The BMW 840Ci spans 1981–1996 with 4 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 3.5/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 1996, 1995, 1994 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 1981, 1982, 1983. It delivers up to 17 mpg combined and NHTSA-rated safety.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The BMW 840Ci is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 1981 to 1996 across multiple generations.
How to read a BMW 840Ci VIN — every digit explained
Every BMW 840Ci carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a BMW and the country it was built in (real BMW codes below).
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this 840Ci.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
- Germany3MF · 3MW · 5UM · WAP · WB1 · WB3
- USA4US · 5UX · 5YM
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. For the full year-code table (2001–2026), country codes and where the VIN is stamped on your 840Ci, see the complete guide to reading a VIN.
How many recalls does the BMW 840Ci have?
The BMW 840Ci has 4 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1981–1996. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
1996 BMW 840Ci recalls 1
Vehicle Speed Control
What's wrong. THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THROTTLE CABLES ARE ATTACHED TO THE SAME THROTTLE VALVE ACTUATING LEVER AT THE THROTTLE HOUSING. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE PLASTIC BUSHING ON EITHER CABLE COULD BREAK DUE TO ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCES COUPLED WITH VIBRATION. IF THE BUSHING BREAKS, THE OUTER CABLE HOUSING CAN SEPARATE FROM THE BUSHING. IN THIS CASE, DURING APPLICATION OF THE THROTTLE PEDAL WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL BEING ENGAGED, THE OUTER TUBE COULD CATCH ON THE EDGE OF THE BROKEN BUSHING.
Risk. THIS COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE VALVE TO REMAIN PARTIALLY OPEN. IT HIS WERE TO OCCUR, THE CAR MIGHT NOT DECELERATE AS EXPECTED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SPRING STEEL CLIP ON THE OUTER TUBE OF EACH CABLE IN THE AREA OF THE ADJUSTING SCREW AND PLASTIC BUSHING. THE CLIP IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE OUTER TUBE FROM DISLODGING FROM THE BUSHING.
1995 BMW 840Ci recalls 1
Vehicle Speed Control
What's wrong. THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THROTTLE CABLES ARE ATTACHED TO THE SAME THROTTLE VALVE ACTUATING LEVER AT THE THROTTLE HOUSING. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE PLASTIC BUSHING ON EITHER CABLE COULD BREAK DUE TO ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCES COUPLED WITH VIBRATION. IF THE BUSHING BREAKS, THE OUTER CABLE HOUSING CAN SEPARATE FROM THE BUSHING. IN THIS CASE, DURING APPLICATION OF THE THROTTLE PEDAL WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL BEING ENGAGED, THE OUTER TUBE COULD CATCH ON THE EDGE OF THE BROKEN BUSHING.
Risk. THIS COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE VALVE TO REMAIN PARTIALLY OPEN. IT HIS WERE TO OCCUR, THE CAR MIGHT NOT DECELERATE AS EXPECTED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SPRING STEEL CLIP ON THE OUTER TUBE OF EACH CABLE IN THE AREA OF THE ADJUSTING SCREW AND PLASTIC BUSHING. THE CLIP IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE OUTER TUBE FROM DISLODGING FROM THE BUSHING.
1994 BMW 840Ci recalls 2
Vehicle Speed Control
What's wrong. THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THROTTLE CABLES ARE ATTACHED TO THE SAME THROTTLE VALVE ACTUATING LEVER AT THE THROTTLE HOUSING. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE PLASTIC BUSHING ON EITHER CABLE COULD BREAK DUE TO ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCES COUPLED WITH VIBRATION. IF THE BUSHING BREAKS, THE OUTER CABLE HOUSING CAN SEPARATE FROM THE BUSHING. IN THIS CASE, DURING APPLICATION OF THE THROTTLE PEDAL WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL BEING ENGAGED, THE OUTER TUBE COULD CATCH ON THE EDGE OF THE BROKEN BUSHING.
Risk. THIS COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE VALVE TO REMAIN PARTIALLY OPEN. IT HIS WERE TO OCCUR, THE CAR MIGHT NOT DECELERATE AS EXPECTED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SPRING STEEL CLIP ON THE OUTER TUBE OF EACH CABLE IN THE AREA OF THE ADJUSTING SCREW AND PLASTIC BUSHING. THE CLIP IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE OUTER TUBE FROM DISLODGING FROM THE BUSHING.
Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls
What's wrong. THE REMOTE ACTIVATION DEVICE CAN CLOSE WINDOWS AND SUNROOF FROM A DISTANCE GREATER THAN THE MAXIMUM (6 METERS) PERMITTED BY FMVSS NO.118, "POWER OPERATED WINDOW SYSTEMS."
Risk. CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: THIS COULD ALLOW WINDOWS OR SUNROOFS TO BE CLOSED ON AN ARM OR NECK OF AN INDIVIDUAL WHEN THE REMOTE DEVICE OPERATOR IS NOT WITHIN THE IMMEDIATE VICINITY.
Fix. REPLACE THE INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR WHICH HAS THE ACTIVATION RECEIVER WITH ONE WHOSE RECEIVER WILL CONTROL THE DOOR LOCKING AND THEFT ALARM, BUT WILL NOT PERMIT REMOTE OPERATION OF THE WINDOWS AND SUNROOF.
