Exterior Colors

Here, all exterior colors for the 8 Series are listed by year and model, and each individual exterior color is detailed with information such as the color code, alternative colors, number of units, etc.

Overview of Exterior Colors by Year

Color Overview

Welcome to the first of many data-rich pages from the Inventory Project. This section represents the aggregated color data for the model years 1990-1999 BMW 8 Series.

The majority of 8er production (95.7% or 29`309 cars) came from a catalog of only 25 colors.
The remaining production (4.3% or 1`312 cars) came from 100 colors.

Exterior Color Summary 1990-1999

(All 8 Series Models built from 1989 through 1999)

TypColor EColor DCode8990919293949596979899Total
BlueAegean Blue Metallic
…
Christoph
February 1, 2007 at 2:05 PM

Overview of Exterior Colors by Model

8 Series - Exterior Colors

The exterior colors of the BMW 8 Series (E31) are far more than mere paint codes—they tell the story of one of the most iconic grand tourers of its time. Each color highlights the 8 Series’ distinctive design language in its own way: from elegant metallic shades to rare special-edition finishes and sporty, classic solid colors. The following table provides a structured overview of all available exterior colors for the E31, including designations, color families,…
Christoph
February 1, 2007 at 2:00 PM

Bronze Beige

Exterior Color (D): Bronzitbeige
Exterior Color (E): Bronze Beige
Color Group: Beige
Color Type: Metallic
Color Code: 139
BMW Part Number: 51 91 1 907 208
8er's Produced: 1
Commentary:

  • Long time BMW color from the 1980's
  • This color was applied to a 1992 M70 850i


Color images were derived from multiple sources, including BMW AG, PPG/BASF automotive color charts, and owner vehicles. Republishing content is expressly prohibited.
Christoph
February 1, 2007 at 10:53 AM

Cashmere Beige

Exterior Color (D): Kaschmirbeige
Exterior Color (E): Cashmere Beige
Color Group: Beige
Color Type: Metallic
Color Code: 301
BMW Part Number: 51 91 1 052 079
8er's Produced: 80
Commentary:

  • Sometimes referred to as Smoke Silver, Desert Silver or Gold, this color was produced for all major markets.
  • Produced from July 1990 until August 1997 (the latter years were special order only).
  • The first two 8's in this color were 1990 M70 850's produced in July 1990 for Japan and Australia. The Australia M70 850 was
…
Christoph
February 1, 2007 at 10:52 AM

Orient Brown

Exterior Color (D): Orientbraun
Exterior Color (E): Orient Brown
Color Group: Beige
Color Type: Metallic
Color Code: 285
BMW Part Number: Pending
8er's Produced: 2
Commentary:

  • Special order color through BMW Individual
  • One M70 850iA and one S70 850CSi Euro were ordered in this color; both were delivered to a German and Belgium owner respectively
  • Alternate color code:
    • FE 68-800X
    • FQ 95-2980


Color images were derived from multiple sources, including BMW AG, PPG/BASF automotive color charts, and owner vehicles.…
Christoph
February 1, 2007 at 10:51 AM

Savannah Beige

Exterior Color (D): Savannahbeige
Exterior Color (E): Savannah Beige
Color Group: Beige
Color Type: Metallic
Color Code: 282
BMW Part Number: 51 91 1 052 254
8er's Produced: 1
Commentary:

  • This color was offered across the BMW model range in 1994-95
  • The only documented 8er receiving this color was a RHD M60 840Ci 6spd used as a test vehicle; whereabouts unknown


Color images were derived from multiple sources, including BMW AG, PPG/BASF automotive color charts, and owner vehicles. Republishing content is…
Christoph
February 1, 2007 at 10:50 AM

Anthracite

Exterior Color (D): Anthrazit
Exterior Color (E): Anthracite
Color Group: Black
Color Type: Metallic
Color Code: 397
BMW Part Number: 51 91 1 052 648
8er's Produced: 10
Commentary:

  • Color introduced during the last model year (1999) for the M62 and M73 8 Series beginning with September 1998 production
  • The UK, German, and the Netherlands were recipients of this car with this color
  • This color is often confused with Cosmos Black, code 303


