Got to bum around in a '97 12 banger.

Last year, the owner drove it in deep water and ruined the motor. Didn't want to settle with the insurance co, so bought a used motor. BMW dropped it in, turned out to be a bum V12. Owner STILL wanted to keep the car, so he bought a new V12, plus did major brake work. Total bill was $24K.

The interior iis mint, but the car has some deep scratches and rust bubbles around the sunroof. Probably would fetch low teens on the market. 60K miles...

The guy must have been in love with the beast. Lovely looking car, powerful, though not fast. Had Dinan badges, exhaust for sure-- dunno what else.

Looked like this, sans smoked turn lamps.

__________________
'07 Yukon 2500
'13 Subaru Outback 3.6R
'13 Orbea Carpe 9-speed

Currently Benzless
Formerly: 300TD, S600, E55, 560SEL

---= The forest breathes, listen.
-Native American elder

That is one of my favorite cars. A local car flipper had an early 90's that was supposed to be in good condition and gave me the $8K today and its yours line but after seeing what people dump into 750Il's it was an easy thanks but no thanks.

The CSI's are cool. Rare and still expensive. Usually $35-45K. Service guy told me most of them are beat up.

__________________
'07 Yukon 2500
'13 Subaru Outback 3.6R
'13 Orbea Carpe 9-speed

Currently Benzless
Formerly: 300TD, S600, E55, 560SEL

---= The forest breathes, listen.
-Native American elder

Perhaps the 840 is the way to go, assuming the Nickasil block issue has been resolved.

I think the early ones were just i's , which are still cheap and like you said usually beat up.

They are bad @$$ looking cars, especially in black.

Why do I have visions of the valet in Ferris Bueller's Day Off whenever I see one of your car driving escalades?

__________________

1980 300TD-China Blue/Blue MBTex-2nd Owner, 107K (Alt Blau) OBK #15
'06 Chevy Tahoe Z71 (for the wife & 4 kids, current mule) '03 Honda Odyssey (son #1's ride, reluctantly) '99 GMC Suburban (255K+ miles, semi-retired mule) 21' SeaRay Seville (summer escape pod)

No $hit, he'd get my valet key.

Tempting, but this thing was out of alignment and the brakes felt weird.

__________________
'07 Yukon 2500
'13 Subaru Outback 3.6R
'13 Orbea Carpe 9-speed

Currently Benzless
Formerly: 300TD, S600, E55, 560SEL

---= The forest breathes, listen.
-Native American elder

I think so. I was at my indy's shop back in May getting some work done, and a guy came in to ask his advice on purchasing a used 850 that had come available. This guy specializes in MB and BMW and said he wouldn't take a used V12 for free, based on the problems/operating costs that are associated with the 850. Its a damn shame, because they are sweet looking and a little on the rare side, so it will always be a conversation piece amongst car guys. I think I'd be satisfied with the V8. This one is more of a GT than a proper sports car.

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Jonathan

2011 Mazda2
2000 E320 4Matic Wagon
1994 C280 (retired)

Those are sweet. Man I'm starting to like your line of work!

The M1 was sweet too. Made lots of dreamcar lists.

__________________
You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows - Robert A. Zimmerman

There are some decent 840's out there. Assuming it's an Alusil block (95+ ?) I don't see much of a reason to be afraid of them. Probably shares many parts with the big 7. Make sure it has records and do a PPI. If it checks out, then go for it!

__________________
'07 Yukon 2500
'13 Subaru Outback 3.6R
'13 Orbea Carpe 9-speed

Currently Benzless
Formerly: 300TD, S600, E55, 560SEL

---= The forest breathes, listen.
-Native American elder

We're doing an M1 next week. I think it's Trucknik's car.

__________________
'07 Yukon 2500
'13 Subaru Outback 3.6R
'13 Orbea Carpe 9-speed

Currently Benzless
Formerly: 300TD, S600, E55, 560SEL

---= The forest breathes, listen.
-Native American elder

Hey oooh... hmm..

__________________
You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows - Robert A. Zimmerman

I think Alusil was '97-up. The block has some sort of code number that should be referenced to confirm the alloy type. OTO, older 7's and 8's may be on replacement blocks when their nikasil blocks went bye-bye. Just watch out on this, as there was a period when BMW was replacing bad nikasil blocks with new nikasil blocks, starting the whole sulfur-corrosion process all over again.

I knew you had a 540i. Holding out on us, ay?

__________________
'07 Yukon 2500
'13 Subaru Outback 3.6R
'13 Orbea Carpe 9-speed

Currently Benzless
Formerly: 300TD, S600, E55, 560SEL

---= The forest breathes, listen.
-Native American elder