If you were born in the 1970s or the 80s, the BMW 850Ci is no stranger to you. Nicknamed ‘The Shark’ because of its nose resembling that of the marine animal, the BMW 850 was presented in 1989 at the Frankfurt Auto Show and became an instant hit when it hit the market in 1990. Back then even before car or watch pricing bubbles were a thing, bimmer enthusiasts were already paying above retail for this 90s iconic automobile. Designed by German car designer Klaus Kapitza, the 850 was meant to be a super fast and aerodynamic machine powered by a 5.0-liter V-12 cylinder engine boasting an impressive 296 hp.
In 1992, only two years after its release, BMW upgraded the 850i to 850CSi —Coupé Sport— giving it more power —375 hp— and equipping it with a larger 5.6-liter V-12 engine. Then, right after the CSi was presented and its production started, BMW decided to change the name of the original 850i to 850Ci. Think about it as a transitional car, just as it happens with watches. By adding the ‘C’ —which stands for Coupé— to the name, BMW swapped the original 5.0-liter engine on the 850i to a 5.4-liter V-12. This time the 850Ci would boast 332 hp —36 hp more than the original 850i.
Also in 1992, BMW decided to launch the 840Ci which was considered the entry-level 8 Series, and this model was equipped with a smaller 4.0-liter V-8 engine and 282 hp. But what makes the BMW 850Ci even more special is the short production period that lasted only nine years, much like the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore ref. 26401PO in platinum launched in 2014 and produced for only a few years. BMW experts say that no more than 30,621 8 Series left the BMW factory in nine years and we say that regarding the AP Royal Oak Offshore ref. 26401PO in platinum, perhaps no more than 100 pieces left the manufacture in Le Brassus.
While not many appreciate or understand the exclusivity of the platinum AP Royal Oak Offshore 44 ref. 26401PO, the same goes for the BMW 850Ci a.k.a. ‘The Shark’. While you can still run into preowned 840i —entry-level model— examples under $20K USD, you will not be able to secure an 850Ci like the one we have here unless you are ready to spend $70K+ USD —pretty much the last know sticker price for the platinum Royal Oak Offshore 44 we have here. Equipped with a cassette player and a CD Changer, the 850Ci will take you back in time like that DeLorean from Back to the Future you can’t stop thinking about.
Powerful, sexy, understated, and reserved for those in the know, are just some of the words and phrases that come to mind when you think of either the BMW 850Ci 'The Shark' or the AP Royal Oak Offshore 44 ref. 26401PO in platinum.
As we like to say: “If you know, you know.”
Sticker Price $70,000 USD. Last Know Sticker for the platinum Offshore $69,200 USD. For more info on Audemars Piguet click here.
