One to Buy: 1 of 4 in Violet Blue 1993 BMW 850 CSi
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When in 1986 BMW unveiled the first V12 from a German manufacturer since Word War 2, it was obvious the firm’s Motorsport department would be keen to apply their magic touch. Immensely tuneable and reliable, BMW Motorsport ultimately transformed the stock Type M70 motor into the legendary S70 unit which powered a variety of iconic machines.
Perhaps most famously, iterations of the S70 engine were used by the 1999 Le Mans 24 Hours-winning BMW V12 LMR and the McLaren F1, racing GTR versions of which delivered victory at Le Mans in 1995 plus back-to-back BPR GT Championships. Before either of these ultra high end models appeared though, the S70 engine was used in a low volume BMW Motorsport product based on the E31 8-series: the 850 CSi.
Although the 850 CSi could legitimately have worn an M8 badge, that moniker had already been used for a stillborn prototype which BMW elected not to build on account of the generally depressed world economy in 1991. Having featured a radical two-seat layout, super hardcore set up and a 549bhp 6-litre V12, the M8 was considered just too specialised to be a viable commercial proposition at the time.
What BMW Motorsport created on the E31 platform instead was the slightly toned down 850 CSi which came with all the usual M-car chassis, body and interior enhancements plus a 5.6-litre 380bhp V12 whilst retaining the 8-series’ familiar 2+2 cockpit architecture. However, even with this tantalising mix, buyers were thin on the ground and just 1510 copies of the 850 CSi were built between 1992 and 1996.
During the 1990s, BMW expanded its colour palette to include some fabulous shades, one of the most sought after of which is Veilchenblau Metallic (Violet Blue) as depicted on this 1993 850 CSi that will be going under the hammer at Broad Arrow Auctions’ Zoute Concours sale in Belgium on October 9th.
Reputedly one of just four 850 CSis to feature this livery, chassis WBSEG91000CC00519 was also configured with special order Violet Blue leather upholstery. Factory-fitted optional extras include an electric sunroof, heated memory seats, fine wood trim and a high end BMW Business audio system with six-disc CD shuttle.
Having completed its pre-delivery inspection on June 21st 1993, chassis ‘00519’ was delivered to a local German customer by the BMW agency in Kronberg. It later spent time in Spain before returning home in 2014. Today, this superbly configured 850 CSi, which is accompanied by its original book pack and tool kit, is showing a little under 63,000km.
