BMW 8 Series: history, nicknames and how to spot one

At a glance

282–617 hpPower

3.2–6.8 s0–100 km/h

249.4–323.5 km/hTop speed

400–800 N·mTorque

1,790–2,130 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.^{1,6,8,10,11,12,13}

Engine: E31: 4.0–4.4 L V8, 5.0–5.7 L V12; modern: 3.0 L turbo I6, 4.4 L twin-turbo V8^7,8
Layout: Front engine; E31 rear drive; modern rear drive or AWD^1,8
Gearbox: E31: 4/5-speed auto or 6-speed manual; modern: 8-speed auto^7,8
Built at: Dingolfing, Germany; E31: Rosslyn, South Africa; modern: Bangkok, Thailand^1,4
Units built: E31: 30,621; 850CSi: 1,510^6,7

The story

BMW pushed the E31 above the 6 Series with a 0.29 drag coefficient and the first V12/six-speed manual pairing in a road car. Poor sales ended it in 1999; the name returned in 2018.^1,4

GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones^4,5,6,8,21

Show the numbers

Year	What happened
1976–1989	BMW 6 Series (E24)
1989–1999	BMW 8 Series (E31)
From 2003	BMW 6 Series Coupe (E63)
2011–2018	BMW 6 Series (F06/F12/F13)
2018–2026	BMW 8 Series (G14/G15/G16)
1986	Engineering begins on the E31
1989	850i debuts at Frankfurt
1992	850CSi: V12, six-speed, no automatic
1999	E31 ends after 30,621 cars
2018	8 Series returns at Le Mans
2019	M850i: 3.3 seconds to 60 mph
2020	M8 Competition: 3.3 seconds to 60 mph
2022	Illuminated grille, 12.3-inch screen
2026	8 Series leaves production

1986
Engineering begins on the E31
BMW began engineering and pre-production tests for the E31, a project that consumed the equivalent of $900 million.⁵
1989
850i debuts at Frankfurt
The 850i paired a pillarless wedge and pop-up headlights with BMW's debuting five-link integral rear axle.⁶
1992
850CSi: V12, six-speed, no automatic
BMW M's 850CSi arrived with a 5.6-liter V12 and a six-speed manual as its only gearbox; just 1,510 were built.⁷
1999
E31 ends after 30,621 cars
Poor sales closed the original chapter; more than two thirds of all first-generation coupes had V12 power.^4,6
2018
8 Series returns at Le Mans
After nearly two decades away, the name returned at the 24 Hours of Le Mans on June 15.⁸
2019
M850i: 3.3 seconds to 60 mph
Instrumented testing put the 523-hp M850i xDrive coupe at 3.3 seconds to 60 mph and 11.5 seconds through the quarter-mile.⁹
2020
M8 Competition: 3.3 seconds to 60 mph
The 617-hp coupe ran an 11.4-second quarter-mile and offered a choice of all-wheel drive or rear drive.³
2022
Illuminated grille, 12.3-inch screen
The refresh for the 2023 model year added a glowing kidney grille and expanded the center display from 10.25 to 12.3 inches.¹⁰
2026
8 Series leaves production
After M8 production ended in 2025, the regular 8 Series left production at the end of April 2026.⁸

Every generation

E241976–1989
E311989–1999
E63From 2003
F06/F12/F132011–2018
G14/G15/G162018–2026

Power over the years

From 296 hp to 617 hp in 30 years.

^{1,2,3,7,8,9,10,11,14}

Show the numbers

Year	Horsepower	Model
1990	296	1990–94 850i/850Ci: M70 5.0 L
1992	375	1992–96 850CSi: S70 5.6 L
1993	282	1993–96 840Ci: M60 4.0 L
1994	322	1994–99 850Ci: M73 5.4 L, 5-speed auto
1995	282	1995–99 840Ci: M62 4.4 L
2019	335	840i: B58 3.0 L turbo six
2019	523	2019 M850i xDrive
2020	335	840d xDrive: 48-volt update
2020	600	M8 Gran Coupe
2020	617	M8 Competition Coupe
2021	612	Alpina B8 Gran Coupe

Versions

11 versions worth knowing, with their power.

