Anyone with 8 series experience

[Gravy]

Slightly ealry to be thinking about this but in the next year or so I am thinking I might like to get my hands on an 840Ci sport.
I know the engine is a lovely beast, but what are the cars like on the whole? do they go well on British roads, can they be hustled, or are they more motorway cruisers?

I think they are very nice looking motors and you don't see them around in huge numbers.

[zimmerbimmer1]

UPRATE the Brakes if you get one, that was their major downfall.

Apart from that they are great cruisers on all roads.

Be aware though the front bumper spoiler make sure you don't hit any kerbs with it.

About £450 - 750 to replace.

[mattyb240]

Meh i dont think they all that great, handling is average to be honest but a good cruiser yes

[Danhbmw]

What I remember of them is poor brakes, (feels like they forgot to put a servo on!)

And its a bloody long bonnet (that you can't see the end of) so its always worth sticking the lights on to give you an idea of where the car ends!!

The centre console makes it feel snug inside, and with the right spec, there's more buttons than in KITT!!

[stuartgallafant]

steer clear unless you have thousands to spend.

i've helped look after a few 8 series and they're all money pits. The 850CSi's are the best of the bunch, although if the 'Live Rear Axle' goes wrong, you're looking at long, costly jobs.

to be honest, they are great cars, but they're also old pieces of shit, that nobody ever bothered to take care of. The brakes feel hurrendous, but they do work, you just have to really stomp far down. they're not the conventional servo type unit, they're like a spherical pressure pump type thing!!

if you want an 840Ci, then go for the later ones, with the M62 as opposed to the M60 engines. all of these should be past bore wear problems now though

electricals wise, the 8 series was the 1st BMW to incorporate BUS systems, and back in those days, they wern't too hot, so the occasional electrical gremlins pop up

choose wisely mate

[maxfield]

My dad had one and it was problem after problem after problem...

[stuartgallafant]

My dad had one and it was problem after problem after problem...

did he put diesel in that too?!

[E30BeemerLad]

Rich man's probe

[maxfield]

did he put diesel in that too?!

Wouldn't surprise me...

[Gravy]

Oh!!! Right, well that's that then! Say no more! Something from the M stable instead then! I was expecting people to say it was a good car, mind you I did know someone who bought one, and he said it cost him a fortune to keep on the road, and his was in mint condition!

The search continues then.............

[Andyboy]

They were a rich man's car, and have rich man's running costs. A good one is a nice thing. Stay away from main dealers, most wouldn't know where the bonnet release is and charge £100 an hour to scratch their arse and read fault codes. You need a good specialist with one of these. Most bits are BMW only and very little is shared with the E34/E32. 850i brakes were okay, the 840Ci Brembos are shite.
I had one (840Ci 4.4) and I had some bother. But it had a BMW warranty..........

I blow hot and cold on these. Some days I think I'd like another, other days I wouldn't.

[ed325i]

Here is a rare one for sale >> http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-840-CI-Auto-R ... dZViewItem

[Morat]

Thats pretty cool