*THIS* is a REAL BMW! 1997 840Ci Review, An Underappreciated Modern Classic

I've always had a fascination with the 8 series. Today, courtesy of www.retroclassiccar.com/ I am getting to drive one. It's a 1997 BMW 840Ci with the automatic gearbox, and in this first drive I'm getting a feel for what was the flagship car of the 1990s.
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[@P.Galore]

I've owned both the 12 and the 8. The differences: On the 12, unending linear acceleration, VERY expensive to maintain. On the 8: Twice the gas mileage, almost the same horsepower, better exhaust sound. Problem with both: Cosmetic parts becoming very difficult to find - many out of production since 2020. a bit tight for over 6'ers, no back seat legroom - none. Owned the 12 for 3 years - currently have owned the 840ci for 12 years now.

[@robmoore2625]

840ci is my dream car ❤

[@hamza89868]

But how beautiful that car is.

[@Kacpa2]

Solution to rear leg room, slide your bum forward and people in the back just have to spread their knees around the backrest. Like in any 2+2 car. If i menaged to drive 4 peope beside me in my Celica then its shouldnt be too hard it this. Unless that center armrest gets in the way.

[@blvckdxvth]

i’m literally mailing a cashier’s check off today for my 840ci. just left a deposit a couple days ago and i’m thrilled. this is the comment that helped me decide which of the two to get. i was sold on the 850 but between this comment and a conversation with my primary auto mechanic, i made the executive decision to invest in the v8 and build it to put more power to the wheel.

[@TheShinyShow]

I'm not a modern BMW fan, but good lord this era just does it for me.

[@MrBirgerB]

Ross, you wouldn't be 40-50 years old by any chance?

[@bilakh7]

Yup E46, E39 and this 8 series are my favourites

[@Anirossa]

Same here, why I have two 1988 E34s and my dad has a 1990 735i

[@TheShinyShow]

@@MrBirgerB No I'm half that age

[@Anirossa]

@@MrBirgerB I agree with Shiny and I am 22

[@bluehead_info]

Most importantly they knew how to design front grill at that time

[@beauchamphuberville1355]

Totally,

[@sparky4878]

Indeed. Recently they have got a little carried away. Polite way of saying they’re hideous.

[@X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X]

This car still looks both modern and gorgeous, modern BMWs (and many other modern cars) look agressive today and dated tomorrow.

[@olik136]

@@X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X yeah most of the modern cars that are supposed to look elegant actually look too aggressive, too much going on- no elegance at all- strangely the same is happening with cordless screwdrivers

[@buggs9950]

@@olik136 It's probably not all that strange. In a time when you can buy HD hair dye and HD cordless phones not much marketing nonsense surprises me. I'm still rocking a Makita NiCd drill-driver from 2002 albeit relegated to home use nowadays, what can I say, I like it's style.

[@marsooh302]

The design ages very well, love this car

[@alexv8150]

Best looking vehicle BMW has ever made, absolutely timeless design. 🍺

[@RUfromthe40s]

maybe you never seen the 6 series of the 70´s, i owned both a 645i from 76 and a 850csi from 95 or 6 at the same time i had a CL600 or 600SEC ,they asked me at mercedes-benz dealer wich badge i wanted ,i said none ,just the big V12 badge on the backside pilar on bothsides, in 96 they had a tiny v12

[@gmain1977]

No 2nd, the BMW M1 is first

[@alexv8150]

@@gmain1977 technically it’s a BMW, but it was designed by Giogetto Giugiaro and built in Turin. It’s pretty but not in a German way like the E31.

[@gmain1977]

@@alexv8150I know but you had italian styling and German engineering which is a great combination. As all out German car then yes 850 , its only BMW made past 30 years that I see that I look twice. In red they look great with the Alpina wheels

[@kostinarain7373]

True

[@vukasinvlajic152]

Few automobiles are as beautiful as an E31.

[@RUfromthe40s]

the 44 was i , normally i don´t find new cars that nice this was an exception,and after a few monthes of buying the 600SEC from mercedes wich next year they start to call it CL600 wich was strange ,the next model instead of a S-class coupé looked like a C class mixed with a E class and half the size

[@samcourt6228]

These are still cool as hell. It’s such a lovely design that makes the current car look very very over designed, bloated and fussy. As for there being no room, BMW have always been masters of the reverse tardis.