Standard

E31 840Ci / 850i / 850Ci

1989–1999
Standard

840i / 840d xDrive / M850i xDrive
Performance

M8 / M8 Competition

2020–2025
Performance

Alpina B8 Gran Coupe

2021–2026

612 hp
Performance

850CSi

1992–1996

375 hp

1,510 built
Special

Golden Thunder Edition

2020
Limited

M850i Edition M Heritage

2026

523 hp
Limited

M850i Coupe / M8 Gran Coupe First Editions
Limited

THE 8 X JEFF KOONS

2022
Performance

Alpina B12 5.0 / 5.7 Coupe

1990–1996
Limited

M8 Competition The Final Edition - 1 of 8

2024

616 hp

How to spot one

Look for

E31: a wedge-shaped nose, pop-up headlights and tiny kidney grilles.^6,16
E31: pillarless side windows; both front and rear side glass can lower completely.^6,16
The modern coupe has very slim LED headlights and rear lamps extending deep into the flanks.¹²
Modern body codes: G15 coupe, G14 cloth-roof convertible and G16 four-door Gran Coupe.⁸
Launch-era 840d xDrive and M850i xDrive coupes have trapezoid exhaust outlets.¹²

Year by year

1993 (E31)
The regular V12 changes its badge from 850i to 850Ci; that badge alone does not identify which engine is inside.¹
1998–1999 (E31)
No-cost Individual options encourage unusual paint and contrasting interiors on late cars.¹⁶
2022 model year (US)
The 840i and 840i xDrive receive the M Sport Package as standard, bringing the sportier exterior treatment to entry models.¹⁰
2023 model year (US)
The facelift adds an illuminated kidney grille; inside, the central screen grows from 10.25 to 12.3 inches.¹⁰
2023 M850i (US)
M8-style mirrors and an M grille badge arrive; anniversary Motorsport emblems appear on the hood, trunk and wheel hubs.¹⁰

Don’t confuse it with

BMW 6 Series (F13)
The modern 8 Series coupe is slightly smaller than the 650i it replaced; exceptionally slim LED headlights provide another cue.^9,12,21

Against its rivals

8 Series vs Porsche 928GTS

0–97 km/h lower is better

8 Series5.3 s

Porsche 928GTS5.3 s
²²
8 Series vs Corvette Z51 (C8)

Figure-eight lap lower is better

8 Series23.3 s

Corvette Z51 (C8)23.3 s
³

Prices

Value today $18.0K–$58.0K^27,28

Price when newAuction saleValue today

^{5,11,13,27,28,29,31,32,33,34,35,36,37,38}

Show the numbers

Year	Price	Amount	Detail
2020	Price when new	$130,000	US M8 Gran Coupe, excl. dest.
2020	Price when new	$143,000	US M8 GC Competition, excl. dest.
2026	Price when new	$130,400	US M850i M Heritage, excl. dest.
2019	Auction sale	$130,000	1994 850CSi (approximate USD result), Paris
2022	Auction sale	$218,400	1993 850CSi, under 36,000 miles, Amelia Island
2025	Auction sale	$106,000	2024 M8 Competition coupe, 1,700 miles, BaT
2025	Auction sale	$25,750	1997 850Ci, 69k miles, BaT
2026	Auction sale	$18,000	1991 850i automatic, 67k km, BaT
2026	Auction sale	$58,000	2022 M850i xDrive Coupe, 10k miles, BaT
2026	Auction sale	$69,000	2023 M850i xDrive Convertible, 9k miles, BaT
2026	Auction sale	$24,100	1995 840Ci, AC Schnitzer kit, 170k km, BaT
2026	Auction sale	$31,000	1991 850i, 34k miles, BaT
2026	Auction sale	$42,500	2019 M850i xDrive Coupe, 35k miles, BaT
2026	Auction sale	$115,000	1995 850CSi six-speed, 56k miles, BaT
2026	Value today	$18,000–$58,000

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

Versions
- Why each of the 11 versions matters
Legend
- 12 stories from its legend
- “Two Daytona wins, one lap led in 2019”
- “All three 2020 endurance crowns”
Generations
- The story of each of the 5 generations
Market
- 6 things to check before buying one
- Where prices are heading, and why

Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 38 sources

BMW 8 Series (E31) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
BMW E31 8-Series: Buyer's Guide - Common Issues, Problems, Fixes roadandtrack.com
2020 BMW M8 Competition Coupe First Test Review motortrend.com
BMW 8 Series - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
BMW 8 Series: History, Models, Differences motortrend.com
Timelessly alluring: 25 years of the BMW 8 Series. press.bmwgroup.com
www.e31.net e31.de
BMW 8 Series (G15) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
2019 BMW M850i xDrive Coupe Resurrects Bavarian Grand Touring caranddriver.com
The New 2023 8 Series Coupe, Convertible, and Gran Coupe. press.bmwgroup.com
The new 2020 BMW M8 Gran Coupe and M8 Gran Coupe Competition press.bmwgroup.com
The all-new BMW 8 Series Coupe. press.bmwgroup.com
The 2026 BMW M850i Edition M Heritage. press.bmwgroup.com
BMW model revision measures as of autumn 2020. press.bmwgroup.com
BMW 840d xDrive Convertible review – stylish drop-top majors on GT refinement rather than back-road thrills | evo evo.co.uk
Timm's BMW E31 8-Series Buying Guide meeknet.co.uk
Dynamic extravagance: the BMW 8 Series Golden Thunder Edition. press.bmwgroup.com
Exclusive position in the front row of the grid: The BMW M850i xDrive Coupe First Edition. press.bmwgroup.com
BMW and Jeff Koons Present THE 8 X JEFF KOONS, a Limited Edition BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe Customized by the Legendary American Artist. press.bmwgroup.com
限定車BMW M8 Competition M xDrive Coupe/Cabriolet/Gran Coupe The Final Edition - 1 of 8を発表 press.bmwgroup.com
BMW 6 Series (F12) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
1994 BMW 850CSi Tested: Bulking Up caranddriver.com
Interview with BMW Motorsport designer Michael Scully on the new M8 GTE - Car Body Design carbodydesign.com
BMW Team RLL wins Daytona thriller: Second GTLM consecutive triumph for the BMW M8 GTE at the IMSA season-opener. press.bmwgroup.com
12 Hours Sebring: Title win in the Michelin Endurance Cup and runner-up positions in the GTLM championships for BMW Team RLL. press.bmwgroup.com
Get Your Creativity Racing with EventLab 2.0 forza.net
67k-Kilometer 1991 BMW 850i for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $17,800 on October 14, 2026 (Lot #268,421) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
10k-Mile 2022 BMW M850i xDrive Coupe for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $58,000 on October 16, 2026 (Lot #268,769) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
1993 BMW 850CSi | Amelia Island 2022 | RM Sotheby's rmsothebys.com
Used BMW 8 Series (Mk1, 2018-2025) buyer’s guide: a GT with a hint of sports car | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
1994 BMW 850CSi | Paris 2019 | RM Sotheby's rmsothebys.com
2023 BMW M850i xDrive Convertible for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $69,000 on October 15, 2026 (Lot #268,619) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
1995 BMW 840Ci for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $24,100 on October 8, 2026 (Lot #267,252) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
34k-Mile, 29-Years-Owned 1991 BMW 850i for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $31,000 on September 24, 2026 (Lot #264,892) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
2019 BMW M850i xDrive Coupe for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $42,500 on September 18, 2026 (Lot #263,852) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
1995 BMW 850CSi 6-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $115,000 on February 28, 2026 (Lot #231,713) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
2024 BMW M8 Competition for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $106,000 on February 4, 2025 (Lot #179,228) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
No Reserve: One-Owner 1997 BMW 850Ci for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $25,750 on January 28, 2025 (Lot #178,491) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com

en.wikipedia.org
roadandtrack.com
motortrend.com
press.bmwgroup.com
e31.de
caranddriver.com
evo.co.uk
meeknet.co.uk
carbodydesign.com
forza.net
bringatrailer.com
rmsothebys.com
autoexpress.co.uk

At a glance

The story

Engineering begins on the E31

850i debuts at Frankfurt

850CSi: V12, six-speed, no automatic

E31 ends after 30,621 cars

8 Series returns at Le Mans

M850i: 3.3 seconds to 60 mph

M8 Competition: 3.3 seconds to 60 mph

Illuminated grille, 12.3-inch screen

8 Series leaves production

Every generation

Power over the years

Versions

E31 840Ci / 850i / 850Ci

840i / 840d xDrive / M850i xDrive

M8 / M8 Competition

Alpina B8 Gran Coupe

850CSi

Golden Thunder Edition

M850i Edition M Heritage

M850i Coupe / M8 Gran Coupe First Editions

THE 8 X JEFF KOONS

Alpina B12 5.0 / 5.7 Coupe

M8 Competition The Final Edition - 1 of 8

How to spot one

Look for

Year by year

Don’t confuse it with

BMW 6 Series (F13)

Against its rivals

Prices

The rest of the story is in the app

Versions

Legend

Generations

Market

Sources

Photo credits

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