[omera60]

Hey everyone,

So as the title suggest I’m comparing these 2 awesome machines. I know they are totally different in almost every aspect except being very limited production cars. I’m torn in between the two. I have 2 vehicles that are available for sale at the moment. Comparing the two:

E28:
-1985 Model
-Has 5 Speed manual tranny
-Has LSD
-Has all the electronic gadgets like Trip Computer and Check control
-All the original keys, spare key, booklets etc available
-Has Recaro M Technic seats
-Newly restored by BMW, only has 1000km on the clock
-All Original
-Also supplies BBS rims besides the original BMW ones
-BMW classic certified
-Has PPO+
-It is being sold by a BMW dealer
-45000€ asking price, I think we can negotiate down to 40000€ as the vehicle has been on sale for quite a while and was 55000€ when it first appeared on the market.

E31:
-1994 model
-Has 6 Speed manual tranny
-All Original except a small localized paint work done by BMW
-Has the sweet V12
-67000km on the clock
-Everything is working, no Pixel errors or such on the displays
-All things aside, it’s a freaking 8 series!
-48000€ asking price but not sure if it will go down

What would you go for? God forbid I’m not thinking of selling them unless I have to but I also don’t want to be a dumb dumb if the day comes. Collectibility is more important to me. You can see my garage as well for comparison between vehicles (only the bimmers are listed). Love to hear your thoughts and opinions...

[10"]

That is ABSURD money for an M535i. Here in the states you can buy a very nice original E28 M5 for around $35-$50k. A faaaaaar more special car...

I get it that it's been restored etc but it's not an M5 and never will be...wouldn't pay more than half of M5 prices even for the best example...

[Nicoloxo]

I think the 850Ci is a better deal, also a V12!

But... as an old teacher of mine used to say
"Always go for the first answer in your head, it usually is the right one"

Best of luck!

[omera60]

Thank you all for your replies. Still undecided, tomorrow I will be visiting the 850Ci. I think I am leaning towards it but we will see especially if the price comes down a bit...

[Law]

Both are special cars in their own right but my vote goes to the E31.

The sleek silhouette, pillar-less windows and pop-up headlights combined with the sound from that V12 make it something to behold.

[2000cs]

There is a very nice CSi on Bring a Trailer this week. Very Nice! Sell my M3 nice.

[Darth One]

Re: the last two posts - there's a pretty massive difference between the CSi and the Ci. OP's looking at a Ci, which is a lower model

Anyway, I agree that the E28 is absurdly priced. Even accounting for the OEM restoration - it looks like BMW thinks it can can charge exponentially more than the very best restoration shops out there.

Tbh the 8-series price seems absurd too, but perhaps depreciation curves are different in Europe.

At any rate the 850 is a far more special car than the M535.

[omera60]

Unfortunately finding an 850CSi is like finding a Unicorn here in Turkey. The 850Ci I looked at seems ok, we are negotiating the price at the moment but I think I may end up with it soon (fingers crossed)

[FBMWWINS]

Hi,
as a long time BMW fan I am personally in love with the E28 because it gives me lots of memories from great (car) years.
Provided both models are VERY nice, I think the E28 is really more of a classic with those back then typically recognisable BMW headlights and much more. The 850is amazing as others mentioned with its V12 and not only that.
Tough choice but the price on the E28 is indeed a bit on the high side....so I guess rationally speaking I would take the E31 as well.

[positiveions]

Reliability, E28 speaks for itself.