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1991 BMW 850i (E31) – Reserve Met

At a Glance

Stunning Condition | Tasteful Upgrades | Owned +6 Years

  • Mileage~136,360
  • TransmissionAutomatic
  • Engine5.0L V12
  • LocationBideford

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CURRENT BID£11,495
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AUCTION LIVE

ENDS IN: 56 Days 12 Hr 51 Min51 Sec

CURRENT BID

£11,495

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Video #2

Introduction

Jacob Boodrie
Professional Consigner

The 8 Series offers an incredibly attractive '90s silhouette with smooth and refined BMW V12 power.

The 8 Series is a highly iconic car that was far ahead of its time when it was launched at the 1989 Frankfurt Motor Show. The E31 represents the first-generation variant of this grand tourer, based on the E24 6 Series platform. BMW spent around $900 million on the total development of the car, using CAD tools to design the car's all-new body, along with wind tunnel testing. The car had a drag coefficient of Cd=0.29, a major improvement over the previous BMW M6/635ci and was 3kg lighter.

This particular example comes to the market after approximately seven years of ownership. The car has been meticulously restored by Daniel, a connoisseur when it comes to 8 series; it's his second 8 series he's restored and the second time he's selling through Trade Classics.

This listing was written from information supplied by Jacob after meeting Daniel the owner, and having visited and photographed the vehicle.

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We're there every step of your buying journey and will even arrange pick-up and delivery of your new vehicle.

Secure Auctions

We verify all our sellers and buyers to keep our community safe whilst also providing the highest levels of website security.

Full Transparency

8 out of 10 people that buy cars via our service don’t feel the need to visit due to the transparency and thoroughness of our listings.

Vehicle Delivery

We're there every step of your buying journey and will even arrange pick-up and delivery of your new vehicle.

Video #2

Meet the owner

I am bringing my beloved 850i to auction after many years of work - I'd keep it if I had the space!

Daniel has owned this BMW 850i for the previous seven years or so, and over that time he has completely rebuilt the car from the ground up, spending thousands of pounds and many hours to create the lovely 8-Series presented before you.

Daniel would love to keep the 8 Series as part of his collection, although due to a recent new car purchase and other projects on the go, he has decided to free up the garage space. Daniel will be on hand to answer any questions on the car in the comments below.

Daniel
Vehicle Owner

Ask Questions

CONTACT OWNER
EXTERIOR VIDEO
Video #2

Exterior

Aerodynamics played a crucial role in the development of the 8 Series - the long shark nose, pillarless windows, and boxed arches truly enhance the sleek appearance of this '90s 850i.

Wheels and Tyres

Fitted with uprated Hamann deep dish gloss black over silver 5-spoke alloys, which complement the appearance of this 850i. On this example, the wheels appear to have been well cared for, with no obvious damage observed on the spokes.

The wheels are fitted with Nankang tyres, which look to be in good condition. They are dated 2021 and have a significant amount of tread remaining, with no visible cracking or other signs of aging on the outside sidewalls.

Bodywork

The bodywork of this BMW appears to be in very good condition, with all the panel gaps around the car aligning visually very well. During our visit, we didn't spot any obvious dents on the car; everything looks sharp, and there are no signs of any serious corrosion.

During Daniel's ownership, he has fitted a rear AC Schnitzer body kit and a front M-Sport front bumper, before the complete respray. Daniel also has spare AC Schnitzer side skirts available.

We've provided detailed observations through our high-resolution images and videos, so please take the time to look through all the media files for a comprehensive view of what's on offer, and for you to assess the condition of the car for yourselves.

Paint

As previously mentioned, the car has been resprayed in the original and sought-after "Brilliant Red". The paint exhibits a high standard with even coverage and it is consistent colour across every panel.

Once again, we have provided high-resolution images and videos for your personal assessment of the paint condition.

Glass and Trim

The glass on this BMW 850i appears to be in great condition too. During our visit, we didn't notice any chips, cracks, or discolouration. The window seals also appear to be in good condition, reflecting the overall state of the car.

Daniel reports recently replacing the front screen during the restoration of this car.

