bmw 8-series

[the bmw maestro]

In the future i might wanna buy my dream car, one of te 8-series
Is this a good idea, do they break down often, is it expensive to keep. is the handeling ok?



my dream, a b12

[gm3mtm]

When is a bmw inexpensive to maintain? Don't know the 8 series that well.

[BMWLotAttendant]

The 8-series is nice. If you're going to get one, get one with the bigger engine. The V12 handles nicely! Sporty and stylish....but something leads me to believe that they are hard to find. Since they are discontinued...only in production 9 years.

One day, a record sighting is 2 BMW 8-series at our dealership.

anyway, my thoughts.

[Gulelin]

A 12 cylinder 8 series would be the shiznit, but I imagine they are very rare.

[Bear]

I have a 1988 750 and have seen/driven a couple of 850s. These cars are rare and as they get some age on them will require the normal replacement of parts and that my friend is where the cost factor comes in. Parts are expensive (go Internet/Ebay), and labor as well is not cheap. The V12 is a tight fit and the German engineering though great tends to be one of over engineering of everything. Example, my 750 has a self leveling rear suspension that is hydraulic and not pneumatic, the brakes are not power assist but have a hydraulic servo and hydraulic booster, and the steering is hydraulic as well and guess what pumps all of the fluid, the power steering pump. Rear struts are right at $300.00 each new, and a power steering gear box will run you about $700.00. I am not here to scare you off, the cars are great, but, you need to understand what you ae getting into. I, put aside $1000.00 per year for maintenance, do not always need to use it, but need to have it available.

Bubba

[e36_m3_Turbo]

also be aware of the nikasil problem with the 840's if u think bout gettin one of those.

[e36_m3_Turbo]

here is a link bout it

http://www.lestac.co.uk/bmw/nikasil.htm

[e36_m3_Turbo]

it was mostly the block from engine was coated with nickel. which suffer breaks the nickel down and makes the block wear really bad, makin the compression drop and loss of a cylinder

[Bear]

Nikasil did not affect the V12 (M70) only the V8 (M60) and that was in the 1994-1995 era. Koala motorsport has a good write up on this issue.

[e36_m3_Turbo]

Originally posted by Bear@Sep 12 2004, 09:03 PM
Nikasil did not affect the V12 (M70) only the V8 (M60) and that was in the 1994-1995 era. Koala motorsport has a good write up on this issue.

i didnt say anything bout the v12. i said if he was thinkin bout the 840, then he might want to think obut that

[Merlin4SC]

Stay away from the old M70 V-12 as it had issues that affected its efficiency that you will not want to deal with in a car that weighs over 4,400 lbs.

Mine has the M73 which is the 5.4 litre, and has the most trouble free advanced control systems and design.

Although compression increased to 10.0:1, the valve train actually has less drag and friction -- the M70 didnt even have roller lifters. Reliability was greatly enhanced by the new Seimens electronic engine control system using the single CANBUS system. The engine was significantly lightened with such things as sintered hollow camshafts. It also runs much cooler due to better airflow path design and exhaust and oil cooled piston skirts. It also has the ability to take advantage of all the advancements in 100,000 mile wear items like Bosch Platinum +4 plugs, Bosch Design III injectors, synthetic Esso tranny fluid, etc etc.

There is actually a differences training manual by BMW between M70 and M73. You will find no ECM chips available for the M73 as BMW figured out what improvements others made, nor will you for the newer steptronic.

Fuel economy also improved with the much crisper shifting stepronic 5 speed 5HP-30 model. Only 363 of these caem to the US though.

If you want an 8 series, you cannot do better than the post Oct 95 850Ci.

It was discountinued for the US at end of 1997, and world wide 2 years later.

if you ever get the heads off, I highly recommend a port and polish too. You will get massively huge amount of tourqe and better milage. I get 22.5 mpg, and still make it to 60 mph from zero in 5.8 sec, but the real kicker is the 0-100 times due to the tall rear end 2.8:1. If you want an absolute rocket from 0-140 spend $800 and get a 3.15 rear diff [must be 25% LSD though].

Also if you are at all adept at working on it yourself, you MUST get the ETK and manuals on CD-ROM. This is the Falcon100 of business cars.