The legacy of the 8 Series.

In 1981, BMW was happy with the 6 series (E24), but they were thinking of taking things to the new level. They wanted to move beyond the market of the E24. BMW thought to begin project E31 in an effort to compete in the upper class luxury coupé market, but it was not until 1984 did project E31 receive the green light from BMW’s management. Only then did BMW begin testing the E31 8 Series. BMW constructed some of the E31 testing mules out of E24s, although the E31 would not use the same chassis as the E24. BMW designed these E24-based E31 mules to test the E31’s chassis, drivetrain, and steering.

As BMW was testing the E31 8 Series Coupé in the mid-1980s, they decided to use CAD stations while designing the grand tourer. Back then, the public considered designing cars with CAD software a large technological step forward. With the E31 still looking beautiful today, it was the correct move for BMW to use CAD software for designing the E31.

Another car from the same era designed with the help of CAD software was the Z32 Nissan 300ZX/Fairlady Z. It still looks good today, right?

While designing the E31 with the help of CAD software, BMW did lots of wind tunnel testing so that the luxury coupé could attain a smooth and aerodynamic body. With the help of wind tunnel testing, the E31 8 Series attained a low drag coefficient of 0.29, which reached BMW’s goal of attaining a drag coefficient of below 0.3.

After they completed most of the design work in around 1987, they began to perform additional testing procedures for the E31, and developed various prototypes that costed up to 1 million Euros. The high cost of the prototypes was due to parts being handmade. BMW destroyed many of these prototypes for crash testing. BMW also conducted testing procedures in locations such as the renowned Nürburgring, the polar region, and the Death Valley (USA) to test the luxury coupé in extreme conditions. BMW has also used computer controlled test benches to test parameters such as the body stiffness. An interesting feature of the computer controlled test benches is that they could simulate Germany’s famous circuit. The 8,000 test kilometers (5,000 miles) on the advanced test benches covered up to 150,000 kilometers (90,000 miles) of real-life driving.

After BMW performed testing procedures with the 8 Series in the Death Valley, the company debuted the 8 Series (850i specifically) at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 1989. Its debut was so successful that 5000 orders were placed 8 days after its debut. For its time, it received regard as a highly innovative vehicle. The 8 Series was the first vehicle to feature Dynamic Stability Control, a feature standard on all BMWs today. The adjustable steering column featured a memory function, and a climate control that the driver can control when he or she is not even in the car. The windows could rise and sink automatically once the door opened. The 8 Series was the first car that featured multiplex technology, which reduced the number of cables and connectors in the vehicle. The interior air filtering system of the E31 was also advanced for its time; it featured a particle filter that could absorb tiny particles such as pollen and bacteria smaller than 1 micron. The 8 Series was one of the car to feature an electronic drive-by-wire throttle. A tire-pressure monitoring system, a feature that was not popular in vehicles of its time, was an option starting from 1991. It also featured an auto-dimming rear-view mirror. For the first time in the history of the automobile, it also featured seat belt seat-integrated seat belts, which might not have happened if the B-pillar was present. The belt components including the pivot points were integrated in the seat itself; the headrests and upper pivot points adjusted automatically in respect to seat height. The E31 also featured speed-sensitive power steering, and electronic damping control (this one being an option from 1991 onwards as well).

The 850i was the second post-war German car to feature a V12, and it was the first car in the world to have a six speed manual transmission working with a V12. Speaking of its V12, the 8 Series featured a 5.0 liter V12 in its early life, which had an output of around 300 hp and 330 lb-ft of torque. In 1992, BMW launched the 840Ci, which had a smaller, 4.0-liter V8 that outputted 282 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque. Later on the E31’s life cycle, BMW updated the 840Ci with a larger 4.4-liter V8 with more torque, similar horsepower, and higher fuel efficiency. The 840Ci could launch from 0 to 62 mph in around 7 seconds. Around the same time of the 840Ci’s launch, the 850Ci replaced the 850i badge. Then the 850Ci received a heart transplant with a larger, 5.4-liter V12 that put out 322 hp and 360 lb-ft of torque. The 0-62 mph times for the V12 models did not largely differ with a 0-62 mph of around 7 seconds with the automatic and well around 6.5 seconds with the manual transmission; the car was quite heavy with a weight of around 2 tons. What is noticeable about the late year E31 model names is the C in the model designation. The C in the model name indicates that the vehicle is a coupé. BMW used this dictation until the mid-2000s or so. The E31 initially came with a four-speed automatic transmission until the 1993 model year. The “Ci” models introduced at that time upgraded to a five-speed automatic transmission with a sequential sport-shift mode. Meanwhile, the six speed manual transmission was a transmission that has not changed much throughout the life of the E31. A lower spec 830i with a 3.0-liter V8 engine was planned (the same engine used in the 530i and 730i back then), but BMW decided to launch the 840Ci instead. BMW planned to release an 850i Cabrio, but it never reached production due to high development costs.

The most powerful production 8 Series of the E31 generation is the 850CSi. BMW’s ///M Division enlarged the 850i’s engine (the M70B50) from 5.0 liters to 5.6 liters, giving it a new output of 375 hp and 410 lb-ft. The 850CSi had a modified suspension that included stiffer springs and dampers along with a lower ride height. This top-of-the-line 850CSi featured staggered star wheels, along with a new front and rear bumper to improve the car’s aerodynamic characteristics. The 850CSi only came with a six-speed manual transmission, which helped propel the car from 0-62 mph in about 6.0 seconds, which was quite fast for its time. Euro-spec 850CSi examples came with extra goodies such as four-wheel steering, a two-tone interior with sport seats, a differential cooler, an engine oil cooler, and a set of upgraded ventilated brakes. This version of the E31 was in production from 1992 to 1996. The 850CSi was the closest to a production M8.

