1994 BMW 850CSi | Retro Review

[@Neudezign]

V12, 6-speed manual and rear-wheel drive?! What an era, talk about old school cool!!

[@JDMHaze]

well, Aston, Martin did this as well lol surprisingly

[@ys_a1659]

@@JDMHaze Didn’t the Aston also have biturbo?

[@JDMHaze]

@@ys_a1659 i dont think they all did, the. db7 was NA I believe

[@kebabaluba]

@@ys_a1659 There was one car, V8 Vantage from the same era. It had twin supercharged V8, not turbos. So your guess is somewhat correct.

[@russellhamner4898]

Too bad the specs look so underwhelming (or at best merely "whelming") compared to modern cars. 5.9 second 0-60 time? Not terrible, and still really good compared to, say, a 2008 Honda Accord, but for a car that gets 8MPG it is kinda sad. I guess it's that nostalgia thing, like how we think we miss something but really we just miss certain aspects of that time period (while ignoring the rest), and even the parts that seemed pleasant in our minds were probably actually garbage. For instance, those '60s & '70s gas-guzzling muscle cars evoke glorious memories for some, but was it really just the cars or a combination of youth, social/political changes, new music styles, fashion, etc? Those heavy muscle cars could accelerate on a straight line better than anything else out there pretty much at all, but think about how terrible the suspension and handling was, what it felt like to steer one of those goofy land boats! Nostalgia for these 90s era supercars was probably rooted in the same misplaced fond memories of non-car-related themes. That said, esthetically, the 8-series BMWs were undeniably beautiful, and it was a timeless, classic beauty, not a passing fad definition of "beauty." Timeless!

[@black98rt]

One of the few cars that seem timeless. Will be gorgeous forever.

[@brainkill7034]

Amen

[@icyhotmike]

60mph to 0 in 99 feet is very impressive for a 4200lb car... Those 1994 brakes are way better than what most newer cars have today.

[@brainkill7034]

Amen

[@joeychaseable]

That's $202,135.69 in todays money.. That's a lot of bread!

[@lordmaster5522]

A lot of money then but now you can pick them up used for cheap.

[@Tempsho]

Maintaining them will bring the total back over 6 figures lol@@lordmaster5522

[@01cumminsho26]

@@lordmaster5522 LOL no 850csi's for cheap. They still bring well above $100k. It's the 840's or regular 850's that you can get for relatively cheap.

[@axe2grind244]

In the US a really nice CSI will be $200k if they aren’t already so that’s accurate.

[@TheRealSmithFamily]

My father wanted to buy an 850, but the local dealer wouldn’t send a tech to get trained on them, so BMW wouldn’t let the dealer sell the car. I still love the look of this car today.

[@hellkitty1014]

He was protecting his dealership as the 850 was painstakingly tough to maintain and work on.

[@roddydykes7053]

I’m sure your dad did alright in spite of this

[@philsmgb4393]

Same story with the Nissan GTR.

[@pschaefer143]

As someone who worked for BMW, that SGM was smart. That car is a NIGHTMARE to work on with today's tools. I cannot fathom how talented you needed to be back in the day to work on one

[@Mx5pro]

Truly interesting story but makes sense

[@crypto_que]

This car had a six speed transmission and selectable driver modes…IN 1994!? Ultimate driving machine INDEED!!!

[@anibalbabilonia1867]

And the fact that you can find one now at a decent price now, makes it even even better! Snatch them now because I’m pretty sure they will skyrocket in price soon!!

[@jclar3565]

Styling looks very fresh today and also no one bats an eye at 4200 pounds now they really were ahead of their time

[@SuperSedans]

in 92 to be exact in europe.

[@kebabaluba]

@@anibalbabilonia1867 You won`t find a CSI at a "decent" price nowadays, normal 850/840 yes...

[@axe2grind244]

Corvettes had a 6 speed before BMW I believe.

[@KartKing4ever]

These look so much better than any modern M car.

[@PANTYEATR1]

I had the privilege of riding in one of these before my friend sold it. V12, 6 speed, black with an aftermarket exhaust. Man that thing had an addictive rumble to it. BMW should do some retro build and put this on the to'do list.

[@jamescox1806]

Now the 80's and 90's was BMW at it's best! They may have lacked the horsepower of today's BMW's, but today's seem no longer exclusive or dare I say as "special '? A modern BMW out on the road no longer turns my head as it drives by! I also thought the E38 was the best looking 7 series ever!!

[@amoluppi]

modern BMW's will make you turn your head around because how ugly they are with those monstrous nostrils

[@geemanbmw]

I find no faults with this comment 👍🏼

[@gregoryjohnson9733]

Early 2k was alright.

