Thought on 1995 BMW 840ci

[mjposner]

Looking at an 840ci, Black over tan, 75000 miles, clean autocheck, two owner and in Florida since 1998, no accidents shown. Everything works, leds look fine, headlights work, a/c works.

Asking high teens. Includes two sets of wheels, original books and stack of records.

Thoughts?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1995-BMW-8-...%7C1000%7C2500

[stephon314]

You could get a 97 M62 840ci for 18.5k though M60 is easier to modify with chips. I own both M60 & M62 and I personally prefer M62.

[mjposner]

car had some service records, this was what was done:

2011: Brake Booster, valve timing and oil pan gaskets, engine mount and radiator
2014: spark plugs
2012: spark plugs, freon and a/c stop leak; 8 fuel injectors, washer pump, air mass meter boot and "performance chip"
2013: two batteries; master key

[CD05001CIA]

car had some service records, this was what was done:

2011: Brake Booster, valve timing and oil pan gaskets, engine mount and radiator
2014: spark plugs
2012: spark plugs, freon and a/c stop leak; 8 fuel injectors, washer pump, air mass meter boot and "performance chip"
2013: two batteries; master key

At some point on the V8 you WILL be doing the valley pan gasket and replacing the rubber(neoprene) seals, grommets, gaskets on the intake manifold and injectors. On the rear sub-frame all of the flex joints will need to be replaced if not already done.

[mjposner]

You could get a 97 M62 840ci for 18.5k though M60 is easier to modify with chips. I own both M60 & M62 and I personally prefer M62.

Not sure that is true for decent cars:

1997 BMW 8-Series 840Ci 2dr Coupe 8 Series 840Ci 2dr Coupe, 125k miles $24,500 https://************/4rfmw7n4=

1997 BMW 8-Series Coupe 840CI, Matching 4.4L V-8 engine,... 66148 miles $36,900 https://************/bs6hnumm

1996 BMW 840 Ci $18,900 63,021 miles https://************/45yx4z4f (ugh those wheels)

1997 BMW 840Ci $23,900 68,000 mi.

1997 BMW 840Ci $18,900 73,767 miles https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds...i/2468266.html (this one looks promising)

1995 BMW 840Ci $22,900 142,935 miles https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds...i/2458902.html

1997 BMW 8-SERIES $23,900 68,500 mi https://************/wbwfza9m (sold)

[mjposner]

From Hemmings:

Prices for 1997 Bmw 840ci

Among 8 ad(s) found in the last 3 years that list prices:

The average asking price is: $24,475.00
The highest asking price is: $36,900.00
The lowest asking price is: $18,900.00

[Hyper]

Here, my nuanced observations...
* You got distracted by post #2 and went down a rabbit hole that is of less importance to...
* Buying old cars is inherently risky. There is no guaranteed (warranted, contractual) relationship between price and future happiness as there would / should be with a new car.
* Hence, consider acquisition cost as throw-away money, and instead budget (actually set aside) significant funds for maintenance repairs and restoration and anticipate down time.
* If you are considering pricing differences within say $5K, then imo its not carefree throw-away money.
* Consider reviewing threads where newbies ask how much to fix / restore some e31 plucked from the wild.

[mjposner]

You got distracted by post #2 and went down a rabbit hole that is of less importance to...

Not sure what you mean, other than I wanted to see if $18,500 was realistic

* Buying old cars is inherently risky. There is no guaranteed (warranted, contractual) relationship between price and future happiness as there would / should be with a new car. Old hand at this, currently have a 1965 Corvair, have also owned a 1984 650csi; 1994 E36 convertible, 2000 M Roadster, and many many m3s


* Hence, consider acquisition cost as throw-away money, and instead budget (actually set aside) significant funds for maintenance repairs and restoration and anticipate down time. Not true, why pay 20k for a car that needs 20k if you can pay 30k and not spend any more. That said, I am handy so will do some work myself, and can easily afford to pay for others


* If you are considering pricing differences within say $5K, then imo its not carefree throw-away money. Its not a question of $5k, top me its a question of paying the right price for the right car. I can't see paying 25k for a 125k mile car when I can pay $18.5k for a 70k mile car (all other things being equal). I have carefree money because I am careful with my money.


