BMW 8-series I (E31) photos

1989 — 1999 · coupe

photos

specifications

215–375

6.0 s

best 0–100

Photos

BMW 8-series I (E31), coupe, silver, front three-quarter view — photo 120464

1989 A silver two-door coupe in a dark studio setting, shot from a front three-quarter angle, featuring pop-up headlights, a distinctive front grille, and multi-spoke alloy wheels.

BMW 8-series I (E31), coupe, silver, front three-quarter view — photo 120463

1989 A silver two-door coupe shown in a front three-quarter view, featuring a wedge-shaped profile, pop-up headlights, a slim front grille, and classic multi-spoke alloy wheels, parked on asphalt in front of a building entrance with a green-striped awning.

BMW 8-series I (E31), coupe, silver, front three-quarter view — photo 120462

1989 A silver two-door sports coupe with pop-up headlights parked on a lawn in front of a modern building with floor-to-ceiling glass windows.

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About this generation

The iconic BMW E31 8 Series coupe of the 1990s combined futuristic pop-up headlights with powerful V8 and V12 engines to define luxury GT performance.

Unveiled at the 1989 Frankfurt Motor Show, the BMW E31 8 Series served as the Bavarian brand’s flagship luxury coupe, pushing the boundaries of automotive engineering and design. Developed at enormous expense using early computer-aided design tools, the E31 achieved a remarkably low drag coefficient. Its pillarless hardtop profile, wedge-shaped body, and retractable pop-up headlights created an unmistakable aesthetic that epitomized high-end grand touring during the 1990s.

Mechanically, the E31 was offered exclusively with smooth naturally aspirated V8 and V12 petrol engines. Highlights included the early 850i with its 5.0-liter M70 V12 and the range-topping 850CSi developed by BMW Motorsport, which featured a 380-horsepower 5.6-liter V12 paired with a six-speed manual gearbox. Incorporating advanced electronics such as drive-by-wire throttle control and optional active rear-wheel steering, the E31 remains one of BMW’s most revered engineering masterworks.

Specifications

4780 mm188.2 in

Length

1855 mm73.0 in

Width

1340 mm52.8 in

Height

2684 mm105.7 in

Wheelbase

320 l11.3 cu ft

Trunk

140 mm5.5 in

Ground clearance

Petrol

830i

215hp(160 kW)

3.0 l 5-speed manual RWD

1992–1992

Torque: 290 Nm (214 lb-ft)
Displacement: 2997 cc
Cylinders: 8
Engine: M60B30
Aspiration: naturally aspirated
Fuel tank: 90 l (23.8 gal US)

830i

215hp(160 kW)

3.0 l 5-speed automatic RWD

1992–1992

Torque: 290 Nm (214 lb-ft)
Displacement: 2997 cc
Cylinders: 8
Engine: M60B30
Aspiration: naturally aspirated
Fuel tank: 90 l (23.8 gal US)

840i

282hp(210 kW)

4.0 l 6-speed manual RWD 0–100 6.9 s

1993–1996

Torque: 400 Nm (295 lb-ft)
Top speed: 250 km/h (155 mph)
Displacement: 3982 cc
Cylinders: 8
Engine: M60B40
Aspiration: naturally aspirated
Curb weight: 1780 kg (3924 lb)
Fuel tank: 90 l (23.8 gal US)

840i

282hp(210 kW)

4.0 l 5-speed automatic RWD 0–100 7.4 s

1993–1996

Torque: 400 Nm (295 lb-ft)
Top speed: 250 km/h (155 mph)
Displacement: 3982 cc
Cylinders: 8
Engine: M60B40
Aspiration: naturally aspirated
Curb weight: 1815 kg (4001 lb)
Fuel tank: 90 l (23.8 gal US)

840Ci

282hp(210 kW)

4.0 l 6-speed manual RWD 0–100 6.9 s

1993–1996

Torque: 400 Nm (295 lb-ft)
Top speed: 250 km/h (155 mph)
Displacement: 3982 cc
Cylinders: 8
Engine: M60B40
Aspiration: naturally aspirated
Curb weight: 1780 kg (3924 lb)
Fuel tank: 90 l (23.8 gal US)

