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Thread: New to Forum - Just picked up a 1995 840ci + CSI kit

  1. #1
    Join Date
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    1995 BMW 840ci

    New to Forum - Just picked up a 1995 840ci + CSI kit

    Hi all,

    I'm new to the forum and so this is my first post. I've owned a few BMWs in the past ('80 320i, '89 325i convertible, '02 540i w/Dinan updgrads) and recently had the opportunity to own a 1995 840ci. It is in excellent condition with low miles (~110,700) and has had a few modifications done to it:

    - Eisenmann sport exhaust
    - cold air intake and chip (confirming type)
    - 20" Vellano VSH wheels (staggered 245/30 front, 275/30 rear)
    - suspension kit (confirming type)

    The 2nd owner bought it in 2006 at ~95,000 miles so he hardly ever drove the car in the 11 years he owned it. When I bought the car from him about 3 months ago, he also threw in the CSI kit he bought from his local BMW dealership which includes the front spoiler, rear lower bumper and both side mirrors. The kit is still in its original box although the front spoiler was opened and only contained the spoiler itself so I am unsure if any other parts or hardware came with it.

    I am contemplating on whether I should have the kit and mirrors installed. The car looks great at its current state so I'm a little hesitant but I really like that CSI look. I've been reading some of the posts on the forum regarding CSI kits for E31s and realized that the kit is really hard to get and when they are available, they are pretty expensive. I'm leaning towards having the kit installed but wanted to ask if anyone could recommend a shop who knows what they are doing when it comes to doing this kind of work? I just don't want to trust it to one of the local body shops in my area and although the few that I have contacted have very good Yelp reviews, most have never worked on the 840ci and are unfamiliar with the CSI kit. I supposed I could go to my local BMW dealer but don't really want to overpay for the work either. I live in the Ventura County area in Southern California and would appreciate the help. I've enclosed a few pictures of my car.

    Thanks in advance for your help!

    BMW_G.jpgBMW_H.jpgBMW_F.jpgBMW_D.jpgBMW_I.jpg

  2. #2
    Join Date
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    91 Dinan860 & 91 850 6sp
    you'll not likely enjoy the 20" wheels, and the car will refuse to go with your specified tire sizes... perhaps you mistyped?
    Does look nice though...

    I'm up in Santa Barbara. If you get the CSI kit painted, I'll help you install it at my shop. Otherwise, if you decide to sell it and it is all there, I might buy it from you.
    '91 Dinan 860 Stage III (new 6L engine)
    '91 Dinan 850 TT stage III (brand new engine) 21st Century Tech meets 18th Century Dinan...
    '91 850i 6sp (mint) (sold)
    '90 Dinan 750iL TT stage III (Guido - The Beast)
    '94 850 CSi The Detroit Auto Show car (restored to factory perfect) (sold)
    '96 850Ci, The George Carlin car
    ''73 3.0 csi, '08 535i, '03 X5 4.6is
    ...and a few other non BMW cars

  3. #3
    Join Date
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    My Cars
    1991 850i S70 6 speed
    Nice mods and looks well looked after.

    like Toons said: anything over 19s (even 19s) is gonna get rough specially if your on eibach springs and blisteins...


    Quote Originally Posted by mpg509 View Post
    Hi all,

    I'm new to the forum and so this is my first post. I've owned a few BMWs in the past ('80 320i, '89 325i convertible, '02 540i w/Dinan updgrads) and recently had the opportunity to own a 1995 840ci. It is in excellent condition with low miles (~110,700) and has had a few modifications done to it:

    - Eisenmann sport exhaust
    - cold air intake and chip (confirming type)
    - 20" Vellano VSH wheels (staggered 245/30 front, 275/30 rear)
    - suspension kit (confirming type)

    The 2nd owner bought it in 2006 at ~95,000 miles so he hardly ever drove the car in the 11 years he owned it. When I bought the car from him about 3 months ago, he also threw in the CSI kit he bought from his local BMW dealership which includes the front spoiler, rear lower bumper and both side mirrors. The kit is still in its original box although the front spoiler was opened and only contained the spoiler itself so I am unsure if any other parts or hardware came with it.

