31-2004, 01:20 AM
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Hi
Is your drivers seat higher on one side than the other?
Go here and Search on seat twist. You should find about 6 ways to do it.

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

My favorite is to pop the front panel on the seat and disconnect the cables from the motor one side at a time. Push the inner cable back into the sheath and twist it to engage the far end in the drive. Once engaged, push the cable as far in as it will go. Then reconnect the outer sleeve to the motor again making sure that the drive cable engages the motor. The slack that is often referred to appears to me to be designed in for stretch and thermal expansion.

Keeping the seat from twisting allows it to run to front and rear limits again. I can touch the front of the rear seat with the back of the front seat on either side.
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Old 03-31-2004, 01:06 PM
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hi wdager

it's great to hear from someone as tall as me. also good to hear a fix for the seat. hopefully i get to try one on soon.
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Old 03-31-2004, 10:49 PM
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Thanks Terry..

I know my passenger seat touches the rear seat, but my driver seat doesn't. I'll check out that forum you posted. Sure could use that extra inch or so..

Kies..

Make sure you find out all you can about pre-purchase inspection, before you buy. I'm sure everyone with an 8 will tell you that. Good luck.. you won't be disappointed..
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Old 04-01-2004, 03:54 PM
Tranceshark Tranceshark is offline
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yep!

Always look for that! There´s nothing more inconvenient than getting a crappy 8 which is in bad shape because the previous owner didn´t have the money to have it go through inspections.

A car that is well serviced will bring much fun and normally no big problems.

Found another one yet?
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Old 04-01-2004, 10:24 PM
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Kies..

Take your time to find the right car.. It took me over 6 months to find my 'baby'.. and I'm glad I was patient..
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Old 04-29-2004, 02:52 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kies
Hi All,

I've been researching a new car, when I stumbled upon and fell in love with the BMW 8 Series. I'm a tall guy, 6' 7", and I'm trying to figure out if I could fit into an 8 Series. I currently drive a 1996 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, and fit comfortably in it. I haven"t been able to find an 8 Series near me that I could go "try on". If anyone could let me what they think, I'd really appreciate it. Hopefully the 8 Series is comparable in size to the Monte Carlo, because i love it!!

~jeff
I am 6'4". 270 Pounds, and I remember being comfortable in my friends...
andfunny, Im in the market for an 850 with standard transmission, black..my dream car...the right one will come along..they arent mustang fast, they just cruise at such rediculously high speeds with such incredible ease, that they make the perfect highway car..

I have some questions..
850 STandard trans mileage..how good/bad?
850 engine durability..is 155 too many miles for a 15000 dollar car?
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Old 04-29-2004, 05:25 PM
Tranceshark Tranceshark is offline
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Well that´s slightly higher pricing than in Germany. Here you can find 93´s and 94´s around 100k miles for around 14k$...

But I guess for US-Pricing, that is okay. If the car is in good condition and had all inspections, you should be fine. Normally those V12´s run around 300k miles w/o problems...
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Old 04-29-2004, 05:30 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tranceshark
Well that´s slightly higher pricing than in Germany. Here you can find 93´s and 94´s around 100k miles for around 14k$...

But I guess for US-Pricing, that is okay. If the car is in good condition and had all inspections, you should be fine. Normally those V12´s run around 300k miles w/o problems...


I so envy you...sounds encouraging...I am looking for a badass touring, high speed coupe for those lonely 300 mile stretches out here
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Old 05-08-2004, 08:31 PM
Tranceshark Tranceshark is offline
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Well... Than the 8series should really be the car of your choice. Firing up my V12 always brings a big smile to my face. I love my 7series, but my 8 is my baby...
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Old 05-09-2004, 10:25 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tranceshark
Well... Than the 8series should really be the car of your choice. Firing up my V12 always brings a big smile to my face. I love my 7series, but my 8 is my baby...
I found than ONE girl...


I am still searching for that ONE car..I am such a car slut...I was looking at some DInan info..and it looks like the 850 can easily hit 430 RWHP...is that what you have determined...thats retiangn all its na beauty
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Old 07-07-2004, 05:21 PM
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Hi,

my first time on this site. I am looking at buying an 840Ci, but haven't been able to actually sit in one yet to check the room. I'm not so concerned about myself, (I'm 5' 10"), but whether my wife would fit in the back. She's just 5' , and fits into the back of a 316i compact OK. Any opinions?

Thanks.

Rick.
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Old 07-07-2004, 09:42 PM
wdager wdager is offline
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Well... The back seats remind me of child car seats.. just a little larger. If the front seats were forward all the way, a smaller person than I (6'7") may be able to fit.. but would suggest it would be tight fit. You'll have to try one out to see.
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Old 07-08-2004, 12:18 AM
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Do her legs detach? They may need to!

Ask here if there is anyone near you. Might get a free test ride. I think there is at least one form Scotland there.

http://forum.clube31.com/
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Old 07-16-2004, 05:27 PM
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I guess I'll look at at 535i or 540i - same engine as the 840. Thanks for the replies.

Rick.
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Old 07-19-2004, 01:48 PM
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Yeah, forget the backseat. I'm 5'8" and my head hits the roof when I sit back there...it's not even close!
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Old 01-02-2005, 09:37 PM
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How does the 8 Series compare to the T-Bird? I once owned a '90 Supercoupe and could drive it pretty comfortably. In your opinion, does the 8 Series have more or less head and leg room. I'm 6'9" and 280 lbs. I was looking at a 99' MB CL600 but have been put off by all the high maintenance comments and insanely expensive parts for it. I was also told that with the MB, it's always something. Terrible reliability. I had heard about the 8 Series before but am getting re-aquainted. I'm tired of driving trucks and want a sports car again.
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Old 01-02-2005, 10:11 PM
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Hi

I'm 6'3" 240 evenly proportioned between top and bottom.

I have had an '89 and a '95 T-bird. The 'Bird has more headroom than the 8. But the seating position is more adjustable in the 8.

I can just get my hand between my head and the roof of my 840. I could lay the seat down a bit more.

The only way to be sure is to try one on for size.

I have heard of 6'10" fitting but he didn't plan vacations around his 8.

I can still walk when I get out after hours behind the wheel.
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