Speaking of an M8, BMW was actually about to make an M8. You read that correctly ladies and gentlemen, the king of ///M cars was about to reach production, but BMW cancelled plans for it since they believed a market for this vehicle did not exist.

The M8 was to use a tuned version of the same engine in the 850CSi (the S70B56); this special engine, codenamed S70/1, was to churn out 550 hp. BMW solely used the S70/1 for this vehicle. Engineers deemed this high-performance version of the E31 a “Ferrari-killer” which used bespoke chassis technology. This M8 was used solely as a testbed. McLaren reached out to BMW to help create a 6.0-liter V12 for the McLaren F1. The two companies started by tweaking the M8’s S70/1, and then the S70/2 (the McLaren F1) was born with this merger. To this day, the McLaren F1 retains the title of the fastest naturally aspirated road car in the world, all thanks in part to the original S70 engine.

Alpina, a renowned tuner of BMWs, did not ignore the E31. Alpina created two versions of the E31, the Alpina B12 5.0, based off the 850i, and the Alpina B12 5.7, based off the 850CSi. Some interesting attributes about these cars are that the Alpina B12 5.0 is automatic only (it used the 4 speed automatic transmission) while the Alpina B12 5.7 comes only with the 6 speed manual transmission. Both of these Alpinas are extremely rare with 97 Alpina B12 5.0 examples and 57 Alpina B12 5.7 examples produced.

When the early year 8 Series models (particularly the 850i) released to the public, journalists were impressed with the technology, the ride quality, and the M1-inspired styling the 8 Series had to offer, although some were disappointed with it underperforming with its heavy weight. Many journalists preferred competitors such as the Porsche 928 and the Mercedes SL. The public appreciated the 840Ci and 840i models with them costing much less than the 850i and 850Ci, while offering similar performance. The 850CSi was the 8 Series model journalists enjoyed the most. It was the perfect grand tourer and luxury sports car. The driver could perform overtakes easily. It tackled corners excellently for a large luxury coupé. The strong brakes and the excellent grip from the tires gave drivers ultimate confidence. The large trunk came in handy for drivers going on road trips, and the back seats were pretty roomy for individuals just above 5 feet (1.7 m). Engine noise was also minimal, with a pleasant hum emitted from the front rather of excessive roaring and screaming associated with supercars of its time. This is what consumers expected for a grand tourer made by a company known to manufacture ultimate driving machines. Many owners have pointed out that maintenance and repair costs can be quite costly, unfortunately. Perhaps owning one of the greatest grand tourers in the history of the automobile comes with a hefty cost.

BMW manufactured the E31 until 1999. The famous German car company axed off the E31 due to low sales. The E31 may have not been a financial success for the brand, but It has largely influenced BMW’s vehicles with the introduction of features such as Dynamics Stability Control, which is used across BMW’s entire lineup today. Actually, it did not just influence BMWs, it influenced the entire automotive world with the introduction of innovative features. It will come down in history as one of the best grand tourers ever made. With the introduction of the E63/E64 6 Series, people have felt that this is a spiritual successor to the 8 Series. However, car enthusiasts did not find the then new 6 Series sufficient enough to replace the E31. They still desired a true successor to the legendary GT car. In 2013, BMW revealed the BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé. It was a one-off vehicle powered by a twin-turbocharged V12 engine. In essence, this was a spiritual successor to the E31, but BMW never really associated this car to the E31.

Then about 3 years later, spy shots of a new BMW luxury coupé began to emerge on the Internet. What was it? A new 6 Series, or…a new 8 Series? This is what many automotive enthusiasts asked as soon as these spy shots appeared on the Internet.

The Internet then found out that the 8 Series is coming back when close sources revealed that BMW trademarked they of multiple 8 Series model designations, including 825, 830, 845, 850, and even M8. From the spy shots, it was also confirmed that the 8 Series could come in cabriolet form as well. With this information, it was concluded that the new 8 Series could come with a variety of engines ranging from four cylinder engines to large twelve cylinder engines. Then in early May 2017, BMW confirmed the return of the 8 Series by teasing the public with a silhouette of the new 8 Series Concept.

About two weeks later, BMW launched the stunning Concept 8 Series at the 2017 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este. Many have praised the styling of the E31 successor. The production version of this car is expected to arrive in 2018. It is expected to rival the likes of the Mercedes S-Class Coupé, and the Bentley Continental GT.

Two days later, BMW revealed that they are working on a new BMW M8. This would not suffer the fate of the old M8, this will actually reach production. BMW told the public that the M8 will feature larger air intakes, modified brakes, and quad-exhausts that signify the “significantly boosted power and the dynamic potential of the car”. It would build on the genes of the 8 Series Coupé with sharp and precise driving dynamics, making it a highly capable vehicle on the track. BMW Motorsport announced that they are even working on an M8 GTE racecar for their return to the Le Mans. The race car is slated to debut in the Daytona 24 Hours race in late January 2018.

The E31 has earned the reputation of being an elegantly designed grand tourer that introduced such features that would revolutionize the automotive world. Many acclaimed the E31 for being a grand tourer that was also a joy to drive. With the launch of a new generation of the 8 Series, many automotive enthusiasts are in a state of surprise and excitement. The second generation of the 8 Series appears promising. There will be multiple 8 Series models to choose from, including an M8 which the public could never taste before. It can revolutionize the automotive industry like its predecessor did, and hopefully it does. The upcoming generation of the 8 Series has large shoes to fill.

Thank you for reading!