    I am contemplating on whether I should have the kit and mirrors installed. The car looks great at its current state so I'm a little hesitant but I really like that CSI look. I've been reading some of the posts on the forum regarding CSI kits for E31s and realized that the kit is really hard to get and when they are available, they are pretty expensive. I'm leaning towards having the kit installed but wanted to ask if anyone could recommend a shop who knows what they are doing when it comes to doing this kind of work? I just don't want to trust it to one of the local body shops in my area and although the few that I have contacted have very good Yelp reviews, most have never worked on the 840ci and are unfamiliar with the CSI kit. I supposed I could go to my local BMW dealer but don't really want to overpay for the work either. I live in the Ventura County area in Southern California and would appreciate the help. I've enclosed a few pictures of my car.

    Thanks in advance for your help!

    BMW_G.jpgBMW_H.jpgBMW_F.jpgBMW_D.jpgBMW_I.jpg

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
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    97 850CI
    Welcome mpg509, Your 8 looks great. If you have never driven an 8 on the stock 16" rims, your 20" rims will feel fine. I run 19", and sure it could ride smoother, but it looks cool.
    Last edited by 72tpik5; 01-03-2018 at 08:36 AM.
    Desecrator of all things Sacred

  5. #5
    Join Date
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    '93 850Ci- Daily Driver
    Welcome to the wonderful world of 8-ownership!
    The only part of the "CSi kit" that is hard to get are the "T-Rex" mirrors (which are smaller than the stock "dumbos"). Keep in mind that most of the BMW techs that worked on these cars 20-25 years ago are retired and their replacements most likely have never worked on one. Some dealers won't even take in the 8 because of this. Your best bet is to find another enthusiast and go from there. The only other things needed to mount the front is the airdeflectorto the radiatorand the two plastic support arms that attach to the lower air box. The rear also will require the plastic mounting plate that attaches the "spice rack" to the sparewheel well.
    As for the "cold air intake" - the car comes stock with a very good cold air intake. If your mod actually has the air filter visible in the engine bay, it is actually a "hot air intake" system. Also if that air filter is a K&N, then the oil needed to make it work will damage your MAF sensor. Lots to learn, but this forum is a wealth of info - just ask the question, you will get the answer.
    '93 850Ci - Mineralweiß Metallic

    2001 740iL - Titansilber
    ALPINA B7 -Alpinweiß III


    ...the price of cool ain't cheap!

  6. #6
    Join Date
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    93 850Ci, 09 Caddy SRX
    Welcome to the family. Consider attending SoCalEights Wrenchfest in Signal Hill next month.
    1993 850Ci.....18 years & 165,000 miles and counting!

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Dec 2017
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    1995 BMW 840ci
    Thanks for the offer Toonz! The previous owner did put on 20" wheels and the tire sizes I listed (included some pics). The car drives really well although the acceleration is not as quick as what I was expecting when I first drove it. Maybe cuz it's an automatic and the only thing I could compare it to is the 540i I previously owned which had incredible acceleration and would take off on me once I punched it into gear. But the 840 does eventually shows its power once I'm on the freeway so I am happy with it so far.

    Regarding the kit, I'll probably will get it installed eventually and might hit you up on your offer. I'm still learning alot about the car and it does need some minor fixes (sagging roof liner and broken sunroof) which I'll probably take care before I get the kit put on but will let you know when that time comes.

    Thanks again for your help!

    BMW_Front Tire.jpg BMW_Rear Tire.jpg

    - - - Updated - - -

    Quote Originally Posted by alex840 View Post
    Nice mods and looks well looked after.

    like Toons said: anything over 19s (even 19s) is gonna get rough specially if your on eibach springs and blisteins...
    Thanks Alex...car doesn't run too rough which surprised me especially with the 30-series tires but I see what you're saying. Trying to confirm from previous owner what time of suspension kit he got put on but if I recall correctly, I think he did mention they are eibach springs and bilstein shocks.

