BMW 850i/850Ci Coupe (1990-94)

HISTORY:
Exotic 5-litre V12 mechanicals with $220,000 supercar price and porky 1800kg missed the mark as a sports coupe and may as well have been a compact two-seater when back seat space was so limited. Hot new local competition will outgun its 220kW/450Nm without the complexity but can't match V12 aura. Range split into 850Ci and 840Ci in 1993 after the cooking 4-litre V8 was added with modest loss of grunt and a big drop in running costs. The 840Ci soldiered on alone from 1995 as 1995-96 850Ci sold on special order only. Special order 850Ci ended with July 1996 840Ci facelift that added M62 4.4-litre V8 and other upgrades. Model was withdrawn mid-2000.

PRICES:
Early high mileage cars can drop below $40,000 depending on service files. Last V12 models peak at around $60,000 while a late model, low km 840Ci might top $100,000.

CHECK IT OUT
Low drag generic coupe styling hints at mid-engined M1, still doesn't excite or offend except retractable lights date it. Rear seat space is limited.

Early 850i came with a six-speed Getrag manual option, which can now be notchy and vague. Basic ZF 4HP22 early auto wears out with no surprises for local reconditioners. Complex five-link rear suspension works well but may need rear bush overhaul. Tired dampers, weight and performance can crack rear shock absorber towers. Expensive dampers can be rebuilt. New front castor bushes are routine item.

Advanced dash design goes brittle under local heat and broken interior parts, if available, are expensive. Check leather and seat padding. Electric seat motors get tired and noisy.

Addictive V12 engine is long lived but non-metal parts cook under tight bonnet for massive service costs, after all they are almost 15 years old. Leaky rocker cover gaskets are easily replaced after you remove the inlet manifold, which requires $1000 gasket set to put back. Parts availability is good ex-Germany but you can be off the road for up to three weeks until they arrive.

High-pressure fuel lines across rear of engine harden and split and can set car on fire. Hydraulic brake booster can leak. Brake rotors require replacement after every second pad change. Check all hoses and plastic parts including washer bottle.

V12 engine is thirsty and dictates two batteries, two fuel pumps and filters, twin distributor caps, 12 plug leads and plugs for routine parts bill of $1000. Costly hot wire air-mass meter can fail and there are two. Expensive mufflers, oxygen sensor and catalytic converters fail at this age. Check rear battery wells for acid damage.

Twin EML systems can shut down half the engine into emergency limp home mode and requires exhaustive testing to isolate the cause, which can be as simple as a dirty contact or a broken wire. Plastic fittings on various fuel system and electronics components harden and snap off also activate the EML. 840i's V8 is more straightforward but split PCV diaphragms can cause rough running.

Check if there are any gaps between build dates and compliance plates or date of first registration. Demand is too marginal to support typical import scams but a few really bad ones were imported on the cheap from more destructive right-hand drive markets.

Find a BMW specialist who already knows the failure points and knows where to look and save on repairs. Before arriving at a final price, get an estimate on all the catch-up maintenance then allow several thousand a year for ongoing servicing.

Thanks to Northern BM (03) 9499 3088