Used BMW 850

What to know before buying: BMW 850

From 3 press tests · updated 11/10/2026

What the reviews say

• The E31 was an ambitious luxury GT: comfortable, fast, and equipped with advanced-for-its-era suspension, electronics, and frameless windows.[2][1]E31
• The E31 850CSi paired a 5.6-liter V12 with a six-speed manual, stiffer suspension, quicker steering, and impressive brakes.[2][1]E31
• In the 2026 M850i xDrive, a 523-hp V8, eight-speed automatic, and all-wheel drive combine forceful acceleration with a quiet long-distance ride.[3]one source
• The 2026 model has an elegant, comfortable cabin, but its rear seats are impractical for adults, visibility is limited, and some controls are unintuitive.[3]one source

Typical faults

• The throttle bodies on both intake manifolds of the E31 V12 are known to fail and are expensive to replace.[2]one sourceE31

  V12

• E31 seals can dry out, causing oil leaks beneath the engine or vacuum leaks in the intake; the V8s are even more prone to oil leakage.[2]one sourceE31

  V12, V8

• On an E31 left sitting, both in-tank fuel pumps and their complex, expensive mounting bracket can quickly fail.[2]one sourceE31
• Long E31 storage dries engine-bay rubber, producing cracks and leaks in cooling, oil, and fuel systems; electrical components may also malfunction.[2]one sourceE31

Which engine and version to take

• For an affordable E31, the early 850i with the 5.0-liter M70 V12 is the usual choice: it is common, simpler, and uses a robust timing chain rather than a belt.[2]one sourceE31
• Choose the 2026 M850i xDrive's 523-hp twin-turbo V8 for maximum performance; it delivers forceful acceleration and a rich soundtrack.[3]one source

What to check at the inspection

• When inspecting an E31 V12, verify that both intake-manifold throttle bodies work correctly; failed units are costly to replace.[2]one sourceE31
• Inspect the E31 engine underside and intake for oil or vacuum leaks from dried seals, paying particular attention to oil leakage on V8 cars.[2]one sourceE31
• Determine whether the E31 sat unused for years, then check both fuel pumps and their mounting bracket.[2]one sourceE31
• On a long-stored E31, inspect engine-bay rubber, cooling, oil, and fuel systems for leaks, and test every electrical function.[2]one sourceE31

Verdict

Sources

1. [1]mirbmw.ru — BMW 850i E31 - благородный флагман из 90-х · press
2. [2]roadandtrack.com — BMW E31 8-Series: Buyer's Guide · press
3. [3]caranddriver.com — 2026 BMW 8-Series Review, Pricing, and Specs · press

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