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E31 840 'The forgotten BMW??' |
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Mike McCourts
Club Member Joined: 08 Jan 2015 Location: Manchester Status: Offline Points: 57 |
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Posted: 12 Jan 2015 at 10:26am |
This is my 840 in Arctic Silver with red leather. I bought the car in 2006 and have always wondered if there are any other E31's with this interior. I have the factory build sheet showing the interior as a fitted option and the car is listed as an 'individual' I would like to show the car at club meets this year, as we don't seem to get many 8's on car show stands. Love the car and have always considered them to be under-rated and somewhat ignored and forgotten. Any one else feel like this? Love to hear from like minded 8ers. Mike. |
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m3kos
Club Member Joined: 30 Oct 2007 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 567 |
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Lovely interior
Much better than the usual boring grey and black |
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Nifty50
Club Member Joined: 28 Jun 2011 Location: West Sussex Status: Offline Points: 71 |
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It is indeed a lovely interior and one that many would have liked to have. There are some other lovely combinations out there too. Colour combinations are truly a matter of opinion and while I agree that black is a bit boring (mine is black) there are some that would choose black even today.
In 1998/9 in the UK, BMW wanted to shift all remaining cars and were selling the Sport model for the same price as the non Sport and I believe one could order just about any combination of upholstery/piping at no extra cost. I do not see headlamp washers, was this still an extra cost option or dare I say, has the nose cone been replaced and they were forgotten? |
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Mike McCourts
Club Member Joined: 08 Jan 2015 Location: Manchester Status: Offline Points: 57 |
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Thanks for the response. At some £60k a pop in 1999, 840's were not cheap, so I suppose even BMW decided that a little extra marketing would not go amiss, so why not chuck in a set of floor mats and a red leather trim if it sells another car!! Glad they did as it looks great. I can not recall many E31 extras, but certainly headlamp wash was one and others included heated seats, electric rear window blind, electrically adjustable sport/comfort suspension, cruise control to mention a few. I would like to think that 8's will eventually be more appreciated, but at the moment they are cheap as chips for a remarkable amount of motor. Mike. |
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issus
Region Chair Joined: 02 Jun 2010 Location: Northants Status: Offline Points: 1337 |
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Sheer Class and well done! I know a few owners so if you pm me will send some details. Please let me have the details of any E31 in good condition un modified as I cant find any for reasonable amount of money. In fact the decent ones seem to float between £26k and £15/17k , but mostly on fairly low mileage. |
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E46 320d Sport Myst Blue 054 reg - probably the best BMW ever
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Mike McCourts
Club Member Joined: 08 Jan 2015 Location: Manchester Status: Offline Points: 57 |
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I describe the E31 8 series as the 'forgotten' BMW", meaning that in a world full of M3's attracting endless attention in all the mags and comics, there seems to be little acknowledgement of the stunning looks and engineering of this car.
I was therefore particularly disappointed when the 8 series was described as a ' cock up' in the August Straight 6. To describe any BMW as such is nothing short of a brain dead insult. Perhaps one day the 8 series will get its deserved acclaim and set it apart from its siblings cluttering up Sainsburys car park. Mike McCourts - E31 appreciation club chairman. |
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issus
Region Chair Joined: 02 Jun 2010 Location: Northants Status: Offline Points: 1337 |
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Great comments - love it!
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E46 320d Sport Myst Blue 054 reg - probably the best BMW ever
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safe1
Club Member BMWCC Club President Joined: 09 Aug 2006 Status: Offline Points: 1426 |
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Mike--NOT Forgotten-------perhaps due to its rarity, the E31,s are not viewed in the Metal very often.
A great opportunity coming up---at Gaydon, to appreciate its fine lines and interior space, as an Autobahn express, in total comfort and safety. A great Car---- |
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Gofastsafe
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issus
Region Chair Joined: 02 Jun 2010 Location: Northants Status: Offline Points: 1337 |
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Plus Mike there are 3 in our Central Region:
Phil Starr, Gary Jackson and Roy Pugh all have E31's. Fairly certain that there is at least another too as it came to the Coventry Museum Trip back in April - a beautiful low mileage example. You are not alone. |
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E46 320d Sport Myst Blue 054 reg - probably the best BMW ever
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Mike McCourts
Club Member Joined: 08 Jan 2015 Location: Manchester Status: Offline Points: 57 |
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I read with interest the latest Straight Six - September 2016. As if to prove beyond all reasonable doubt that the BMW 8 series has been forgotten and ignored, take a look at the Registers News section which starts on page 61 with Classic and finishes on P68 with Z Register. Guess which one is missing!! All BMW's mentioned - 02series/3series(twice)/4series/5series/6series/7series/iregister/mini(?)/Xseries and Zregister. Seems like 8series are indeed forgotten so to remind everyone what one looks like I've attached a photo. Maybe its just me but are these cars not worthy of a bit more attention? Have to dash - I'm blocking an E46 in at Sainsburys. Mike McCourts. |
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issus
Region Chair Joined: 02 Jun 2010 Location: Northants Status: Offline Points: 1337 |
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That was my E46 you blocked in - mind you I thought that E31 only went to Waitrose👌🏿
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E46 320d Sport Myst Blue 054 reg - probably the best BMW ever
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AndrewE
Club Member Joined: 25 Jun 2007 Status: Offline Points: 1188 |
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The E31 was a sales flop, and indeed a cock up for BMW. It was launched too late, was way too expensive and compared to the cheaper M635CSi, a heavy old whale that didn't do anything better than a (cheaper, roomier) 750i. The cheaper E34 M5 just crucified it. Sales were poor and never got close to either the E24 6 Series or the Mercedes SL or the coupes with which it was trying to compete. Too big, too heavy, cramped inside and in terms of driving, nothing a Porsche 928 couldn't sort out. All in all it was slightly pointless - and 15 mpg from the old V12.
