It promised to be quite a success. BMW representatives returned from Frankfurt with a list of around 5000 orders. A particularly good result, especially for a car that is not yet available to buy. When production started, it turned out that the factory in Dingolfing devoted so much time to each unit that the waiting time for an ordered car is… three years. This effectively scared off less patient customers. And what about those who were not in a hurry? Some, after taking delivery of the car, concluded that the ‘Eight’ promises more than it can give. Sounds like a fiasco. A flop that BMW never expected even in its worst dreams. The failure was even more difficult to swallow as they spared no effort or money for developing the vehicle. They spent a billion marks over five years and more than 2000 people were involved, including the best engineers and designers. The German mark is a currency that does not exist today. So, is a billion marks a big sum? To answer in the shortest terms: yes. It was a gigantic amount of money that made it possible to create any car BMW could think of.

Work began in the early 1980s, with not only human resources, but also computers’ aid. In 1987, at a cost of two million marks, they built the first running prototype. Let us add that it was handmade. Later, about one hundred more prototypes were constructed. They were cheaper, but not by much. They tested them in the sweltering heat of America’s Death Valley, in the sweltering heat of crowded Los Angeles, in the Arctic Circle and even on a racetrack, where the task was to cover 8000 km with maximum load.

The 850 was equipped with everything that German technology of the time could offer. They assembled a multi-link torsion axle, developed from the scratch, at the rear. They used only the best materials for the car interior. Under the bonnet, they put the 5-litre, 300-hp M70 engine that had excelled in the BMW 7 E32. The prudent manufacturer electronically limited the top speed to 250 km/h, which in practice usually meant around 260 km/h.

In October 1992, at the Paris Salon, the sportiest variant was presented – the 850 CSI, in the technical documentation appearing under the M8/E index. The reliable BMW Motorsport managed its development and preparation. A 381-hp, 5.6 -litre V12 engine (with the code S70B56 – its development S70B56/3 powered the legendary McLaren F1 cars) enabled the 850 CSI to attain a staggering 300 km/h. It was the fastest mass-produced car in the world at the time. For safety reasons, a speed limiter was fitted as standard to limit speeds to a maximum of 250 km/h, but the factory could remove it upon completion of special BMW M-certified driving courses. In addition, the CSI had other distinctive qualities: lowered suspension and more powerful brakes, although these were incredibly good even in the basic version. The engine was mated to a 6-speed gearbox, very capable and durable provided if managed skilfully. They produced only 1510 units of the 850CSI.

In the photos, we see a very well-equipped Swiss version. In the interior, the striking features are the comfort seats, which were a rare feature on the CSI.

– They are so comfortable that it had less than 70000 km when I bought it and now has 97000 km. I enjoyed driving it so much! I just could not get away from it. At the time, I drove a new BMW 7 (F01) daily, and it was the same in terms of comfort. The 850 drove very similarly, even though it is two decades older, and the 7 Series is the top model after all.

The car was bought in 2012 from a collector in Austria. It is accident-free, but the Austrian owner rubbed its side while driving on the motorway. The damage was very minor, polishing the scratches and applying one coat of paint helped. The owner-collector said that since the BMW was no longer pristine, he wanted to sell it.

– In 2012, I was not yet as much of a purist as I am now. Today I might not have bought it, especially as I later came across a Polish ad with such a car in perfect condition and with only symbolic mileage. I even considered buying it but found that the one I have is so well cared for and nice that it is still an exceptional piece. It has wax on the engine, a set of tools and is as it came out of the factory. There is still a wrap on the first aid kit. Plus, full documentation!

The current owner stresses that the BMW 850 is a car with incredible tuning potential.

– Helmut pulled 950 hp out of such an engine. A conversion that does not affect the life of the unit is 600 hp. He offered to overclock my engine, but this is not necessary.

The BMW 850i cost 150000 marks. In the States, where it is the most desired, its price was $80000. The great appetite, moreover, remained unsatisfied. The huge US market absorbed only 6788 copies. In total, this car distribution amounted to 30621 units, which BMW considers a modest number. A huge outlay, a pile of money spent and all for nothing. Oh no, one should not say so. The work on the underpowered BMW helped to make a major technological leap that bore fruit in later years.

After production ceased in 1999, hardly anyone shed a single tear. It is reminiscent of the fate of the BMW 507 – a car that was beautiful, although from a commercial point of view, completely unsuccessful. Today, the exceptional beauty of the 507 has tightly covered up the former sales failure. Nobody remembers the flop. Instead, everyone admires it. It will be the same with the 850csi. If it is not already.