  8. #8
    Join Date
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    1995 BMW 840ci
    Quote Originally Posted by 72tpik5 View Post
    Welcome mpg509, Your 8 looks great. If you have never driven an 8 on the stock 16" rims, your 20" rims will feel fine. I run 19", and sure it could ride smoother, but it looks cool.
    Thanks 72tpik5!! I forgot to mention that the previous owner did offer to give me the original stock tires and rims and so I just need to pick them up from his house in Northern California. Maybe when the time comes to change out the 20" tires, I'll put the original stock rims and tires on them to see how it drives. Thanks again!

  9. #9
    Join Date
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    Quote Originally Posted by TxGR8White View Post
    Welcome to the wonderful world of 8-ownership!
    The only part of the "CSi kit" that is hard to get are the "T-Rex" mirrors (which are smaller than the stock "dumbos"). Keep in mind that most of the BMW techs that worked on these cars 20-25 years ago are retired and their replacements most likely have never worked on one. Some dealers won't even take in the 8 because of this. Your best bet is to find another enthusiast and go from there. The only other things needed to mount the front is the airdeflectorto the radiatorand the two plastic support arms that attach to the lower air box. The rear also will require the plastic mounting plate that attaches the "spice rack" to the sparewheel well.
    As for the "cold air intake" - the car comes stock with a very good cold air intake. If your mod actually has the air filter visible in the engine bay, it is actually a "hot air intake" system. Also if that air filter is a K&N, then the oil needed to make it work will damage your MAF sensor. Lots to learn, but this forum is a wealth of info - just ask the question, you will get the answer.
    Hi GR8White! The mirrors I got are the CSI mirrors so not sure if those are the same as the "T-Rex" mirrors you mentioned but I'll look them up. And you're right about the BMW techs today. I called up a local "BMW Specialist" shop last week and asked them about the CSI kit on the 8 and he just said he'd have to take a look at it to see if he can put it on but once I sensed he really didn't know about the car and the kit, I didn't bother going in since I don't want them to screw anything up. But it sounds like I still need a few parts for the front spoiler since I only have the spoiler itself and no other parts or hardware came with it. Toonz from a previous post offered to help me with the installation so I'll probably hit him up when I'm ready to invest more into it. As for the cold air intake, I'm not sure if it is stock but I included some pics to see what you think.

    Thanks again!
    Attached Images Attached Images

  10. #10
    Join Date
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    Quote Originally Posted by TedBobo View Post
    Welcome to the family. Consider attending SoCalEights Wrenchfest in Signal Hill next month.
    Thanks! I will look it up and consider going next month!

  11. #11
    Join Date
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    Welcome to the Forum and E31 ownership!

    The rear wheel/tyre combination you have will reduce acceleration to some degree as you have a rolling diameter greater than standard - your rears have a diameter of 26.5" whereas the factory size is 25.6". It is also worth saying that with a difference in rolling diameter close to 3% between the fronts and rears you may have problems with traction control and ABS.

    More info on this here:

    http://www.meeknet.co.uk/e31/Timms_b...20on%20ASC.pdf

    Depending on your 540i model year, you should be able to get similar performance with a higher differential ratio.....
    Last edited by Timm; 01-03-2018 at 03:42 PM.
    Timm..2007 E64 650i Individual Sport..1999 E31 840ci Individual Sport..ex owner of 2000 E38 740..1999 E38 740i V8 M62..1998 E38 735i V8..1993 E32 730i V8..1988 E28 518i


    My BMW Repair YouTube Channel
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  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by Timm View Post
    Welcome to the Forum and E31 ownership!

