Used BMW 8 Series review: 1990-2000

Today GT badges are slapped on anything with alloy wheels but there was a time when it was reserved for great sports touring coupes like BMW 8-Series. The GT, for ‘Grand Touring’, badge began to appear on European cars in the 1950s. Enzo Ferrari applied it to his great sports cars, so did Maserati, Aston Martin and a number of other makers of high performance coupes.

As the name suggests it was to describe high performance sporting coupes with the comfort and appointments to make a long distance high-speed jaunt across Europe a breeze.

The badge was somewhat compromised in the 1960s when the Americans started using it to market the muscle cars they were building.

John Delorean was the first to use it, on the Pontiac GTO, then Ford picked it up and from there it spread like wildfire. Now it’s used on pretty much anything and the badge has become a mere marketing man’s tool.

Thankfully there are still some manufacturers building GTs in the true spirit of the badge.

It didn’t carry GT badges, but the BMW 8-Series was a Grand Tourer in every sense. It was a classically designed, high-speed coupe with all the comforts needed to make a long cross-continent drive preferable to flying.

MODEL WATCH

There was much discussion about the merits of the BMW 850i when it was launched in 1990.

Like all exotic cars it was expected to rattle your perceptions of performance, but it was a disappointment to some who felt it just didn’t ring their bells.

It wasn’t so much that its performance wasn’t awesome; it was more a reflection of our changing expectations. The 850i would comfortably do 250 km/h, but it did it with such ease that it simply didn’t seem that fast.

But that’s what a real GT is all about, effortless performance. Typically they’re not snarling, snorting hard-riding beasts that loosen your gold fillings and leave kinks in your spine, they’re smooth riding, smooth driving cars that do everything with a minimum of fuss.

The 8-Series looks great from every angle, although its sublimely elegant Teutonic lines are more reserved than you might expect from one of the Italian carmakers. Its proportions are perfect with a long sleek nose and short stubby rump joined by aerodynamically efficient, flowing lines.

It looked just as good when it left the market in 2000 as it did 10 years earlier when it was launched. It’s just as eye-catching today.

BMW talked about it being a four-seater, but it wasn’t really, unless the unfortunate souls in the back were midgets. In reality, like most GTs, it was a two-plus-two at best.

At launch it was powered by the same 5.0-litre single overhead camshaft V12 as was fitted to its 7-Series four-door cousin. At its peak it developed 220 kW at 5200 revs and 450 Nm at 4100 revs.

BMW bolted a six-speed manual gearbox to the back of the V12, but most were equipped with a four-speed auto.

While it had plenty of power the 8-Series was no lightweight at 1790 kg, which dulled the coupe’s acceleration somewhat and contributed to its image of being slow off the mark.

Independent suspension all round ensured it stayed glued to the road, while traction control and powerful ABS-assisted four-wheel disc brakes helped keep everything on track.

The 850i was updated in 1993 and became the 850Ci, and was joined by the V8-powered 840Ci.

The double overhead camshaft 4.0-litre V8 brought with it 210 kW at 5700 revs and 400 Nm at 4500 revs.

An updated model arrived in 1996 with some cosmetic changes, but the most significant change was a new 32-valve, 4.4-litre V8 and five-speed Steptronic auto transmission.

The new V8 delivered the same peak power as its predecessor, 210 kW at 5700 revs, but its peak torque, now 420 Nm, was delivered at just 3900 revs, which gave it more punch at low and medium speeds.

It not only accelerated quickly, it would do 0-100 km/h in 7.3 seconds, it boasted much more passing performance.

The Steptronic transmission allowed the driver to shift manually when they wanted a more sporting drive.

IN THE SHOP

8-Series expert Theo Hoffs says it’s buyer beware with the elegant BMW sports coupe.

There are lots of cars out there that have been neglected over the years and are showing the signs of it now they’re getting up in kays.

The 8-Series can be an expensive car to own if things go wrong, and they are more likely to go wrong if they haven’t been well maintained. So check for a service record, and follow up with the service agent if you can to get a more comprehensive picture of the car’s history.

BMW parts are very expensive, but Hoffs has become something of an expert at sourcing cheaper aftermarket parts and has been able to contain the costs of the repairs he’s done on his car.

The V12 and the V8 are pretty robust and reliable if they’ve had regular oil and filter changes; again the service record is important.

The vast majority of the 299 cars that came here were equipped with the ZF automatic gearboxes, which are generally bulletproof and give little trouble.

There are numerous computers in the 8-Series, all of which can give trouble, but are generally no less reliable than any modern car driven by electronics.

Plastics are prone to damage, and can be expensive to repair or replace. The front indicator lights are well known for breaking, and are expensive items if you replace them with the original factory parts.

IN A CRASH

Driver’s airbags were standard across the range from the start; a passenger’s airbag was added in 1994 to make a reasonable secondary safety package for a car of the era.

But it’s the 8-Series’ primary safety that is its best weapon in an emergency situation. Competent braking, handling and steering response give a skilled driver a chance of getting out of trouble.

OWNERS SAY

Theo Hoffs fell for the 8-Series’ seductive looks the first time he saw one back in 1990, and immediately determined he would one day owned one when he could afford it. He eventually bought a rather neglected 1994 840Ci and has since totally rebuilt it, becoming something of an expert on the 8-Series along the way. While he loved the look of the 8-Series its performance and handling were a letdown and he’s modified his to improve it in both areas. He’s boosted the engine’s output with an aftermarket computer chip and a more free-flowing exhaust system. He’s also lowered the suspension, fitted Bilstein shocks to the front, and larger sway bars front and rear, which he says has transformed the handling of the car.

AT THE PUMP

Fuel consumption probably isn’t of the highest priority for buyers of the 8-Series, but the 840 should average around 14.0-15.0 L/100 km, while the V12 850 would do 15.0-17.0 L/100 km.

LOOK FOR

• eye-popping looks

• awesome high-speed cruising performance

• great road holding

• smooth engines

• limited rear seat room

• expensive parts

THE BOTTOM LINE

• A great looking, classic front-engined GT with awesome and effortless performance.

RATING

85/100