With this project, we want to show how a BMW 850Ci (E31) can evolve into a sharper, more engaging driver's car, without losing the character of the original V12 grand tourer. The basis is deliberately not a BMW 850CSi (E31), but a regular 850Ci. The reason is simple: an 850Ci offers a significantly lower weight than the CSi (due to the CSI rear-wheel steering), while still featuring the iconic V12 and the elegant proportions for which the E31 is known.
Our vision is a kind of “M Sport” interpretation that BMW itself never fully built. To take braking performance to the next level, the car is equipped with Brembo 4-piston calipers for more stopping power, better heat resistance, and a more consistent pedal feel during sporty driving. The suspension is lowered with genuine M Sport springs for a tighter stance and less body roll in corners. Additionally, the entire suspension is fitted with reinforced bushings, resulting in more direct steering and a noticeably tighter feel without completely sacrificing its comfortable GT character. The result: a lighter, sharper, and more engaging E31.
The BMW E31 850i was a technological flagship in the 90s, and the optional Electronic Damper Control (EDC) was a perfect example of this. Whereas many GTs from that period had a fixed setting, EDC allowed the driver to choose between comfort and a noticeably stiffer shock absorber characteristic—particularly advanced at the time and rare to see fully functional even today.
For this particular example, a thorough approach was therefore chosen. The entire underside of the car was fully cleaned to remove years of accumulated dirt and to gain a clear picture of its technical condition. Subsequently, the entire suspension was disassembled, during which control arms, subframes, and other suspension components were sandblasted and repainted for a fresh, durable finish.
The original EDC dampers were completely overhauled rather than replaced, ensuring the unique factory system was preserved. Additionally, new M springs that were still available through BMW Classic were fitted—a rare upgrade that gives the car exactly the right factory specification and lowering.
In combination with improved suspension bushings, this results in noticeably tighter and more precise handling, without losing the car's refined GT character.
For the interior, the decision was made to refresh the whole with minor adjustments. The interior trim features Alcantara with stitching in the cream color of the interior and is finished with velour mats in Calypso Red. A CNC billet gear knob in a black chrome finish makes shifting a joy.
