Insight Into the BMW 850Ci for 1997
When you think of the “BMW 850Ci” what will usually come to mind for BMW enthusiasts is quality, stability and lots of history. The 850Ci has been one of the premier vehicles of the BMW line for over ten years. It is an important car and the 1997 model is no exception. The BMW 850Ci falls into the coupe for the family category.
Standard equipment in the 850Ci for 1996 and 1997 includes the 5.4 liter engine by BMW, weighing in at 12 cylinders and twenty four valves. A 5-speed Automatic Transmission puts the power of the engine to the pavement. The has proven to be a popular configuration for the 850Ci.
The fuel system for the 1997 850Ci is a traditional Bosch HFM Motronic, running on gasoline fuel. The fuel is controlled by an electronic system and is a fuel-injected MFI design. The capacity of the fuel tank is 16.40 gallons.
Steering control is handled through a power-steering gear-style configuration. The 850Ci comes equipped with power-assisted brakes, with 4-Wheel ABS support. The front brakes are disc while the rear brakes are disc. The car uses coil front springs and coil in the rear.
106.30 of wheelbase allows for extra leg room for the rear passengers. It sits 53.80 inches off the ground. It seats a standard five passengers, with 2 doors. The dimensions of the 850Ci Base are 174.50 inches long by 67.30 inches wide.
The original manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP) was $32,990 when new, with a dealer invoice cost of $28,910. This price was in line with the industry average price for a 2-door Coupe.
The 1997 850Ci gets 26 – 29 miles/gallon on the highway and only 19 – 20 in the city. This is below average for a coupe car.
The vehicle is available in several colors.
The standard warranty period for the 850Ci is 60* months, or 50,000* miles, whichever comes first. This is standard in the coupe market.
There are several reasons why the BMW 850Ci Base sold well in 1997. Mainly the increase in availability and a marked improvement in quality meant the buying public was more apt to choose a BMW, specifically a 850Ci.
I saw the recent news about BMWs and their reliability. I personally would check out web sites like edmunds.com and others before I made a choice of a car like the 850Ci.
Cool article. I hope you can explain your experiences with the 850Ci?