The first 8-series I remember seeing was an 850CSi. Sometime around 4th grade, I remember walking through the parking lot to Ivar’s, Seattle’s classic fish-n-chips restaurant, and stopping to see the long, low and wide coupe hiding in the corner of the parking lot. I knew BMW models by that point, with my best friend’s dad having the sweet E36 M3 sedan I’ve mentioned before, so the extended alphanumeric designation on the back of this car in Ivar’s parking lot confounded me. Why so many, and such high numbers? WHAT DOES IT MEAN?!
Well, what it means is an E31 8-series that is an M-car in everything but name, right down to the BMW Motorsports WBS-prefix on its VIN as opposed to the standard WBA-. The M Division breathed on the already-potent M70 V12, creating the S70 by bumping it from 5.0 to 5.6 liters among other things and increasing power from 300hp to a crushing-for-the-time 375hp. A new gearbox, suspension, brakes, and even rear-wheel steering on Euro models further differentiated this from any other 8-series. BMW produced just 1,510 total examples of the CSi and largely excluded US customers from enjoying it, with only 225 coming to the states. That slots it nicely between the M1 and the E28 M5 as the second-rarest M-car of all time, yet there are 3 solid examples on eBay currently!
The first has been listed here before, coming in custom-ordered Daytona Violet over white/violet leather. No color choice can diminish the badass shape shape of the E31 or the beastliness of the V12. Throw some Alpinas, my all-time favorite wheels, on it, and keep mileage to 29k, and you’ve got one hell of a BMW. It’d better be, with an seriously optimistic $65k Buy-it-Now price.
“Purple Haze” 1995 BMW 850CSi for sale on eBay
The second is a similarly well-kept example but has been driven twice as much, though 67k is still very low in my book. It’s less flashy in Alpineweiss and repurposed BMW Style 5 wheels, but no less potent. It seems like this seller might be basing his appraisal off Purple Haze, with a Buy-it-Now of $49k.
White 1994 BMW 850CSi for sale on eBay in CA
Our last example is for the supercar “bargain” hunters out there. Starting at a low $23k with a $31k B-I-N, you can get behind an M-tuned V12 for less than a new 3-series. Supercar bargain hunting has some scary pitfalls though, as the weak description and finger-covered photos allude to a much less careful and informed seller. Doubling the mileage of the other white example with 130k could make that V12 become less fun in a hurry. That said, the >$20k price difference could let you bring this one up to spec, with the first steps hopefully being removing the dreadful wheels and ignorant “M8” floor mats.
1994 BMW 850CSi for sale on eBay in WA
In the end, it’s crazy to think that this represents over 1/100th of the entire 850CSi population in the US. If I had my pick, I’d try to pick up the White example in California for something closer to $40-$45k. Whichever poison you pick, I’d guess you’re going to have a lot of fun driving as well as some nervousness waiting for the bill from the mechanic.
“Rare” if they run well. V12 BMW’s like V12 Mercedes are a Royal PITA to own. Especially out of warranty. Have a big check book? Then have a go.
Pretty is as pretty does.
I have never liked techno violet. Not on the E36 M3 and not on this 850Csi. Alpinweiss, OTOH, is my favorite of BMW’s color palette.