[@MrBirgerB]

Sam Court, remember that these 90ies designs wouldn't be possible today not least due to safety regulations. The a pillar being the most obvious example.

[@samcourt6228]

M R yeah I totally get that, but the six series coupe was a good looking, sleek car. There was no need for the new eight to be so slab sided, dumpy and fussy looking.

[@euroshark1]

Even today, the E31 is still a timeless design. Well done James.

[@m2kev789]

I absolutely love these cars and must admit to being the proud and lucky owner of both an 850ci and an 840ci. Interestingly although they have a reputation for high running costs, if kept on top of with regular maintenance they do not deserve that reputation - they really do have a sense of occasion when driven and are put together like a BMW should be. Glad you liked it James.

[@henryovalles7311]

I have a 850i 91 says brake assist inop.. all brakes lock up after driving for 10min master cylinder is $800 USD wanna make sure thanks

[@m2kev789]

Have you tried breakers yards for a 2nd hand replacement?

[@rjjablo]

@@henryovalles7311 Get one from Same Year E32 lots cheaper

[@Brickhazard]

I feel like kicking myself in teeth when i see these. At one point these were a couple of grand a decade ago. Even the 850 was cheap.

[@ryan5983]

Tell me about it - I passed on mint 850i. In Norwich about 2002 it was just under 5k and I thought it was overpriced. It was British racing green (or similar) with silver leather, it even had the ridiculous car phone.

[@AxLWake]

As a kid I absolutely loved how this cars looked. Today, many years later, it looks just as good to me.

[@ScuuBdoo]

Mark the date folks. Mark the date. A somewhat "normal" shirt LOL

[@ApothecaryTerry]

I did notice that and immediately got worried...why does James look like a normal person? Is he feeling ok? Hmm...

[@RUfromthe40s]

@@ApothecaryTerry maybe depressed or anoyd ,what do you have to say about this, James?you don´t want to talk about it?well.

[@doalwa]

I love the shape of this thing, a timeless beauty of a car!

[@venom5809]

My father's colleague had am Oxford Green 850 CSi when I was in high school, man to this day that was one of the most beautiful cars I have ever seen in my life. Even back then you knew it was going to be a collectible one day.

[@Agentxphile]

850csi, all day. Manual v12, one day I shall have you, my dream car from teenage days.

[@robertiddon]

This era of BMW is the best by far IMO, and the 8 series along with the older E24 it replaces are some of the best looking cars ever made. Bring back the shark nose!

[@rossfripp4503]

Agree. BMW from the late 80s through to the very early 2000s were when they were on form. I think it has been a downhill slope since then!

[@captgutter]

Absolutely beautiful car. It just exudes class and presence. Never meant to be a sledgehammer but a gentleman's cruiser. Unmistakable shape. The rear of one of my all time favourites.

[@Kacpa2]

Pop up headlights are marvelour on it too, low profile, rectangular. I wish we got more cars with design like this.

[@themanipulator1]

I've been lusting after one of these for years. One of my favourite cars of all time. Absolutely stunning. Great to see it on the channel

[@marcwheels6718]

My dad has had an 850csi for 13 year now and I truuuly love it! Such a cool car and an awesome cruiser. ✌🏼😍

[@marcwheels6718]

Spectacular Spectacular well it’s supposed to be a high speed cruiser not a supercar, the 850csi is a 300km/h car, fuel consumption is not great but is there any V12 that has a great fuel consumption? Interior is really small for the size of the car, true, that’s a downside, but everything is so well built inside, and yeah, parts are expensive but it is what it is.

[@fariaultimate4264]

@Spectacular Spectacular Eu tenho um bmw 850ci há 11 anos. Se você não dirigir no modo "soviético" conseguirá uma média na estrada de 7 a 7 km/l. Realmente algumas peças são caras, mas são condizentes com o modelo. Meu carro tem diferencial 3,64 (versão para o mercado USA). Além disso possui chip de potência Worke, que realmente faz diferença. Posso lhe garantir que no modo esportivo é pura diversão. Nessas condições, o consumo de combustível não é agradável. Saudações do Brasil.

[@johnparker8270]

The most beautiful beemer ever made imo.

[@paultomlinson5289]

The original 635i Highline takes that mantle! 👍

[@martinboulden3540]

One of the coolest cars BMW ever made ! Those looks just get better and better ! My uncle had one in Oxford Green. Fab video James.

