An Investment Missed: 1994 BMW 850CSi 6-speed

"M.T. Blake" (autohabit) 12/10/2018 at 10:00 • Filed to: BMW, Bmw 850csi, 850CSi, missed opportunities, the hunt, automotive philosophy, Bring A Trailer, guess the price

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This proves the old saying, ‘Money follows money’ is true. Only a rich man could afford it new, and only the rich can afford it now. But could we have swooped in and bought one when it was cheap? When it was the old BMW that our dentist refused to pour more money onto to keep the V12 running?

Nothing says cool like pop up headlights.

This is a neo-classic. Fact. A large, two door, V12 Bimmer is cool. The same car with a factory stick shift - now that’s the stuff of car nerd wet dreams. I am personally not much of a BMW guy anymore but I do appreciate the rare and unique ones. This one is near the top for any modern-ish examples from Bavaria.

The question we should be asking right now is: WHO is going to pay over 60-large for a near 25 year old German car with questionable reliability?!!! Apparently many people will. As a collectors car I understand the appeal. As a car you’ll actually drive... I don’t.

Why aren’t seats this plush anymore? Even the NSX has cushioning like this!!!

I will not admit to be any BMW expert but I did spend some time working for an independent Bimmer shop. This meant everything I saw was used and never much newer than 3 years old. So I played around with a couple V12 cars in my day, but always under the hood of a 7-series.

The color of the intake manifold is called ‘spilled all over used oil baked on gold’

If my recollection is correct, the BMW V12 of this vintage is a headache. It was essentially two straight sixes welded together with separate computers, wiring, and sensors for each bank. I remember one come in that was running (poorly) on just the left bank of cylinders. We made a killing on the repairs, it cost the owner thousands, but he wasn’t the guy to worry much - he had THREE 750il cars.

A Ferrari type profile from a much more sensible people.

I really enjoy seeing these cars in a well maintained state. Someone had to spend some serious cash to preserve this car for us to see in excellent condition today. Even when you don’t drive them, there will still be maintenance costs (read: leaks, batteries, seals, tires, etc.).

I wish I’d had the foresight to pick up one of these when they were worth the 15k range. Another missed opportunity... of course after maintaining this thing the owner is probably just trying to break even!

The bidding is currently over $60,000. I’m guessing it won’t go much higher.

My guess is $61,500.

What’s yours?!!!

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Tripper > M.T. Blake 12/10/2018 at 10:11

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Definitely cool to see one in nice shape. 8 series are almost always BEAT when you see them for sale.

I was unaware of a CSi 8 series. Although I’d consider myself a bimmerhead, the 8 has never really done anything for me. Still I respect it for it’s inherent coolness, and 3 pedal V12. I’mma guess 75k on this.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > M.T. Blake 12/10/2018 at 10:17

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I always cringe a little when I roll through the BaT comments. 

This CSi is the “M8” by a different name. Comparing it to all the generic 850’s out there will get you nowhere.

Those generic V12 coupes... Much GUFFAW...

Milky > M.T. Blake 12/10/2018 at 10:17

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I mean, it looks like this V8 manual Porsche is about to sell for $10k.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1979-porsche-928-17/

Seems like an investment opportunity.  

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Milky 12/10/2018 at 10:27

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I don’t think we’ll ever live long enough for the 928 to be worth much.

E90M3 > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 12/10/2018 at 10:28

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It has a WBS VIN, an engine with an S engine code, and an LSD, all hallmarks of BMW M cars. There is some merit for it being called an M car. I’m in the boat that it’s not a true M car, but there are arguments either way.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > E90M3 12/10/2018 at 10:36

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No, I actually do understand all that, I just mean the comments are terse and somewhat condescending...

Milky > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 12/10/2018 at 10:51

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If everyone thought it should be worth more, it would be. Just saying some classic cars seem  “cheap” for what they are.

M.T. Blake > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 12/10/2018 at 10:53

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The pinky finger  needs to be raised higher.

E90M3 > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 12/10/2018 at 10:54

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Ah, I got what you’re saying now. The commenters on BAT are brutal. 

M.T. Blake > Milky 12/10/2018 at 10:55

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I like the way you think. Sadly a massive return will on come with certain 911s and other halo cars. Or at least my crystal ball said so. 

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > M.T. Blake 12/10/2018 at 11:41

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I feel this on a much smaller scale.

12 months ago I could, and should have bought a. manual, E90 wagon, but I didn’t.

Now my car has still depreciated , but they aren’t if anything the enthusiast interest in wagons,and manual BMWs have made them more expensive. Now with NO manual BMWs, and No new 3 series wagon in the US, they will continues to not depreciate.

I bought a sedan because wagons were more expensive, but i think the gap between the two will only continue to grow. 

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Tripper 12/10/2018 at 11:43

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another reason clean ones are expensive . M ost of the were bought by some one when the dentist that bought it new didn’t want to fix it. and then that person realized the couldn’t afford to maintain it.

And that happened 3 more times, until it sat in a damp garage for 3 years. 

RPM esq. > M.T. Blake 12/10/2018 at 14:20

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The difference between your prediction and the eventual sale price ($74,000) would buy you a pretty solid normal, auto 850 (or 840). The CSi/6-speed premium is crazy high.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > M.T. Blake 12/17/2018 at 13:36

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That this car might fetch $60k or more boggles my mind. Even from across the street that car screams MALAISE! . Respectable power numbers though:

280 kW (381 PS; 375 hp) 550 Nm (410 lbft)

...if it’s running right...