1996 BMW 840 Ci

This BMW 840 Ci is a clean example of the German brand’s mile-munching grand tourer. The E31 model debuted at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 1989, with improved performance compared to the 6 Series, and a wonderfully contemporary design. Under the bonnet sits a 4.4-litre V8 engine producing 282bhp, driven through a five-speed automatic transmission. The odometer currently indicates 73,670 miles from new.

First registered in April 1996, the vehicle has had eight previous registered keepers over 24 years, and has been in the vendor’s ownership for just over two years. It has been kept in a professional classic car storage facility under a cover when not in use, and has only been driven by him on dry weather days.

The 840 Ci’s bodywork remains in very good condition, with no evidence of uneven panel gaps or accident damage. While the vendor notes a small chip on the nearside of the front grill and a small blister near the rear wing, the silver paintwork presents smartly overall. The 17-inch alloy wheels are in very good order and the BMW centre caps are all present. Despite being nearly 25 years old, the styling of the 840 Ci still looks superb, with an effortlessly stylish pillarless design.

Inside, the driver is surrounded by a plush grey leather interior. There is some minor wear to the front bolsters from entering and exiting the vehicle, though the upholstery remains in excellent condition throughout. The dials, dashboard and driver controls are all in great shape, with no visible scrapes or scratches. The driver reports that everything works as it should, with no interior faults or warning lights.

The last service was undertaken in October 2018 at 73,491 miles, where the technicians at Dick Lovett BMW in Swindon changed the engine oil, spark plugs and filters, before fitting a new battery, fanbelt and rear tyres. The stamp in the book prior to this is at 61,028 miles in 2007, but the vendor assumes it was serviced during this 10-year interval and simply not stamped in the official record.

The most recent MOT test was on 7 July 2020, which resulted in a pass with one advisory to monitor a worn front brake disc. It initially failed two weeks earlier due to worn windscreen wipers and an inoperative headlamp levelling device, but these issues were subsequently rectified. The car sits on Toyo Proxes to the front, and Falken tyres to the rear. The vendor notes the rears have only covered around 200 miles, and the tyres present well on all four corners.  

Accompanying the vehicle are the original 8 Series handbook, service book and BMW literature, in the original leather folder. The tool kit remains stored under the boot lid flap, and a pristine spare wheel is under the boot floor.

This BMW 840 Ci is a very smart example of a powerful and refined 1990s grand tourer, presented in an elegant specification, with relatively low mileage and a particularly well-preserved interior. With its smooth 4.4-litre V8 and automatic gearbox, this 8 Series makes a fantastic car for long-distance road trips, and is described by the current owner as a head-turning modern classic.

All UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Collecting Cars are run through an online HPI check. This vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and has no finance owing.