BMW 8 Series??

[greenxeyezz]

So when I saw this 8 series by school, I immediately thought, wow did I see that right, or was that a 5 instead of an 8.

It was an 850Csi.

Definitely looked a bit older and a bit different than most older cars I have seen.

Never seeing an 8 series before I was intrigued.

Searched a bit and found the wiki for the BMW 8 series. Pretty interesting read as it is a dead series, so to speak.

what are your thoughts on this series? (I have non as I know nothing about it)

it seems to have lead to the new BMW CS Concept

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a6/BMW_CS.jpg/800px-BMW_CS.jpg

[Bimmerlifestyle]

damn crazy

[SYCO GT]

The 8 series generally were expensive, heavy, complex, and costly to maintain.

But they definitely had a lot of presence in their day (which, IMHO, has passed) and made for a beautiful grand tourer type car.

I've never owned one, and enjoy seeing them occasionally. They seem to have really disappeared, for the most part. A friend recently asked me if he should get one, or if it had collectible value. I think it's a very niche market.

[Laidback]

I fell in love with the 8 series when i saw R. de Nero driving one on the movie heat...i also see one or two on occasion and one guy built one with the s62 motor in it...+1 on Randy on the maintenance cost...

[greenxeyezz]

Well I would figure that since they are OOP (out of production) wouldnt their collective value go up?

[SYCO GT]

Well I would figure that since they are OOP (out of production) wouldnt their collective value go up?

Original and remaining supply is definitely one strong factor.

But you also have to have desirability or demand, as well as other equally important factors.

There are plenty of cars out of production that don't and never have had either a high demand nor collectibility.

Think about it this way, BMW stopped production for a reason, which, in this specific case was most likely retail demand (production of cars can be stopped for different reasons, some more important to investment than others). If the 8 series wasn't in high demand just a few years after its intial production, it might also not be so now.

I've seen an 850 advertised for $10K. I believe their original MSRP was closer to $80K, plus options, but I know very little about the 8 series or its collectibility now or in the future. But definitely worth more research before diving in.

The high maintenance costs would be a demand factor also. For example, the Ferrari 355's are truly beautiful cars, but many people are not willing to maintain them, as it can be insanely expensive for even annual services. Even a Ferrari 328 is not cheap to maintain, from what I've heard.

[myke951]

its a v12... i was thinking of one at one point...

[SYCO GT]

Looks like MSRP was closer to $100K.

There is a 1991 Auto 850i on Autotrader for $5995

Price $5,995
Mileage Unlisted
Body Style Coupe
Exterior Color White
Engine 12 Cylinder Gasoline
Transmission Automatic
Drive Type 2 wheel drive - rear
Fuel Type Gasoline
Doors Two Door
Stock No. 12234
VIN WBAEG2310MCB72079

[mrtm2008]

GYah maintenance & working on them are a PITA, just ask any of the guys at BMS! We had a couple in the shop & one in paticular that CHris reserrected from the dead, literally, for one customer!

As for the Ferrari 355, they have to drop the motor completely out to even just do an oil change!!! That is why the 360 Modena was designed to be worked on while the engine is still in the car!

I've always loved the 355 Spider but WHEN (dreaming the day will come sooner than never) I can afford a Ferrari, it will be either a 360 Modena Spider or a 430 Scandella

[myke951]

wow...the 355 is insanely expensive in hidden costs then! I love the sound of it though, am0ng my favorite, maybe even the best IMO

[SYCO GT]

wow...the 355 is insanely expensive in hidden costs then! I love the sound of it though, am0ng my favorite, maybe even the best IMO

Visually, I love the F355.

They are pretty cheap (relatively) on the used market, since the maintenance is so crazy.

[myke951]

headers and exhaust and tune have yielded very nice gains to it... ive seen 420whp on just those 3 mods

[SYCO GT]

I saw this 850 this morning at Cars and Coffee:

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b237/SYCOHEMI/IMG_0483copy.jpg

[Laidback]

that' s a clean looking 8 seriesI saw this 850 this morning at Cars and Coffee:

[BlackOnBlack]

looks sick! :thumbsup2:

[m5ed]

Isn't this Mfest? I'm suprised that the fact that 850CSi used the S70B56 and had WBS vin which would make it a "M" car was not mentioned. Anyone recently checked the market on a 94/95 850CSi? Its one of the more recent M-cars to still hold up value.

[Mattie]

such an amazing car. i love it.