Was the BMW 850CSI the Best BMW of the 1990s?

Even when driven in terrible conditions The BMW 850CSi’s powerplant, suspension and brakes perform like a champ. Is it like driving a Formula 1 race car from the ‘90s?
Written by Elaine Duvet
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
The ‘90s gave us unforgettable legends like the iconic McLaren F1 and the
Ferrari
F355. But the
BMW
850CSi is a brilliant and boxy GT that should not be forgotten. 
How does this rare sports car manage to impress us with its powerful performance, excellent handling, and cutting-edge technology—and still look good while doing it?

The BMW 850CSi was the best of the 8 Series

The inspiration for the BMW 850CSi dates back to the M1 series of 1978. But “it was at the 1989 Frankfurt Motor Show that BMW presented a car that would become one of its modern classics: the 8 Series Coupe,” notes
Top Gear
.
In the 8 Series lineup, the base model was the 840i (later the 840Ci) then came the 850i (later the 850Ci), and finally, arrived the 850 CSi (aka the E31).
The E31, which pays homage to the coupes from the ‘30s was produced between 1989 and 1999. In total, about 30,000 8 Series Coupes were sold, and 20,000 of them were fitted with a V12 engine.
According to
Road and Track
, “in its CSi trim—and like the F1 car—this BMW coupe exhibits gobs of performance in just about every dynamic area.” How can you compete with that?
Unlike any other car the German automaker has ever made, the BMW 850CSi really had it all. Excellent handling, braking, acceleration, and superior suspension. The supercar sports a naturally aspirated 5.6-liter V12 engine and handles
long road trips
across the country with ease. 
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Incredible specs for a 90s champ

Coming in at $108,450, the company flagship’s “displacement of 5576cc is 12% larger than the Ci's, but its 372 hp is 26 percent greater, a compression ratio bumped to 9.8:1 being part of this analysis,” according to Road and Track. The elegant car’s torque also jumps from 332 lb-ft to 402 lb-ft of torque. 
As opposed to the 7.3 seconds it takes the Ci, the 850SCi can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.9 seconds. Drivers also have the option to shift from Sport to Comfort, depending on the terrain they’re wanting to tackle.
Matched to a six-speed gearbox, suspension and steering on the 850Csi were sharpened after testing out earlier E31 models. The suspension was too soft to handle the vehicle’s weight, so “the 850CSi was fitted with stiffer springs and dampers and its ride height reduced,” according to
HotCars
. It’s also M-modified. 
The auto’s aerodynamics were even more improved by adjusting the front and rear bumpers. In Europe, the car was sold with BMW’s Aktive Hinterachs-Kinematik (AHK) meaning each wheel of the car could steer. The GT was only available in manual, which is definitely the more fun and engaging way to drive a sports car.
The low, two-seater is comfortable for both the passenger and the driver. The cabin features various colors and textures like yew hardwood and Nappa leather, which give the interior a warmer feel than lower-end BMWs. 
New emission guidelines implemented in 1996 may have been part of the reason only 1,510 were made.

What we love about the BMW 8 Series

MORE: BMW Is Releasing a Car That Will Only Be Available for One Model Year
Bye-bye B-pillar! Do you know that pillar at the end of the front side windows? BMW omitted it, allowing an elegant clean sweep of glass to catch your eye instead.
There’s something about pop-up headlights that gives cars a new life. The “eyes” popping up out of the vehicle gives it a unique style and funky personality.
Fun toys in the interior include an auto-dimming rearview mirror, an electrically adjustable steering column with memory function, a belt system that’s incorporated into the seats, and an onboard computer. Whether you like it or not,
Bluetooth
comes standard.
According to Top Gear, “The 8 Series was available with either a six-speed manual or a four-speed auto, and came with five-link rear suspension, stability control, traction control, speed-sensitive power steering and even damper control (EDC) as an option from 1990.”
In 1993, BMW realized they needed to up their game to keep up with the competition and tastes of the super affluent. The company adjusted the V12 from a 5-liter to a 5.6 liter and horsepower jumped from 381 to 406. A 4-liter V8 engine was also available with 286hp on the entry-level 840 Ci. 
If you’ve got your own BMW from the ‘90s, or one from the modern era, make sure you’re getting the best deal for auto insurance. It’s important to know what your options are for insuring a luxury
sports car
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