1997 (R) BMW 840 Ci Sport Auto (e31)
4.4 Litre V8 Auto (286 bhp)
Oxford Green Metallic with full Silver Grey Nappa Leather
Overview
Here we have a slice of 90s Cool. It was designed to jostle with the big boys on the autobahn, crossing continents with ease but electronically limited to 155 mph. Low owners and only 74,000 miles thanks to spending most of its life on the Isle of Wight. It comes with a fully stamped service history (6 BMW main dealer until 61,000 then 2 Specialist). It has just been serviced by ourselves with Mobil 1 0w40 fully synthetic.
Specification Sheet
Click on the link here to download the specification sheet in .PDF format
For those in the know this is the one to have. Post 1997 updates, Sport Package, and the V8 increased to 4.4 litres. Up from 4.0. The lowered and more aggressive stance from M-Tech suspension and body kit, that V8 burble, and those glorious pop up headlamps rounding it all off. Inside its leather everywhere, including the sun visors, automatic climate control, cruise control, electric heated front seats and mirrors with memory, trip computer (no missing pixels) and an electric tilt/slide sunroof. New it would have cost in excess of £60,000. Now it’s appreciating in value and a perfect investment.
It comes with full service history, both keys, all original books and toolkit, original sales brochure and 8-series key ring. Even the fabled blue BMW tool cloth is there.
Ownership
First registered on 22nd August 1997. With three owners in the first 5 years, the ultra-low mileage is the result of the fact that it was transferred to its fourth on the Isle of Wight in 2002. It spent 13 years there. One of the previous keepers there had it from 2002 until 2014, some 12 years, used on his private plate ‘NJE 2’. Now it’s wearing its original R42 DVC. The previous owner acquired it in May 2014. Still on the Isle of White. Just over a year later it’s in our own private collection.
About
Presented in beautiful Oxford Green Metallic (324) paint (almost looks black at night) with contrasting, and unmarked, Silver Grey Nappa leather interior (M5SL), this is the final incarnation of the 8 Series with engine capacity raised from 4 litres to 4.4 litres using BMWs iconic M62 powerplant with 32 valves producing an effortless 286 bhp and a 300 ftlb wall of torque. This power unit is pre-VANOS, and has the advantage of completely avoiding all those noisy, and expensive, VANOS repairs afflicting later cars fitted with the system. Employing the same hydraulic cam followers as aero engines, it’s quiet and silky smooth. The gearbox improvement for these cars was from a 4 speed auto to the ZF5HP 5-speed unit which also has the ‘Steptronic’ function of being able to drive it like a sequential manual. It works wonderfully with the torque of the engine to produce seamless acceleration all the way to its electronically limited 155 mph top speed.
M-Tech Sports Equipment
This car has the factory ‘Sport’ package that was offered from the 1997 model year. Whilst no more powerful than the standard car, it does have the factory fitted M-tech aerodynamic package which compromises front and rear lower bumper sections, side skirts and mirrors. The stance is slightly more aggressive on lower M-tech suspension and the ‘Throwing Star’ alloys made famous by the M5 but comfort is not compromised. Finally an M-Tech Sport steering wheel rounds off the package.
Condition/Documentation
As you would expect of a vehicle with only 74,000 miles it’s in pretty good shape for having turned 18 years old. Alloys are unmarked with good tread depth. Paintwork is bright with only the keenest of eyes spotting any imperfections. The air conditioning is cold and all electrics have been checked thoroughly. The leather has been recently refreshed, and as you would expect is unmarked and tear free. Over mats have been fitted from new so the carpets beneath are as new. It drives and stops like new with no rattles or squeaks and the automatic box is a delight. The first aid kit is present, and unused, still in its cellophane wrapper. The comprehensive toolkit in the boot is complete including locking wheel nut, warning triangle, and the often elusive blue cloth. The two original document folders are intact, as is the original service book, fully stamped with 8 stamps (6 BMW mail dealer, 2 Independent) Old MOTs are present plus a VOSA printout of ‘warts and all’ MOT history as far back as 2006 at 58,000 miles as well as old receipts. 3 Keys are present including the often missing ‘Valet’ key which allows for driving the car but will NOT open the glove box. We’ve just inspected and serviced it, fixed the pixelated trip computer, refreshed the paintwork and interior. We’ve replaced the front upper control arms as a preventative measure just to avoid any problems in the future. The vehicle has had a full HPi check which came back clear.
