Front nearside exterior of BMW E31 850 CSI Barbados Green.
BMW E31 850 CSI
BMW E31 850 CSI

The 850 CSI is still considered by many as the last true Bahn storming, low volume, BMW M built GT Car. Only 160 of these very special and highly expensive cars were built over a 3-year period in right hand drive. It is as close as we got to the M8 with BMW having canned the M8 after the production of just one prototype. It was a change of direction for BMW M that led to the decision that the M badge no longer lived on a big GT car.

History File

  • Year: 1994
  • 5576cc
  • Barbados Green Exterior
  • Anthrazit Buffalo Leather Interior
  • Full Service History
  • 59,000
  • Manual Transmission
  • Petrol
Rear offside exterior view of BMW E31 850 CSI Barbados Green showing 18 inch alloy wheels.

Full Specification:

  • First Registered 25/05/1994
  • 59,000 Miles
  • Fully Documented Service History
  • 6 Speed Manual
  • Barbados Green Exterior Individual Colour Exterior
  • Anthrazit Buffalo Leather Interior
  • 6 Disc CD Changer
  • Green Tinted Windscreen Strip
  • 18” Genuine Alpina Alloy Wheels
  • Roller Sun Blind
  • Limited Slip Differential
  • Automatic Stability Control + Traction
  • Auto Climate Control
  • Automatic Air Recirculation
  • Sports Leather Steering Wheel
  • Front Air Bags
  • Electric Sunroof
  • Sports Electric Front Heated Seats with Memory
  • Anti-Dazzle Rear View Mirror
  • Intensive Headlight Washer System
  • BMW Professional Radio
  • BMW HiFi 12 Speaker System
  • Rear Wheel Steering (AHK)
  • Servo-Tronic Steering
  • Electric Adjustable Steering Column
  • Cruise Control
  • High Level Rear Brake Light

The 850 CSI was largely BMW M inspired with a massive input from their engineers in suspension, steering, brakes, engine and aerodynamics. Whether the 850 CSI is the best high-speed cross continent crushing GT to ever leave BMW M, continues to be debated even now, 32 years later . A very clever blend of high performance and handling with luxury still rarely seen today. M inspired and very low volume has to make this a true must for the most serious of car collectors.

History

All 850 CSI were 6 speed manual and fitted with limited slip differential as standard. BMW M made numerous upgrades to the M70 engine which was increased to 5.6 litres. These mods with improved inlet and exhaust took the power to an impressive 380 bhp and 550 Nm of torque.

Front springs, rear springs and shocks were uprated by M and BMW’s four-wheel steer system became standard on the CSI. The front brakes were larger than the standard 850 and had been upgraded to Brembo calipers.

The interior on the standard car was already an extraordinarily high specification but the CSI saw red needles added to the instruments along with a striped M Badge gear knob, door sill plates and engine cover. Externally the CSI benefited from revised M front and rear spoilers, sill skirts, aerodynamic mirrors, and a fantastic looking exhaust system.

This particular example, presented in individual Barbados Green is very well known to Hero Motor Company.

Engine bay and front quarter panel with 18 inch Alpina alloy wheels of E31 850 CSI.
Ownership

Having covered only 59,000 miles and featuring an impeccable and documented service history, this car has been in the care of the current owner not once, but twice. It was simply too good to let go the first time.

David, was on the lookout for a powerful, comfortable, modern performance GT with classic styling. Having considered the Porsche 928 and Mercedes 500SL, in 2000 he came across this Barbados Green 850 CSI.

Having not been on his radar, it was love at first sight. Following a road test at his local BMW dealership, the deal was done and this 850 CSI found a new home in Davids purpose built, heated and dehumidified garage.

In 2007 David was forced to put the 850 CSI up for sale.

The loss for David was simply too great. The car had played such a major part in David’s 7 year ownership having been the chosen carriage for the first date with his now wife. Suffering this emotional loss David set about finding his beloved 850 CSI with the hope of persuading the new owner to sell it back to him. A flurry of phone calls would result in this one of a kind 850 CSI being reunited with a very grateful David.

Tool kit in E31 850 csi in Barbados Green.
Preparation and Handover

Having agreed a program of work with the owner the following work was carried out:

Full Service: Oil & Filter, Spark Plugs, Air, Pollen & Fuel Filter.
Replace Drive Belts
Replace Coolant
Replace Gearbox Oil
Shotblast & Powdercoating all Crossmembers, Suspension components.
Shotblast & Powdercoating Active Suspension Components & Dampers.
Replace All Suspension Bushes
Replace, Repair & Paint Radiator Support Panel.
Replaced AC Fan and Pipes
Replace Rubber Fuel Hoses
Replace Front To Rear Metal Fuel Pipes
Areas of Cosmetic Paintwork
Replace Sunroof Seal
Replace Bumper Trim & Clips
Shotblast & Powdercoat Differential Oil Cooler Pipes
Replace Speakers
Replace Headlamp Adjusters
Diagnose Fault & Replace AHK ECU
Shotblast & Powdercoat Fuel Tank Straps
Strip, Silver Annodise and Rebuild Front & Rear Brake Calipers
Replace Brake Fluid
Replace All 4 Tyres
Replace Both Batteries
Thorough Clean & Detail to Engine Bay, Wheel Arches & Underbody Followed by Transit Wax Protection.

In addition to the Alpina alloy wheels the history includes magazine features, original purchase receipt, MOT certificates and invoices dating all the way back to 1994 – documenting thousands of pounds of servicing and underbody restoration work.

Included with the sale will be all the original tools, spare keys, all manuals, service wallet, handbooks and fully stamped service book and history file.

Front quarter and 18 inch alloy wheels on BMW E31 850 CSI Barbados Green.
Nearside exterior of bonnet and raised headlights on BMW E31 850CSI in Barbados Green.
Engine bay in E31 850 CSI.
Offside exterior and wing mirror on BMW E31 850 CSI Barbados Green.

Paired with Anthrazit Buffalo leather and very hard to find genuine 18” Alpina alloy wheels, this beautiful 850 CSI boasts an amazing document file which gives you an insight into the fastidious level of care that has been lavished on this car by the previous owners.

Offside interior on E31 850 showing centre console steering wheel and Anthrazit Buffalo leather interior.
CD changer in BMW E31 850 CSI.
Anthrazit Buffalo Leather rear seats in BMW E31 850 CSI.

Our Thoughts

Inspected and reported by us, a no expense spared programme of age related work was carried out to ensure not just cosmetic excellence but also mechanical and bodywork longevity.

MW E31 850 CSI Barbados Green offside exterior with 18 inch Alpina wheels.
BMW E31 850 CSI
BMW E31 850 CSI