I had an 840Ci 15 years ago as a six year old car. They were down to basic 316i money and I thought I'd try one. It was okay I guess but a 330Ci was faster, lighter on its feet and had better brakes. And much cheaper to buy and run. I would sum up the E31 as a great looking car, but somewhat short on ability and thrills compared to a lot of much cheaper cars. But what do I know - I make brain dead insults........
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Mike McCourts
Club Member Joined: 08 Jan 2015 Location: Manchester Status: Offline Points: 57 |
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Can't disagree with any of that Andrew - except the cock-up bit.
OK E31's were over priced, sluggish unless in S mode, awful brakes, too softly sprung, overly complex, etc,etc but with their coupe shape, no B pillars, pop-up lamps they were streets ahead in the eye candy department over the jelly mould 928's and boring SL's. But they couldn't sell them. Grab a £7k 844 before they've all gone! Mike. |
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Mike McCourts
Club Member Joined: 08 Jan 2015 Location: Manchester Status: Offline Points: 57 |
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Norrie
Club Member Joined: 15 Jul 2012 Status: Offline Points: 4047 |
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I like the 840 best personally.
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n
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Mike McCourts
Club Member Joined: 08 Jan 2015 Location: Manchester Status: Offline Points: 57 |
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So do I.
What a car for 316i money!! |
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Norrie
Club Member Joined: 15 Jul 2012 Status: Offline Points: 4047 |
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In terms of a "cock up", it does not matter now does it. The fact that someone can own one of these iconic cars and as you say without out spending a fortune has to be the most important thing.
It would be interesting to hear about what is not a cock up, is that the mass produced bmw that every company car driver has, or the one that people get to put on the drive to impress others, well probably not anymore, what bigger cock up than the active series two, another name for a transit van with windows and plastic trays in the rear. Stick with 8 series any day. |
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n
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Mike McCourts
Club Member Joined: 08 Jan 2015 Location: Manchester Status: Offline Points: 57 |
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Well said.
Perhaps 'cock-up' should now be put in the past and not used again when describing a BMW (even a 2-series Transit!!!) Agree Andrew?? Mike. |
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Mike Fishwick
Forum Member Joined: 04 Aug 2006 Location: France Status: Offline Points: 2742 |
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Most large coupes seem to receive bad press when compared to more overt performance-oriented equivalents. Just compare road tests of the Jaguar XK150S and the Ferrari 250 Berlinetta of the same period
Friends whose opinions I respect make the same criticisms of the 635Csi, and no doubt the same was said in its day of the 507 - which I think remains one of the least-attractive BMWs ever made! |
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A Z3 is not just for Christmas - it's for life!
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AndrewE
Club Member Joined: 25 Jun 2007 Status: Offline Points: 1188 |
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If the E31 had been 35% cheaper, 20% lighter and a bit smaller it would have been a success - but they really got it wrong. But as pointless as they were, they are a proper eyeful which is why I bought one.
I also don't think the 507 is particularly good looking - no prettier than an MGA or a Healey 100. The 300SL Gullwing on the other hand is a truly spectacular vehicle.
The Active Zafira shouldn't even be mentioned here - if we ignore it, it might go away. |
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Mike McCourts
Club Member Joined: 08 Jan 2015 Location: Manchester Status: Offline Points: 57 |
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Good point.
