Highlights

Rare and sought-after ‘unicorn’ Barbados Green Metallic
Genuine factory M-Sport car 850 CSi-style body styling
Professionally renovated and resprayed recently
Extensive mechanical overhaul at same time
BMW main agent and specialist servicing from new
Only five keepers and previously owned by a BMW GB Group Buyer
Current MOT to May 2027 with no advisories
Recently serviced

The Appeal

The E31 is surely the apogee of BMW’s 80s and 90s ‘Imperial’ phase, a time when the firm seemed to be knocking out brilliant car after brilliant car. It was designed to be a showcase for its technological and design innovation and it certainly was. The 8-Series is arguably one of the best grand tourers of the last 40 years and good examples, which are surprisingly hard to find, are increasingly in demand.

These sophisticated cars need to be properly looked after, a fact that tends to whittle the stock of decent examples down to a very small number. Judging by the vast history file and heavily stamped service book, this 1998 840Ci is definitely one of them. Even without that provenance, we suspect it would appeal to enthusiasts because it is the rare, sought-after unicorn - a Barbados Green M Sport with CSi-style body kit and Light Silver Grey leather cabin. The specification includes electric memory sports seats, an electric sunroof, and an electric rear window blind.

Aside from the service history, this is a very good example thanks to a comprehensive restoration and respray around five years ago. That work included a long list of mechanical work and has held up very well, as you can see in the photos. We are told that the car was stripped down — doors off, sunroof out, bumpers removed — for a full respray in its original Barbados Green. Alongside the cosmetic work, a range of mechanical and trim items were renewed, and a stainless steel exhaust system with custom silencers was fitted, which an E31 specialist reportedly described as producing the best sound he had heard from an 8 Series.

The car comes with its original handbook pack, service book, invoices, and previous MOTs. The service book shows 16 stamps by main dealers and BMW specialists. It was last serviced in May 2026 and the MOT runs to May 2027 with no advisories.

The E31 is gaining in popularity and collectability. This car’s condition, provenance and specification surely places it as one of the best available.

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Key Information

Mileage: 134,296 miles (see below)
Country of registration: United Kingdom
MOT status: Valid until 6th May 2027 with no advisories
Technical specs: 4,398cc V8 petrol, 5spd automatic transmission
Paperwork: Large history file as shown, original handbook pack, service book, invoices, and previous MOTs, V5C, 2 keys

Prospective buyers should note that the instrument cluster was replaced on the 4th of May 2026 with a used unit due to pixel failure and a faulty fuel gauge on the original. The odometer currently reads 105,857 the fully documented total mileage is approximately 134,296 miles, fully recorded in the service book and accompanying paperwork.

Service history:

05/26 - 134,101 miles - All European (BMW specialist)
03/03/2023 - 129,120 - BMR Performance (BMW specialist)
12/21 - 126,000 miles - Pryor Automotive (BMW specialist)
11/19 - 122,775 miles - Pryor
10/17 - 115,346 miles - Pryor
09/15 - 105,889 miles - Pryor
06/15 - 104,758 miles - Pryor
09/13 - 95,805 miles - Pryor
01/12 - 86,440 miles - Newhall BMW (BMW specialist)
06/10 - 77,103 miles - Sytner Sheffield
07/09 - 67,997 miles - Sytner Sheffield
06/07 - 53,439 miles - Sytner Sheffield
02/06 - 43,370 miles - Sytner Sheffield
06/05 - 35,994 miles - Sytner Sheffield
03/03 - 26,996 miles - Snows BMW
02/02 - 24,564 miles - Snows BMW
10/00 - 17,120 miles - Cronk of Redhill BMW
11/98 - 8,575 miles - Vines BMW

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The Detail

Oil and filter service carried out in May 2026
Full respray in original Barbados Green approximately five years ago
This work included doors, bumpers, and sunroof removed for the work
New sunroof seal, sliders, and mechanisms fitted during restoration
M Sport car with 850 CSi style body kit fitted
BMW M-Sport 18-inch staggered Parallel spoke alloys fitted
Uniroyal RainSport 5 tyres
Vendor describes wheels and tyres as being in very good condition
Matching spare wheel also in good order
Underside as shown with no structural advisories on MOT
New black Alcantara headlining fitted during restoration
Light Silver Grey leather interior in very good condition
Front seats re-dyed during restoration
Fitted with a Pioneer DAB Bluetooth hands-free stereo
Stereo is backlit colour-matched to BMW instrumentation
Well kept interior switchgear, dashboard, door cards and carpets
Boot carpet in light grey with some light staining to note in photos
Suspension and brake components renewed during restoration
Stainless steel exhaust system with custom silencers fitted at a cost of £3,000
Two new batteries fitted in 2024
New air conditioning condenser and fan fitted in 2024
The vendor states the air conditioning requires servicing and regassing
New blender unit purchased but not yet fitted and is included with the sale
Tinted windows to the sides and rear
The car has covered fewer than 500 miles per year in recent years we are told
No advisories on MOT

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BEFORE YOU BUY

This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:

✓ The seller is registered as a private seller which means consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not come into effect. However, you are still covered by Car & Classic’s own Terms and Conditions..

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