GTP Cool Wall: 1989-1999 BMW 8-Series (E31)

[GranTurismo916]

1989-1999 BMW 8-Series (E31) nominated by @Murcie_LP640

Engines: 4.0L V8 (BMW M60B40), 4.4L V8 (BMW M62B44), 5.0L V12 (BMW M70B50), 5.4L V12 (BMW M73B54), 5.6L V12 (BMW S70B56)
Power: M60B40: 282 hp; M62B44: 282 hp; M70B50: 295 hp; M73B54: 322 hp; S70B56: 375 hp
Torque: M60B40: 300 lb-ft.; M62B44: 310 lb-ft; M70B50: 330 lb-ft.; M73B54: 360 lb-ft.; S70B56: 410 lb-ft.
Weight: 1830-1975 kg
Transmission: 5-speed automatic, 6-speed manual
Drivetrain: Front engine, rear wheel drive
Body Styles: 2-door coupe
Additional Info: "Developed as BMW's flagship series, this grand touring vehicle is commonly confused as a successor to the E24 6-series, but was placed significantly higher in terms of performance and price.

One of the first production vehicles to have drive-by-wire throttle, the first to have a V12 mated with a 6-speed manual gearbox and one of BMW's first production cars with a multi-link rear axle."​

Spoiler: Additional Pics

 

[Liquid]

Impossibly gorgeous. A class act all the way.

Sub Zero

 

[SVT Cobra GT]

This is already a '90s classic. They're becoming rarer and rarer and they still look great today, they will undoubtedly age very well in the future. And pop up headlights.

Only pity about the 8 series was that there was no production M8.

SZ.

 

[Famine]

Second Division footballer's car.

 

[Doog]

These are so hyped-up and overrated by enthusiasts, and frankly it's turned me off of the 8-Series. However, I can't deny that the premise of this car is quite cool, even though I'm not particularly fussed with them.

 

[Liquid]

Second Division footballer's car.

And as you very well know, the Championship is far better than the Premiership.

Spoiler

Making it the best footballer's car, which, granted, is hardly an accolade.

 

[Niku Driver HC]

Who would have thought that a BMW coupe from the late '80s could turn out this way, huh? It's an impressive car in all accounts, from the engines to the design. Yes, it has been a yuppie's car for God knows how long, but that trend has been fading away, and it'll probably vanish for good once the 8-Series goes from neo-classic to full-time classic status. It's still a head-turner after all these years, so people will notice it on the street.

Give it a few more years, and it'll still turn heads. It gets a Sub-Zero, simply because it's that sort of car that will get your attention, regardless of it being overrated or not.

 

[Famine]

And as you very well know, the Championship is far better than the Premiership.

That's why I said "Second Division", not Championship... I'm talking second tier 1989-1992, third tier 1993-1999. Basically this is the Dean Holdsworth of cars.

Not sure why the poll says "BWM" though.

 

[Roger the Horse]

The penultimate cool BMW before they all went to hell.

 

[Liquid]

Basically this is the Dean Holdsworth of cars.

Better than being the George Burley of cars.

I'd like to think of the 8 Series as the Chris Sutton of cars. Competed at the very top, did what it did well but not quite as successful as it could or should have been.

 

[Pootis]

There's a typo in the poll title. It should be "BMW" instead of "BWM".

 

[lxmmy]

Love it. Sub Zero.

 

[Wiegert]

Well, if it isn't the Mitsubishi GTO's cooler, heavier, 3-bedroom Bavarian cousin.

Sub Zero.

 

[Ettick]

SUBSC.

 

[Adamgp]

Solid cool.

 

[Cano]

One of the most awesome BMWs ever. Easy sub zero.

 

[Paulie]

Overweight and under powered, meh. The styling to me is fairly cereal box as well.

 

[Encyclopedia]

I love these. Cool.

 

[The87Dodge]

One of the most stylish BMW's ever made in my opinion.

Sub Zero.

 

[Nessy]

Pop up lights are cool and everything but.... It's really all about the frameless windows.

Easy Sub zero.

 

[Stephan]

Reminds me of the M1 except being made in a luxurious way...

Sub Zero. Those GT2 days....

BTW, does the 8 Series have a modified/race variant?

 

[Jahgee]

Not to steal @SomePlayaDude's thunder, but

 

[Niku Driver HC]

BTW, does the 8 Series have a modified/race variant?

It doesn't have an official one, it seems. But someone has raced a 8-Series (an engine-swapped one if I read correctly) at the Nurburgring multiple times...

 

[ToyGTone]

Do I ever need to say anything more?

Sub Zero.

 

[JR98]

One of the best BMW's ever made

SZ

 

[Stotty]

These have aged very well... such a nice shape.

I've never driven one, but apparently they aren't that great to drive - heavy manual box and sluggish autobox were both criticised at launch. Would still make a nice barge with a BIG engine and an autobox.

But the real issue with them is they were extremely complex (electrics, in particular) and are notorious as unreliable money pits.

Low cool (if running!)

 

[Stephan]

It doesn't have an official one, it seems. But someone has raced a 8-Series (an engine-swapped one if I read correctly) at the Nurburgring multiple times...

The race kit reminds me of the Porsche 911 GT2 Race Car.

 

[Niku Driver HC]

The race kit reminds me of the Porsche 911 GT2 Race Car.

I see what you mean, it does give out a GT2-esque vibe. The rims are similar to the ones a 911 could use as a GT2 car as well.

 

[Murcie_LP640]

Complex, expensive, not to mention it's a BMW which usually attracts a certain type of badge snob.

But dammit if it ain't pretty. And it's aged well. And it has the option of a giant V12.

Cool.

 

[Heldenzeit]

I love the styling, especially in green. Shame I don't fit in one very well.