BMW 850Ci Coupe

THIS CAR HAS BEEN WITHDRAWN

The wonderfully dramatic BMW 8 Series coupe was launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1989 and featured several road car firsts such as the first electronic 'fly-by-wire' throttle, the first to use a 'CAN bus' system to cut down the complexity and weight of the electrical system and the first BMW to use a multi link rear axle. The flagship model of the BMW range, it was luxuriously trimmed inside and was packed with all the gadgets that its jet-set client base could wish for.

Initially powered by a 4-litre V8 engine producing 286bhp and mated to a five-speed automatic gearbox, this was soon joined by an even more powerful engine option: an all-alloy 5-litre V12 that produced 295bhp and a mighty 330lb/ft of torque. This was sufficient to despatch the 0-60mph dash in just 6.8 seconds on its way to a top speed electronically limited to 155mph.

Costing well over £60,000 new, it was always an exclusive machine and just 22,800 of the 5-litre models were sold worldwide before production ceased in 1999. Rare, fast and beautifully styled and built, this is a sure-fire classic of the future.

First registered in September 1993, this particular 850Ci looks especially cool in Diamond Black Metallic with a silver grey leather interior. It is said by the vendor to be in “pristine condition” and to have been ordered with virtually every option that BMW offered at the time. Equipment includes: active driving package; electric sports seats; driver’s airbag; electric sunroof; switchable sports automatic gearbox and a premium sound system with CD player.

The car has covered some 159,000 miles from new and comes with an extensive service history to show regular careful maintenance. It was fully serviced last year when new brake discs and pads were fitted all round along with two new batteries and a new heated windscreen. New tyres have also recently been fitted along with new gas filled shock absorbers.

The car is said to drive “superbly” and has recently sailed through its MOT with no advisories recorded. One of just 500 produced in right-hand drive, these wonderful cars just exude class and seem amazingly good value in the current market – the history file of this one shows that it was sold for £23,995 by Victoria BMW Milton Keynes in 1999…