[@TheRealHungryJoe]

I know a guy who owns a couple BMWs.. all mid 80s.. ‘86 3 Series (E30) is his favorite. He said those years is where BMW was at its peak

[@jamescox1806]

@@TheRealHungryJoe I'm still partial to the 90's BMW'S, but yes the 80's was another sweet spot!

[@danmccarthy4700]

I think this generation 8-series is the best looking car BMW ever made.

[@Fuckstupidlibtards]

Right next to the Z8, E46 CSL, E39 M5 and E30 Evo! Golden era of BMW for sure

[@alidude_]

@@Fuckstupidlibtards E39 is the ugliest 5 ever made

[@MT-rc3gn]

​@@alidude_ i bet you own an F10 or w/e the 2010 ones are called

[@alidude_]

@@MT-rc3gn I don't own a car

[@MT-rc3gn]

good @@alidude_

[@R8andGT3Fan]

GT with manual gearbox, what a combo! Add a V12 and perfect styling... 😍😍😍

[@crazybear5475]

Too bad it had the power of a turbo V6 or a V8.

[@Archived_Rem]

My MOM had a 1996 850CSi while she was still stationed in Germany while in the military. My dad and I flew over & spent half a year daily driving it. Sad part is, it was destroyed during shipping back to the US while on the Military transit ship. I’ll never forget doing almost 200 mph on the autobahn & my dad barely having to drive it

[@harisjaved1379]

I have the 850ci, bought it 10 years ago and it still gets tons of attention. I would love to buy the CSI but it was just too expensive when I was buying. Excellent car.

[@anibalbabilonia1867]

Man that’s still one beautiful looking car! Those performance numbers where impressive for them day’s!

[@henryovalles1163]

Love how new BMW keep making these older cars more desirable because new BMW get uglier by the year

[@betterdeadthanred839]

​@Brian Lee dear Lord are the BMW's ugly these days. I saw a new seven series on my way to work today.....that thing is beyond ugly.....and it's a such a shame. I always thought that BMW designed some of the best looking cars. Their 90's line up was to die for.

[@clarkbrown3248]

The new 5 series is unacceptable. I hope the M5 brings it

[@samartz]

Subaru is way worse than bmw

[@betterdeadthanred839]

@@clarkbrown3248 I agree. In general I'm not a big fan of new car designs. Like I said 90's was the great era when it comes to modern day car design.

[@LafemmebearMusic]

In your opinion 😊

[@lotsoftorque3632]

Back... when they built them. It is crazy the resale value on these things. They go for about 100k. Apparently the engine was going to be put in an m8, but then they made the CSI instead for some reason. I thoroughly enjoy my 95 e38, the quality and craftsmanship in this vintage of BMW is unbeatable.

[@bryanwashington9511]

Such a classic sporty car the V12 brought some heat!

[@mrlafayette1964]

Class and style never fade ,I'd drive this over a new one any day.

[@SARCASM_IS_MY_FIRST_NAME]

850csi , finally!!!

[@grantmccoy6739]

Excellent looking car. Definitely the best looking BMW of the era. I'm surprised they didn't/don't do pop up lights more. It's also amazing how much more powerful cars are today. It seems like a car with 800hp is not unusual at all. I also forgot about those trunk CD players. That's incredible.

[@Hammerhead547]

Back when having an "M" badge anywhere on a BMW made it special and exclusive, as opposed too today where BMW just slaps the badge on everything it can get away with...and a few things they should be ashamed of giving the honour.

[@armin1977]

Most beautiful and innovative Coupe.

[@JoeyJoJoJuniorShabbadoo]

12 cylinders and 3 pedals. The best possible combination of words.

[@KenanTurkiye]

When BMW released the 8 series 840/850 I was amazed and said to my self ''that is a win'!!'' Recently when BMW releases a vehicle, I'm usually disheartened and murmor something like ''you ruined it, again!!''

[@system87music]

What a brutal GT car! Love the noises and the styling is still head-turning! Some great BMWs from this era!

[@bliskin8847]

Love these review clips. Here after watching the Dough review, this was shorter and somehow more informative.

[@davidaubin3902]

4:17 John: ALTHOUGH THE REAR SEATS MAY LOOK INVITING, THEY’RE NOT ADULT-SIZED! LOL

[@hawkeye454]

These are the most beautiful BMWs in my opinion.

[@AutoXerWgn610]

It's always funny to compare what was considered fast, or blistering, etc back in the day, vs new cars today.