Specification
Vin: WBAEF82030CC66742
Registration: R42 DVC
Make/Model: BMW 8 Series Coupe (e31) 840Ci Sport (Europe)
Ext. Colour: OXFORDGRUEN METALLIC (324)
Int. Colour: LEDER NAPPA/SILBERGRAU (M5SL)
Production Date: 23-07-97
Options
353 Anti-Glare Strip Front + Rear Window
401 Sliding/Vent Roof
423 Floor Mats in Velour
428 Warning Triangle
431 Interior Rear View Mirror with Automatic Anti Dazzle
459 Electric Seat Adjustment with Memory (also adjusts ext. mirrors)
481 Front Driver and Passenger Sports Seats
494 Front Driver and Passenger Seat Heating
528 Automatic Air Recirculation Control (AUC)
540 Cruise Control
669 Radio BMW Business RDS
676 HIFI Loudspeaker System
694 Preparation for CD Changer (BMW 6-disc CD boot changer fitted)
704 M Sport Suspension
710 M Leather Steering Wheel
715 M Aerodynamics Package
775 INDIVIDUAL Roof Lining in Anthracite
782 M Light Alloy Wheels System II
812 England Version
850 Add Fuel Tank Filling For Export
863 Europe/Dealer Directory
880 English On-board Documentation
216 Servotronic Speed Sensitive Steering
243 Front Passenger Airbag
806 3rd Stop light
853 English Language Version
Documented History
The information you see below is a summary taken from all the documentation supplied with the vehicle. We find it easier to list it in chronological order.
| Mileage | Date | Description | Notes |
| 0 | 23-07-97 | Built | |
| 4 | 19-08-97 | PDI
@ Godfrey Hall BMW |
|
| 17,424 | 08-06-99 | Service
@ HGL BMW |
Inspection I
Brake Fluid Micro Filter |
| 27,120 | 03-07-00 | Service
@ HGL BMW |
Oil Service |
| 45,842 | 10-06-02 | Service
@ SNOWS BMW IOW |
Oil Service
Micro Filter |
| 01-08-02 | Sold to
Mr Nicholas John Ellard Registration NJE 2 |
||
| 55,847 | 10-05-05 | Servive
@ SNOWS BMW IOW |
Inspection II
Micro Filter |
| 58,236 | 07-03-06 | MOT (PASS) | |
| 59,969 | 19-02-07 | MOT (FAIL) | Fail due fog lamp inoperative |
| 59,974 | 19-02-07 | MOT (PASS) | |
| 61,575 | 09-10-07 | Service
@ SNOWS BMW IOW |
Oil Service
Brake Fluid |
| 62,486 | 19-02-08 | MOT (PASS) | |
| 01-07-08 | Receipt £610 | Air Con Compressor and regass | |
| 23-08-08 | Receipt £836.21 | Transmission switch replaced | |
| 64,807 | 18-02-09 | MOT (PASS) | |
| 01-07-09 | Receipt £702 | 5x Tyres Replaced | |
| 65,539 | 23/02/10 | MOT (PASS) | |
| 66,508 | 21-02-11 | MOT (PASS) | |
| 67,505 | 19-01-12 | MOT (PASS) | |
| 68,213 | 09-01-13 | MOT (PASS) | |
| 68,591 | 10-01-14 | MOT (PASS) | |
| 68,665 | 28-03-14 | MOT (PASS) | |
| 68,665 | 06-05-14 | SOLD | Bought by
Mr Paul Watson (IOW) |
| 68,665 | 28-03-14 | Service
@Carisbrooke Garage |
Inspection I
Oil Service |
| 71,623 | 15-01-15 | MOT (PASS) | |
| 72,365 | 28-08-15 | Service @ Coolcarz | Oil service and inspection. |
