Evaluation: Original | Sold new in Florida. One of 225 U.S.-spec cars and 81 for final model year of 1995. Showing 35,156 miles. Serviced earlier this year to the tune of nearly 20 grand. Clutch replaced in April. Hood has been clear-coated. Scuffing on underside of front valance and a small spot on the trunk lid where paint is buffed through. Small scratches on passenger’s side rear quarter-panel. Small paint imperfections on driver’s front fender, bumper cover and plastic cowl behind hood. Normal wear on driver’s side outer bolster, but also some more light wear on the bottom cushion. Dull plastic on front seat headrests. Represented with a headliner replacement, but it is starting to sag. Sunroof interior cover is off its track. Understandable age on a lightly used 25-year-old car, although that sunroof might be an expensive fix. Located in Florida.
Bottom Line: The top-spec factory version of the famous 8 Series, the 850 CSi sits a step above the already potent 850 Ci thanks to more power, stiffer suspension, better brakes, lower ride height, different spoilers and one transmission choice: six-speed manual. As vintage BMWs in general have gained a larger following over the past few years, 8 Series cars have gone from undervalued old GT to modern collectible. The extra performance and lower production numbers of the 850 CSi mean that good examples are worth three or more times as much as lesser 8 Series. Bidding didn’t pick up until the last day of the auction for this car—it was still only at 65 grand the morning of May 29, but even in the late-in-the-game frenzy, the bidders still appropriately discounted this car for its flaws. This is a fair result.
