Oppo, Teach Me Something New: BMW 8-Series Edition

"K-Roll-PorscheTamer" (k-roll390) 03/15/2014 at 14:37 • Filed to: BMW

1

25

I posted earlier today how I was introduced to my friend's dad's BMW 840 last night after watching the new NFS movie. I wanna learn more about the 8-series because it simply looks fantastic and I bet it drives fantastic and expensive-like; Because BMW.

So what can you tell me about them? Is it good, bad, or something else?

Brian Silvestro > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 03/15/2014 at 14:40

0

Manual, V12.

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 03/15/2014 at 14:41

0

V12 that was basically 2 inline six motors that worked together

signintokinjalol > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 03/15/2014 at 14:41

2

One word.

Problems.

You'd save money buying two of them and using the other one for parts.

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 03/15/2014 at 14:42

0

I think there was a /Drive thing on V12 cars that talked about it.

SnowBallin > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 03/15/2014 at 14:46

5

Here is an 850i with Dinan twin turbos. 620 ft/lbs Torque & about 510 hp

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 03/15/2014 at 14:53

0

Big, comfy, fast-ish, heavy, almost always broken.

LeadfootYT > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 03/15/2014 at 14:54

3

I like this game. Some fun facts about the E31, as they are known in the BMW community:

-Available in the US with a 4.0-liter V8 (later changed to a 4.4-liter V8), and a 5.x-liter V12.

-V8s were automatic only, despite the same engines being available in the 5-series with a stick. Swaps are difficult. Stop considering doing one.

-V12s were usually autos, but manuals were available.

-The full-fat E31, which still commands a $50k+ price in the US, was the manual-only (I think) 850CSi.

-All the M70 and M73 V12 engines used in this and the similarly-chassis'd E38 7-series were effectively two BMW M50/M52 straight sixes welded together. That sounds very novel, except for the fact that there are two of everything, and therefore twice as many things to break . That includes most importantly the two Motronic ECUs. Can you say electrical problems?

-The S70 V12 engine (a more powerful "M" derivative of the M70) used in the 850CSi shares its basic framework with the BMW S70 used in the McLaren F1. So that's a nice thing to talk about while it's in the shop having its electrical system inspected.

-BMW made one M8 prototype, but never put the car into production. Like most of BMWs prototypes in the 1990s, however, the M8 was a fully-functioning and visually complete car, and is hidden away in the M Division garage/bunker in Munich. It looks like this:

If I think of any more, I'll post them as well. It's a very interesting car, and an incredibly rare BMW these days. People are rarely familiar with it.

Aaron James > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 03/15/2014 at 14:57

0

Google search them. You'll find more information than you ever wanted to know.

lone_liberal > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 03/15/2014 at 14:57

0

Basically a beautiful plus size model. You have to decide if the high maintenance is worth the great ride.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > LeadfootYT 03/15/2014 at 15:16

0

Fantastic! This is great! My friend's dad's is the 4.0L V8 with an automatic in Oxford Green. Fantastic color.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif 03/15/2014 at 15:19

0

I'll have to check it out.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > LeadfootYT 03/15/2014 at 15:20

0

Also I had never heard of one until he mentioned it a week ago; and I saw one for the first time last night! Definitely seems to be a rare car.

f86sabre > LeadfootYT 03/15/2014 at 15:20

1

I have heard some horrifying things about the electrical system. Like some women it has a great heart, nice body but is crazy.

DasWauto > LeadfootYT 03/15/2014 at 15:46

1

A few points:

- I do believe the v8 was available with a manual

- The M70 is actually more closely related to the M20 (e21 and e30) straight six.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 03/15/2014 at 15:57

0

Extremely expensive when new, it was BMW's Flagship.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 03/15/2014 at 15:59

1

Wonder what life would be like if BMW still had an 8-series...

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 03/15/2014 at 16:05

0

The Rolls Royce Wraith is about as close as it gets, it's a 7-series in coupe form. Although the current 6 is about the size of the 8, if not a little larger.

SnowBallin > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 03/15/2014 at 16:07

0

Umm, BMW still has an 8 series...

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > SnowBallin 03/15/2014 at 16:34

0

Umm.... No they don't? Isn't that the i8? that's not an 8-series.

SnowBallin > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 03/15/2014 at 16:59

0

Yes that is the i8...is that not an 8 series car?

BMW has so many cars these days that ot is hard to keep up with everything

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > SnowBallin 03/15/2014 at 17:01

0

Sadly no, it's not an 8-series. :(

It's the numbering system isn't it....

6cyl > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 03/15/2014 at 17:24

0

It is a modern pillerless coupe which automatically makes it awesome

chiefstinky > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 03/15/2014 at 17:41

0

Jason Statham drove one in The Italian Job, don't know if it was 840 or 850.

LeadfootYT > DasWauto 03/15/2014 at 23:37

0

Could have been a Europe thing, actually. I know that there were none in the US, but I imagine it was a different case for the Continent. As for the M20 thing, I should have considered that given that it was in production in 1989 - I also find it incredibly amusing that you could walk into a BMW dealer in 1989 and see a (brand new) E31 parked next to an E30. Plus see an E24 and a then-new E34, plus a Z1 in certain areas of the world. But... yeah. That was a strange year to be buying a new Bimmer.

But would the later M73 still have M20 connections, or would it have been based off the M52B25 or something?

DasWauto > LeadfootYT 03/16/2014 at 14:09

1

The M73 did switch to an aluminum block but it was still a SOHC design so imagine it's still closer to its M20 roots.