Color images were derived from multiple sources, including BMW AG,…
Christoph
February 1, 2007 at 10:47 AM

Carbon Black

Exterior Color (D): Carbonschwarz
Exterior Color (E): Carbon Black
Color Group: Black
Color Type: Metallic
Color Code: 416
BMW Part Number: 51 91 1 052 660
8er's Produced: 1
Commentary:

  • Color was used in the very last month of production for a Special Order M62 840CiA
  • This color is often confused with Dark Blue; although there is some blue in this color, it's primary color is black
  • This car was the next to last M62 840CiA LHD built, CC61719 (pictured), and is now apart of a special BMW collection


Color…
Christoph
February 1, 2007 at 10:46 AM

Cosmos Black

Exterior Color (D): Cosmosschwarz
Exterior Color (E): Cosmos Black
Color Group: Black
Color Type: Metallic
Color Code: 303
BMW Part Number: 51 91 1 052 304
8er's Produced: 1240
Commentary:

  • Popular color across all 8er models.
  • This was the successor color to Diamond Black (code 181).
Photos courtesy of Mark Lipsky, 1997 M73 850CiA (USA)



Color images were derived from multiple sources, including BMW AG, PPG/BASF automotive color charts, and owner vehicles. Republishing content is expressly prohibited.
Christoph
February 1, 2007 at 10:45 AM

Diamond Black

Exterior Color (D): Diamantschwarz
Exterior Color (E): Diamond Black
Color Group: Black
Color Type: Metallic
Color Code: 181
BMW Part Number: 51 91 1 930 070
8er's Produced: 4980
Commentary:

  • This is the most popular color for the 8 Series worldwide, accounting for 16.3% of all 8er's produced.
  • Often mistaken for Grey, this color is part of the Black color family.


Color images were derived from multiple sources, including BMW AG, PPG/BASF automotive color charts, and owner vehicles. Republishing content is…
Christoph
February 1, 2007 at 10:44 AM

Montego Black

Exterior Color (D): Montegoschwarz
Exterior Color (E): Montego Black
Color Group: Black
Color Type: Metallic
Color Code: FE 86-9424
BMW Part Number: Pending
8er's Produced: 5
Commentary:

  • Rare color offered via Special Order from BMW Individual
  • Two Alpina B12's were produced in this color: one 5.0 (M70), and one 5.7 (S70)


Color images were derived from multiple sources, including BMW AG, PPG/BASF automotive color charts, and owner vehicles. Republishing content is expressly prohibited.
Christoph
February 1, 2007 at 10:43 AM

Black

Exterior Color (D): Schwarz
Exterior Color (E): Black
Color Group: Black
Color Type: Standard
Color Code: 086
BMW Part Number: 51 91 1 813 070
8er's Produced: 1138
Commentary:

Primarily this colour was a North American event. Elsewhere in the world, this colour was seen to be unappealing relative to cultural perspectives.

In the USA/Canada market versions, this colour was only offered for the 1991-92 model years. The last 1992 M70 850i to get this colour was chassis CB74613, a Canadian-spec 8er produced…
Christoph
February 1, 2007 at 10:42 AM

Jet Black

Exterior Color (D): Schwarz 2
Exterior Color (E): Jet Black
Color Group: Black
Color Type: Standard
Color Code: 668
BMW Part Number: 51 91 1 052 171
8er's Produced: 1442
Commentary:

  • Schwarz II (and Schwarz) were the most popular colors for the North American 8er.
  • Outside North America, this color was less popular.
  • This color was used for the 1992-99 8 Series.
  • For certain 1990-91 BMW 850 models, this color was available on special order.
  • Depending on the country, this color is known also as Black II, Jet
…
Christoph
February 1, 2007 at 10:41 AM

Black Mica

Exterior Color (D): Schwarz Mica
Exterior Color (E): Black Mica
Color Group: Black
Color Type: Metallic
Color Code: 347
BMW Part Number: 51 91 1 052 559
8 Series produced: 7
Comment:

  • Special paint color via BMW Individual
  • Alternative color codes:
    • FE 68-940Z
    • FQ 95-3151


The color photos are sourced from various sources, including BMW AG, PPG/BASF color charts for the automotive industry, and vehicles owned by private individuals. Reproduction of this content is strictly prohibited.
Christoph
February 1, 2007 at 10:40 AM

Aegean Blue

Exterior Color (D): Agaischblau
Exterior Color (E): Aegean Blue
Color Group: Blue
Color Type: Metallic
Color Code: 336
BMW Part Number: 51 91 1 052 549
8er's Produced: 45
Commentary:

Special order color from BMW Individual.

