New ride: 1997 BMW 840ci

N Sperlo wrote:

Strike_Zero wrote: <==

Ha

Fixed lol

Dyintorace:

You have to remember, BMW supposedly packed ALL of their tech and know-how into the E31.

The rear suspension has active and passive steering. It turns and handles VERY well for it's size. Most of the components found on the E31 found it's way into later cars, especially the E38 (talk about a big car that can hustle).

I though about converting Mrs. Zero's 740 over to manual, but after driving, it works fine and sport mode is nice as well

I remember reading, when the 8 Series was introduced, that Giorgetto Giugiaro got the first one delivered to Italy. "I had to have it because it is such a beautiful thing."

The 8-series proof that very occasionally the Germans can make a good looking car.

Sweet score.

Nice! I would love to have one of them in the driveway next to the 740iL. And the autos in them, like in my E38, are excellent gearboxes, more than adequate for both cruising and sporty driving.

Great find! My g/f wants one in the worst way. If the wife doesn't like it drop me a note.

Strike_Zero wrote: Dyintorace: You have to remember, BMW supposedly packed ALL of their tech and know-how into the E31. The rear suspension has active and passive steering. It turns and handles VERY well for it's size. Most of the components found on the E31 found it's way into later cars, especially the E38 (talk about a big car that can hustle). I though about converting Mrs. Zero's 740 over to manual, but after driving, it works fine and sport mode is nice as well

Interesting. I didn't realize the rear suspension was that advanced. I have read that this car contained lots of details that trickled out to other models. One thing that attracted me to the car was the fact that it was the last model year. The engine and transmission, among other areas, improved significantly over the years. It will be a fun car to dig into. The hard part will be keeping it a surprise while trying to get it all sorted out!

Ian F wrote: Great find! My g/f wants one in the worst way. If the wife doesn't like it drop me a note.

Will do!

You know why, mister? 'Cause you drove a Hyundai to get here tonight, I drove an eighty thousand dollar BMW. That's my name.

It's lovely. Even with the OE wheels. 97 percent depreciation is awesome.

dyintorace wrote: The 840 drives much more like the big GT that it is and not at all like the sport sedans I'm used to. I'm guessing it would be fantastic on the Autobahn, doing 120 mph!

I was recently informed by someone who may have owned one very similar to that that the windows roll themselves up at 100mph.

Are all the cars in that shot yours?

Nice score - yay complex German grand tourers!

belteshazzar wrote: You know why, mister? 'Cause you drove a Hyundai to get here tonight, I drove an eighty thousand dollar BMW. *That's* my name.

Well played!
I did not want you to think the reference went un-noticed.

I think the stock wheels look great on that car.

Nice Find! I'm Jealous.

It's also a bucket list car for me, congratulations and post pics of the surprise reveal plz

I love the 8 series, also. Are these cars ripe for an LS conversion? With the manual trans?

gjz30075 wrote: I love the 8 series, also. Are these cars ripe for an LS conversion? With the manual trans?

In theory, yes, but the drivetrain usually isn't the problem with these cars, its everything else...

In reply to thatsnowinnebago:

Not even close! Pictures were snapped at my mechanic's shop. He's maintained this car for the past several years and is going to take care of the current issues for me. From there, it will be upholstery and other interior fun.

aussiesmg wrote: It's also a bucket list car for me, congratulations and post pics of the surprise reveal plz

It really is a neat car. I'm excited and will be sure to document the big surprise!

This is good car.

Nice score. I remember finding these quite attractive back when new, and I was a teenager.

I saw a black one just a day or so before this thread came up. I want to find one, but I have a feeling that one I could afford would be beyond me to keep up.

Gotta love the pillarless hard top. I can't think of one made since then.

dyintorace wrote: In reply to thatsnowinnebago: Not even close! Pictures were snapped at my mechanic's shop. He's maintained this car for the past several years and is going to take care of the current issues for me. From there, it will be upholstery and other interior fun.

Haha, fair enough. Looks like your mechanic works on some pretty cool stuff then.

MrJoshua wrote:

dyintorace wrote: The 840 drives much more like the big GT that it is and not at all like the sport sedans I'm used to. I'm guessing it would be fantastic on the Autobahn, doing 120 mph!

I was recently informed by someone who may have owned one very similar to that that the windows roll themselves up at 100mph.

If Hank told you that, it's because I told him, after Mickey told me.

thatsnowinnebago wrote:

dyintorace wrote: In reply to thatsnowinnebago: Not even close! Pictures were snapped at my mechanic's shop. He's maintained this car for the past several years and is going to take care of the current issues for me. From there, it will be upholstery and other interior fun.

Haha, fair enough. Looks like your mechanic works on some pretty cool stuff then.

He does usually have some interesting cars come through. Nice guy.

BAMF wrote: Gotta love the pillarless hard top. I can't think of one made since then.

I like that look too! The only other pillar-less hard top that springs to mind are the Mercedes CL cars.

It looks neat when the 8-series has both windows down: