1991 BMW 8 Series 850i review from North America

Being a V12 that was basically two 6's welded together, part of the thrill of ownership is replacing many parts in pairs - like the fuel pumps!

Headlight units can loosen and slip down, preventing them from opening, so check these regularly. Let's not forget the battery!...if you're thinking of running down to your local Sears and buying a $75 replacement, are you in for a surprise! - There are TWO batteries located in the trunk made specifically for this car that only BMW can replace - they will lighten your net worth about $1000 for parts and labor.

Many comment on the seat motors, but I never had that issue. The display pixels fade or disappear or create their own foreign language, but this was a general fault with all BMW's of this vintage and not specific to the 8 Series. The sport seats are firm and comfortable on short hops, but over 90 minutes you'll find yourself fiddling with the angle adjustment as your lower back begins to ache.

If you do a lot of getting in and out, you will wear the upper and lower seams on the left side of the driver's seat - so use care.

I regret selling this car, and am currently in the market for for a V6 version. The car is not just beautiful - it is breathtakingly stunning from nearly ever angle, the area where the roof line blends into the rear deck above the rear wheel being my favorite. Nearly two decades later, it remains so proving the value of style over fashion, no doubt a benefit of having been designed by an Italian.

While many have opted for the BBS optional alloys or "upgraded", I have always preferred the standard directional wheels - yes - there are left side and right side, and I have no idea why...

The faster you drive, the better your gas mileage will be. In the V12, acceleration seems completely linear and endless, limited only by not being able to push the pedal below the floor. The car is drive by wire, so the pedal really is not responsible anyway!

The car flipped me out the first time I had it above 100mph; All four windows closed by themselves, and the scared the Bejesus out me until I looked it up in the owner's manual. For better aerodynamics they say.

The standard sound system is quite excellent as is; The windows dropping slightly when you lift the door handle is ultra-cool, and being pillarless, with the windows down and the roof open, you almost have a convertible!

The 8 can be extraordinarily expensive to maintain, but it returns the favor in the driving. I have no doubt these will start appreciating in the next decade.