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My e31 history - owned a 4.4l Steptronic and own 4l Manual 840ci's (and test driven 1 early 850i). Here's a green apple to red apple comparison: e31: 96 840ci - 4l, 6-spd, 'msport' suspension (think package is standard shocks and shorter springs) and wheels, and big bore exhaust (only known mod). Travelled 120kms. Monaro: '02 V2 - 5.7l, 6-spd, standard suspension and wheels, and big bore exhaust (only known mod). Traveled (when I had it) 175km. I found the e31 was/is a way better car all round. Power/torque: There wasn't that much difference, to me anyway (disclaimer: I ain't no racing driver lol). Both have 'more than enough for me' torque across the rev range. They can get up ad boogie, especially in the crucial 80-100 range. If you want a fun or performance then manual is a must. if you want to cruise then the auto is fine - but steptronic wins in that department (also have an auto HSV) as it is best suited to the GT nature of the e31 IMO. The old 4spd auto in the v12 did the job well but was nothing spectacular. Handling/suspension: This is where there is night and day between the two (both were more than likely on original suspension). The e31 is more refined, smooth and balanced. No issues around town, even better on the motorway and handles the twisties just fine (going at pace but not driving at the limit). Agree that this is where you notice the weight. But it doesn't detract from the experience. On the other hand, the Monaro felt the opposite as a package and had a more harsher ride/feel. Fine around town, motorway is fine - but you do start to feel the bumps and jarring. Through the twisties was the worst - it would often understeer when going at pace into a corner and other times it was like it wanted to fight against you. I found it a bit dangerous. I replaced some bushes (maybe shocks too but can't remember) which improved things but not by much. I've said that when a Commodore grows up it wants to be a BMW haha. And would I get another Monaro - Hell Yeah!! As a side note, I have full front suspension (real challenging to find rear suspension components) and shocks for all corners to go into the e31, so will be interesting if this changes things - but is fine enough for me at the mo. e31 driving summary: It is a GT car and it doesn't hide from that. But don't believe the original reviews or those that say it is slow - it never was a performance car although it looks like it. It does all duties, shopping, cruising and long distance. If you do want 'performance', then its the manual hands down - good luck finding one! - or a CSI - and good luck finding one of those cheap! But the auto is fine too - would recommend the steptronic. Then there's the feeling of driving a pretty special car, there's just something about this era of BMW, and the e31 takes it up a level. By todays standard, it has a 'small car' feel about it interior wise. but it is a friggen awesome place to be in! I also have an e60 M5. They don't compare drive and comfort wise... but when I drive them back to back, the smile is just that much bigger after the 840ci 😊 Oh, and lastly, I've taken both to the summer cars and coffee event hosted by the local car museum. No one looked twice (or once!) at the M5. Its the complete opposite with the 840ci - quite embarrassing waiting in line to park with people walking past or coming up saying - "what is that!, F#$%*&g awesome bro! Holy Sh!t I've only seen one on the internet" haha. Sorry for long post but hope this helps someone 😉

Not meaning to hijack thread, but I have a very nice 840ci I would sell and am realistic on price (i.e. less than the Dakar one). Sadly not an exciting colour, but is extremely tidy and has the right wheels on it! Was listed earlier in the year on Collecting Cars and didn't meet reserve https://collectingcars.com/for-sale/1996-bmw-e31-840-ci-3 I then "sold" it to someone else who mucked me around. I then decided to keep it as I love looking at in the garage and would struggle to find another, but with kids and 2x other old cars this E31 hardly gets driven. PM me if you want any more info or are keen to have a look.

i think the black twin M5 shown in old photo was the one i stripped a few years back (2017) as it came up from timaru

I paid $17500 for it, which if it's even half decent I think it's a great price. I think I'll do rod bearings anyway for peace of mind, this one will eventually get roof racks with bike racks, so should be quite easy to spot.

