Manufacturer	BMW
Production	1989–1999
Assembly	Germany
Predecessor	None
Successor	BMW Z8 BMW CS Concept
Class	Grand Tourer
Body style(s)	Two-door coupé
Layout	FR layout
Platform	E31
Engine(s)	V-8 (840) V-12 (850)

Models and production history

Model	MY Global	MY USA/CDN	Production years	Engine	Volume	Engine alloy	Power		Torque		Production total	Production USA/CDN
830Ci	1992	-	1992	M60B30 V8	2997 cc	Nikasil	160 kW	215 hp	290 N·m	214 ft·lbf	18	-
840Ci	1993-95	1994-95	1992-96	M60B40 V8	3982 cc	Nikasil	210 kW	282 hp	400 N·m	295 ft·lbf	4,728	1,649
840Ci	1996-99	1996-97	1995-99	M62B44 V8	4398 cc	Alusil	210 kW	282 hp	420 N·m	310 ft·lbf	3,075	801
850i/Ci	1990-94	1991-94	1989-94	M70B50 V12	4988 cc	Alusil	220 kW	295 hp	450 N·m	332 ft·lbf	20,072	4,194
850Ci	1995-99	1995-97	1994-99	M73B54 V12	5379 cc	Alusil	240 kW	322 hp	490 N·m	361 ft·lbf	1,218	363
850CSi	1992-96	1994-95	1992-96	S70B56 V12	5576 cc	Alusil	280 kW	375 hp	550 N·m	406 ft·lbf	1,510	225
M8	-	-	-	S70/1 V12	≈6000 cc	Alusil	410 kW	550 hp	undisclosed		1 prototype	-

 Alpina B12

BMW tuner Alpina produced a special version of the 8 Series dubbed the B12. Two versions were produced, both taken from the standard production line. The B12 5.0 Coupe was based on the 850i, powered by the 5.0-liter M70 engine producing 350 bhp (260 kW), and available only with a 4-speed automatic gearbox. The larger B12 5.7 Coupe was based on the 850CSi, with the 5.7-liter S70 engine producing 416 bhp (310 kW/422 PS) with a 6-speed manual gearbox. All in all, 97 5.0 Coupes and 57 5.7 Coupes were built.

KW Coilover suspensions are manufactured for a large number of vehicles, and are sold all around the world. The initials KW, and the trademark colors of yellow and purple, stand for individuality, quality and security.   Rebound Adjustment Variant 2 and 3 Rebound adjustment, with the exception of specified vehicles, can be performed with the kit installed via an adjustment spindle on the end of the piston rod. The rebound damping primarily, controls pitch and roll of the vehicle, especially in the low speed damping range which directly influences handling and comfort. Therefore vehicle can be adjusted to the needs of the driver, making the ride variable from comfortable to sporty and stiff, both with improved road handling.   Security on many levels: During manufacturing of KW Coilover suspensions, the highest quality materials are used to produce individual suspension solutions that enable customers to adjust vehicle height according to their wishes and needs. Within the TÜV-tested adjustment parameters, this can be easily achieved using the purple-colored aluminum spring collars by adjusting the position of the yellow coated springs upwards or downwards via a specially designed exterior thread. In doing so, the vehicle height can be precisely adjusted, and customers receive exactly the result they want and/or need. The stainless steel strut housings are fitted the specific vehicle, and are available in three different damping technologies. With this variety, KW Coilover suspensions in Variants 1, 2 and 3 can meet the exact requirements of every customer. The complete systems including high-quality yellow springs, purple aluminum components and Elastomer bump stops with integrated dust protection system, provide a unique comprehensive solution for a personalized vehicle suspension system that meets all performance and quality demands.

 840i COLD AIR KIT

BMW M8

1990, V12 (S70/1), about 6.0l displacement, 550 hp, prototype, number: 1

The BMW 850CSi is a detuned version of the M8 which has never been produced and remained a prototype only. The M8 should have been built in a consequently lightweight manner in order to be a 'Ferrari-Killer'. The specially developed 550 hp engine has never been used except in the prototype - of which only one exists. But with the support of McLaren the M8 engine was transformed into the power plant of the McLaren F1 super sports car. At the time of development of the M8 there was virtually no market for such a car, so the BMW manager cancelled the project.

The M8-Prototype is perhaps the best-kept secret of BMW. Absolutely no one must see it or can get information, by order from the general manager himself. Questions from motorsport magazines remain unanswered as well. The car is locked away in the so-called Giftschrank, which could be translated as 'poison-storage'. According to BMW it is hidden behind lots of boxes anyway and will be destroyed in the near future as the 8 series doesn't exist any more and neither a successor.

The Prototype has never been road safe (even the headlights were missing as you can see in the picture) and was only loosely patched together, which is the reason why it is not presented in their museum. It's not even good for that ...says BMW.

Yes, the papers of an 850CSi say, it's an M8, but that's not of much use if you know what it could have been. What the S70 engine is capable of speaks for itself. See the world record run of the McLaren F1. The guys at McLaren say they could get 1000 hp at 9500 or 10000 rpm from the engine.

The different versions of the S70 engine:

S70	5576 ccm	380 hp, 24V, 850CSi	1992
S70/1	about 6000 ccm	550 hp, 48V(?), M8 prototype	1990
S70/2	6064 ccm	627 hp, 48V, McLaren F1	1993
S70/3	6064 ccm	635 hp, 48V, McLaren F1	1996

BMW road car timeline, 1980s–present
Type	Series	1980s										1990s										2000s										2010s
		0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5
Small family	1 Series															E36/5										E81 / E82 / E87 / E88
Compact exec	3 Series	E21				E30							E36								E46							E90-E93
Executive	5 Series	E12		E28							E34								E39							E60 / E61							F10 / F11
Full-size	7 Series	E23						E32								E38								E65 / E66						F01 / F02
Coupé	6 Series	E24																								E63 / E64
Roadster	Z Series									Z1								Z3							Z4							Z2
Supercar/GT		M1										E31										Z8									Z10
SUV	X3																									E83								F25
	X5																					E53							E70
	X6																													E71