Please refer to the photos and videos for a detailed close-up view of this BMW 850i.

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INTERIOR VIDEO
Video #2

Interior

Lavished in Light Parchment leather, the interior is designed with a slight angle towards the driver, creating a sporting yet luxurious ambiance.

Seats and Carpets

The "Light Parchment" leather sport seats are in lovely condition. Daniel has mentioned replacing the interior seats during the restoration process, as well as installing a new headlining and completing work on the leather door cards.

For a comprehensive view of the cabin, please refer to the extensive media provided.

Dashboard

The dashboard in this 850i shows no signs of major damage or scuffs.

With no warning lights displayed, the odometer showed a reading of ~121,168 miles during our visit. It's worth noting that the clocks were replaced last year, with the previous reading being ~136,347 miles, 15,192 needs to be added to give the actual mileage.

Steering Wheel / Gear Stick

The original BMW steering wheel is in good condition - the leather automatic gearstick also looks well-maintained.

Please refer to the image gallery to see the interior details.

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'ON THE ROAD' VIDEO
Video #2

Mechanics

The 850i features the original and highly sought-after silky smooth 5.0L V12 under the bonnet.

Engine and Gearbox

Daniel went to Barum Engines Ltd in Barnstaple to have the engine rebuild carried out, where he spent around £3,000 on the following:

Overhaul cylinder head, strip engine down to short engine, inspect and clean parts, blast, paint, and reassemble, paint rocker cover and injector cover in BMW red paint, paint engine ancillaries, fit new Victor Reinz head gaskets, valve stem seals, water pump assembly, carriage on head gasket, full engine gasket set and head bolt set.

Soon after the most recent MOT, Daniel wanted to address a small oil leak from the gearbox noted in the MOT. He found a split in the drive extension case, ordered a breaking gearbox, and replaced the park pawl return spring with the correct parts, along with the drive extension case, which seems to be a common problem among 8 series.

Daniel reports that the car starts from cold with no issues and drives well with its smooth automatic gearbox, powering the rear wheels. Please refer to the mechanical video for a view of the car starting from cold, driving around, and for a closer look under the 850i, including the engine bay.

Suspension and Brakes

The suspension appears to be in good condition and provided a smooth journey on the sweeping roads of Devonshire.

During our short drive in the car, it felt just as one would expect for an 8 Series grand tourer from this era, coming to a stop without any issues. The front brakes have been upgraded with Brembo callipers from an M135i, and the original front brake callipers are included with the car.

The Drive

A luxurious yet impressively quick cruise in the 850i, guaranteed to put a smile on your face. Fitted with a sports exhaust that sounds fantastic. On the road with Daniel, the car felt tight, boasting more than enough power to navigate the road and tackle those sweeping corners.

We didn’t notice any unusual noises coming from the engine or suspension either.

Electrics and Other

We didn’t test all the electrics during our visit, but Daniel reports that to his knowledge, all of the electrics are functional and operational, consistent with the rest of the car's condition. Daniel reports that the air conditioning needs a regas.

The onboard computer has been replaced by Daniel and is fully operational with no usual pixel problems.

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Video #2

History and Paperwork

The original 8 Series is becoming rarer by the day, and this beautifully restored and tastefully modified 850i has been preserved and is now ready to be enjoyed this summer.

The car is emerging from approximately seven years of ownership with Daniel. It has been revitalised and completely resprayed in its original 'Brilliant Red,' with both mechanical and cosmetic work fully executed, leaving room for the new custodian to enjoy and tinker with.

You can review the history and paperwork media to see previous MOT reports and the work this 850i has undergone during its time with Daniel.

We’ve done all our usual seller checks including photo ID, V5 and also actioned a HPi check on the vehicle.

We've summarised our own view on the car based on information gained from the seller in the listing above, however, and as you can see, we go to great lengths to photograph and video the car in hi-resolution detail - this has been done for you to make your own assessment from the comfort of your sofa. So please sit back, have a cuppa and take your time to review everything on this listing in order to make your own assessment on the vehicle's condition. Viewings are also welcomed with all our listings, so please get in touch with us to arrange a suitable time - we just need to speak to you first and receive a valid photo ID before confirming.