BMW like every other car maker is in it to make money and big 2door coupes are not a mainstream car in the eyes of the bean counters. Hence the current crop of non future classics I suppose. Mike. |
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dcarver
Forum Member Joined: 26 Mar 2017 Status: Offline Points: 9 |
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Dear Mike
I have the same car in silver but with black interior I have seen just about every 840 but never one with a red interior it must be a one off or its had new seats put in regards dave c
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dcarver
Forum Member Joined: 26 Mar 2017 Status: Offline Points: 9 |
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Dear Mike
As a new member to the club I would like to answer your forgotten BMW letter. Since I have had my 840ci I get people stop me and ask me about it I have had 9 bmws in the past 20 years en the only other one witch attracted the same amount of attention was my 330ci convertible in emola red with a black roof. the 840 is just about the finest car to come out of the factory of all the bmws For some reason it did not get the recognition it deserved today you will see rolls Bentley and aston martins on the road but very few 840's not many people turn there heads when one of these go past.i am always stoped and asked what it is and finish up keeping the wife waitng while I explain to another petrol head what it is and how I got it. regards dave c
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Mike McCourts
Club Member Joined: 08 Jan 2015 Location: Manchester Status: Offline Points: 57 |
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Hi Dave,
Nice to hear from another 840 nut! Over the last 20 years I've owned more E31's than I care or dare to remember - 7 in total. I even had a Dakkar 840 and wish I had not sold it. I now run my Arctic Silver 840 and have owned it since 2006. It is one of 4 E31 cars in the world with factory Coral Red leather. I show it every year at Gaydon together with my E24 635 CSi pickup. See 6 series pickup on the forum. I made the point about the 8 series being forgotten as all BMW reviews and write ups and magazine articles almost always never give the car a mention but I love driving it round and watching curious and appreciative reactions from everyone cos they don't know what it is. Go to any supermarket car park and you will find numerous M2-M6 models, E46 3 series, etc, etc but I always can count one one hand the number of 8's I see in a month of driving all over the place - 25K miles a yearin my company 330e (also a great car) and E31's are rare as hens teeth on the road. My E31 has 98K miles on it and I hate the idea of it passing 100!!! As we speak, however, I am forking out £400 for a new caliper fitted but other than that, running costs are bearable - I have also found a great exhaust place and had a cat to back S/S full system fitted for £600. New BMW back box alone is that!!! Sounds great as well. Tony Banks Leeds they are called. My next fix is to buy an E36 M3 rear boot spoiler and fit it to my 840. Very few 8's were built with a boot spoiler and the E36 design is great for the 8. I'll send a photo when I get it back from the bodyshop. Enjoy the car. Mike McCourts. |
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dcarver
Forum Member Joined: 26 Mar 2017 Status: Offline Points: 9 |
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Dear Mike
Thanks for the reply I have seen one or two 840's with a back spoiler but i don't think it looks right they built in the back defuser for that reson but go with what you like the only thing is that they didn't make enough extra bolt on bits for it I suppose at a £70,000 price at the time they must have though that it had all the bits it needed just a quick one have you seen the red soft top in the collection at bmw in Germany. now that is a car. Regards Dave C
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hmg66
Club Member Joined: 25 Jan 2017 Location: CHESHIRE Status: Offline Points: 4 |
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dcarver
Forum Member Joined: 26 Mar 2017 Status: Offline Points: 9 |
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Look's like you can eat off of the engine bay and the colour is great. I wish mine would look like that instead of a plastic engine cover plus the fact that I use it every day .Nice big old lump it makes most so called super cars loke sick.
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Mike McCourts
Club Member Joined: 08 Jan 2015 Location: Manchester Status: Offline Points: 57 |
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Nice looking 850 - Calypso red??. A quick update for you E31'ers however.
My 840 is approaching mot time and my specialist service establishment - Rockvale BMW in Stockport has advised me of a couple of issues which I need to address - with associated indicated costs. The 2 front calipers are seized ( one on and one off) and BMW want £440 each. Efforts to source after-market units have not been successful - apparently the calipers are 4pot Brembo. We are therefore sending off the calipers to a specialist to have repaired. Also means I need new discs and pads. Rust on the sills needs welding around the lifting platform at the front. In addition to a brand new s/s exhaust last week, the old girl is costing me a bob or 2 - currently £1500. Still, when all this is done it will be ready for showing off - until the next drama of course ( bushes, rubber boots, steering rack, front suspension struts, fuel pipes, brake flexis, A/C condenser, etc, etc ). We still love them though don't we? |
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hmg66
Club Member Joined: 25 Jan 2017 Location: CHESHIRE Status: Offline Points: 4 |
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Hi Mike Yes its a Calypso Red 850csi Ive been doing it up over the last few months and a full respray was needed as the paintwork although very clean and sound was after all 24 years old. I was very pleased with the result. As I said its staring to come together now just some mechanical work to do over the next month and we should be good to get out this summer. Do you rate Rockvale? Resaonable prices? Its so hard to find anyone locally who has a clue about the 8's.Im taking mine to West Yorkshire on Monday as I have been recommended to someone who knows the Csi intimately but it would be handy to have someone nearer for the future. |
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issus
Region Chair Joined: 02 Jun 2010 Location: Northants Status: Offline Points: 1337 |
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Greetings HMG66
Autobarn Northampton have restored and sold E31's mostly 840's. Certainly the owner knows his way around the 8 Series. Have you contacted Steve Hamblyn 8 Series Chairman - its in the March Mag page 71 as pretty sure he can help. |
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E46 320d Sport Myst Blue 054 reg - probably the best BMW ever
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