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.
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
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
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..
✓ We request that a non-refundable fee be paid if you are the lucky winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted Please refer to our helpful FAQs and T&Cs for specific rates.
✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is Where Is’ basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are solely for guidance purposes and it's customary to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase for your own peace of mind.
✓ VAT is included in the buyer's fee. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.
✓ We want a smooth transaction just as much as you do and as such we run all UK-registered cars and motorbikes for sale on Car & Classic through an online HPI check to verify that they show no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and have no finance owing, allowing you to bid with confidence.
✓ We also check whether vehicles are recorded as being written off as part of an insurance total loss claim at the time an advert is placed on Car & Classic and we helpfully provide write-off category labels (Cat C/D/S/N) for your assistance. However, the presence or absence of a label does not guarantee the vehicle’s status and it is always worthwhile carrying out your own full vehicle history check before making an offer on a vehicle.
✓ Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection
or delivery. Importing vehicles may result in additional customs duties and import taxes so it's worth checking beforehand. It is the bidders responsibility to confirm import eligibility prior to purchase.
✓ Unless stated otherwise, you must assume that any cherished, personalised, or heritage vehicle registration is not included in the sale of a vehicle.
