Highlights
- Rare Biarritz Blue special order with cream leather and blue piping
- Original commissioning paperwork still intact under rear seat
- Extensive history file with full documented service history
- Recently refurbished 4-pot Brembo front calipers with new pistons
- Fresh MOT valid until May 2026 with no advisories
The Appeal
The E31 8 Series was conceived as both luxury GT and a technological showcase. Innovations first shown here would find their way into the firm’s lowlier models.
With its 4.4L M62 V8, this 1999 840CI is every inch the effortless cruiser, yet one imbued with BMW’s ‘ultimate driving machine’ ethos. Finished in special order Biarritz Blue with cream leather, it was bought by the current keeper for a planned European road trip. He loved the car and has cherished it, investing in improvements across the cosmetics and mechanicals.
The history file shows regular servicing and maintenance throughout its life. It benefits from recent new batteries, brake work, leather refurbishment and paintwork rectification. It comes to market with lengthy MOT to May 2026 with no advisories.
The vendor says:
“The car is fabulous to drive and has that intoxicating V8 roar. As expected it cruises perfectly and behaves like new in handling. The refurbished Brembos stop it reassuringly quickly.
“Who can resist the pillarless design with the windows down? And pop up lights- everyone should own one! All in all a real head turner, you will struggle to find a better, low mileage example get it listed before I change my mind!”
History and Paperwork
- First registered 8th January 1999
- Purchased by current keeper at NEC Classic Car Show auction in March 2022
- Previously part of a large private collection
- Acquired for a planned European road trip
- Previous owner covered approximately 500 miles per year
- Vendor advises full documented service history stamped in original logbook
- Service history matches MOT record available online
- Original commissioning paperwork for individual order still intact under rear seat
- Dry stored by current and previous keepers
- Fresh MOT valid until 21/05/2026 no with no advisories
- Fitted indoor cover included
- Previously Sorned for 2 years.
- New batteries and recent paintwork rectification
Service dates as below:
- 05/0199: Pre delivery check: 15 miles
- 01/04/99: Oil Service: 6,718 miles
- 26/01/00: Inspection 1: 16,469 miles
- 28/06/00: Oil service, Brake fluid: 21,585 miles
- 21/02/00: Inspection 2: 31,156 miles
- 28/05/03: Oil service: 40,306 miles
- 18/08/04: Inspection 1: 45,692 miles
- 24/03/06: Oil service: 54,932 miles
- 21/10/09: Inspection 2, Brake Fluid: 65,596 miles (in Germany)
- 15/10/16: Oil service, Brake fluid, Coolant: 73,498 miles
- 07/06/17: Inspection 2, Brake fluid, Coolant: 78,372 miles
- 04/04/22: Oil service, Brake Fluid, Coolant: 79,983 miles
The vendor says:
“I bought this fabulous 840 at auction at the NEC Classic Car show in March 2022. I was looking for a great looking coupe to add to my collection and specifically for a European road trip I was planning with my son. What could be better than a big pillarless V8 German Cruiser! I fell in love with it and by the end of the day it was mine.
“The car had been part of a large private collection for some time, with the MoT history showing it covering about 500 miles per year during that time. It had been dry stored (which I continued).
“Subject to a full service and health check at BMW specialist in April 2022 (see service schedule below). All 4 (!!) Washer pumps were seized and were replaced. The 4 pot Brembo front callipers were rebuilt with new pistons in April 22 (cost £434), receipt available. New boot gas struts 24/08/22 (£33).
“I restored the leather on the front seats, including the blue piping using specialist colour match repair kit. No other work was required, the car was used regularly including a 1000+ mile road trip to Europe with no issues at all. Following some light damage to the side of the car, it was SORN in November 2022 and dry stored at a family property in Kent.
“In May 2025, new batteries were fitted, the light damage was repaired, the side of the car repainted (£1070) and freshly MoT’d (to 21/05/2026) ready for sale.”
The Condition
- Special order Biarritz Blue paint colour in good general condition with light age
- Presents well externally with vendor stating there is no rust or significant paint damage
- No delamination of windows or screens which can be a common problem for this model
- Light damage to side repaired and repainted in May 2025 (£1,070)
- Underside appears in smart condition with no significant rust or issues
- No structural advisories on last MOT
- Sport body kit, including all plastic infills which can often go missing
- Alpina style alloy wheels in good condition
- Individual order cream leather seats with blue piping
- Front seats refurbished with specialist matched colour kit
- No significant marks or damage to seats according to seller
- Original headlining in good order as can be checked in photos
- Original radio and 6 CD changer still present (with additional CD cartridge)
- Original stereo head unit reported to be fully functional
- Aftermarket DAB radio and handsfree phone kit included (removable)
- Vendor states no pixelation to the screen which can be a common issue
- Functioning air conditioning and electrical systems we are told
- Original torch in glove box and original tool kit and first aid kit present
- Features pillarless design with retractable windows and pop-up headlights
- New boot gas struts installed 24/08/22
- Leather on front seats restored including blue piping
The Mechanics
- 4,398cc M62 V8 engine
- 5spd automatic transmission
- Well kept car with regular servicing and maintenance
- Summary of maintenance schedule above
- Full service and health check at BMW specialist in April 2022
- 4-pot Brembo front calipers rebuilt with new pistons in April 2022
- New batteries fitted in May 2025
- Aftermarket exhaust in good condition (fitted prior to current ownership)
- No advisories on current MOT
The vendor says:
“The car is factory standard with only factory fitted options. The only slight modifications are a tasteful aftermarket exhaust fitted prior to my ownership which is in good condition and Alpina style alloy wheels, again in good condition.
“The car starts and runs perfectly and performs exactly as it should. The car has a full documented service history stamped in the original log book, which is with the car.”
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