[@1jonsadler]

Love this old car. I remember seeing them on eBay 10 years ago for pennys

[@DjDolHaus86]

Another of the cars that I remember changing hands for peanuts in the early 2000's that has absolutely skyrocketed

[@MrORLY]

The E31 in any guise is one of those cars that just oozes cool. I have an E34 540i which is essentially the same car underneath, but BMW made many minor changes to the chassis for the 8 Series, to the point where lower arms for the front suspension for example have different part numbers.

[@KhushbuMel]

Have BMW always based their big coupes on the 5 series? If I recall correctly, the 6 (E24) series was based on the 5 of that era as well.

[@MrORLY]

@@KhushbuMel I think so yes. The E24 was based on the E12 at first, then later based on the E28 :) My Dad has a 635CSi

[@nicwilson89]

I'm not normally one for BMW styling, but, that thing is bloody beautiful

[@WilliamStevens007]

Beautiful, Just Beautiful.

[@johnbradshaw5900]

Wonderful, these really were lovely cars. BMW in those days was quite special and a truly aspirational manufacturer. Nowadays premium German cars are pretty much the equivalent of Ford and Vauxhall of an older era.

[@mcspikesky]

yeah to first point. not at all to second point...

[@2702simmo]

They all make more everyday cars to survive but they are far from the equivalent ford and Vauxhall’s from previous eras

[@johnbradshaw5900]

@@2702simmo If you look around every other car on the road seems to be an Audi, BMW or Mercedes Benz. Most are regular hatches, saloons or SUVs that do their job but aren't especially brilliant. And build quality is average. One reason is the huge discounts available and attractive PCP and lease deals that mean in many cases they are no more expensive in terms of monthly payments than ostensibly cheaper mainstream alternatives. My current Audi A6 was bought new 3 years ago with a discount of over 25%, there were similar offers on the E Class and 5 Series. I was actually going to buy a Mazda 6 but it worked out that the A6 was basically the same price despite being over £10k more on SRP. BMW and their rival German manufacturers make nice cars but they're not exclusive or built to a higher standard and are now very much mass market mainstream cars. So I really do think they are the inherited of a market once dominated by companies like Ford and Vauxhall.

[@2702simmo]

I get your point in a way, my mrs has a new 1 series, wouldn’t be my choice particularly as I like older cars but it’s much better than the equivalent Vauxhall’s. There are loads about but I guess it’s like Porsche, Maserati etc making SUV’s these manufacturers have to survive a tough market now and move away from their “heritage”

[@visionist7]

The only BMW since the 90s with a pillarless roofline I believe, except for the various cabriolets

[@steffenkawa8374]

BMW at it's best. I love the side profile from the 8series. It's a shame that they didn't make a M Version of that.

[@damienferguson1060]

One of my favourite cars that came off the BMW production line

[@Kelveron]

That is one beautiful car. Underappreciated when new. I recall one magazine at the time saying that Vauxhall Calibra looked just as good for the fraction of the 8-series's price! Yeah right.

[@ryan5983]

Love these, I remember when you could pick one up for 5k, those days are long gone now. Perfect spec for me 👌

[@maxmoughal5183]

Can you imagine what it would have been like to drive one of these back in the day? Unreal...

[@marcdavis2840]

Back in the 90s I had to meet my boss and owner of the business at the Swanley roundabout in Kent, as we were going to see a client in Norwich. When I arrived is my Cavalier SRI he was waiting for me. He had a smile from ear to ear as he had a brand new red 850 CSI 😀 Fantastic car and I got to drive it back from Norwich later that day 👍 Some experiences stay with you for ever.

[@disturbed250]

What a thing. Much more Memorable than the new one thats for sure.

[@keirbourne5323]

i saw one of these in this colour red yesterday... what a gorgeous car.

[@garrydavis3475]

I used to work for BMW when they first come to the uk with the 850csi and I preferred the 840ci because of better handling better weight splits

[@Glob3Tech]

Hope you can review the E34 M5 3.8. Great videos as alwasy 👍

[@JayEmmOnCars]

I hope so too!

[@gmain1977]

2nd best looking BMW of all time after the M1 from late 70s

[@GazzaView123]

Lovely car. My boss at a previous job had a E32 750il for a couple of years, then he replaced it with a 850 CSi.

[@andrewstubbings5628]

Good old Retro Classics, Adrian and Sam are a great team, bought my first 72 stingray from them, nothing but praise! 👍

[@marcdelaunay1]

Very similar one did the modball UK 2019 Rally with us and it was lovely! Didn’t make the full rally mind you but it was being properly used and just a beauty!

