1993 BMW 850

Documents: Cancelled German Fahrzeugbrief

Chassis No. WBSEG91000CC00519

Few grand tourers embody early-1990s technological ambition quite like the BMW 850 CSi. Built by BMW Motorsport GmbH and identified by its "WBS" VIN prefix, distinct from the standard "WBA" cars, the 850 CSi occupies a singular place in BMW's lineage. Under the hood sits the 5.6-liter S70 V12, an M-derived powerplant producing 380 PS mated exclusively to a six-speed manual transmission. The 850 CSi's true engineering signature is its Active Rear-Axle Kinematics system (AHK), a hydraulically actuated four-wheel-steering setup standard on European CSi models. The system turns the rear wheels in phase with the front above roughly 60 km/h to sharpen high-speed stability and lane-change agility in a nearly two-ton grand tourer. Only 1,510 examples were built between August 1992 and October 1996 before tightening emissions regulations ended the model's run.

This example was a special-order car finished in the striking and rare Veilchenblau Metallic (Violet Blue), one of only 35 E31s produced in this color and reported to be one of just four 850 CSi examples so finished. In this car its rarity continues as it is paired with special-order matching Violet Blue leather seats. Factory options include an electric sunroof, memory seats with heating, fine wood trim, a BMW Business CD radio with 6-disc CD changer, and the desirable HiFi speaker system, among others.

The car completed its predelivery inspection on 21 June 1993 in Kronberg, Germany. It spent time in Spain through the late 1990s before returning to Germany in 2014. It is offered today with just under 63,000 kilometers at cataloging. Rare in both specification and color, it combines low mileage with its BMW M pedigree to create a seldom-seen opportunity for the discerning collector.