Alternate BMW color code:

  • FQ 95-3568
The last S70 850CSi was built in this color.



Color images were derived from multiple sources, including BMW AG, PPG/BASF automotive color charts, and owner vehicles. Republishing content is expressly prohibited.
Christoph
February 1, 2007 at 10:31 AM

Alaska Blue

Exterior Color (D): Alaskablau
Exterior Color (E): Alaska Blue
Color Group: Blue
Color Type: Metallic
Color Code: 367
BMW Part Number: 51 91 1 052 300
8er's Produced: 3
Commentary:

  • Special order color through BMW Individual
  • This color was applied to one M73 850CiA and two M62 840CiA RHD (UK)
  • The pictures provided are from Barrie Pipkin's 1998 M62 840CiA RHD (the last 8er in Alaska Blue)


Color images were derived from multiple sources, including BMW AG, PPG/BASF automotive color charts, and owner vehicles.…
Christoph
February 1, 2007 at 10:30 AM

Alpina Blue 2

Exterior Color (D): Alpina Blau 2
Exterior Color (E): Alpina Blue 2
Color Group: Blue
Color Type: Metallic
Color Code: FQ 95-3965
BMW Part Number: Pending
8er's Produced: 4
Commentary:

  • Special order color through BMW Individual for Alpina
  • This was the "second-generation" Alpina Blue, replacing the first-generation Alpina Blue from BMW's color catalog: BLAU METALLIC (FE 86-5489)
  • All four S70 850CSi vehicles in this color were transformed to Alpina B12 5.7 coupes. The four B12 5.7's in this color are:
    • Nbr
…
Christoph
February 1, 2007 at 10:29 AM

Aqua

Exterior Color (D): Aqua
Exterior Color (E): Aqua
Color Group: Blue
Color Type: Metallic
Color Code: 451
BMW Part Number: 51 91 1 052 551
8er's Produced: 16
Commentary:

  • Special order color through BMW Individual
  • This color was applied to four USA S70 850CSi vehicles, three of which were used for the 1994 Detroit, Los Angeles, and Atlanta Auto Shows
  • Worldwide, this color was applied to 850CSi's and Euro M60/M62 840Ci's.
  • Alternate color code:
    • FE 86-50AK


Color images were derived from multiple sources,…
Christoph
February 1, 2007 at 10:28 AM

Arctic Blue

Exterior Color (D): Arktisblau
Exterior Color (E): Arctic Blue
Color Group: Blue
Color Type: Metallic
Color Code: 045
BMW Part Number: 51 91 1 851 635
8er's Produced: 1
Commentary:

  • BMW color offered in the 1970's and 80's
  • Only "one" M70 850CiA produced in this color for a USA customer
  • This 8er's last known location is the Los Angeles, California area (02/2007) and has over 100k miles


Color images were derived from multiple sources, including BMW AG, PPG/BASF automotive color charts, and owner vehicles. …
Christoph
February 1, 2007 at 10:27 AM

Atlantis Blue

Exterior Color (D): Atlantisblau
Exterior Color (E): Atlantis Blue
Color Group: Blue
Color Type: Standard
Color Code: 207
BMW Part Number: 51 91 1 973 945
8er's Produced: 108
Commentary:

  • Introduced to the Euro 8er as a standard color offering beginning with August 1989 production and ended with October 1992 production.
  • This color has a similar hue as Mauritius Blue (code 287) but is a non-metallic paint.
  • Atlantis Blue was applied to the 2nd produced 8er, a 850iA LHD for the German market (CB00001).
…
Christoph
February 1, 2007 at 10:26 AM