How much work is an 8-series?

[Jeeves1991M5]

Hey guys (and girls )

Been looking around lately for a new bimmer, as i sold the last one before i went to school. Well, the 8-series has kinda struck a chord with me and i'm pretty interested.

My question to all of ya is, how much work are they to maintain and keep? Any more than a regular BMW or M? Any less? And how much is it gonna put me back when i hafta take it into the shop... any more?

Thanks a lot guys, keep drivin (or doin' whatever else you do, lol )

[E31]

A few points......

The ones you may find now already have had the major things that go bad to it fixed. They usually include the intake manifold gasket, DK motors cleaning, fuel lines in the engine bay need changing and shocks or bushings.

I have done all of the above in my own time and saved lots of $$. The nice thing is that you can do it yourself. Especially if you need to do the intake manifold gasket deal, you do the fuel lines and other little things so that you don't have to remove everything down the line to do something stupid. It is a great car. I am the first owner still since 91 with 117K miles.

The parts is what may get you. I know certain people that give great discounts on 8 parts and are 8 friendly. If you do get one, let me know and I will give you the #'s.

For more info on the 8 series, go to www.roadfly.org and link to the 8 series board. That is the most advanced and knowledgeable group for the 8 that there is.

[LordGop]

Might take you some trips to dealer/(or local place you like) But I think if you can get your hands ok a nice one its a wonderful looking car. Prob. not going to be your daily driver....if you can get a cheaper car or another bmw if you can like E31 seems to have a small collection going =), very very nice 8 E31.

[PrinceE30]

I had always dreams of going the 850 route, but the more I think about it, the 840 is the way to go. You've got an engine that is way more friendly towards parts (OEM and aftermarket). Sure, you don't have the v12, but just the car alone is the excitement of it all. An 8. The top of the line BMW (ever, short of an McL F1).

Good luck with your search!

-Prince

[big_sur]

840=v8=nikasil=

[Jeeves1991M5]

Originally posted by big_sur
840=v8=nikasil=

Okay, if that made any sense to me i'd totaly agree

[djstattic]

the engine was made with nikail and when gas reacts with it, it leaves deposits and in the long run, ruins your engine...

[Jeeves1991M5]

oh... okay... is it the same with the V12?

[zcghost]

I read somewhere that the V12 versions have a lot of electronic gadgetry that could go wrong. Dual drive-by-wire throttles, transmission, all that shtick. But man oh man, that motor, so smooth, so much power....

[PrinceE30]

Originally posted by djstattic
the engine was made with nikail and when gas reacts with it, it leaves deposits and in the long run, ruins your engine...

Many of them had the engine replaced with the proper Alusil blocks (under warranty). It's just something you have to research on a car.

Else just engine swap a 4.4L V8

-Prince

[E31]

No prob with the mechanics on the V-12, it will run for ever like the I-6. You could get into trouble with the DK motors (throttle bodies), but it is rare. Some wires may deteriorate, but that is common on ALL cars, especially domestic cars. The fear of owning the 850 is just that, people get scared off for those myths. I use mine as a daily driver and is perfect still. Ofcourse that after 110K miles, stuff does need to be replaced as a preventative measure, but then again, what car doesn't have problems at some time?

[LordGop]

Originally posted by E31
No prob with the mechanics on the V-12, it will run for ever like the I-6. You could get into trouble with the DK motors (throttle bodies), but it is rare. Some wires may deteriorate, but that is common on ALL cars, especially domestic cars. The fear of owning the 850 is just that, people get scared off for those myths. I use mine as a daily driver and is perfect still. Ofcourse that after 110K miles, stuff does need to be replaced as a preventative measure, but then again, what car doesn't have problems at some time?

Wow thats one nice daily driver hehe, I use a jetta over the M3(as a daily driver, cheap gas saving 4 banger)...I hope work or what ever isn't too far from your house your car looks to be in perfect cond. You keep it very well, and it is very very nice. Congrats on owning one. Ever thing about the 2000 Audi A6 wagon (silver-Italy) as the daily?

[E31]

I am in Italy right now and yes, it is a daily driver as well, but it is a stupid diesel. It has all the possible racing this and that, but a shitty diesel engine. My dad just bought himself a Porsche Carrera 4S here as well. I am ordering an M5 here for myself as soon as they tell me when the hell they are due in.

As for my 8, I was it religiously every friday afternoon or sat morning, according to the weather. You should see the inside, just as clean, even the engine bay. If you just put in that little bit of time every week and don't let it pile up, the car will be fine for time to come. It all depends on how you drive the car. Where I worked was 1 hr away from my house, about 60 miles away. I would fill up every 3 days at $25-32 a pop. Not bad considering it's an OBDI car and has 13 years.