The Great 8.

[SCOTT27]

BMW celebrates the Great 8.
With a replacement 8er now heading towards the market using the conceptual 8er Gran Lusso as a starting point its time to delve back into history and BMWs larger Coupe - The 8er.

BMW 8er E31

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=0hpD...=/watch?v=0hpDHN4bVqA&feature=player_embedded

Some behind the scenes of the creation and development of the BMW 8er.

The first sketches.

Solving a design problem on how to define the rear of the car.

Building the first design model, A process that still matters today.
Wolfgang Reitzle BMW R&D boss in the centre.

A glimpse of the future , Early camouflage.

Shattered dreams. The ill-fated 8er Cabrio.

Aerodynamic testing in the wind kanal.

BMW Coupe heritage 1989.

Media launch BMW FIZ 1989.

A look to the future.

 

[LaArtist]

The past looked brighter than the future.

 

[DblPen]

yeah, that concept is ugly

 

[bimmerjph]

The 8-Series is one of those cars that I absolutely love, yet I have no I idea why. It's big, it's heavy, and it's complicated. Yet I love it. Really hope BMW doesn't screw this car up design wise.

 

[SCOTT27]

The past looked brighter than the future.

Its always been a question?
But if legislation did not kill off pop-up headlights , I wonder who would still use them today?
Or as a sign of progress would they have died off like Video and Audio cassettes?

 

[dalab]

What is the difference in size between the 8 series and the Gran Lusso? length, width, height .....
There are measures of the latter? those who have seen both live,
In the pictures it seems like the Grand Lusso was bulkier, or bigger than de 8 series......

 

[Wunderkind]

As a current owner of a E31 850i. I just object to BMW using the word "celebrate" to describe this occasion. Many parts cost an arm and a leg and some crucial screws and bolts that are E31-specific are NLA (No Longer Available) and makes ownership more and more difficult and truly an ordeal to endure. Yes, I'm speaking from current experience!

The recall for the pop-up headlights a few years ago in the United States did not help any of the owners outside of the US. A full set of headlights cost upwards of US$8,000-00 at the local dealer level.

 

[bmwownage]

hope they can do a better job than the Gran Lusso. must look leaner.

 

[Ultimate Car Guy]

As a current owner of a E31 850i. I just object to BMW using the word "celebrate" to describe this occasion. Many parts cost an arm and a leg and some crucial screws and bolts that are E31-specific are NLA (No Longer Available) and makes ownership more and more difficult and truly an ordeal to endure. Yes, I'm speaking from current experience!

The recall for the pop-up headlights a few years ago in the United States did not help any of the owners outside of the US. A full set of headlights cost upwards of US$8,000-00 at the local dealer level.

Er, you just gave BMW a good reason to "celebrate" - even though the car was discontinued some time ago, they're still making good money through parts.