1997 BMW 840CI E31 74K Miles Silver Automatic Great Shape Super Car

I am pleased to offer this 1997 BMW 840CI. Finished in it’s original silver metallic with silver/gray leather interior. 1997 was the last year of the production run of these BMW supercars making this car very desireable. VIN # is WBAEF8320VCC31468. Mileage is 74,XXX +/-.

Original options included:

– Automatic trans.
– 17 inch run flat alloy wheels (updated to 18 M style wheels)

Owner recently replaced 2 new oversized batteries and replaced catalytic converters.

Car was serviced in June 2012 to include:

– Inspection II service – (oil and filter service, air filter, cabin filter, spark plugs, flush cooling and brake systems, lubricate chassis etc.
– Replace front brake pads and sensors
– Replace rear pads, sensors and rotors
– Replace left/right lower control arms and bushings
– Replace left/right bank valve cover gaskets
– Replace left/right catalytic converters
– Install new 18 ” M Sport (factory) wheels

Since 2012, the car has only been used sparingly but has been maintained. Fluid changed, battery tender etc.

Car is in excellent condition with everything working as designed. The car has been a joy to own and drive. No disappointments here.

The BMW 8 Series (chassis code: E31) is a V8 or V12-engined 2-door 2+2 coupe built by BMW from 1989 to 1999. While it did supplant the original E24 based 6 Series in 1991, a common misconception is that the 8 Series was developed as a successor. However, it was actually an entirely new class aimed at a different market, with a substantially higher price and better performance than the 6 series. It was BMW’s flagship car and had an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph (250 km/h).

Design of the 8 Series began in 1986, with construction starting in the same year. The 8 Series debuted at the Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA) in early September 1989. The 8 Series was designed to move beyond the market of the original 6 Series. The 8 Series however had substantially improved performance, as well as a far higher purchase price.

Over 1.5 billion Deutschemark was spent on total development (2008 USD nearly $1 billion). BMW used CAD tools, still unusual at the time, to design the car’s all-new body. Combined with wind tunnel testing, the resulting car had a drag coefficient of 0.29, a major improvement from the previous BMW M6/635CSi’s 0.39.

The 8 Series supercar offered the first V-12 engine mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox on a road car. It was also one of the first vehicles to be fitted with an electronic “fly-by-wire” throttle. The 8 Series was one of BMW’s first cars, together with the Z1, to use a multi-link rear axle.

While CAD modeling allowed the car’s unibody to be 8 lb (3 kg) lighter than that of its predecessor, the car was significantly heavier when completed due to the large engine and added luxury items—a source of criticism from those who wanted BMW to concentrate on the driving experience. Some of the car’s weight may have been due to its pillarless “hardtop” body style, which lacked a “B” post. This body style, originating in the United States in the late 1940s, was abandoned by Detroit in the late 1970s.

Sales of the 8 Series were affected by the global recession of the early 1990s, the Persian Gulf War, and energy price spikes. BMW pulled the 8 Series out of the North American market in 1997, selling only 7,232 cars over seven years. BMW continued production for Europe until 1999. The ultimate worldwide production total was 31,062. The base price for an entry-level 8 series in the early 1990s started in the US $70,000 range; $115,000 in 2012 dollars.

Having happily put 180 k miles on my 93 535i, I was looking for a distinctive replacement. When my daughter mentioned that the BMW 8 series was her all time favorite car; my decision was made, with the idea of passing the car onto her (she’s currently in a college that does not allow cars on campus). A year’s net research yielded a 1997 840ci with 55 k miles, purchased from a car designer, and I felt like a lotto winner getting the last model year with such low mileage.

The 8 series was perhaps the most technologically advanced production car when it was introduced. It’s a true GT car originally designed for comfortable, very stable and high speed travel across Europe, which makes it a good match to the freeways of Southern California. It was a grand gesture and the last major new car by Claus Luthe, BMW’s greatest car designer. He wanted to build a car with top end performance similar to high end Porsches and Italian exotics, but with traditional BMW handling, comfort, sophistication and build quality. He succeeded, producing a barely subsonic 300 kph/186 mph top speed, with traditional BMW virtues. Here’s what I’ve learned through a year driving the car:

Looks – The car has a complex, streamlined, air-tunnel derived shape that is flowing, elegant, and distinctive. The car’s looks and character are defined however by the long, low, slightly predacious front end derived from the legendary BMW Motorsport/Lamborghini designed M1 of the 1970’s. A little of the Lambo brutality lurks under the suave BMW surface here. The contrast between the elegant lines and aggressive front end move the car from handsome to striking in appearance. Designers say the front end defines the car’s personality and I think the 8 series front end is the most distinctive and beautiful of any BMW introduced in North America. It’s always a pleasure to see it anew.

