Year to Year

1992 850i

• Optional Electronic Damping Control gained a more pronounced differentiation between its Comfort and Sport modes.
• Phonebook scroll feature - cell phone's stored numbers, place a call,or end a call.
• New remote Alarm System
• Seat heating controls moved from seat to console
• Auto-ventilation option available

1993 850i

New Designation: from 850i to 850Ci (Coupe Injection)
Standard Equipment:

• Automatic Stability Control Plus Traction (ASC+T was optional)
• Shift lock for automatic transmission - now requires that selector be in Park before ignition key can be removed. Continues to prevent shifting out of Park or Neutral unless engine is running and brake pedal applied
  Passenger's-side airbag; Supplementary Restraint System(dual airbags now standard)
• Newly designed automatic dimming inside rearview mirror (sensitivity adjustment now automatic)
• More deeply gathered leather seating upholstery
• Upgraded materials textures throughout interior and trunk
• Upgraded carpeting
• Bird's-eye maple interior trim
• New center-console design
• Chrome inside door handles and door sills
• Upgraded trunk lining
• Split fold-down rear seats
• Trunk-to-interior pass-through and ski bag
• CFC-free refrigerant in air-conditioning system
• BMW Maintenance Program

1994-95 840Ci - 850Ci - 850CSi

All E31 Models

• New ABS 5 antilock braking system (refined ABS operation, integration of All Season Traction system, reduced weight)
• ASC+T system renamed All Season Traction ; standard in all models
• New front spoiler design (different designs for 840/850Ci and 850CSi)
• New Keyless Remote Entry Security System with controls in head of master key
• Driveaway Protection
• For 1994: 10x25-watt (250-watt maximum power) audio system replaces former 4x25-watt (100-watt) system; 12 speakers retained
• For 1995: 10x20-watt audio system
• (new rating for 1995 Anti-theft audio system with 12 speakers The 8 Series audio system has equalization custom-tailored to its interior, and 12 speakers.
  10 channels of amplification at 20 watts each mean 200 watts of total power.
  Please note that this differs from the 250 watts quoted in 1994, which was a maximum power rating.
  The new rating is quoted at 10% total harmonic distortion (THD) and is by definition a more conservative figure.
  The system has not changed since 1994 models were introduced.)
• Diversity antenna system

Added New Colors for all Models:

• Bright Red (314)
• Orient Blue (317)
• Oxford Green (324)

Added New Colors for 840Ci ONLY:

• Artic Silver (309)
• Cosmos Black (303)

Deleted Colors for All:

• Brilliant Red (308)
• Laguna (Lagoon) Green (266)
• Glacier Blue (280)
• Mauritius Blue (287)

Specific E31 Models Changes 840Ci (1994-95 model)

• 4.0-liter DOHC (4-cam) 32-valve V-8 engine
• 5-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission
• Side directional lights on front fenders
• New steering-wheel design, similar to that in new 7-Series except without audio/cruise/phone controls; diameter increased from 385 to 395 mm (15.2 to 15.6 in.)
• BMW Cellular Phones, CD player and BMW Maintenance optional

850i (1994 model)

• 4-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission only
• Aluminum front brake calipers
• Bird's-eye maple interior trim

850i (1995 model)

• SOHC 5.4 liters V-12 engine, 322 hp
• 5-speed automatic transmission with Steptronic and Adaptive Transmission Control
• Dynamic Stability Control
• Power lumbar support on both front seats
• Automatic recirculation control
• Refined security systems.

850CSi (1994-95 model)

• New model, developed by BMW M (formerly BMW Motorsport)
• Larger V-12 engine: 5.6 liters, 372 hp, 402 lb-ft. torque
• Variable Throttle Linkage
• Variable rpm limiting
• All Season Traction plus 25% limited-slip differential
• Sports-calibrated Servotronic (vehicle-speed-sensitive) power steering
• Lowered and specially calibrated BMW M suspension
• Aluminum front brake calipers
• Wider tires and wheels, different front and rear sizes, unique wheel design
• Specially designed front and rear spoilers
• Four round, polished exhaust outlets
• Premium Yew wood interior trim
• Specially calibrated instruments with red pointers

1996-97: 840Ci-850Ci

All E31 Models

• Electronic Damping System (electronically controlled suspension system) newly standard; updated technology, functions basically unchanged (optional on 840Ci)
• Automatic-locking retractors on passenger seatbelts to accommodate child restraint seats
• Servotronic power steering: vehicle-speed-sensitive variable power assist (which appeared on limited-production 1994-95 850CSi) replaces former engine-speed-sensitive system. Reduces parking effort without any negative effect on road feel.
• Exterior colors; all 8 colors were offered on both 840Ci's and 850Csi.

Added New Colors for both 850Ci and 840Ci ONLY:

• Artic Silver (309)
• Cosmos Black (303)

Deleted Colors for All:

• Diamond Black (181)

840Ci (1996 model)

• 4.4-liter DOHC (4-cam) 32-valve V-8 engine, 282 HP
• 5-speed automatic transmission with Steptronic and Adaptive Transmission Control
• Dynamic Stability Control
• Forged-alloy wheels are the only factory option available
• 840Ci (1997 model)
• Scheduled maintenance for 3 years/36,000 miles included; upgrades to scheduled maintenance for 4 years/50,000 miles or full service for 3/36,000 or 4/50,000 available
• 850Ci (1997 model)
• No changes for 1997