The BMW 8 Series Is A Flawed Genius! (1998 E31 840Ci Road Test)

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The BMW 8 Series had everything going for it - striking looks, an almighty V12 engine and BMW chassis engineering, all the ingredients to replace the legendary E24 6 Series. So why did it fail against Porsche, Mercedes and Jaguar? Phil took a late 840 V8 for a test drive...
Thanks to WB & Sons for loan of these cars: wbandsons.com/
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Chapters
0:00 Why Did The 8 Series Fail?
0:44 BMW At Its Peak
1:14 High Tech
1:40 Styling
1:54 Interior
2:05 What Could Go Wrong...?
2:37 Improvements - V8 Added
3:12 Unreliability
3:33 BMW's Supercar?
3:47 Driving Impressions
4:15 The Perfect Grand Tourer
4:51 A Flawed Genius

[@P.Galore]

The most beautiful coupe BMW has ever made. I love mine!

[@nigelbond4056]

A friend of mine bought a brand new 850i in a fetching shade purple, back in the day. He complained about poor reliability, poor braking and poor driving dynamics. But I always lusted after that car and still believe it was one of the world’s greatest pieces of car design.

[@ClassicsWorldUK]

What a car!

[@patrickmorgan1495]

Another great review. I believe the Vauxhall/Opel Calibra stole the limelight from the 8 Series at the 1989 Frankfurt motor show.

[@normanrogers9653]

I’ve had my 8 25 years now and it hasn’t missed a beat

[@berwhaletheavenger]

The main problem with the 8 Series was that it was just too expensive. At around £65,000 with a couple of options in 1990 it was ridiculously overpriced when the last 635CSi was about £38,000. The 850i was a nice fast car but not that exciting. I had an 840Ci in the late 90's as its second owner. They were quite reliable and would only become money pits later on. I wouldn't want one now!

[@mattsbeamer]

Great cars. It’s been my dream car since 1989 (when I was 5). My Dad bought a 1992 850i back in the early 1990s. It was finished in brilliant red with black leather. It was a very reliable car for him, and think the only fault he had was the brake master cylinder, but changed under warranty. I nearly bought a 840ci sport in 2008, it was in calypso red. I’m sure I’ll have one soon. Take care

[@markcarter9476]

I remember seeing a new 8 series in Kaduna, northern Nigeria just after they had come out. My brother and I were in awe of this sleek, beautiful looking BMW. But even then I thought this isn't going to survive out here with Nigerian roads and maintenance. I wonder how long it lasted?

[@12-Ender]

Oh es macht immer wieder Spaß den Wagen zu fahren😁👍👍

[@alexmclaren6401]

Couldn't believe it when I came across this video. I owned that very same car for 4 years. Atlantis metallic is the colour. On the V5 the colour is stated as green. Depending on the light though it can look blue or green. Loved that car although it loved my wallet dearly. I traded it in for an X5 in 2016

[@ClassicsWorldUK]

Thanks for sharing!

[@willmatthews878]

I remember seeing a black one with a tan interior back in the late '80s. A stunning-looking car.

[@danielelston7457]

A lovely looking car

[@berttroubleyn3475]

The CSi is a whole different beast than the other versions. It's got much better dampers and manages to feel sporty where the other 8's are floaty. The 5.4 liter is also a bit peaky, which helps with the sporty feeling. I hope you get your hands on one of those one day...

[@DavidMorley]

I've always thought the 8 series was a lovely looking car.

[@paulelverstone8677]

S'funny you should mention the Porsche 928 also. I remember Car magazine pitching the 8 series and 928 vs the then current XJS in a battle of the sports tourers and, remarkably, the Jaaag came out on top. The other two being brilliant but flawed. All I know is, if you put the 8 series alongside the 6, I know which one I'd rather take....

[@andrewlucas6214]

Lovely looking car. I would be prime for a resto mod..a V10 with a manual box or maybe v8 with a duel clutch ?

[@ClassicsWorldUK]

That would be cool!

[@christopherhunter2892]

We had an 850i. Bit of a barge to drive and the rear seat space was terrible. However lovely dash design and look at that neat grille. Way better than any current BMW.

[@bmw840ci]

Well,still have mine, 840 Ci Msport,1998, I bought it in 2006,now 270000 km.

[@lestergreen360]

Have you stumbled on some big issues or repairs? I really love this car but unsure if its worth to buy

[@Jo3man96]

I love how these look, would love an 850CSi or an Alpina B12 5.7, but they’re obviously quite pricey these days.

[@kfkwAL7]

Was offered that exact car about 7 months ago for £10k. Been through a few owners since then. Was a bit rough, potential money pit but looking good now on video though

[@ca9968]

Swap out the engine for the V8 that came in the e90 M3 along with the DCT transmission and a few other bits and pieces and this car would make a great restomod project...

[@leenevin8451]

In the uk I’ve only ever seen H reg 91-92

[@AndyK.1]

So what was the first 6 speed manual production car?

[@rightturn7838]

According to a used car salesman I dealt with a long time ago it was a 1980's honda civic. After commenting to him that honda only made civic 5 speeds the salesman confidently stated that reverse is always included when listing the number of gears. I said you might as well throw neutral in there and call it a seven speed since a quantity of zero can still technically be considered a speed. I did not have any further meaningful conversation with him.

[@huwzebediahthomas9193]

Pop up headlights have always turned me off. First thing that went on mk1 Elan's and TR7's.

[@MagnyCoors]

Must have been an amazing sight in 1989, even more insane with the 5.0. Pseudo supercar.

[@joeseeking3572]

Always thought this was an extremely attractive car - one in either Calypso Red or Orient Blue is stunning, but even after they came down to a price where this mortal can afford the reliability and repair cost nix it for me. Too expensive (and honestly too heavy) to pick up as a cheap fun car, not practical enough to use as a daily. Destined to remain an objet d'art rather than object of desire.

[@TheEarlofK]

I wouldn't touch with a bargepole, an absolute money-pit, although I suppose the end of the line cars should have ironed-out most of the faults; much better cars available with similar or better performance for the money.

[@mapp0v0]

Too much front overhang.

[@lewis72]

I thought that the 8 Series looked really dull when it came out. Still do.

[@ThePorkypete51]

Why such a sort video?

[@michaelbacon561]

This car was the last attractive design from BMW - it was all downhill to abject hideousness thereafter thanks to Chris Bangle and his inept successors.

[@Jo3man96]

I would argue the E38, E39 and E46 would take that, but each to their own

[@johnmarsh2078]

The blue test car has feet of clay .... just look at the bubbly rotten rear wheel archs. Two computers and all those sensors to go wrong and a rot box to boot. I was once seduced by its beauty but that is only skin deep. Bite inside and it's a lemon ....... a very expensive one made of unobtanium!

[@davidhayes4814]

Looks a bit like a posh Vauxhall Calibra ….. nice but not that special.