1995 BMW 850Ci

Most E31s were built to cross continents quietly. This one was built to stop traffic. The 8 Series was BMW's most ambitious car of the 1990s — a V12 grand tourer with pop-up headlights and a shape that still looks like it arrived from somewhere else — and turning one into a widebody show car is the kind of idea most people talk themselves out of. This 850Ci is what happens when nobody does.

This 1995 BMW 850Ci was commissioned as a SEMA build and wears a custom Pandem widebody kit reported to be the first fitted to an E31 anywhere in the world. It is finished in Cosmosschwarz Metallic over a custom-upholstered interior, powered by the 5.0-liter V12 paired with an automatic transmission, and shows 173,000 miles. The car carries a clean California title in the current owner's name.

Build & Provenance

The car was built by Marvin Fonacier, a Los Angeles- and Temecula-based builder with more than twenty years in the car scene, and debuted at the 2021 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Fonacier has returned to SEMA repeatedly since, including with a Pandem-widebody E36 Touring in 2023 and the Ultrace Group 5 1980 BMW 320i in 2025, also represented by Heritage Gruppe.

Exterior

The Pandem widebody kit is the centerpiece, widening an already low car and giving it a stance the factory never offered. The Cosmosschwarz Metallic finish shifts noticeably between daylight and shade. Further exterior equipment includes an Aero duckbill wing, Bosch OEM-specification depot lights, an Exo Shield windshield, and Xpel tint applied at 50 percent. A second Aero wing is included with the sale, allowing the rear end to be restyled to preference. The car has been professionally repainted and does not wear its original factory finish.

Interior

The cabin pairs the factory 8 Series layout with an M Sport-derived package: an M Sport steering wheel, shift knob, and pedals, alongside custom-upholstered seating. A Kicker audio system has been professionally installed, comprising 12" subwoofers, a 1,000-watt amplifier, and an equalizer, with the trunk rebuilt to house the equipment behind a finished panel.

Engine & Drivetrain

Power comes from the 5.0-liter M70 V12, factory rated at 296 horsepower, driving the rear wheels through an automatic transmission. The original engine and transmission were replaced during the build, and the current combination is reported to run well. A Wokke performance chip and a full Supersprint exhaust system have been fitted, along with additional tuning carried out by H3 Performance.

Suspension, Wheels & Brakes

The car rides on a Grinds air management system with adjustable struts, allowing ride height to be changed on demand. Braking is handled by a Brembo GT big brake kit. Two sets of 19" BC Forged wheels are included: MLE10s currently mounted with Toyo Proxes R888R tires measuring 275/35 front and 325/30 rear, plus a second set of MLE61s that convey with the sale.

Background

BMW introduced the E31 8 Series in 1990 as its flagship grand tourer, replacing the 6 Series with a far more technically ambitious car. The 850Ci paired a 5.0-liter V12 with pop-up headlights, a pillarless glasshouse, and electronics well ahead of its segment. Any E31 is an uncommon sight today; a widebody example is singular.

Condition & Known Issues

No rust is present, and the car has no known accident history. Minor bodywork was carried out by IKON Auto Collision in Murrieta, California. Several faults are noted: the sunroof tilts but does not open fully, the passenger seat recline latch does not function, the SRS airbag warning light is illuminated, and the driver's-side reverse light is inoperative.

Note: Additional details including VIN, service records, and further photography will be provided to serious inquiries.