840Ci

282hp(210 kW)

4.0 l 5-speed automatic RWD 0–100 7.4 s

1993–1996

Torque: 400 Nm (295 lb-ft)
Top speed: 250 km/h (155 mph)
Displacement: 3982 cc
Cylinders: 8
Engine: M60B40
Aspiration: naturally aspirated
Curb weight: 1815 kg (4001 lb)
Fuel tank: 90 l (23.8 gal US)

840Ci

282hp(210 kW)

4.4 l 6-speed manual RWD 0–100 6.9 s

1996–1999

Torque: 420 Nm (310 lb-ft)
Top speed: 250 km/h (155 mph)
Displacement: 4398 cc
Cylinders: 8
Engine: M62B44
Aspiration: naturally aspirated
Curb weight: 1780 kg (3924 lb)
Fuel tank: 90 l (23.8 gal US)
Emissions standard: Euro 2

840Ci

282hp(210 kW)

4.4 l 5-speed automatic RWD 0–100 7.4 s

1996–1999

Torque: 420 Nm (310 lb-ft)
Top speed: 250 km/h (155 mph)
Displacement: 4398 cc
Cylinders: 8
Engine: M62B44
Aspiration: naturally aspirated
Curb weight: 1815 kg (4001 lb)
Fuel tank: 90 l (23.8 gal US)
Fuel consumption: 12.0 l/100 km (20 mpg US) NEDC
CO₂: 286 g/km (NEDC)
Emissions standard: Euro 2

850i

295hp(220 kW)

5.0 l 6-speed manual RWD 0–100 6.8 s

1989–1994

Torque: 450 Nm (332 lb-ft)
Top speed: 250 km/h (155 mph)
Displacement: 4988 cc
Cylinders: 12
Engine: M70B50
Aspiration: naturally aspirated
Curb weight: 1790 kg (3946 lb)
Fuel tank: 90 l (23.8 gal US)

850i

295hp(220 kW)

5.0 l 4-speed automatic RWD 0–100 7.4 s

1989–1994

Torque: 450 Nm (332 lb-ft)
Top speed: 250 km/h (155 mph)
Displacement: 4988 cc
Cylinders: 12
Engine: M70B50
Aspiration: naturally aspirated
Curb weight: 1820 kg (4012 lb)
Fuel tank: 90 l (23.8 gal US)

850Ci

295hp(220 kW)

5.0 l 6-speed manual RWD 0–100 6.8 s

1993–1994

Torque: 450 Nm (332 lb-ft)
Top speed: 250 km/h (155 mph)
Displacement: 4988 cc
Cylinders: 12
Engine: M70B50
Aspiration: naturally aspirated
Curb weight: 1790 kg (3946 lb)
Fuel tank: 90 l (23.8 gal US)

850Ci

295hp(220 kW)

5.0 l 4-speed automatic RWD 0–100 7.4 s

1993–1994

Torque: 450 Nm (332 lb-ft)
Top speed: 250 km/h (155 mph)
Displacement: 4988 cc
Cylinders: 12
Engine: M70B50
Aspiration: naturally aspirated
Curb weight: 1820 kg (4012 lb)
Fuel tank: 90 l (23.8 gal US)

850Ci

322hp(240 kW)

5.4 l 5-speed automatic RWD 0–100 6.3 s

1994–1999

Torque: 490 Nm (361 lb-ft)
Top speed: 250 km/h (155 mph)
Displacement: 5379 cc
Cylinders: 12
Engine: M73B54
Aspiration: naturally aspirated
Curb weight: 1885 kg (4156 lb)
Fuel tank: 90 l (23.8 gal US)
Fuel consumption: 13.0 l/100 km (18 mpg US) NEDC
CO₂: 310 g/km (NEDC)
Emissions standard: Euro 2

850CSi

375hp(280 kW)

5.6 l 6-speed manual RWD 0–100 6.0 s

1992–1996

Torque: 550 Nm (406 lb-ft)
Top speed: 250 km/h (155 mph)
Displacement: 5576 cc
Cylinders: 12
Engine: S70B56
Aspiration: naturally aspirated
Curb weight: 1865 kg (4112 lb)
Fuel tank: 90 l (23.8 gal US)

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