    The rear wheel/tyre combination you have will reduce acceleration to some degree as you have a rolling diameter greater than standard - your rears have a diameter of 26.5" whereas the factory size is 25.6". It is also worth saying that with a difference in rolling diameter close to 3% between the fronts and rears you may have problems with traction control and ABS.

    More info on this here:

    http://www.meeknet.co.uk/e31/Timms_b...20on%20ASC.pdf

    Depending on your 540i model year, you should be able to get similar performance with a higher differential ratio.....

    Thanks Timm for all the info. This really helps me to better understand how I can possibly make the car perform better. The more I read about it, the more I would consider going to a smaller size wheel and tire setup in the future if it means getting better performance. Thanks again.

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by mpg509 View Post
    Thanks! I will look it up and consider going next month!

    Gr8, hope you make it. Always a wealth of knowledge on hand and anywhere from 10 to 20 E31's in attendance.
    1993 850Ci.....18 years & 165,000 miles and counting!

  14. #14
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    not enough
    Looks tidy. Very jelly on the Eisenmanns. Hope you get to keep and enjoy it for many years.
    CB42366 - 1991 850i 6-speed. Brilliantrot & Black Nappa Leather
    CD00144 - 1994 850CSi. Hellrot & Black Nappa Leather


    My other projects:
    Supercharged Tbirds, V8 Tbirds, V8 Mustang Convertible, Audi V8 Quattro & Audi S8

  15. #15
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    If it helps you decide on the rear, but i filled the recess with carbon wrap which i'm still not sure on.
    Strange, no pic showing, but it's here when i try to edit the post.

    Last edited by tepescovir; 01-07-2018 at 11:29 AM.

  16. #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by tepescovir View Post
    If it helps you decide on the rear, but i filled the recess with carbon wrap which i'm still not sure on.
    Now we want so see it. Pictures please.
    Desecrator of all things Sacred

  17. #17
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    Congrats on the car. The 8's are timeless, and beautiful. You will find yourself looking back over your shoulder time after time as you park and walk away.
    Also, please consider joining your local group - SocalEights, and the national group - BMWCCA E31 Chapter.
    CSi #18 - Car & Driver Magazine 1994 actual test car
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  18. #18
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    Quote Originally Posted by TedBobo View Post
    Gr8, hope you make it. Always a wealth of knowledge on hand and anywhere from 10 to 20 E31's in attendance.
    +1 on attending Wrenchfest! In addition to a wealth of knowledge its a great group of guys that are willing to help/share what you want to achieve for your car.

    Also, if you are looking for a little more pickup from a standing start you might want to swap out your differential. IMO it was the best upgrade that I did for my car (and I have done a lot of them!). There is a lot of info on this forum about this that you can research on your own...but I decided on a custom built 3:64 LSD.

  19. #19
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    "acceleration is not as quick as what I was expecting"

    Woke chip if m60 engine
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    Super charger off of 540 if you find one
    or super charger from ess tuning



    Quote Originally Posted by mpg509 View Post
    Thanks for the offer Toonz! The previous owner did put on 20" wheels and the tire sizes I listed (included some pics). The car drives really well although the acceleration is not as quick as what I was expecting when I first drove it. Maybe cuz it's an automatic and the only thing I could compare it to is the 540i I previously owned which had incredible acceleration and would take off on me once I punched it into gear. But the 840 does eventually shows its power once I'm on the freeway so I am happy with it so far.

    Regarding the kit, I'll probably will get it installed eventually and might hit you up on your offer. I'm still learning alot about the car and it does need some minor fixes (sagging roof liner and broken sunroof) which I'll probably take care before I get the kit put on but will let you know when that time comes.

    Thanks again for your help!

    BMW_Front Tire.jpg BMW_Rear Tire.jpg

    - - - Updated - - -



    Thanks Alex...car doesn't run too rough which surprised me especially with the 30-series tires but I see what you're saying. Trying to confirm from previous owner what time of suspension kit he got put on but if I recall correctly, I think he did mention they are eibach springs and bilstein shocks.

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