just out of curiosity, what's it like on a 850 with a six speed. very intriging car as their used prices are literally $10K even for a v12 with a six speed.
also, how does its reliability and costs compare to that of an e36 m3?

thanks fellas

 

I would never get a 850... the car is sexy but it sucks to work on it.

 

A LOT of work if you get one of the many bad ones to leave the factory. Its a great car when the electronics work.

 

I've heard bad things.

 

LSx swap????

 

ah yes, the 850 - I've owned two of them - a '91 and a '93 - in my opinion the most beautiful car that BMW has ever produced

a 20 to 14 year old car where EVERYTHING is going to wear out, from aspiration to computer pixels - parts are available (there's lots of donor cars around) but unless you're an accomplished wrench, frequent repair is going to be very expensive.
I drove my two on extended road trips annually but came to realize the risk of a breakdown in the middle of injun country - and there was ALWAYS a maintenance issue somewhere along the trip.

there's a very good reason why purchase prices are falling (and it's not the economy..)

oh, and p.s. : none came from the "BMW factory" as "bad ones" (where in the world did he get that ?)

 

honestly, i grew up loving this car (my neighbor had a new 850 at the time) its just such a beautiful car to me... if i had the time and knowledge to work on one i would buy one... but did the regular 850i's come with a stick?? i thought only CSI models came with that and a bumped up engine output... they are being sold these days for around 60k (very rare and desirable) but yeah, it depends on how much you have passion fpor the car i guess to own it

 

rather than doing an "i thought", read this and educate yourself ref the E31s..:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_8_Series_(E31)#850i

 

hmm, sounds like an 850 is not for me. 840 should be dead reliable, just a shame i believe they were never never in a manual. please correct me if im mistanken on that last bit, because if they did, so getting one

 

Def agree

 

With an LS swap you get the looks and I know nothing can match V12 noises but can easily get 500 + NA rear wheel horse power. I personally think best of both works great looks 4 seats, and reliability for days

 

what does "dead reliable" mean ? if you're suggesting that the V8 is more reliable than the V12 then you're incorrect..

incorrect again - the Euro 840 had the MT option - and there's a number of AT to MT conversions here in the US

oh, and for the "nothing can match V12 noises" comment - wrong, the V8 growl would appeal more to those who are into that sort of mod, more so than the V12

PERSONAL OPINION : suggest that any those here who've shown an interest in an E31 NOT get one - the breed doesn't need more "hacking"

 

I agree with his personal opinion. If I could find the V12 with MT I would probably jump on it

 

start jumpin', hotshot :

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1991-BMW-850i-BLACK-BLACK-6-SPEED-MANUAL-/120771952087?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item1c1e91bdd7

and

there's a whole bunch of 'em on Auto Trader - so, let us know which one you've "jumped on"

ON EDIT: ;-) I didn't think so..........

 

You know they make decaf, right?