The BMW 8 Series (chassis code BMW E31) is a V8 or V12-engined 2-door 2+2 coupe built by BMW from 1989 to 1999 with an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph (250 km/h), although with the limiters removed top speed was estimated at 186 mph (299 km/h). A common misconception is that the 8 Series has been a successor for the original BMW 6 Series in 1989; instead it was an entirely new value proposition aimed at a different market with a substantially higher price point. A new 8 Series cost around US$100,000.

Worldwide production ceased May 12, 1999, with 30,621 built.

BMW is rumored to have plans to revive the 8 Series name for a potential "four-door coupe", much like the Mercedes-Benz CLS.

History

Design of the 8 Series began in 1984, with construction starting in 1986. The 8 Series debuted at the Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA) in early September 1989. The 8 Series was designed to move beyond the market of the original 6 Series. The 8 and 6 Series cars had very different character: while the 6 Series was a solid Grand Touring car, the 8 Series was aimed towards the supercar market. It was BMW's flagship car while in production.

Over 1.5 billion Deutschmark were spent on total development (2005 USD $2.2 billion). BMW used CAD tools, still unusual at the time, to design an all-new body. Combined with wind tunnel testing, the resulting car had a drag coefficient of 0.29, a major improvement from the previous BMW M6/635CSi's 0.39.

While CAD modeling allowed the car's unibody to be 8 lb (3 kg) lighter than that of its predecessor, the car was significantly heavier when completed due to the large engine and added luxury items—a source of criticism from those who wanted BMW to concentrate on the driving experience.

Sales of the E31 were affected by the global recession of the early 1990s, the Persian Gulf War, and energy price spikes. BMW pulled the 8 Series out of the North American market in 1997, selling only a combined model total of 7,232 cars over seven years.

M8

One of BMWs best kept secrets is the cancelled BMW M8 Prototype. Originally envisioned as a Ferrari killer, only a single prototype was ever produced, equipped with a special 550 bhp (410 kW) version of the S70 engine displacing approx. 6 L, this engine was later developed into the engine fit into the McLaren F1. Details about the car are nonexistent except, the project was eventually scrapped because BMW have decided that a market for such a car as the M8 did not exist. The only prototype ever produced (one that was reportedly not even road safe) was locked away by BMW in their Giftschrank (poison storage) and has reportedly been destroyed.

While the M8 was never produced, it is interesting to note that the 850CSi was also tuned by the M division and aside from sporting an M-tuned engine (as identified by the S suffix instead of the M prefix that a true M car would wear), the car's VIN would identify the car as being built by BMW Motorsport (identified by the WBS prefix) instead of BMW AG (WBA prefix). This effectively identifies the 850CSi as a sort of detuned version of the M8.

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 meanwhile the larger B12 5.7 Coupe was based on the 850CSi with the 5.7 liter S70 engine producing 416 bhp with a 6-speed manual gearbox. All in all 97 5.0 Coupes and 57 5.7 Coupes were built, all were built from existing units and their numbers do not add up to the total number of E31s built. The last of these very rare and infamous Alpinas were created in 1999, only 12 units were produced in specially custom made shades of color and revamped interiors. Those 12 units were specifically made for the sheiks of the U.A.E. at their request and to locate one for sale would be quite amazing as it is known that a few units were damaged in accident.

Transmission

The 840 (V8) U.S. models were all equipped with a 5-speed automatic transmission. The 850 (V12) models carry either a 4-speed automatic transmission, 5-speed automatic transmission, or a 6-speed manual. 850CSi model only came with a 6-speed manual transmission.