* Consider reviewing threads where newbies ask how much to fix / restore some e31 plucked from the wild. Any car I buy will be in mostly ready to drive condition and go through a full ppi. Upon arrival, it will get another once over and a fluidectomy (tranny, diff, brake, oil and radiator).

Also, I have friends/clients in the foreign car world, I am active in CCA so I do not think I am a newbie (though maybe an E31 newbie).

[rjbaren]

It sounds to me like a nice car that was looked after and from a salt free environment. 840s whether an M60 or M62 are pretty reliable. In my opinion they are just a blank canvas. There is a lot you can do to them with OEM parts to make them even more exciting to drive. Keep what you take off to be sure you can put it back to stock if the values really go up. I have heard many people comment there isn't any other BMW model that looks as nice as an e31. Good luck.

[e30mobber]

You can always buy this one ��

https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...-bmw-840ci-e31

[mjposner]

Car had a ppi yesterday at Redline BMW Performance. Should get details today.

- - - Updated - - -

You can always buy this one ��

https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...-bmw-840ci-e31

On my list if the local one does not pan out!

[mjposner]

Here is the service history I have found so far:
03/22/1995 6,993 Roadshow BMW Vehicle serviced
11/03/1995 13,676 Roadshow BMW Vehicle serviced, Axles checked
11/24/1997 31,883 Roadshow BMW Maintenance inspection completed; Oil and filter changed, ABS fluid flushed/changed, Antifreeze/coolant flushed/changed, Front brake pads replaced, Front brake rotor(s) replaced, Rear brake pads replaced
07/24/1998 38,022 Service Facility Vehicle serviced, Battery/charging system checked, Battery replaced
08/18/1998 39,210 Service Facility Vehicle serviced, Oil and filter changed
09/29/1998 40,308 Service Facility Vehicle serviced
12/23/1998 43,627 Service Facility Vehicle serviced
03/03/1999 46,257 Service Facility Vehicle serviced, Catalytic converter replaced
04/14/1999 48,183 Service Facility Vehicle serviced
06/22/1999 51,586 Service Facility Vehicle serviced
08/31/1999 53,807 Service Facility Vehicle serviced
09/30/1999 56,153 Service Facility Vehicle serviced, Transmission checked, Oil and filter changed
01/25/2000 56,255 Service Facility Vehicle serviced, Engine electrical system checked, Battery/charging system checked
03/20/2000 57,032 Service Facility Vehicle serviced
03/07/2001 59,959 Service Facility Vehicle serviced, Recommended maintenance performed Fuel system checked, Vehicle washed/detailed
04/23/2003 66,651 Service Facility Vehicle serviced
06/23/2011 70,000+ Euromotive Valve cover gasket; timing cover gasket; oil pan gasket; engine mount; reservoir level sensor; radiator; oil and filter changed
08/20/2011 70,000+ Euromotive Brake Booster
09/04/2012 70,000+ Euromotive Microswitch central locking; doorhandle left; door latch front left; spark plugs; injector cleaning; Freon and AC leak stop
11/07/2012 70,000+ Euromotive Intake manifold cover; intake manifold gaskets; washer pump; eight fuel injectors; air mass meter boot; and performance chip
3/20/2013 70,000+ Euromotive Two interstate batteries; master key; cover key; and shifter boot
02/14/2014 70,000+ Euromotive Doorstop; shifter knob; center console frame; direct ignition coil; spark plugs; oil and filter changed

Car has 76k miles now

[mjposner]

Car is at shop doing ppi, will go see today. A bit worried by the comment that the car needs some tlc....

[mjposner]

So I saw and drove the car. Started right up, idled well, good acceleration. Suspension is shot, needs bushings all around. has brake minor fluid and diff leaks. A/c was cold, seats moved, all windows and sunroof worked but slowly, lcds had most of their pixels, brakes were mushy but car stopped straight; steering wheel was at least one notch off (or bad alignment). Will need full fluidectomy (oil, water, diff, brake). Even at 15k I am hesitant. Waiting on shop price write up.

[e30mobber]

Price drop in my e31

10k cash >

https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...-bmw-840ci-e31