Background
Development of the successor to the highly successful M60B40 engine in the E31 began in December 1994 and continued throughout 1995. Starting in March 1996, the 840Ci was delivered with the 4.4-liter V8 M62B44 engine and, optionally, with a Steptronic transmission (ZF 5HP30 until September 1996, thereafter ZF 5HP24) or the already familiar and proven 6-speed manual transmission from Getrag.
Despite its larger displacement, the M62’s peak output remained unchanged at 286 hp compared to the M60B40. The engine’s characteristics, featuring higher torque figures than the previous model, gave the new E31 840Ci a lighter and more agile driving experience.
Sales figures for the M62 840Ci lag far behind those of the earlier M60 840Ci, totaling just 3`075 vehicles.
Like the M60 840Ci, the M62 840Ci was available in five variants.
The M62 is the only model in the 8 Series where production figures for right-hand-drive vehicles (EF72, EF82 – 1,473 in total) nearly matched those for left-hand-drive vehicles (EF71, EF81, EF83 – 1,602 in total). For the M60, the ratio of left-hand-drive to right-hand-drive vehicles was 4:1. The reason for this sharp increase in right-hand drive sales lies in the attractive UK Sport Edition, which offered a wide range of normally expensive options—sport seats, sport suspension, M-Styling 21-inch wheels, and the CSi aerodynamics kit—at no extra charge on top of the standard model. Later, additional free options such as custom paint schemes and upholstery were added.
The 840Ci M-Individual Japan should be viewed in a similar light. This, too, was a high-spec special edition that was available from 1996 until production ended in May 1999. The original plan was to produce 200 units of this edition. Ultimately, 299 units were manufactured, making Japan a stronger market than even its home country of Germany, where no such special offers were available.
The last M62 840CiA produced was the final vehicle in the entire 8 Series to roll off the assembly line at the BMW plant in Dingolfing. The CC67485 was delivered on May 25, 1999, and shipped to the United Kingdom, from where it returned to Germany in March 2011.
Type and Country Code
Regional distribution
