BMW 840Ci Coupe

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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 an all-alloy 5-litre V12 that produced 295bhp and a mighty 330lb/ft of torque, this was soon joined by a more economical 4.0-litre version and then by an even more frugal 4.4-litre V8 version producing 286bhp and mated to a five-speed automatic gearbox. At over £60,000 new, the 8 Series was always an exclusive machine. Rare, fast and beautifully styled and built, this is a sure-fire classic of the future.

First registered in October 1996, this smart looking Calypso Red example has had four previous keepers and has covered just 96,500 miles with many old MOTs to warrant this total. Apparently well-maintained throughout its life, it did have a service book with 8 stamps to date but sadly the vendor has recently misplaced this although there are various maintenance invoices in the history file.

The most recent expenditure includes four new tyres, refurbished wheels, two new batteries plus the replacement of various fuses etc. to get everything working as it should although the sunroof is currently inoperable for some reason. Said to start first time every time, drive very well and pull like a train, it is MOTd until October. These elegant machines are superb to drive, this one having the added cachet of its appropriate private plate which is being sold with the car.