Lot details
Registration No: N696PYP
Chassis No: B97898
Mot Expiry: Jan 2013

Over 1.5 billion Deutschmarks is said to have been spent on the design and development of the Klaus Kapitza-designed 8 Series Coupe (BMW chassis code E31), which was launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show of 1989. The heady total included the use of CAD tools (still quite rare at the time) and wind tunnel testing, the combined effect of which was a very competitive drag coefficient of 0.29 - a vast improvement on the 0.39 figure of the outgoing 6 Series Coupe. Though electronically limited to 155mph, this endowed the most powerful 8 Series models with a potential top speed of almost 190mph. Sales for the entire 8 Series range were some 31,062; the model's potential being somewhat limited by the recession of the time. Only circa 4,728 of the total were accounted for by the 4.0-litre 840Ci variant, making it a relatively rare car on Britain's roads.

This right-hand drive 840Ci is a 1995 example equipped with the optional five-speed automatic transmission and finished in Green with Grey leather upholstery. It currently shows 82,000 miles from new and is described by the vendor as having "excellent" bodywork, paintwork, interior trim, engine and gearbox, and is being sold complete with extensive history and service files, complete tool kit, original unopened first aid kit plus MOT and Tax valid into January next year.