1994 BMW 840ci

Description

This 1994 BMW 840Ci might be the best-looking car BMW has ever built. Sleek but understated, it was a car outside of its time, and still delivers a mighty dose of performance when you need it. These flashy coupes were outrageously expensive when they were new, but today they're reliable fun that everyone will mistake for, well, an outrageously expensive car. Don't worry, we won't tell anyone how affordable this V8 BMW really is.

The 8-Series was BMW's halo car, originally designed to carry the first-generation V12 engine. But with the introduction of the 4.0 liter V8, the performance actually got better due to an improved power-to-weight ratio and livelier handling thanks to a smaller chunk of metal up front. But the idea was a good one: a powerful, luxurious personal coupe with room for four and styling that is international and sophisticated. From the pop-up headlamps to the sleek greenhouse, the 8-Series was understated, but anybody who sees it will know immediately that this is a fast car. Painting it black only helps and this Q-ship cuts effortlessly through traffic without calling a lot of attention to itself, which is exactly how you want it for high-speed travel. It's nicely finished for being nearly 20 years old and obviously it's led a good life because it still looks great with a finish that sparkles like a high-end luxury car should. Clearly someone spent a lot of time waxing this one over the years.

BMW has always gotten the interiors right on their performance cars, the perfect blend of luxurious materials, comfort, and functionality to get the job done. Black leather seats have held up well and now have that inviting, broken-in look that makes old leather so wonderful, yet they're still supportive enough for spirited romps down your favorite country road. Every gadget and accessory BMW knew how to make went into the 8-Series cars, from power windows and locks to climate control to an AM/FM/cassette/CD changer stereo system that still sounds great. The low dash and hoodline make for excellent sightlines, so this car can carve corners with aplomb, yet it's also appropriate to get dressed up for a night out on the town. If there's one car that can truly do it all, it's this one. Heck, even the fully carpeted trunk is big enough for a week's worth of luggage for a family.

The 4.0-liter V8 under the hood was single-handedly responsible for creating the line of powerful BMWs we have today. It loves to rev, yet makes torque like a muscle car. In fact, this is perhaps the closest thing to a European muscle car there is. Someone has painted the cam covers and intake red to make it look a little more exotic, but the mysterious powerplant under the hood doesn't care, it just makes creamy-smooth horsepower. Nail the throttle and the automatic transmission drops down a gear or two, the Magnaflow dual exhaust system makes the most incredible sound this side of Watkins Glen, and suddenly the speedometer and tach are racing each other around the instrument panel. It's glorious! Later and larger wheels from a 5-Series look great and wear grippy 225/50/17 Continental radials for improved handling with no sacrifice in ride quality.

Don't worry, nobody will know how affordable this car is, least of all you, because from behind the wheel it feels like a million bucks. Call today!