Fast car. Excellent acceleration. Precise braking. Classy design. These are accurate descriptions of the BMW 850 CSi. The 850 CSi was a top-of-the-range variant of the BMW 8 Series, which was at the time known as BMW E31, and manufactured by the German automaker BMW from 1990 to 1999.

The E31 replaced the 6 Series-based BMW E24, despite not being its direct successor. It was the first generation of the 8 Series grand tourer powered by either a V8 or V12 engine, inadvertently standing neck and shoulder above the less performing E24. The potent V8 and V12 mills propelled the coupe to a top speed north of 155 mph, effectively endearing it to certain gearhead circles who'd never forgotten the unprecedented driving experience offered by the BMW 8 Series model.

In its production years, BMW sold more than 31,000 units of the 8 Series Coupe, no small thanks to its advanced tech milestones in the Bimmer’s coupé history books. The 850 CSi is a high-performance BMW 8 Series boasting a satisfyingly adequate 375 horsepower provided by a 12-cylinder engine that, though typically cost a fortune to maintain, is a truly special mill in a truly iconic '90s legend.

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The BMW 8 Series Development

BMW-E31-850CSi
Via BMW Blog

BMW reportedly spent the equivalent of $800,000,000 to develop the 8 Series. The manufacturing process incorporated computer-aided design (CAD), a fairly novel design approach at the time. The Series was also developed using wind tunnel testing technology. As a result, the BMW 8 Series could boast of a noteworthy 0.29 coefficient of drag, a considerable improvement, taking into account the BMW M6 and the 635 CSi’s recorded Cd of 0.39.

Utilizing CAD tools to design the 8 Series’ unibody structure resulted in an 8 lb lighter curb weight compared to its predecessor, although it inadvertently packed significantly more weight due to the large V12 mill and the array of luxury interior appointments necessary to make a Bimmer a Bimmer. In fact, the 8 Series’ extra weight was a source of contention among fans, with some arguing that BMW should’ve focused more on drivability and less on the luxury experience.

BMW-E31-850CSi
Via BMW Blog

It's equally credible that the lack of a B pillar in the 8 Series' hardtop body style is largely to blame for the extra weight. Nevertheless, the powertrain was worth it. The 8 Series BMW represented the first roadcar with a V12 mill mated to a 6-speed manual transmission, but that’s not all. It equally pioneered the electronic drive-by-wire throttle as well as one of the first Bimmers, along with the BMW ZI, to use a multi-link rear axle.

The Bimmer’s vision for the 8 Series is not just to replace the preceding 6 Series but actually supplant it by expanding its market further ahead, equally resulting in the 8 Series' substantially increased MSRP. This is why the 8 Series is known for packing a long rolodex of advanced technologies as well as substantially improved performance capabilities. Be it the 850 or the 840Ci, owners will sooner complain about its jam-packed expensive technology than the lack of it.

Blue BMW-E31-850CSi
BMW Blog

Ironically, wary customers also cite the array of vehicular technologies in the BMW 8 Series as a killjoy that robs them of the peace and relaxation provided by the incredibly powerful engine, since drivers feel constantly distracted by the beeping and dash panel warnings that inadvertently remind them of the expensive repair bill associated with Bimmers.

In many gearhead circles, Bimmers may be expensive to own, but the silently fast 850 CSi is more than enough reason to buy a Bimmer. The coupe could easily sneak up to well into three-figure speeds without breaking a sweat. It was as quiet at 130 mph as it was at 60. The development of the BMW 8 Series reached its final design phase in 1986, after which production began. It made its debut in September at the 1989 Frankfurt Motor Show.

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The Super-Tuned V12 Engine Makes The BMW 850 CSi Special

BMW-850-CSi-Coupe-E31 engine
Via tuningblog

The ‘90s global recession, the Persian Gulf War, and rising energy prices impacted sales of the 8 Series and sank plans for the M8 high-performance variant in 1991. Produced from 1992 through 1996, the 850 CSi served as the top-drawer variant of the BMW 8 Series, effectively plugging the high-performance position of the prototype M8 that never was.

Even so, the BMW 850 CSi is regarded as a special car by gearheads due to its beautifully balanced V12 powertrain, despite the offending curb weight and expensive price tag. It shares the same engine as the 850i but is tuned so significantly that BMW assigned the mill a new engine code: S70B56.

BMW-E31-850CSi
Via BMW Blog

The modified powerplant comprised a Bosch Motronic 1.7 fuel injection, a capacity increase to 5.6-liter, and a power increase to 375 hp at 5,300 rpm and 406 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm. When tested by Road & Track, the powerplant could propel the BMW 850 CSi from a static position to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds. The mill was so fast and quiet that the best way to know how fast you were going was to constantly consult the odometer.

BMW E31 850 CSi
Via BMW Blog

Furthermore, the 850 CSi also got a modified suspension system that reduced the vehicle’s ride height due to the stiffer springs and dampers. The recirculating ball steering ratio dropped 15 percent over the standard E31 setup. Other revisions on the 8 Series 850 CSi include aerodynamically reshaped front and rear bumpers, staggered throwing star wheels, and many others.

The words "BMW Motorsport" are printed on the doorhandles for the U.S. market. BMW pulled the 8 Series from the North American market in 1997, apparently because it could not, without substantial re-engineering, modify the S70 engine to meet new emission laws.