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BMW M8 CompetitionBMW E31 850 CSiBMW 8 SeriesV12 manual BMW

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Hello. The car we are enjoying in today’s Legendary Moment is:

BMW (F92) M8 Competition and (E31) 850 CSi.

First introduced in 1989, the E31 8 Series was widely considered a commercial failure because of weak sales. Successive E63/E64 and F12/F13/F06 6 Series coupés and convertibles only increased curiosity about the absent “8,” with rumors that it was gone for good. It finally returned with G14/G15/G16, recreating the F-generation 6 Series lineup; the M versions retain F codes. If you haven't seen the review, take a look.

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Apart from the “8,” these cars hardly look related. You can feel the twenty years since the old model's discontinuation.

BMW M8 Competition & 850 CSi — archive photograph 6.1
© 주보균 / LEGENDARY · Original archive photograph

Yet the individuality and presence of BMW's flagship coupé remain alive.

BMW M8 Competition & 850 CSi — archive photograph 8.1
© 주보균 / LEGENDARY · Original archive photograph

One kidney grille is hard to notice even close up; the other is obvious from far away. It is a detail BMW fans watch anxiously.

BMW M8 Competition & 850 CSi — archive photograph 10.1
© 주보균 / LEGENDARY · Original archive photograph

It has grown enough to defy perspective—not just the grille, but the entire car.

BMW M8 Competition & 850 CSi — archive photograph 12.1
© 주보균 / LEGENDARY · Original archive photograph

It may look tall, but sits low enough that our filming team had to lower the camera further.

BMW M8 Competition & 850 CSi — archive photograph 14.1
© 주보균 / LEGENDARY · Original archive photograph
BMW M8 Competition & 850 CSi — archive photograph 15.1
© 주보균 / LEGENDARY · Original archive photograph

Can you find anything in common here besides the number eight? To me, the A-pillar lines look similar.

BMW M8 Competition & 850 CSi — archive photograph 17.1
© 주보균 / LEGENDARY · Original archive photograph

LED daytime running lights and retractable headlights may be among the best technologies for realizing a car designer's dreams.

BMW M8 Competition & 850 CSi — archive photograph 19.1
© 주보균 / LEGENDARY · Original archive photograph

The E31 never wore the M8 name in production, apart from a prototype. It became an official designation with the F92 in the G-era family.

BMW M8 Competition & 850 CSi — archive photograph 21.1
© 주보균 / LEGENDARY · Original archive photograph

Perhaps acknowledging complaints about interior finish and luxury, BMW invested generously in the M8. Its changes extend beyond ride quality and exterior design.

BMW M8 Competition & 850 CSi — archive photograph 23.1
© 주보균 / LEGENDARY · Original archive photograph

An analog instrument panel will now become a sign of age—or stubborn conviction.

BMW M8 Competition & 850 CSi — archive photograph 25.1
© 주보균 / LEGENDARY · Original archive photograph

There is more to admire at the rear than the front. Few cars can overtake an M8 Competition to see its nose. Enjoy the view!

BMW M8 Competition & 850 CSi — archive photograph 27.1
© 주보균 / LEGENDARY · Original archive photograph

With ceramic brakes too, what more could you ask? It seems to carry every option a production car could offer.

BMW M8 Competition & 850 CSi — archive photograph 29.1
© 주보균 / LEGENDARY · Original archive photograph

The E31 850 CSi also radiates top-model status.

BMW M8 Competition & 850 CSi — archive photograph 31.1
© 주보균 / LEGENDARY · Original archive photograph

It carries the S70B56, an engine developed with M's involvement for the top model.

BMW M8 Competition & 850 CSi — archive photograph 33.1
© 주보균 / LEGENDARY · Original archive photograph

The instruments look a little plain, but the speedometer's 300 km/h marking is impressive.

BMW M8 Competition & 850 CSi — archive photograph 35.1
© 주보균 / LEGENDARY · Original archive photograph

The original article describes it as the first road car to combine a V12 engine with a manual transmission.

BMW M8 Competition & 850 CSi — archive photograph 37.1
© 주보균 / LEGENDARY · Original archive photograph

Its 375-hp V12 and six-speed manual give it an impressively weighty character, different from other M models.

BMW M8 Competition & 850 CSi — archive photograph 39.1
© 주보균 / LEGENDARY · Original archive photograph

Opportunities to meet old and new cars of the same rank together are rare. Thirty years after the original launch and twenty after discontinuation, change makes common ground hard to find. Yet the value BMW pursues through the number “8” still seems intact.

BMW M8 Competition & 850 CSi — archive photograph 41.1
© 주보균 / LEGENDARY · Original archive photograph

What is the dream car in your memories? We will be here until your dream car appears on LEGENDARY100. Thank you.

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LEGENDARY YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/dayone82

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