1998 BMW 840Ci

2 Comments 70 Bids Winner - gmc5448
8:04 PM, 24 Apr 2024Vehicle sold
Sold for

£11,382

(inc. Buyer’s Premium)
Winner - gmc5448

Freddie's review

Freddie Woodd - Consignment Specialist Message Freddie

“ A refined pillarless grand tourer ”

The BMW 840 CI truly epitomizes luxury and style with its distinctive design elements, such as the pillarless coupé body, pop-up headlights, flared arches, and the iconic shark-nose front. 

Vehicle Story

Some people sometimes think that the 8 Series was simply a refresh for BMW’s long-running 6 Series iterations. 

That was never the case. 

It was always aimed at a select group of discerning folks with rather more cash to splash and deliberately fell somewhere between GT and (by the standards of the day) supercar definitions. 

The BMW E31 8 Series was the pinnacle of the BMW line-up in the 1990s and is now becoming increasingly appreciated in the classic car market. 

With its pillarless and frameless windows, the design was elegant yet imposing, and the car offered a wealth of innovations, including an impressive 0.29 drag coefficient. 

Fast, technologically advanced, and considerably more exclusive than most of its competitors, the E31 8 Series immediately found favour with über-celebrities such as Michael Jordan, Eric Clapton, George Michael, Rod Stewart, and Prince. 

As a two-door, pillarless coupé with pop-up headlights, the 8 Series still looks as fresh as the day it left the Dingolfing plant in Lower Bavaria.

Key Facts

  • Huge History File
  • Attractively Specified
  • Much Maintenance at Snows and Chandlers
  • Low Mileage for an 840!
  • WBAEF82070CC66937
  • 78096 miles
  • 4398cc
  • auto
  • Aqua Blue
  • Cream Leather
  • Right-hand drive
  • Petrol
Vehicle location
Bonhams|Cars Online HQ, United Kingdom

Vehicle Story

Some people sometimes think that the 8 Series was simply a refresh for BMW’s long-running 6 Series iterations. 

That was never the case. 

It was always aimed at a select group of discerning folks with rather more cash to splash and deliberately fell somewhere between GT and (by the standards of the day) supercar definitions. 

The BMW E31 8 Series was the pinnacle of the BMW line-up in the 1990s and is now becoming increasingly appreciated in the classic car market. 

With its pillarless and frameless windows, the design was elegant yet imposing, and the car offered a wealth of innovations, including an impressive 0.29 drag coefficient. 

Fast, technologically advanced, and considerably more exclusive than most of its competitors, the E31 8 Series immediately found favour with über-celebrities such as Michael Jordan, Eric Clapton, George Michael, Rod Stewart, and Prince. 

As a two-door, pillarless coupé with pop-up headlights, the 8 Series still looks as fresh as the day it left the Dingolfing plant in Lower Bavaria.

Video

Gallery

Vehicle Overview

Registered on the 2nd of January 1998, this BMW 840 CI was someone's New Year gift, and what a way to start 1998!

The 840 has passed through just four previous owners who have clearly looked after the car, as evidenced by the paperwork. In the past 10 years, the car has been used very little. In fact, it has covered less than 5,000 miles in that time, with its usage decreasing each year, which is the reason for the sale.

The 8-Series can certainly be described as a modern classic, and with so few around, it is one of those cars that offers a lot for the money. If you are looking for something cool, elegant, and sporty, the 840 CI ticks all the boxes.

Exterior

This 840 CI is finished in the wonderful Aqua metallic, which is part of the Individual colour collection from BMW. The paintwork presents reasonably well with just a few age-related marks, in keeping with the age and mileage of the 840.

The iconic shark-nose front end is in good order, with just an odd few scuffs on the lower section and a small amount of paint that has flaked off around the headlight washers. The indicators and fog lights are in good condition with no damage to the lenses, and those iconic headlights pop up and work as they should. 

Looking down the long flanks of the 840, the panels align well with equal gaps around the doors. There is a small ding in the passenger quarter, but a paintless dent removal specialist should be able to remove it. 

The windows appear to be in good condition with no noticeable scratches. However, a small sealing strip that joins the front and rear windows on the driver's side has come off and now leaves a gap between them, but this is included. The electric sunroof does close but probably needs a new switch, as it requires letting go of the button at the correct point for it to seal.

At the rear, the red lights give a clean look against the Aqua Metallic paintwork, and there is no damage to the lenses. 

The original five-spoke alloy wheels have been repainted with the rims finished in Black. There is a small mark on the front passenger-side wheel. Continental and Falken tyres are fitted, which all have a good amount of tread remaining.

Interior

Inside the luxurious coupé, the cream leather electric memory seats would benefit from a deep clean and some leather conditioner applied. There is some wear to the front seats, but this is in keeping with the age of the BMW. The rear seat is in relatively good condition with little sign of being excessively used. Both door cards are in good condition, with just minor scuffing in a few places. 

The black dashboard looks in good order with no damage. The instruments are working correctly with relatively low mileage for a BMW 840 with just 78,069 miles covered. No warning lights were displayed when the car was running. All of the switchgear appears in good condition and is said to be working correctly, apart from the sunroof, which we mentioned earlier. There is a Pioneer CD head unit installed which is working as you would expect. 

The carpets in the cabin are in good condition. The driver's mat has a small amount of wear, but it is not excessive and easily replaced should you wish. Inside the boot, it is clean and tidy, and something that is always nice to see is that the tool kit appears to be complete. Unfortunately, the headlining has started to show signs of age and has sagged. This doesn’t appear damaged and could possibly be refitted by an upholsterer.

Mechanical

The BMW 840 CI boasts the illustrious M62 4.4-litre V8 engine under the bonnet, delivering an impressive 282 bhp and 325 ft-lb of torque. The BMW starts and runs well; there is a slight squeak coming from one of the auxiliary belts. 

This powerhouse is seamlessly paired with a 5-speed automatic gearbox, ensuring a dynamic driving experience. The changes up and down the gearbox are smooth, and the V8 engine pulls strongly through the gears. 

On the road, the BMW handles like you would expect, soaking up the road on a long cruise or handling well through the bends, giving a precise and well-planted feel behind the wheel. 

Stopping the car is done with ease, and no issues have been reported with the braking system. 

The car's underside presents well with the floor area covered in minimal road dirt and the suspension has just a light coating of surface corrosion in keeping with the age of the vehicle.

History Highlights

Just four previous keepers have had the pleasure of owning the iconic shark-nose BMW. Two sets of keys are with the car, along with the owner’s wallet. All of the previous keepers appear to have been enthusiasts; saving hundreds of invoices between them has built up an excellent idea of how the car has been maintained over the years. 

The BMW currently has an MoT valid until June 2024. Since the MoT, the car has been in dry storage and covered just over 100 miles.

What We Think

The BMW 840 CI truly epitomizes luxury and style with its distinctive design elements, such as the pillarless coupé body, pop-up headlights, flared arches, and the iconic shark-nose front. 

Its finish in the wonderful Individual Aqua Metallic adds to its allure, making it a dream car for enthusiasts seeking both performance and elegance in a coupé - all for the snip of what we estimate will be between £7,000 - £11,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at the Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are strictly by appointment. To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.

About this auction

Estimated value

£7,000 - £11,000

Seller

Private: Adrian Konieczny
Buyer’s premium
7% of the winning bid (minimum £700), plus 20% VAT on the Premium only.


Viewings Welcome

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and is strictly by appointment. To book one in the diary, please click the Contact Seller button.