1991 BMW 850i V12 With 6-Speed Manual Listed on Bring a Trailer

A 1991 BMW 850i V12 with a six-speed manual has been listed on Bring a Trailer. Learn about the E31 grand tourer, its history, specifications, and the story behind this auction listing.

A 1991 BMW 850i has appeared on Bring a Trailer, offering a clear snapshot of the ambitious grand touring machines that defined the early 1990s. The car belongs to BMW’s E31 generation and combines a naturally aspirated V12 with a six-speed manual transmission—one of the most interesting configurations ever offered in the model’s lineup.

Finished in Alpine White over Light Silver Gray leather, the coupe is powered by the 5.0-liter M70B50 V12. In factory form the engine produced about 296 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque. Paired with a six-speed manual gearbox, it sends power to the rear wheels and turns the large luxury coupe into a true grand tourer.

The E31 itself occupies a distinctive place in BMW history. Introduced in 1989, the new 8 Series was conceived as a technological flagship for the brand and one of the most sophisticated cars of its era. Among its defining features were a pillarless coupe body, powerful V12 engines, and a level of equipment that included automatic climate control, power seats with memory, an onboard computer, and other advanced features for the time.

The manual-transmission 850i has always stood out within the range. A V12 paired with a six-speed manual was unusual for a luxury grand touring coupe of this class, and that combination has long made these cars especially appealing to enthusiasts. Production numbers for such versions on the North American market were relatively limited according to available data, which helps explain their reputation as one of the more desirable configurations today.

The example currently listed on BaT shows about 91,000 miles and is offered with documentation including its original window sticker and service records. The Carfax report is described as clean, without accident or damage entries, and the sticker indicates an original suggested retail price of $77,950.

This particular car also has a traceable history on the same auction platform. It appeared on Bring a Trailer previously and was purchased there in January 2025 for $22,400. Now the coupe has returned to the site once again for another auction run.

Under current ownership the car received a number of mechanical updates and modifications. These include 18-inch Style 37 M Parallel wheels, H&R lowering springs, and Supersprint exhaust components. Service work listed in the description also includes replacement of the driveshaft, oil-pan gasket, engine and transmission mounts, front struts, distributor cap and rotor, and various filters.

Additional suspension work in February 2025 involved Bilstein front strut inserts and new rear upper shock mounts, while the cabin received a replacement cabin filter. Other small updates include a Hella horn kit and replacement hood and trunk struts.

The equipment list reflects the grand-touring nature of the car. Features include a power-operated sunroof, fog lights, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated power-adjustable seats, cruise control, a cassette stereo, and a trunk-mounted CD changer. The car also retains its period BMW car phone.

The seller also points out age-related details visible in the gallery. Irregularities in the onboard computer display are noted, and some areas of surface rust can be seen underneath the car. Such elements are not uncommon on vehicles of this age and reflect the reality of owning a three-decade-old flagship coupe.

All together, the listing presents an intriguing example of BMW’s early 8 Series: a V12 grand tourer with a six-speed manual, documented history, recent mechanical work, and a transparent presentation of its condition. Cars like this often serve as a reminder of how the market continues to reassess large, technically ambitious GT machines from the 1990s.