Opinions vary on contemporary BMW styling, but few would argue that some of the automaker’s 1980s and 90s models are among the best ever produced. One of those, the BMW 8 Series, is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year amid rumors the company is considering a new 8-Series model to take on Mercedes Benz’ S-Class Coupe, perhaps inspired by Pininfarina’s Gran Lusso Coupe.
BMW and its fans came together last weekend at the company’s Bavarian home for celebrating the 8 Series’ quarter-century, joining a parade of as many as 120 cars. The event was put together by the BMW 8-Series clubs 8er.org and ClubE31 Worldwide Owners Group, with added support from BMW Club International Office. Fans and owners got to enjoy a tour of the Dingolfing facility, where the 8-Series was produced throughout the 1990s.
The BMW 8 Series offered plenty of new features to BMW’s range. Amongst its technical offerings include an electrically adjustable steering column with memory function, a seatbelt system incorporated into the seats, remote control central locking, a high performance onboard computer and an automatically dimming rearview mirror. The 8 Series, with its frameless windows, was also the first BMW to retract its windows slightly when the doors were opened, and raise them again as the doors shut—offering a tighter seal between door frame and window, enhancing refinement and silence inside the car.
Perhaps the BMW 8 Series’ greatest contribution though was its V12 powerplant. Visitors celebrating the vehicle’s 25th anniversary at Dingolfing got to see a special 8-Series prototype, its V12 tuned by BMW Motorsport to 550 HP. A development of this engine later went on to power one of the greatest ever supercars, the McLaren F1. If nothing else and there’s plenty about the 8 Series to like that contribution to the motoring world is something to be thankful for.