Best and worst years for the BMW 840Ci
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 16 tracked years, the worst years are 1996, 1995, 1994 and the best (fewest complaints) are 1981, 1982, 1983.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 840Ci | — | Best | |
| 1982 840Ci | — | Best | |
| 1983 840Ci | — | Best | |
| 1984 840Ci | — | Average | |
| 1985 840Ci | — | Average | |
| 1986 840Ci | — | Average | |
| 1987 840Ci | — | Average | |
| 1988 840Ci | — | Average | |
| 1989 840Ci | — | Average | |
| 1990 840Ci | — | Average | |
| 1991 840Ci | — | Average | |
| 1992 840Ci | — | Average | |
| 1993 840Ci | — | Average | |
| 1994 840Ci | Exterior Lighting | Avoid | |
| 1995 840Ci | Visibility | Avoid | |
| 1996 840Ci | Electrical System | Avoid |
What are the most common BMW 840Ci problems?
The most-reported BMW 840Ci problems are Visibility (1 reports), Electrical System (1 reports) and Exterior Lighting (2 reports) — out of 3 owner complaints NHTSA holds for the model. Here's how they break down:
Most-reported components — tap a category to read what owners actually experienced:
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
BMW 840Ci specifications & dimensions
The 1996 BMW 840Ci measures 188″ long on a 106″ wheelbase, with a curb weight near 4,167 lb. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the BMW 840Ci window sticker.
| Years | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 188″ | 73″ | 53″ | 106″ | 4,167 lb |
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
BMW 840Ci cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the 840Ci holds — passengers and cargo. EPA measures its interior at 86 cu ft of passenger volume and 13 cu ft of cargo. Seating capacity and legroom vary by trim.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
BMW 840Ci tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the BMW 840Ci get?
The BMW 840Ci returns up to 17 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $4,550/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 1997 BMW 840Ci (4.4L 8-cyl) gets 15 mpg combined and costs about $5,150/yr to fuel, emitting 592 g/mi CO₂ — about $14,750 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 840Ci | 14 | 19 | $5,150 | 592 | — | 4.4L 8-cyl | |
| 1996 840Ci | 14 | 19 | $5,150 | 592 | — | 4.4L 8-cyl | |
| 1995 840Ci | 15 | 22 | $4,550 | 523 | — | 4L 8-cyl | |
| 1994 840Ci | 13 | 20 | $4,800 | 555 | — | 4L 8-cyl |
Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
See how the 840Ci stacks up against the most fuel-efficient sedans, or calculate this 840Ci's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the BMW 840Ci have? Power & range
The BMW 840Ci is offered with 1 powertrain — 4.4L 8-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V8 | 4.4L · 8-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | RWD | Premium |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
How much does a BMW 840Ci cost to own?
A BMW 840Ci tends to depreciate faster than average. A typical example keeps roughly 37% of its value after five years — losing about 63% to depreciation. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 75% | $22,500 | −$7,500 |
| Year 2 | 63% | $18,900 | −$11,100 |
| Year 3 | 53% | $15,900 | −$14,100 |
| Year 4 | 44% | $13,200 | −$16,800 |
| Year 5 | 37% | $11,100 | −$18,900 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this 840Ci loses about 63% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $22,750 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the 840Ci ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
Is the BMW 840Ci safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the 840Ci yet — see the top-rated safest cars instead.
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How many miles does a BMW 840Ci last?
A well-maintained BMW 840Ci typically lasts 200,000–250,000 miles. With regular oil, transmission and timing service, most examples comfortably pass the 200,000-mile mark. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 3.5/5.
Check your BMW 840Ci’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this 840Ci’s VIN free →All BMW 840Ci model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the BMW 840Ci — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 840Ci | 1 recall | — | |
| 1995 840Ci | 1 recall | — | |
| 1994 840Ci | 2 recalls | — | |
| 1993 840Ci | 0 | — | |
| 1992 840Ci | 0 | — | |
| 1991 840Ci | 0 | — | |
| 1990 840Ci | 0 | — | |
| 1989 840Ci | 0 | — | |
| 1988 840Ci | 0 | — | |
| 1987 840Ci | 0 | — | |
| 1986 840Ci | 0 | — | |
| 1985 840Ci | 0 | — | |
| 1984 840Ci | 0 | — | |
| 1983 840Ci | 0 | — | |
| 1982 840Ci | 0 | — | |
| 1981 840Ci | 0 | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the 840Ci?
By owner-complaint volume, 1996, 1995, 1994 drew the most reports. 1981, 1982, 1983 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the 840Ci have?
4 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1981–1996. Always check open recalls by your VIN. See all BMW recalls and reliability across every model.
What MPG does the 840Ci get?
Up to 17 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
How many miles does a 840Ci last?
A well-maintained 840Ci typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the 840Ci reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the 840Ci is 3.5/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the BMW 840Ci warranty?
New BMW models carry a 4 years / 50,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 4 years / 50,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a BMW dealer.
Where is the BMW 840Ci made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your 840Ci's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; BMW may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much does a 840Ci weigh?
The 840Ci's curb weight is around 4,167 lb. Its GVWR — the maximum loaded weight — decodes from the VIN.
How much ground clearance does the 840Ci have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.