(E) Specifications

Is your definition of the word locomotion luxury and comfort on four wheels? There are cars for such requirements.
Locomotion for you goes a lot farther: Performance and dynamics without compromise? There are also cars for every need.
Are you looking for the quintessence, the ultimate passion for driving?
The answer to this is: The BMW 8 Series coupé.

This exquisite sports coupe turns mobility into an exhilarating experience.
The 8 Series is fascinating as a design object, and is an impressive carrier of state-of-the-art technology.
The complex construction of the chassis and the two high-caliber engines substantiate this claim.
The 8 Series - an automobile that gives new impetus and sets trends.

The BMW 8 Series coupé is a prime example of harmony modeled according to the laws of aerodynamics and the highest aesthetic standards.
This car's form is the best expression of the advance of the automobile.
The unmistakable look of the 8 coupé is the result of the perfect interaction between passion for shape and consistent execution of BMW technology.
Passion for driving bears a symbol: the 8.

Superb driving qualities are always a question of engine technology particularly in top-of-the-line sports cars.
This is why the BMW engines in the 8 Series are so convincing through their brilliant power development, silky smooth running and impressive torque.
The uniqueness of the 8 Series concept is underscored by its legendary twelve-cylinder engine.
Just as always, it continues to set standards in its class.

BMW 840 Specifications

From July 1993 to February 1996 : V8 (M60), 4.0l displacement, 286 hp
From January 01/1995 to May 1999 : V8 (M62), 4.4l displacement, 286 hp

In 1992, BMW decided to make an 8 series with the v8 engine as an entry model.
It was available after 1995 with the M62 engine.
The new M62 engine has more torque but it doesn't have the old M60's problems with american high-sulfur fuel.
The 840Ci was available with a 5-speed automatic or a 6-speed manual gearbox in Europe. In the United States there was only the 5-speed automatic transmission.

Engine Data :

Fuel Consumption / CO2 Emissions :

Performance :

BMW 850 Specifications

Two models are available for the BMW 850 :

The 850i, produced from May 1989 to December 1992
Equipped with the 5.0l 300hp v12 (M70)
It made the public crazy as the first car equipped with a v12 and a 6 speed manual gearbox, and also the new technologies involded such as :
The Integral Rear Axle,
The Pop-pup headlights integrating full beams, high beams and fog lights
And the Seatbelts integrated in the seats

The 850Ci, produced from January 1993 to May 1999
First still equipped with the 5.0l M70 v12, BMW replaced it with the 5.4l 326hp M73 from 1994

Maybe you'll have problems to distinguish the 850i & the 850Ci
Even BMW has troubles with it
The reason is simple, in 1992, they introduced the 840Ci & the 850Csi, therefore the 850i was renamed in 850Ci
On 8er.org :
an 840i will be considered as the M60 V8 840
an 840Ci will be considered as the M62 V8 840
an 850i will be considered as the M70 V12 850
an 850Ci will be considered as the M73 V12 850

You'll notice that :
Only the 850i was available with either a 4-speed automatic or a 6-speed manual gearbox, the 850Ci doesn't have any 6-speed manual gearbox
Steptronic Gearbox was introduced in 1993

Engine Data :

Fuel Consumption / CO2 Emissions :

Size :

Performance :

BMW 850Csi Specifications

The ///M 850Csi was developped by BMW Motorpsort in 1992
It was produced from August 1992 to November 1996 to respond to criticism of the 850i's performance.
Little could be done about its corpulence, but BMW further enlarged the motor to 5.6l and bumped the compression ratio to 9.8:1, which raised power to 380hp at 5300 rpm & torque to a massive 406lb-ft at 4000 rpm.
With its 5.6l 380hp V12 (S70), it was considered as the BMW M8
Though the real M8 remains a prototype which never made into production

With the Csi's price approaching 120 000$, the affluent buyer wanted something that would set it appart from the more modest 850Ci.
The front end received a deeper air dam and the rear a new apron with air diffuser.
All this was very subtle and still in keeping with the original design philosophy, although wider tires and the spoiler did raise the Cd from 0.29 to 0.31.
the sexy, racing-style rearview mirrors and the four big stainless steel exhaust pipes gave additional clues to the car's purpose : not a boy racer but a rich man's toy.
The 850Csi also sports two-tone leather upholstery and instruments with red indicator needles instead of white.
The suspension was sent to M-Technics for a makeover that included lowering, foirming up and adding large and sticky foot wear : 235/45 ZR 17 tires on forged aluminium 8x17 inch wheels up front and 265/40 ZR17 on 9x17 inch rears.
Except in the United States, the Csi also got a a microprocessor-controlled electrohydraulic active rear axle kinematic (ARAK or AHK in german).
That was the quintessence of rear axle with the hydraulic four-wheel-steering which steers the rear wheels depending on the turn angle of the front wheels.
It steered the rear axle under extreme maneuvers and helped tuen in response.
You'll see more about the mechanism in the videos section.
Further electronics included a Sport switch for faster throttle response.

The 850Csi also received (not in the Us) upgraded brakes with floating rotors and four-piston calipers.
In the Us, the 850Csi made do with four-piston calipers and 13.6 inch vented rotors up front and single piston calipers with 12.9 inch vented rotors at the rear.

Engine Data :

Weight :

Size :

Performance :

Visible differences between the 850i (and later the 850 Ci in standard trim) are:

different front bumper (different air scoop)
M-style mirrors
Lowered Suspension
17" wheels (as oposed the the standard 16") with turbine spokes (directional wheels!). The same style was used on the M3 and M5.
Extra diffuser at the back (between the tailpipes)
Round chromed tailpipes (as opposed the black and square)

In order to provide you the best infos, here is a list of Online Reviews & Guides :

ConsumerGuide : http://consumerguideauto.howst…-to-1997-bmw-8-series.htm

Review Centre : http://www.reviewcentre.com/reviews699.html

CarPrices : http://www.carprices.co.uk/models/Bmw/bmw8series

Carfolio : http://www.carfolio.com/search/results/?mf=E31