My Expert Opinion on the Car
At a current bid of $50,000 with seven days remaining, this 850CSi looks like a strong value in the making, because the rarest and most desirable E31 trades well above that figure. Classic.com shows the 850CSi manual averaging around $94,000, and The Classic Valuer pegs one in average condition at roughly $82,000 to $85,000, with exceptional examples having sold for far more.
Bring a Trailer
This is a genuinely collectible car, one of just 225 built for the US market, and this example ticks the boxes that matter most: 31,000 miles, a two-owner history with the original owner keeping it until 2021, the desirable Jet Black over black combination, and a documented recent service record. Against that backdrop, the current bid sits well below market, and with a full week left on the auction, it should climb substantially, with fair value for a clean, low-mileage US car realistically in the $85,000 to $110,000 range.
Bring a Trailer
The standard caveat for a V12 E31 applies, since these are complex and expensive to maintain with some parts scarcity, but this car’s low mileage and the extensive 2021 servicing, covering brakes, suspension, the flex disc, fluids, and a sunroof rebuild, substantially de-risk it. This is a blue-chip modern classic, and the current number looks like an opening act rather than the finale.
Listing Details
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Price | $50,000, 4 bids |
| Miles | 31,000 |
| Horsepower | 372 hp |
| Engine | 5.6-liter S70B56 V12 |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual |
| Drive type | Rear-wheel-drive with a limited-slip differential |
| Exterior color | Jet Black |
| Interior color | Black buffalo leather |
Interested in this 1994 BMW 850CSi? View the listing here.
Bring a Trailer
1994 BMW 850CSi Details
This 1994 850CSi is one of 225 examples built for the US market across a two-year run, and it was kept by its original owner until the current owner acquired it in 2021, now showing 31,000 miles. It is finished in Jet Black (668) over black buffalo leather and powered by the 5.6-liter S70B56 V12, rated at 372 horsepower and 402 lb-ft of torque, driving the rear wheels through a six-speed manual and a limited-slip differential. The CSi was the range-topping E31, distinguished by revised front and rear valances, a lowered ride height, sport-tuned suspension, quicker steering, and Automatic Stability Control. This car rides on its correct 17-inch Style 21 “throwing star” wheels.
Bring a Trailer
Documented maintenance is a highlight, with a clutch and transmission mounts in 2016 and a comprehensive 2021 service including brake pads and rotors, front struts, control-arm bushings, the flex disc, drive belts, transmission fluid, and a sunroof rebuild, plus a recent oil change. It is offered with service records, a clean Carfax, a clean title, and a California emissions test passed in August 2025, making it 50-state legal.
Bring a Trailer
1994 BMW 850CSi Short Overview
The 850CSi is the crown jewel of the E31 8 Series, BMW’s flagship grand tourer of the 1990s, and one of the most striking designs the company ever produced. While the standard 850i and 850Ci used softer V12s, the CSi was developed with input from BMW’s M division and powered by the exclusive S70B56, a 5.6-liter V12 producing 372 horsepower, paired exclusively with a six-speed manual. It also received a lowered, sport-tuned chassis, upgraded brakes, and subtle bodywork changes that set it apart visually.
Production was extremely limited, with only 1,510 built worldwide and 225 destined for the US, making the CSi by far the most valuable and sought-after E31 variant. As the pop-up-headlight, V12, manual-transmission halo of a beloved era of BMW design, it has become a genuine blue-chip collector car, and clean, low-mileage examples are increasingly difficult to find at any price.
Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only. We are not a dealership or broker. All vehicle specifications, pricing, and availability are subject to change without notice. We are not responsible for typographical errors, omissions, or the accuracy of the provided information. Please verify all details directly with the seller.
Autoblog aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.
Bring a Trailer
Bring a Trailer
Bring a Trailer
Bring a Trailer
Bring a Trailer
About the author
Kyle Edward
Editor-in-Chief, Autoblog