HIGHLIGHTS

• BMW’s luxury autobahn-stormer 5.0 V12 Coupe
• MOT until 14th April 2024
• Laguna Green Metallic
• 104,000 miles with little use in the past 3 years
• Project car that requires further recommissioning and restoration

THE APPEAL

When BMW unveiled the very first 8 Series at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1989, it continued the Bavarian marques reputation for crafting up market luxury coupes. The new Grand Tourer, dubbed the E31, was the ultimate autobahn-stormer. Its attractive wedge shape, which was penned by Klaus Kapitza, had an impressive drag coefficient of just 0.29.

And thanks to the 4.0 V8 and the battleship level 5.0 V12, the 8 Series was good for 150MPH. Today the E31 has aged very well and its sleek exterior still looks as eye catching as it did when it first went on sale in the UK in 1991.

THE HISTORY AND PAPERWORK

• V5C in owners name
• Two sets of Keys
• First registered on 14th January 1993
• Eight owners from new
• The current owners late partner acquired the 8 Series in 2018 and it formed part of a private collection of BMW performance cars
• The history file includes the cars original Owners Manual Book Pack along with a stamped Service Book
• There are a selection of invoices for past maintenance, some of which was carried out by BMW main dealer Dick Lovett
• The most recent invoice dated 23rd May 2023 notes that the car was treated to two new batteries and the replacement of both front lower ball joint boots. An MOT test was also carried out which the car passed with some advisories noted, which are shown in the history file photos below
• The history file also includes a number of expired tax discs and old MOT certificates

THE INTERIOR

• The interior of the 850Ci is finished in two tone grey and off white which contrasts very nicely with the green exterior
• The leather seats are in good condition all round with some wear on the drivers seat bolster and base. The passenger seat is very good with minimal wear evident, as are the rear seats which are also very nice too.
• The drivers seat is a little sticky which suggests some binding in the seat rails. The rest of the electric adjustments work as they should. The passenger seat which is also electrically adjusted works as it should.
• There is some wear to the edges of the steering wheel. It is electrically adjustable and this works as intended
• The original stereo is installed and requires a code, likely as a result of the recent new battery installation. The multi disc CD changer in the boot is present and ejects the cassette as expected.
• The carpets are in clean condition as is the headliner with some dropping noted behind the passenger sun visor
• The electric sunroof has not been tested nor have the rear electric windows. However both front windows go up and down as they should

THE EXTERIOR

• Finished is Laguna Green Metallic which really suits the lines of the E31
• The paint is in fair condition with some areas good and other areas not so good
• There is lacquer peel on the rear boot and the wing and also on the sunroof panel
• Some rust bubbles are noted on the edge of the front right of the bonnet
• A scratch is shown on the right rear wing
• The rear tail lights are showing signs of sun fade
• This 8 Series has the upgrade Alpina alloy wheels which really suit the car. The original spare alloy is found in the boot.
• The 8 Series signature pop up headlights flick up and down as they should
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THE MECHANICS

• 5.0 litre V12 with 296BHP
• 5 Speed Automatic Gearbox
• The car has had very little use for the past 3 years so requires recommissioning before fully exercising the V12 on the open road
• It does have an MOT until 14th April 2024
• The service book has 20 stamps with the last noted on 11th November 2004 at 94,099 miles. Records suggest it has covered just 10,000 miles since.
• During its most recent visit to the garage on 23rd May 2023 it was noted that the alarm system was removed. It is believed it was preventing access to the car so was taken off to prevent issues in the future.

SUMMARY