How does it feel ? - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

IGT · 20th November 2001, 15:52

Hello,

I like 850 CSi very much. I like the design , interior design etc.
But has never driven a CSi myself. My car is Alpina B10 BiTurbo.

I understand it is not easy but can you describe what does it feel like driving a CSI in comparison with BiTurbo or a similar E34 car (say E34 M5): driving position, accelleration, regular driving...

Thanks,

Igor

CarlT · 20th November 2001, 18:50

Hi Igor

Well they are very different cars. The thing I like about the 8 is that is was designed from scratch to be the pinnacle of BMW engineering, a BMW showpiece for the world. Not like the M5, which is a modified 520..... It was and still is a very advanced car and is for this reason loved and hated. Maintanence is a considerable cost. 12 spark plugs, two batteries, two altenators, two fuelpumps, two airfilters, 12 intake manifolds that can leak, 4 cats... the list goes on. They are "cheap" to buy, but expensive to keep.

That said, the CSi and ALPINA B12 5.7 are the only 8s to consider if you like more sporty driving. Really, in my own opionion, the CSi is what the 8 should have been in the beginning, and it wouldn't have seen such a turnoff for the automotive press as the 850i was. The CSi has a closer ratio steering, better brakes, firmer suspension (without being harse) and a great engine. At high speeds the car is very quite, even better than the E39 M5 and is less affected by crosswinds. The seating is.....different... The front seats do take some getting used to as they do not adjust as other BMWs, but I like them. The rearseats, forget the rear... The truckspace is very big for a car in this class, and the rear seats fold down for more storage. But there is no throughload.

I've driven all models of the 8 from the 4.0 V8 to the ALPINA B12, and all I can say is don't test drive anything but the CSi or B12, to get a feel for the car. A normal 8 is very differrent from the CSi and you will not like it. The CSi acceleration is pretty impressive considering the weight of the car and the V12 sounds great, and it can be driven very sporty. But it is no BiTurbo, but then again what is...

The manual tranmission is OK for everyday driving, a bit clucky maybe. But with the amount of torque you don't need to gear as much. You can easily start in 3rd at a light....

That said, if I was you, I'd keep the BiTurbo and add a CSi to the stable, not replace it.

It is a great car, and they only built around 1400 and in the BMW world that is RARE.

Also checkout my fellow moderator, Mike C's website .

Regards
Carl
The E31. The father of all modern BMWs

IGT · 21st November 2001, 10:45

Hi Carl,

Thanks for your time to describe that stuff. That is what I asked for.
Definitely I am not gonna get rid of BiTurbo. If I have a chance I would follow your advice of adding this masterpiece to it.

Still: it (CSi of course) is not as fast as BiTurbo but is and feels as a great car. How would you describe the main prevail feeling when driving a CSi (e.g. feel of reliable power , beauty..)

For example BiTurbo was named in one of the articles (from Alpina Performance Package publication) as "blessed schizophrenia" - I think they were close.

Regards,
Igor

CarlT · 21st November 2001, 20:38

Igor

The feeling i think describes it best would be "sofistication". The car is rare. I know amoung many BMW enthusiasts is not very well liked, and most people would rather have an M5, or for people in the know a BiTurbo. But the 8 turns heads. I've been approached several times by people asking it the 8 was a new model, that they didn't know BMW even build this kind of car.... WOW it has a V12! +++ For most people an M5 is a 5 with nice wheels.... I like the stealth of the M5, but the 8 screams look at me in comparison. Expect to be looked at. And getting the thumbs up from people you wouldn't expect it from, as everyone appreciates its timeless beauty.

The car has a presents on the road as well, when people see that low and wide car approaching from behind, they move over. It looks fast.

The car feels solid and safe! You can feel that BMW put everthing into the production of it. There is no squeeky doorjams as the M5 has, no ratteling. There is no car I'd rather drive at high speeds than an 8.

Check on out, you'll see what I mean!

