Re: 8 Series (archive)

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I have had my 850CSi for a relatively short period of time (received it Jan. 20th). However I have gone over the car with a fine toothcomb and here are my opinions:

The 850 is by far the most enjoyable car I have ever owned. I have had RX/7�s, 318is (with sport suspension, super sticky tires, etc.), convertible 328i (still have�it�s my wife�s car), Infiniti Q45, and a turbo charged all-wheel-drive Eagle Talon. I tend to drive my cars hard (whether a sports car or not�you should hear my wife complain when we take the Q45 anywhere) and accept that I will have higher maintenance costs then say the grandpa who owns the same type of Q45. I have found that the maintenance costs of the 850 (looking at the maintenance history of my car along with my experience since I have owned the car) are NOT out of line. Swing by your local Lexus dealer. The cost for a 60K mile service on a LS/SC 400 is at least $1,200.00. My Q45 went in for a �standard� no big deal tune up and inspection � just under $1,000.00. I had my 318 in for a tune up and valve adjustment back in �94 and the cost was just under $800.00. Now I have 12 cylinders. The maintenance costs are not even close to 50% more than an 8-cylinder car. Granted there are some expensive components on this car, but keep in mine that the vast majority of the parts are common to all other BMW�s manufactured that year. This means that the DK motors are the same for the 750 (as is the entire engine block, intakes, cam, pistons, etc.), the OBC is the same as the 7-series, and the stereo is the same across all models. This means that the breakables are the same for the 8-Series as other BMW�s. You will have a considerably higher parts cost for items that are unique to the car due to the lack of numbers in the US. There were ~6,300 8-Series imported between �91 and 97 (includes 85x and 84x). The maintenance costs for an 8-Series should track close to a 7 series. I suspect the major difference would be the way we drive them. You don�t see all that many 7-Series pulling away from lights hard, or being challenged by all of the kids with modified-up anything�s on the freeway. The 8-Series was the test bed for all of the new technology for the early 90�s. As such, you may find some problems with the earlier production vehicles (mostly in the electronics which is not cheap to diagnose or repair). My car is a �94 and just has not had the �high� maintenance costs I hear people complain about. �High� is a relative term, and when I place my car next to other high-luxury models it fits right in, as it should. When I place value on the pleasure of driving my 850 as compared to other sport-luxury cars (SL500, SC400 etc.) the cost differential swings greatly in my favor! I almost purchased an SC400 a few years back and let me tell you I am very glad I did not. The SC400 is a great car, but it just does not have that great feeling at high speed as the 850.

I just took my car to Portland a few weeks ago (I live in the S.F. Bay Area). I was impressed with the fuel economy. On my way back I set the cruise control at 75 for at least 95% of the way. I made it back in 1-� tanks. My 318 on the same trip was 2+ tanks (albeit smaller tanks, but it has been my experience that tanks are set for ~300 miles, so proportionally I did better with the 850). The Q45 was about the same as the 318. On the way up I burned over three tanks, but I hit and held some VERY high speeds (over 150 when there was no one around). If I drive the car hard it steps right up to the challenge and seems to love it. If I drive the car like a civilized human being (which is hard with a car like the 850) it rewards me with relatively excellent fuel mileage.

I have used �limp home� mode once, but that was MY fault, not the cars. Let�s just say that it was a VERY nice-to-have. I would opt for a 6-speed 12 cylinder 850. I find myself shifting from 1st to 4th when pulling away from a light around town. When I do that, I don�t have to clutch again until I come to a complete stop. I have had the car down to the minimum idle RPM�s while still in 4th, hit the gas & pulled away with no trouble. Try that with some other cars. I have never owned a car that is as �drivable� across all spectrums of driving style.

Like the other guys have said on this board, you get what you pay for. If you want cheap maintenance don�t by any luxury car from any automobile manufacturer. If you want near 95% reliability where you just add gas & go between regularly scheduled service calls buy a Honda Accord.

My suggestion would be to purchase a �94 or newer 850Ci (Although I am pretty sure a 6-speed is not available for 850�s this new unless you opt for a CSi (add ~40-50K to the purchase price)). If you absolutely want a 6-speed non-CSi, you may have to go with an older model. I would pay more attention to maintenance history as opposed to mileage. Low mileage on an older car can lead to all sorts of other problems (e.g. seals & gaskets drying out, etc.). A high mileage car with clean maintenance can prove to be more reliable and a better value than a low mileage older car.

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