Anyone got an 8 series

Discuss Non-E30 BMW's in here - No selling!

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Raj_p
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Post Fri Jul 23, 2010 11:51 pm

Anyone own an 8 series or ever owned one? i've always wanted one and been looking at 850's

Just want to know what they are like and what common issues are....

Not been to see any as yet, but will be doing from next week once the other car has been paid for and collected

Cheers,
Raj
Only real men get it done with an M20
ETERNITY
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Post Sat Jul 24, 2010 12:01 am

i seen a mint alpine white which am considering but am more taken by a e36 m3 at the mo.

check article for issues


http://www.bmwclassics.co.uk/articles/nikasil.html
e30topless
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Post Sat Jul 24, 2010 12:02 am

awesome machine's..

but if you really must have one, beware of very, very high running costs.... :eek:
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Raj_p
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Post Sat Jul 24, 2010 12:21 am

cheers guys, i dont mind running costs because it wont get used everyday or week.... The nsx which i sold today did 900miles in 7months.
Only real men get it done with an M20
capri_rob
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Post Sat Jul 24, 2010 7:30 am

IIRC suspension components are massively expensive when they go wrong - £1000 a corner and unique to the 8 Series with little or no aftermarket alternatives available.
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e30topless said : Proper BMW's have 4 headlights, last of the run was the E30 and E34/E32 anything after that is just complete shite
pukar
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Post Sat Jul 24, 2010 7:57 am

i had one...a real beast! smooth as anything to drive and really went when you put your foot down. it felt like more of a cruiser than a real sports car, but then mine was auto....which i think is better in a big car like this anyway. i really liked all the toys such as the switch to stiffen suspension. dont miss the petrol costs though and that was back in the day when a full tank cost (only) £60.
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Bristol_Jer
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Post Thu Jul 29, 2010 7:15 pm

There is a buying guide to these in this months Practical Performance Car magazine, not sure if the guide is any good as I haven't read it yet lol :)
GovR
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Post Thu Jul 29, 2010 7:18 pm

850 CSI baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad!
pacerpete
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Post Thu Jul 29, 2010 7:43 pm

GovR wrote:850 CSI baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad!

The CSI is rare because nobody wanted a big wobbly turd with a clunky gearbox. Auto is the only way with these turds.
My advice re 8s is don't .
CaesarBob
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Post Fri Jul 30, 2010 12:08 pm

Raj_p wrote:The nsx which i sold today did 900miles in 7months.
If you do so few miles, is it really worth buying a car. I do more than that on my mountain bike! :pff:
'97 E36 B3 3.2 Touring - Alpina-Blau
'15 F32 420d M Sport Coupe - BMW - melbourne-metallic (Sold)
'11 E92 320d M Sport Coupe - BMW-saphirschwarz-metallic (Sold)
'99 E36 328iA SE "Shooting Brake" - BMW-titansilber-metallic (Sold)
'89 E30 325i
Speedtouch
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Post Fri Jul 30, 2010 12:14 pm

Not a good car for sparing usage, as the V12 versions have twin batteries which go flat quickly (i.e., if left a few days) due to all the electrical load on them, also four ECUs for the engine alone, so there's alot to go wrong! :eek:

My brother briefly ran one, an 850i. Impressively smooth Intergalactic starship enterprise but you do need a very deep wallet to run one.
///M aurice
ECU Upgrade EPROM Chips, £40 posted within the UK. Note these are not Zone chips.
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dips346
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Post Sat Jul 31, 2010 3:28 pm

pacerpete wrote:
GovR wrote: My advice re 8s is don't .
second that all the way

they arent all they seem to be

not the best driving car for space or comfort
and as for parts forget it ,had to ask bmws last few weeks ago for a front shock !!!! 1k and thats one front shock ...lol
Blitz
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Post Sat Jul 31, 2010 3:44 pm

Wheeler dealers got one.



Rare manual

http://pistonheads.com/sales/1618963.htm
gjm
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Post Mon Aug 02, 2010 5:20 pm

If it's a more sporting drive you'd like, get an 840, not an 850. the 850 is supremely good at wafting along, and will lift it's skirts and run when required, but the 840 is a nicer car to hustle.

A little like the Merc 500 and 560SECs - the 560 was fantastic, the 500 had a little more attitude.

Horses for courses. Nice cars, all of 'em, but remember that a car that cost £60k+ new still has £60k+ car running costs 8O, even if bought for a fraction of that price.