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Every E31 8 Series in this table is petrol-powered, with Bosch Motronic multi-point injection and a timing chain. The M70B50, M73B54 and S70B56 V12s power the 850i, 850Ci and 850CSi, from 300 to 381 hp, while the 32-valve M60B40 and later M62B44 V8s deliver 286 hp in the 840i and 840Ci. The 850CSi, with its BMW M-developed engine, came with a 6-speed manual gearbox only. V8 or V12: that is the first thing to establish about your E31 before choosing parts.
| Version | Period | Engine code | Displacement (L) | Power (hp) | Fuel | Carburettor / Injection | Cylinders / Valves | Timing drive | Torque (Nm) | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 850i (then 850Ci) | 1990-1994 | M70B50 | 5.0 | 300 | Petrol | Bosch Motronic multi-point injection | V12 / 24 (2/cyl) | Chain | 450 | Renamed 850Ci in late 1993 |
| 850Ci | 1994-1999 | M73B54 | 5.4 | 326 | Petrol | Bosch Motronic multi-point injection | V12 / 24 (2/cyl) | Chain | 490 | Same engine as the 750i E38 |
| 840i (then 840Ci) | 1993-1996 | M60B40 | 4.0 | 286 | Petrol | Bosch Motronic multi-point injection | V8 / 32 (4/cyl) | Chain | 400 | Became the 840Ci in 1994 |
| 840Ci | 1995-1999 | M62B44 | 4.4 | 286 | Petrol | Bosch Motronic multi-point injection | V8 / 32 (4/cyl) | Chain | 420 | 6-speed manual optional in Europe |
| 850CSi | 1992-1996 | S70B56 | 5.6 | 381 | Petrol | Bosch Motronic 1.7 multi-point injection | V12 / 24 (2/cyl) | Chain | 550 | BMW M-developed engine, 6-speed manual only |
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