[@Piranhabites]

thanks a lot for your work! Great video.

[@anyau]

one of the best looking cars BMW has ever produced

[@pile333]

This car was way ahead of its time.

[@adrianespinoza1561]

I'm glad I own the 1995 850ci out of Manteca California

[@bonniedrasco8166]

Brilliant upload Jay

[@RSZ-R34]

Absolutely love the 8 series 🔥🔥🔥

[@nickelass427]

The Bimmers back then were incredible, loved the 8-series. The newer ones now with the giant kidney grilles are obnoxiously hideous.. :X

[@R-Tap]

Alpina wheels keep this beauty looking fresh and modern. Never seen one in red. Desire

[@marcusFZ6]

Pure BMW Classic. Back in the day when these were very new, my Dad repossessed one. I got to take it for a drive on the way to the Auction house where they got sold. It was certainly the fastest car that I had driven and might still be infact. It was such a great car to drive and it wasn't slow & kinda got it to silly speeds on a MT motorway.

[@LVRDVADR]

i’m looking to take one on as a project for a weekend cruiser . great review

[@BibTheBoulderTheOriginalOne]

The year these came out I was a delivery driver for Schreiber. On my last delivery of the day to a stunning des-res in Abersoch (North-West Wales) the owner had just taken delivery of his brand new 850. After talking nothing but cars for well over an hour he took me for a drive, and even better let me have a go myself. Now I'm not a BMW fan in general, but that car on that day blew me away. What a stunning motor, what a stunning car, and blistering (for the day) speed. Still like them to this day......

[@michaelcamp2493]

Really enjoyed this review . So much so ,that I'm off to Retro Classics tomorrow to pay the balance and drive her home . Always wanted one and now I'm getting this super one . Very excited !

[@JayEmmOnCars]

That's awesome!

[@michaelcamp2493]

@@JayEmmOnCars Had a fantastic 250 mile drive South yesterday taking her to her new home . Trouble free and incident free . Today we headed down to the coast for a couple of nights and again , the drive was great . Well done to you for doing such an informative video , and well done to Adrian at Retro Classics for such great service . Maybe not for everybody , but for me , this is BMW's E-Type . Timeless . Pure class !

[@richardmahoney9415]

I’m in love with this car still I watch this review years later bc I love this car that much

[@OverlandTT]

I remember seeing one of these as the 850 in Beverly Hills and I loved it.

[@ClassicCarCustodians]

Great Film my friend. We are all ambassadors of these beautiful coupes. Thanks for doing this enthusiast promotion.

[@danthompson1955]

Lovely car and finally a nice shirt James.

[@14KShadow]

Always dreamed of owning one of these. Remember being fascinated when I was a little kid by the quad exhaust tips

[@Emily1963eh]

This with a 6 speed is my dream car, the E39 540 will have to do.

[@mchockney3664]

This is like watching vintage Top Gear. Great car, great video.

[@kb9072]

To my eyes ..... Stunning !! Perhaps not in red.

[@hikemeron5760]

I want one so badly. Great video 👌🏻

[@tenan757]

car looks so good in every angle, my only slight complaint about the design is the tail light, wish it was a tad thinner!

[@sinistarmr2]

This is one of the cars I've always wanted in my dream garage.

[@chopper602]

Nice to see some very familiar roads in one of your reviews - it's nice in the North isn't it !

[@ApothecaryTerry]

Cars like this are why BMW has the brand image it does. Could do without people trying to project that onto everything they make but in cases like this the hype is well deserved. One of very few cars that I've liked since I was a kid too.

[@benistingray6097]

Love the Alpina wheels!

[@Joeseffel]

Just wanted to drop in and say- the current intro is cool. I saw the last one get a lot of negativity and I didn't like it either but you can't only point out the bad stuff. Always enjoy the videos, thanks for doing what you do!

[@X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X]

I've always thought it was a good looking car but seeing it in traffic a year or two ago, I was blown away by its alien yet timeless styling

[@mclaverriere]

Did you buy 1 in the end, I love that car. It has been on my bucket list for years ? And you review really makes me want to get one. 👍

[@paulthorpe766]

Had Michael Benn's (world boxing champ) 2 yr old 850csi in dark green from Elms Bedford. Great feel good car - Cruiser not a sports car of course !