Regards
Carl

Club E31 · 21st November 2001, 22:39

Quote:

Originally posted by CarlT
Igor

The feeling i think describes it best would be "sofistication". The car is rare. I know amoung many BMW enthusiasts is not very well liked, and most people would rather have an M5, or for people in the know a BiTurbo. But the 8 turns heads. I've been approached several times by people asking it the 8 was a new model, that they didn't know BMW even build this kind of car.... WOW it has a V12! +++ For most people an M5 is a 5 with nice wheels.... I like the stealth of the M5, but the 8 screams look at me in comparison. Expect to be looked at. And getting the thumbs up from people you wouldn't expect it from, as everyone appreciates its timeless beauty.

The car has a presents on the road as well, when people see that low and wide car approaching from behind, they move over. It looks fast.

The car feels solid and safe! You can feel that BMW put everthing into the production of it. There is no squeeky doorjams as the M5 has, no ratteling. There is no car I'd rather drive at high speeds than an 8.

Check on out, you'll see what I mean!

Regards
Carl

Can't agree more...

What would be more impressive than an 8 on the road would be..... Two 8 Series ...

And more impressive than Two 8s ?? Maybe THAT :

According to me, this car is the "Autobhan/Motorway King"
You feel soooo cool when you're cruising at +200 km/h
And the design is outstanding & timeless
Of course if the car was lighter with the ///M5 V8 Engine for example, it would be easier to choose...
But if you want Performance, choose an 850 Csi

Try one, you won't regret it !

IGT · 23rd November 2001, 17:32

Thanks for the replies. It gave me what I could not find in the magazines.

Are there "trusty" sources with descriptions which you would recommend ?

Very nice group picture indeed !
(one of them seems to be a CSi).

Igor

Club E31 · 23rd November 2001, 21:55

Unfortunately there wasn't any csi there :-(
And in the USA , Csi didn't have the ///M Sided Mirrors and lots of miscs stuff...

Here are some photos of 3 Csi & 2 840s (97 & 99)

From left to right :

Orient Blue 850Csi
Calypsored 850Csi
Orient Blue '99 840Ci
Calypsored '97 840Ci (mine)
Cosmos Black 850Csi

This is to show you how you can have fun meeting with some 8 series owners, but here are some not bad :

This an extract of our latest meeting in Europe (France) : http://dijon2001.ClubE31.com to see the full sum-up / photos

If you decide one day to buy an 8, don't forget to contact us, i would be glad to welcome to our next meetings ;-)

Jim Wald · 25th December 2001, 07:44

Sorry, Philippe, Igor WAS RIGHT. There is ONE CSi in that picture of 10 850's in the double Vs (not a single 840, though). I ought to know, as I was there when that picture was taken (in an upper parking lot of Golden Gardens Park in Seattle in September of this year) and the ONE CSi is mine.

So for Extra Credit, Igor and Philippe, which of the 10 850's in the double V picture is a REAL CSi????

Jim

PS: Philippe, the only things that were left off the US CSi that I am aware of were the M side mirrors (on at least some of the US cars), the headlight washers and the rear steering. Trust me, with better tires than factory and the Dinan chips, my CSi goes like crazy and won my heart over my now departed '00 M5. The CSi was not one of those BMW's where the US version was a second class citizen.

Mr Janne · 25th December 2001, 13:21

I think the CSi is the one to the right in the back-row, am I right?

JetBoy · 25th December 2001, 23:34

Is this a B12 ? It has the Alpina front spoiler right ? or it is the CSI's front spoiler ?

Do you know about Alpinas in France ? I know there are at least a few B7 there...

Jim Wald · 25th December 2001, 23:55

Quote:

Originally posted by Mr Janne
I think the CSi is the one to the right in the back-row, am I right?

Hi Mr Janne,

We will give Igor (who said there WAS a CSi) and Philippe (who said there was NO CSi) a chance to guess first, and then I will tell you, but your vote is noted.

Happy Holidays,
Jim

PS: Using Philippe's ClubE31 Web site, all the information you need to figure out the answer is there.