Anyone know any history on this?

[Bennyboy 200]

27 minutes ago, ssbmw said:

Completely factory- staggered with wider wheels on the back. My old car was completely original - from factory. Most of the NZ spec 840 ‘s came with style 5’s. 

Wow

almost look square - what was the spec on those 5’s?

[Neil McCauley 398]

@Bennyboy 17x8 ET10 / 17x9 ET19 hence them looking almost square.

[Jun 233]

On 7/20/2024 at 8:36 AM, treone said:

Was stupid low then and crazy cheap now haha 🤣.

Tempting at this price and it would be an awesome addition to the collection... but nah, I'm good with two 😉

@treoneI find this hard to believe.... 3 is always greater than 2! 😂  Just think about it, instead of just alternating colors you can pick from 3 different colors!

[treone 649]

@Jun you know me too well haha! If I still had the Dakar M3 then this would already be in the driveway with the other 2 bahaha!

In saying that, the Avus blue 540is that keeps getting re-listed is tempting also - perfect sibling to the Avus Blue 840 - they are the same exterior/interior combo! And pretty sure both individuals too. Wonder if they would swap for a M5? 🤣🤣

[ssbmw 223]

1 hour ago, Jun said:

@treoneI find this hard to believe.... 3 is always greater than 2! 😂  Just think about it, instead of just alternating colors you can pick from 3 different colors!

Yes do it @treone - you could replicate this in your backyard ...

[Jun 233]

1 hour ago, treone said:

@Jun you know me too well haha! If I still had the Dakar M3 then this would already be in the driveway with the other 2 bahaha!

In saying that, the Avus blue 540is that keeps getting re-listed is tempting also - perfect sibling to the Avus Blue 840 - they are the same exterior/interior combo! And pretty sure both individuals too. Wonder if they would swap for a M5? 🤣🤣

If you haven't asked if they are interested in a M5, you will never know.  I know someone who bought a M5, sold it, bought another M5 😂

[Bennyboy 200]

37 minutes ago, ssbmw said:

Yes do it @treone - you could replicate this in your backyard ...

THIS is a lineup 

[Neal 546]

What are these like to drive ? Still love the lines on these.

[ssbmw 223]

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! 

[KwS 2429]

I still regret not buying an 850i when they were almost worthless. I remember them being for sale for around 12k maybe 8 years ago and they werent quick movers in the market at that.

M539 hasnt helped my want for one either, but now im priced way out of the market.

[Kodachrome 158]

6 hours ago, ssbmw said:

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! 

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!

 

[twr 1]

16 hours ago, Neal said:

What are these like to drive ? Still love the lines on these.

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. 

[BM WORLD 1286]

 

[jjs 64]

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.  

[Neil McCauley 398]

Genuinely surprised that hasn't sold, she's a beauty @jjs!

Seems to be a buyers market however, the Webbs car is as dull as dishwater, and Sunday Drive are asking far too much for theirs.

 

[ssbmw 223]

Wow there has been plenty of discussion on a Facebook site for Australasian 8 series owner about the Dakar yellow example-   they are all saying it is cheap! 
Your car has the 4.4 M62 V8 too!

I heard about your car nearly 20 years ago when a friend did research- trying to track a 8 series for sale. Your mileage is really low and I remember it was orient blue.

good luck! Sounds like a great car. 

[jjs 64]

1 hour ago, Neil McCauley said:

Genuinely surprised that hasn't sold, she's a beauty @jjs!

Seems to be a buyers market however, the Webbs car is as dull as dishwater, and Sunday Drive are asking far too much for theirs.

 

 

45 minutes ago, ssbmw said:

Wow there has been plenty of discussion on a Facebook site for Australasian 8 series owner about the Dakar yellow example-   they are all saying it is cheap! 
Your car has the 4.4 M62 V8 too!

I heard about your car nearly 20 years ago when a friend did research- trying to track a 8 series for sale. Your mileage is really low and I remember it was orient blue.

good luck! Sounds like a great car. 

Thanks both.  Yes the market does seem to be tough for classics.  Luckily I don't need to sell, but would pass on to the right enthusiast who will enjoy it rather than it sitting idle in my garage. 

[treone 649]

On 7/25/2024 at 4:35 AM, ssbmw said:

they handled better than a modern Monaro

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 😉

Edited July 26 by treone

[Neal 546]

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.