Automobile manufacturers handle their production statistics based on two information dimensions:
Model Year
Calendar Year
Model Year
The Model Year is defined as the period of time an auto manufacturer determines its sales, marketing and engineering support for a particular vehicle. The Model Year view is utilized by Japan, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Middle East, and other coutnries.
In the USA, the Model Year cannot exceed the January of the previous year. For example, a…
The BMW 8-series started out with one type of engine only, the V12 M70B50. Almost three years into the production BMW expanded the choice by offering the S70B56 marking the top end of the line complemented by the then new M60B40 V8 engine. Initial plans to offer the less powerful M60B30 3.0L V8 engine were scrapped after only 18 prototype units.
The 840Ci henceforth was the entry model of the 8-series and soon surpassed the sales figures for the aging M70B50 and also its successor the…
Development of the successor to the highly successful M60B40 engine in the E31 began in December 1994 and continued throughout 1995. Starting in March 1996, the 840Ci was delivered with the 4.4-liter V8 M62B44 engine and, optionally, with a Steptronic transmission (ZF 5HP30 until September 1996, thereafter ZF 5HP24) or the already familiar and proven 6-speed manual transmission from Getrag.
Despite its larger displacement, the M62’s peak output remained unchanged at 286 hp compared…
The BMW M73B54 V12 engine with a cubic displacement of 5.4L succeeded the M70B50 5.0L V12 in the 850Ci in autumn 1994 and was henceforth used solely in conjunction with the ZF 5HP30 5-speed Steptronic gearbox until the BMW 8-series production ended in May 1999.
The M73 850Ci was built in two LHD variants only: EG41 for the ECE market and EG43 for the North American customers
The M73 850Ci is the lowest production 8-series model and with only 1218 produced units can be considered "rarer"…
The BMW S70B56 V12 engine is, despite its deviations from the philosophy of the M-GmbH, a true BMW Motorsport engine and hence the 850CSi is a true BMW M car. This is also reflected in the VIN of the CSi.
Ordinary BMW cars share the first three letters of the VIN – WBA – whereas the VIN´s for all cars manufactured under the reigns of the Motorsport division start withWBS beginnen.
This does not make the CSi an M8, at least not in the way the original M8 was devised. The CSi is a…
