Lot details Registration No: T49 CPR Chassis No: WBAEF82030CC67227 Mot Expiry: Dec 2011
The Klaus Kapitza-designed 8 Series (chassis code E31) was launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1989. Though it effectively replaced the 6 Series, it was originally intended as an additional model line - an upmarket range with superior performance and pricing. During its ten-year reign, the 8 Series was offered in 830i, 840Ci and 850i/Ci form, of which the 840Ci was the second most popular variant. When introduced in mid 1993, it was fitted with a 4-litre V8 engine mated to either 5-speed automatic or 6-speed manual transmission. With 282bhp on tap, this version could achieve the 0-62mph sprint in an impressive 6.9 seconds. Nevertheless, during 1995 the M60 engine was replaced by the M62 V8 unit of 4.4-litres capacity. The fully independent suspension featured struts at the front and an innovative multi-link system with coil springs on the rear. Steering was by ball and nut and braking by discs all round - vented at the front; solid at the rear. Over 1.5 billion Deutschemarks is said to have been spent on the car's design and development, which 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. 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 range were some 31,062; the car's potential being somewhat limited by the crippling recession of the time. Circa 3,075 of the total were accounted for by the 4.4-litre 840Ci variant, making it a relatively rare car on Britain's roads.
The sale BMW is a right-hand drive 1999 example equipped with the later 4.4-litre engine and automatic transmission. It is finished in Barbados Blue matched to a Silver leather interior. The vendor informs us that the bodywork is "original and excellent"; the paintwork, trim, engine and transmission are all "excellent" and the car "looks and drives superbly". 'T49 CPR' comes complete with extensive service history, handbooks, old MOTs etc and is taxed until the end of November and MOT'd into December.
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