[@jimmyj5035]

That Beautiful V12 would be like $215,000 in today's money

[@dadelives1]

One of the few timeless designs

[@avalanchesport1887]

I remember when black 850i came to my neighborhood in 1991., that was spectacular appearance. In those years my country was attacked by war and black 850i survived 4 years of war, it was here since 1991 up to 2002. Nowadays E31 is extremly rare

[@reddstool1023]

It’s one of my dream cars. Iv’e owned a low mileage e32 750 that I bought from a big wig in Tiki Island. Moved up to a newer e38 shorty sporty holding strong at 187k. Newer models have almost non-existent suspension travel, tire cupping, transmission 1-2 shift problems and drivetrain vibrations.

[@Cheezwizzz]

Timeless design, the perfect touring car.

[@HypocriticYT]

A couple turbos on this car and it has today’s power 😊

[@ACURACALABAR11]

Bro😂 they're so many cars that doesnt have this power. No need to

[@HypocriticYT]

@@ACURACALABAR11 not a need but a want😎

[@stratfordbaby]

@@ACURACALABAR11 Bro you can get that power in a Nissan Maxima.

[@ACURACALABAR11]

@@stratfordbaby again. Love to comment and dont read. I never said every car. I said theyre many cars that still doesnt have that power. U should be disgusted comparing a a new maxima to a 1994 car..madness

[@bmw3-er]

@@ACURACALABAR11 still, this 1994 car would won in the beauty segment compare to the new maxima. New maxima looks okay but this 90s 8 series is timeless.

[@vladpootin5973]

Today‘s bmws and german Auto industry only a distant far cry from this, and all that once made them.

[@ChristopherOvrebo]

It's interesting that with all the numbers that have improved in all manufacturers, I don't think braking distance has

[@Jsah11]

I agree but do remember even though the braking distances are relatively similar, weight has increased massively.

[@mellon9449]

@@Jsah11 this car was over 4000 pounds dawg

[@Jsah11]

@@mellon9449 true but a comparable M850i is about 4800 pounds

[@ImmortanDan]

That's because we've hit a natural limit. You can only apply a braking force equal to the static friction coefficient multiplied by your car's weight before you lose traction; given that deceleration is force divided by mass, this means that cars all generally have a similar "ideal" braking distance. With the advent of ABS, every car can execute an emergency stop that is close to ideal - the better the system, the closer. The big difference-makers nowadays are tires and downforce, because they act directly on that equation I referenced: downforce increases the effective weight of your car, whereas better tires (softer/stickier compound, wider contact patch to a point, etc) increase your static friction. The few cars these days that stop from 60 mph in under 100 feet are usually performance cars with huge track tires and aerodynamic downforce aids.

[@VideoAmericanStyle]

Pretty simple explanation: physics. We can’t achieve the impossible (without severely injuring the human occupant, at least).

[@nadiraslam5982]

It's amazing how much more powerful engines are today. Imagine a 5.7 liter V-12 getting only 379?

[@74Dyenamo]

The numbers on this car seem perfect though, because you can actually keep it under control!!!

[@solarflare1008]

During those days were hard to find specially with the manual in some states. Sweet dreams.

[@stevemcgowen]

I love these older BMWs. They were so small compared to modern BMWs. I just hate how some cars get bigger and bigger...

[@IceFoxTrainSpotting]

*One of the G.O.A.T models of BMW with a v12 optional!*

[@fuzzball7972]

My all time dream car (besides the M8 prototype, but good luck getting your hands on that one!)

[@ralphb8602]

$98k in 1994, that’s $200k today ! V12 5.6l resulting in 372 hp , wow how times change .

[@fijitears]

Eazy E! This thing was a beauty to look at. I love the pop up head lights and supercar/musclecar vibe I get from it. Big body coupe with a V12 & manual only!? Hell yeah! I’ve only seen 2 in person here in Utah. I dream of owning one….

[@ArslanAhmad1]

What an amazing bmw era was...one on one hit after hit

[@SunsPhan75]

Gorgeous design 😍

[@vlajster]

Such a pain in the ass car to maintain,but that V12,the manual,the looks...ah,I miss the 90's

[@hjaltigto]

Actualy that v12 is one of the móts reliable BMW engines of that time , way better then the v8 ones

[@SportsMusicCars]

Total James Bond car.

[@Blackskies-b1z]

An absolutely beautiful car.

[@goldengalsclazy]

This is my favorite BMW! :)

[@FedeJ2023]

One of my dreams car…❤

[@kevinbuja8105]

My favorite BMW’s: 1973 3.0 csl, 1980’ M6, and the 850csi.

[@Blue-moon12]

Beautiful machine

[@sjf1981]

What a vehicle. Just perfect. It's the front end for me

[@lucasworktv]

These cars were a masterpiece

[@danziger69]

My favorite BMW ever.