If there's anything you're unsure about, no matter how small, then please first ask the owner in the comments area below before placing your bid/s, as bids can't be retracted and form a binding contract if you win the car - just like a traditional auction house.

Service History
Date Type Mileage
10.02.2024 Spark Plugs
21.12.2023 MOT 121,155
14.08.2018 Engine Rebuild
22.02.2018 Bodywork
18.01.2018 Gearbox Mounts
10.11.2017 Brake Pressure Accumulator
28.09.2010 MOT 135,962
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Key Details
  • Model850i
  • TransmissionAutomatic
  • Reg. Date01.02.1991
  • CC4,988
  • Mileage~136,360
  • HistorySee Paperwork
  • ColourBrillantrot
  • Interior ColourCream
  • Interior TrimLeather
  • Chassis #WBAEG220X0CB57219
  • Engine #60284956
  • RestoredYes
  • Engine RebuildYes
  • MOTYes. Exp - 20.12.2024
  • MOT ExemptNo
  • Road Tax ExemptNo
  • HPi ClearYes - All Clear
  • Former Keepers10
  • Tyre BrandNankang
  • Tyre Age2021
  • LHD or RHDRHD
  • VisitedYes
  • Sale TypePrivate
  • Owned~6 years, 11 months
  • Key FeatureCondition
  • Auction ID1823
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VIEW ALL
Video #2

All Images

Exterior

Interior

Mechanics

History and Paperwork

All Videos



Vehicle Location

Bideford

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    Auction Bidding

    Live Bidding
    Current Bid £11,495
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    Auction Ends Thu 19th Sep at 7.50pm
    Bidding History
    Previous Bids  17
    £11,495 bid by DaffcoolM49117.09.24 @ 18:04:41
    £10,000 bid by johnat75home17.09.24 @ 18:01:04
    £9,150 bid by DaffcoolM49117.09.24 @ 17:00:35
    £8,750 bid by johnat75home15.09.24 @ 20:13:03
    £8,501 bid by KennyP15.09.24 @ 16:42:43
    £8,300 bid by Jazz230014.09.24 @ 15:34:42
    £8,000 bid by cfcsgd6612.09.24 @ 12:25:29
    £6,000 bid by samrai09.09.24 @ 16:25:59
    £5,500 bid by lbayfield09.09.24 @ 16:20:09
    £4,750 bid by samrai09.09.24 @ 16:04:37
    £4,500 bid by lbayfield09.09.24 @ 15:55:26
    £3,501 bid by samrai06.09.24 @ 00:25:21
    £3,000 bid by bal197705.09.24 @ 23:31:42
    £2,501 bid by samrai05.09.24 @ 15:41:01
    £2,000 bid by varsaniraj05.09.24 @ 15:18:22
    £1,601 bid by samrai05.09.24 @ 14:11:28
    £1,400 bid by cfcsgd6605.09.24 @ 12:50:31
    SEE MORE BIDS SEE MORE BIDS
    2974
    Ask Owner
    Post a comment or ask the owner a question about the car.
    2 Comments
    IRISHD
    IRISHD
    10 days ago

    Is there no service history from the nearly 20 years prior to the MOT in 2010? What is the ownership history prior to the seller?

    PDaniel
    PDaniel
    Seller
      IRISHD
    10 days ago

    There wasn’t any service history with the car when I bought it. Not that it would mean much as the car has been taken back to a bare shell and rebuild with all parts overhauled or replaced including re-bushing and engine strip down and overhaul as necessary by engine specialist.

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    Insurance Quote


    Average annual insurance premium for a 850i like this is £185 via our trusted partner ClassicLine.
    GET AN INSURANCE QUOTEAnd get 10% off when you mention us.

    *Quote is based on a garaged vehicle in CV32 5QY (Leamington Spa), travelling 3,000 miles per year, 1 driver who is 45 years of age and is free on accidents and convictions – valid Summer 2024.

    Delivery Calculator


    Vehicle Location

    Bideford

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