Pick of the Day: 1993 BMW 850ci

There have been only a handful of vehicles over the years powered by a 12-cylinder engine. Add that unique powerplant to a long list of luxurious features like an onboard computer, a car phone, memory power-adjustable seating, a power sunroof, and a six-disc CD changer, and you get the BMW 8-Series – a car that set new standards in grand-touring luxury when it launched over 30 years ago.

The Pick of the Day is a low-mileage 1993 BMW 850Ci listed or sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Greenacres, Florida. (Click the link to view the listing)

“It was one of the most forward-looking and technologically-advanced cars of the 1990s and is a very rare sight on the road today. A limited number of these cars were built in Germany and only a small batch imported to the United States,” the listing states. “The 8-Series BMW is a unique model; it’s considered to be one of the first German super cars of its era with many new innovations.”

Showing just 25,125 miles on the odometer, this 30-year-old Alpine White E31 appears fresh and highly original. The E31-chassis 8-Series first launched in 1990 as a grand-touring luxury coupe. It was targeted at the affluent, with a starting price in the $70,000 range. Design characteristics included period-correct pop-up headlights, color-keyed sideview mirrors, and a dual exhaust system. The only exterior upgrade on today’s car was the installation of a set of 18-inch “M-Parallel” wheels on staggered Kumho tires in place of the original 16-inch wheels. The seller is including the original wheels with the sale.

On the interior, the 2+2 seating arrangement is upholstered in tan leather contrasted by a black steering wheel. The cabin materials appear to be in good condition as one would expect from a low-mileage car.

Now about that special “M70B50” motor: The 5.0-liter V12 produces 295-horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque. A ZF four-speed automatic transmission sends power to the rear wheels (a six-speed manual transmission was also available).  “The car runs and drives smoothly,” the listing states. A full inspection was reportedly carried out by a BMW dealership in 2021. “This is a true gem and a collector’s dream car; it literally draws a crowd wherever it goes,” the listing concludes.

The asking price is $32,000 or best offer for this low-mileage 8-Series. To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.