[@elkillerx]

This is one of those cars that will forever look amazing! But wow... $98,500 back in 1994? That's what... like $200,000 in today's money. Crazy....

[@GinToni_]

I'm not a BMW fan boy, but the 8 series looks stunning still today, inside and outside

[@tall_dude1233]

Is that the only 90's vehicle that Motorweek has tested with a braking distance of less than 100ft from 60?

[@someyoungguyjohnson7239]

Too bad BMW never did build the M8. This car was the closest we ever got.

[@sjgrall]

I had a model of an 8 series as a child (in black)

[@imwithname843]

Master.

[@rmh5102]

All the 6 and 8 series designs were the best looking BMWs to me. The newest doesn't pop like all the others but it's still growing on me. I much rather how the concept looked before it was released

[@TheSmokingDen]

Im straight, but I love John Davis. I could listen to him talk for hours.

[@jeromep3182]

Just a remarkable and beautiful car def

[@ICARUS_I]

The only BMW I actually like. The styling was damn sexy. Can’t say that for today’s lineup.

[@thimble288]

What a magnificent beast

[@andersonfirmino8925]

Caraca amigão esse carro é um arraso sensacional que esportivo 👏👏👏👏

[@andersonfirmino8925]

Muito da hora 👍👍👍🎤🎤

[@Wv8675]

Interior is really nice

[@WhuDhat]

I still want one of these

[@supastah68]

So much classier than today’s BMW

[@terryhodge4078]

WOW OUTSTANDING!! REAL CRAFTSMAN SHIP

[@n8236]

It was $100k? ! Unreal.

[@ftffighter]

I'm actually kind of confused about something, this 1994 850CSi makes around 80+ Horsepower more than the 1990 850i Manual that MotorWeek tested yet is only .3 seconds quicker to 60mph. The 1990 850i went 0-60mph in 6.2 seconds according to Motorweek.

[@mji9208]

100k back in 94’ wow.

[@tescoshortage]

Off the line acceleration isn’t great, but that 103 MPH trap speed relative to the 14 second 1/4 mile run suggests that this car’s sweet spot is from 60 MPH to 180.

[@stratfordbaby]

5.9 seconds was SLOW SLOW SLOW even for 1994. I think the driver needed some help with the shifting.

[@brianaust8897]

It was not slow. And it’s not a drag car anyway..

[@davidbaron6647]

SWEET 90'S

[@Nellie-H]

What a beauty!

[@RyanEmeryLovesCars]

I've only seen one of these in my life in this exact color. I didn't know only 200 of them came to the U.S.

[@brianaust8897]

225 actually ;) But they are rare. I got one 2 years ago thankfully.

[@gunsandcars3648]

still my dream car , up there with 550 ferrari, but will probably just buy a new 850 instead.

[@germanengineering204]

Go new, and never look back! Performance there days is of the charts!

[@IVR02]

Dig the carphone in the center console. No BMW of this era is complete without one.

[@FranoPetarCRO]

Masterpiece

[@alexanderdobry5909]

Музыкальное оформление чем-то напоминает музыку из сериала Санта-Барбара 😊 в общем машина солидная.

[@gregoryjohnson9733]

I must have been real lucky to see one the street if there were only 200 in NA.

[@MENQN]

The 325i e30 or any M3 pre late 90's. but for the looks and the auto barn 850i

[@nardotechm5317]

This is so cool 😎

[@homiecwhite1496]

Ahh, John. Why did you say 'Bimmer' and "Cam-RAY' all those years when no one else did? Was your staff too terrified to tell you, or did they just snicker each time?

[@fry.master]

the 1993 honda prelude vtec was within .5s of this in both the 1/4 mile and 0-60 run...

[@S.1-I-I-1-1]

And?

[@travkatz]

Peak car. What has come since that is truly better? Certainly not anything from Bavarian Motor Works.

[@elementkx]

My holy grail...

[@mrkhan2983]

cars were great back in the days when economy was booming overall in car industry !

[@parkpy]

Gorgeous!!!

[@pmafterdark]

Is the first aid kit for when the service manager gives you your bill total? 🤣😂

[@floyd27860]

Damn... that kidney grill tiny as heck; compared to 2023

[@brendancarlson1678]

A V-12 engine with a grill that size? makes ya think..

[@dohc1067]

I still see these coupes from time to time. Majority in black 🖤. Still a bad beamer.

[@Logan24855]

Fun in the sun….for a while😂😂

[@idonjohnson6999]

Shame the US didn’t get the sport seats. Not even in the CSI.

[@yudhabagaskara98]

the M8 that never was