Garage queens be dammed - I can’t think of anything worse,. You’re basically depriving someone of using the car for its intended purpose purely for financial gain…. Selfish. if you’re looking for investments, buy some gold, leave the cars for people who truly appreciate them 😆 I think it was Jay Leno who famously said: ”Not driving your car in order to keep the mileage low is like not banging your girlfriend to make sure she’s nice and tight for her next boyfriend” Wisdom beyond comprehension

I have just purchased a pretty high km E90 M3. Pretty sure I'll be on here quite a bit getting advice on fixing it up. Rod bearings will be ordered soon, I'm going to diy the job at home.

Kinda doing a “what if” complex scenario in my head. Have a couple vehicles that I don’t really use occupying a garage slot. Also have yet to own a v8. These e31s have always been on my “wow” that’s cool list. Kinda a “living list “ car. Sounding like a great to drive , relatively powerful cruiser.

There's some in Hamilton on FB. Knock them down on price for the missing trim piece, should still be available anyway. Or some in Chch, missing the bolts, also available.

If you are prepared to manually change gears in the auto trans then it can show a fair bit of pace, especially when passing in second, but it's not in the same league as an M car. Still hard to keep at 100 though.

I had an 850CSi for about 7 years. I even brought it to NZ from Ireland with me. Always miss that car, ironically however what I think would infact be a better car to drive would be the 840i with a 6speed manual. Unfortunately, they are actually rarer than the 850CSi was!

They are 'boulevard cruisers' - designed to be comfortable, and great for long drives. They were my 2nd love behind the M635csi - the original M6. The M6's only came with a manual transmission and were more sporty (mainly due to the nature of the race-bred M88/3 power plant). However, my 840ci had a 4.4 manual gear-box coupled with sports suspension -which was a far more entertaining drive than the automatic variants I sampled. However, the automatics are still great with both V12 and v8 formats- they provide a very smooth drive. They were made very well, and the interior is a nice place to be. They are not outrageously fast by modern standards - but can still generate decent speeds. Where they show up a little - is around the twisties - it's a big car without the technology of what you get with suspension today on large performance cars - my E39 M5 for example is a different beast. They were however never designed to be M3's - that was never the point. My buddy Treone, fellow Bimmersporter is an ardent BMW enthusiast who has owned 3 E31's and he told me that they handled better than a modern Monaro he owned (hope he pipes up). The 8's are still a very nice car to drive - even today. Depends on who you are - but I always found the rare manual options more compelling to drive - and in an ideal world would loved to have owned my ultimate version - the super rare M-fettled 850csi!

Unfortunately it isn't Mauritius Blue (one of my favs for an e31). If memory serves, this could be a special 'individual' colour (just can't recall what it is) and I do like it! This colour for an e31 could be even rarer as it is one of the early cars, before 'individual' programme took off in the mid-late 90's. Oh, and this would be badged as an 850i (as it is pre-92/93).

Cheap set of 4x100 17" Schnitzers if you wanted to roll big https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/car-parts-accessories/wheels-tyres/alloy-wheels/listing/4822942342

Today marks 3 years of ownership of the M5, it also marks the day that the mechanical warranty runs out - no doubt it will turn into a pumpkin at midnight. Over the past three years I have replaced: - Clutch / flywheel - Heater control valve - A/C condenser - 10x Spark plugs - 1 coil pack - Module that controls the airbag compressor - Oil cooler - SMG reservoir filler cap - Lower control arm bushes - 4 x tires And as is fit for the anniversary it's at BMWorkshop having the annual service. Would I buy it again after the last three years, yes no question. It's a high maintenance item, but it's cheaper than a therapist and without leaning too heavily on the YOLO mentality it's pointless being the richest man in the graveyard. The first picture ever taken after signing the papers, perfectly framed up by my wife............ And the first night at the Clearwater Resort being the family wagon

some more pics and a video https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=tQMpV1335no#t=10

Unfortunately came off 2nd best with an altercation with an i20 😬 Was 2 minutes after its first wash in 3 months too. Only took me 44 years for my first fender bender. Car actually drove a few km home seemingly OK (just felt like the wheel was knocked out of alignment) until I had to reverse it.