Estimated Price: £42,000 - £50,000

The wonderfully dramatic BMW 8 Series Coupé was launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1989 and positively bristled with innovations, as befited the flagship model from the makers of 'the ultimate driving machine'. While the motoring press focussed on the numerous road car firsts such as the first electronic 'fly-by-wire' throttle, the first 'CAN bus' system to cut down the complexity and weight of the electrical system and the first BMW multi-link rear axle, what really impressed most people was just the car's sheer presence.

A worthy successor to the BMW 635 CSi, the 850 CSi took the concept of the large sporty coupé into an entirely new technical arena. Initially developed to be a standalone product of BMW’s eponymous Motorsport Division, the E31 850CSi was the marque’s high performance flagship model between 1991 and 1996. Exorbitantly priced and incredibly exclusive, just 1,510 examples were built and with only 138 built in right-hand drive configuration, good examples are now highly sought after.

Powered by a 5.6-litre version of the 850 Ci’s V12, the high-spec model featured lighter pistons, a forged crankshaft, upgraded camshafts, retuned intake and exhaust, higher compression and auxiliary engine coolers. An exclusive engine management system allowed for a gear-dependent variable rev limiter and selectable power maps. The result was 375bhp, 406lb/ft of torque and 0-62mph in just 5.9 seconds. A 6-speed manual gearbox was standard, making the most of that sonorous V12 and other standout upgrades included stiffer suspension, upgraded brakes, a limited-slip differential and revised aero.

Although considered avantgarde when it first arrived, the pillarless coupé was blessed with classically proportioned, understated and essentially timeless styling that has not dated and these beautiful and exclusive Gran Turismos still look modern today.

On offer here is a UK-supplied, right-hand drive example that is fresh to market having been owned since 2003 by its current enthusiast owner. It's finished in Mauritius Blue, a colour that really suits these long, sculpted, pillarless coupés over a superbly designed cabin finished in sumptuous two-tone grey Nappa leather.

The mileage at the time of cataloguing was 121,146 and our vendor informs us that he’s only covered just over 11,000 miles since he purchased the car back in 2003. He owns a business supplying parts to the automotive world so a lot of the work carried out on the car has been taken care of ‘in house’ by his expert team. Included in that are four oil changes, two sets of plugs, full services including filter changes. Smiths Ltd, independent BMW specialists, have also carried out work on the car and will prepare a report on the car pre-sale. The current MOT remains valid until 16th May 2026.

Please note, the Cherished Registration Number in some of our images, JC 5060, does not form part of the sale.

These are rare cars with only 138 right-hand drive, UK examples and with values of the 3.0 CSL and M635 CSi climbing rapidly, this ultimate specification 850 CSi may well be a turn out to be a sensible investment. We welcome your inspection of this high-performance, modern classic at our Silverstone Festival Sale.