1994 BMW 850 CSi (E31)

Forming part of ‘The Vault Collection’ - a small group of best-of-breed cars that have been curated by a genuine enthusiast, who wanted to fill his specially-built underground car facility with the best possible examples of his favourite modern-classics. Iconic Auctioneers are privileged to have been granted access to the ‘vault’ and are pleased to present some choice examples.

When is an M car not an M car? When it’s an 850 CSi. A worthy successor to the BMW 635 CSi, the 850 CSi takes 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 160 built in right-hand drive configuration, good examples are now highly sought after by collectors and can sell for more than £100,000.

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 six-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 avant-garde 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.

The car presented here is a 1994 BMW (E31) 850 CSi delivered new via BMW Vines of Gatwick in December 1994, who also carried out the all-important running-in service at 1,256 miles. Finished in Cosmos Black over a Lotus White leather-trimmed cabin, this impressive car is in fine cosmetic and mechanical health, albeit now as a 31-year-old model.

The car was factory-spec’d with every conceivable optional extra, including a functional GSM phone and, prior to our vendor acquiring it, it was with its previous owner for almost 18 years, having been lavished with regular servicing its entire life, all fully documented with pages of stamps in its original service booklet. The most recent of these was carried out at 64,350 miles, a major service which included the replacement of the front suspension arms and the viscous fan clutch, then another thorough service at 66,200 miles (during our vendor’s ownership) carried out by an E31 specialist. He (our vendor) has also overseen a full respray of the car, the replacement of the exhaust back-boxes, the renewal of some suspension componentry, the rectification of a fault with the rear screen blind, a new water pump, radiator, A/C compressor/condenser, plus the replacement of every seal/gasket. He also treated the car to a meticulous stage polish by Topaz Detailing, leaving the paint with a dazzling, mirror-like finish. The underside was dry blasted, revealing the original colours underneath and preserving them with a Bilt Hamber undercarriage clear-coat. This attention to detail extends to new (and now impossible to find) sunroof gaiters and the headliner was replaced with the original Alcantara material. This work is all captured in numerous photos which are on a USB stick that forms part of the history file.

The car is accompanied by an extensive history file containing several maintenance invoices, many from BWM main dealers, also illustrating a substantial investment in new OEM parts, a print-out of its servicing history, all its original books in the original leather pouch, two fob keys and key blades, plus its original-factory tool kit.

As mentioned, this is a rare model, with only 138 examples in right-hand drive, being allocated to the UK. With values of the 3.0 CSL and M635 CSi climbing rapidly, this ultimate specification 850 CSi may well be a worthwhile investment. We welcome your inspection of this high-performance, modern classic at our Supercar Fest Sale.