[@leonmagee3516]

Timeless design. Beautiful car and one of BMWs finest.

[@Fc-cb3tn]

As a BMW fan, may I ask for you to review the E39 528i? I know you've reviewed the E39 M5 but I think many BMW fans would love to see a review of possibly the best 5 series ever made with one of the best engines.

[@Spoonerisim]

As a e39 fan, I like this comment

[@scottcowan6798]

My father had 740i '95 in LHD (we lived abroad at the time) and it was quite rare.. as it had the 6 speed manual out of the M5. Unfortunately it was very unreliable at first.. the gearbox went after 6 months.. but after that it was fine. The gearing was shorter and took you to 64mph (103kph) in 2nd. I have some fond memories of that car.. That 7 series and 8 series were beautiful and haven't been matched since for styling IMO.

[@nswgb69]

Sounds like the viscus fan is stuck. Takes 30 seconds to fit another one. Euro car parts.

[@CarsofGlasgow]

Great video Jay! I like the 8 series, sadly I was a kid when it was out and didn't appreciate it :P

[@120poundsound2]

One of the coolest cars bmw ever made. 👍

[@brynvjones6679]

Saw a stunning young woman get into a dark red version of this in Lichfield, Staffs some years ago. Didn't know where to look! Registration FOX1

[@FeelTheDrive]

Saw one of these in the wild! Pop-up headlights always a plus 😁

[@chrisogrady28]

Watching after a spirited drive through the peak district in my N52 1 series convertible, raining with the roof down, it was amazing. I love the design of the old 8 so much

[@pitbox6497]

Christopher O'Grady 125i I assume? What are your thoughts on it? I’m looking at buying a coupe when I find the right one.

[@Yorkshiremadmick]

I always lusted after a 635 csi but ended up in 2010 with a R120 SL320 straight 6 1999 Love it.

[@sportzntouring]

Love these cars! One of my favourite BMWs of all time!

[@gerloczyek]

Shockingly understated shirt!

[@barbershoppodcast]

I have the same motor in my 97 540i - stout and so musical!

[@mattsbeamer]

Such a great car. My dad had a 1992 850i back in 1994. It was in the same colour as this. My dream is to have a Alpina b12 e31. The 840 was originally a 4.0 v8 before it switched over to a 4.4.

[@barfmeister8509]

Much want for one of these 😍

[@bigtthegreat]

Went to a party in Brighton UK in 1999. Didn't know a soul. Introduced myself to the host and after a few left handers we started talking cars. He said he wanted to sell his car and wanted me to see it. Took the elevator to the parking garage and he showed me his 95' 840ci ....hellrot red, low miles I live in Edmonton Alberta Canada 22 years later and that E31 is in my garage. Beautiful

[@seamusleddy2933]

Love my E31 it is a 1999 840ci and i have owned it 11 years now , your test car needs a new viscous fan coupling as it appears to be engaged all the time , the fan should cut out after a few seconds driving and cut in again when car is not moving 👍

[@ajw45]

Oh man, that car looks exactly like my old 850i - red, CSI body kit! My 850 had a 6 speed manual, shorter diff, exhaust, it was awesome! I only sold it cause it looked faster than it really was which was somehow a little disappointing but with where modern cars have gone I miss it, should have kept it.

[@DaddySmaan]

Wow, I'd love to visit that showroom, they have some eye catching cars.

[@MVD792]

such a beautiful car

[@RobIpswichUK]

What an era, E38, E39, E31. All absolutely superb (if you ignore the word Nikasil)

[@Rgh71fish]

I see 71-73 Mach 1 Mustang in the showroom! Please, please review!! edit: Thank you for reviewing that gorgeous Mach !!

[@adrianespinoza1561]

Next to my 1985 bmw 635 series

[@SilverScarletSpider]

BMW 840ci and Toyota Supra Mk 3 are both so beautiful.

[@cosmopolitanranks3996]

Awesome looking design and interior

[@jayjuggrnaut]

Absolutely beautiful, sporty car. I'm totally biased because I was a young adult when it came out.

[@BMWRestored]

Excellent video Jay 👏👏 maybe you can do a review on my s62 conversion e31 soon. Just doing few touche up before she's complete. Have few videos of it on my channel.

[@JonBrownbread]

Na mate what you really want is the 850csi. With a 6 speed manual, in my opinion that's the only one to go for.