Exclusivity – The 8 series is very rare, with only about 6000 in North America, less than a year’s Porsche 911 American sales. Even in Los Angeles I go months between 8 series sitings. It is much less common than a Maserati, Bentley, or Ferrari. It is a non-ostentatious super car versus these others. It gets admiring double takes, but doesn’t come across as pretentious. Most drivers don’t recognize it as a BMW until they see the logo; and know it’s top of the line because of the 8 series designation. Many people never knew an 8 series was offered and ask if it is a new car; which speaks well to its timeless looks.

Performance – This is a big, wide car designed for high speed stability, with a relatively wide turning radius, all of which works well on highways, but it is not as nimble as smaller BMW’s on city streets. Adhesion and lack of roll in turns is striking. It has a suspension that can be adjusted for sporty handling.

Acceleration is not blinding off the line, but if you’re old enough to be interested in this car you shouldn’t be trying to lay rubber anyway. From 40 to up over 100 mph the acceleration can push you back into your seat. It’s the only car I’ve driven which seems to hunker down and become more stable as speed increases.

The interior is lushly finished even by BMW standards, very quiet with large, comfortable seats and every amenity you would expect in a car costing $100K new. The lack of a b pillar makes the car almost like a convertible with the sunroof and windows open.

Purists may differ, but I think the 840 4.4 8 cylinder engine offered the last 18 months of US sales is more practical than the sexier 12 cylinder power plant with which the 8 series was introduced. The 8 cylinder offers almost identical performance, slightly better handling because of a lighter front end, and the immense advantage that it was used in other BMW’s (5 and 7 series) so parts are plentiful and mechanics know how to work on it. Ditto the auto/manual transmission and adjustable suspension that were offered the last several years of the model run.

Build quality and reliability are what you would expect from a flagship BMW model; standard repairs are reasonable in price. The later models include a 100K miles no service engine. Moreover, in a ten year old car, the reliability and repair costs are far superior to a comparably rare Bentley, Ferrari, or Maserati.

* A great car for a bargain price

* ’97 with the 4.4 liter motor – more desirable than the 4.0 liter

* Well maintained – a blast to drive

I have not personally inspected or photographed this vehicle. I am relying on the pictures and descriptions provided by the seller. According to the owner, this car is in excellent condition and needs nothing. I have sold numerous cars and motorcycles for this seller. He is a very reliable and astute owner and collector.

I invite and encourage any interested party to inspect this car in the Tinton Falls, NJ area. It is truly a thrill ride.

*If you own a special interest, exotic or high end automobile or motorcycle that you need to sell, consider having me represent you. Take the hassle out of selling your vehicle and give it to me. Click on the ME and follow the link to my website*

I am a Trading Assistant – I can sell items for you!

**If you are considering this car and worried that it will be swiped up by another admiring Ebayer, use the Buy it Now so that you can sleep comfortably at night knowing that the car is yours.
Please note that if you hit the Buy it Now by mistake (as has happened in the past), you will be charged a $75 re-listing fee. Bid carefully.

Take advantage of proxy bidding:
Don’t loose the vehicle at the last minute! There have been many people who have lost bids in the past because they were not familiar with proxy bidding. When you bid, bid the maximum amount that you are willing to spend on the vehicle. Each time someone bids higher than your last bid, eBay will automatically increment your bid by the minimum bid amount until it reaches your maximum. Don’t get stuck loosing a good deal!

Testimonials – Bid with Confidence

Read what a buyer has to say about the quality of my service after he purchased a great 1988 Lotus Esprit S4 Turbo “AAA+++, This is the way Ebay is supposed to work. Everybody is happy!!! Thanks.”

Read what a buyer has to say about the quality of my service after he purchased a beautiful 1970 Mercedes 280SL. “My acquisition of a vehicle with Ron conducting the transaction went without a single problem. The description of the car was complete, informative and quite accurate. There were no surprises. All my questions and concerns were promptly addressed. His attention to details continued beyond the actual sale until the car was safely in my garage. As a new buyer I had only a positive experience and recommend him to the eBay community without reservation.”

Read what another buyer had to say when he received his 1958 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham. “Car better than expected, Ron is prompt, friendly and honest, Highly Recommend!!”

Read what another person who purchased an ’88 Mercedes 560SL had to say “Thanks, Ron, for your prompt, courteous and honest service. I’ve been looking for the right ’88-’89 MB 560SL for the past three years – you found it for me! I couldn’t be more pleased with the responsive, highly professional manner in which you handled my special needs. I’ll buy from you again”.

• Phone [630 567-0066]
• Fax [703 858-0056]

Copyright 1999-2017 RonSusser. All Rights Reserved. All other trademarks, names, and anything else implied in this document are owned and protected by their respective owners.