The 8 Series is a future collectable. 

• As BMW Designs continues to draw polarized opinions, the E31 is seen as a zenith of excellent BMW Design under former design chief Claus Luthe. The world is NOW just catching up to the BMW 8 Series.

• When introduced at Frankfurt in 1989, the 8 Series was leading edge in technology (which today is commonplace among BMW's):
  • First to use a Local Area Network (LAN) in an automotive application; the 850i uses 50% less wires than comparable vehicles
  • First in the world to have a 6-speed manual transmission mated to a 12 cylinder engine. That's right, Ferrari was not first!
  • First BMW Coupe to fully utilize "fly-by-wire" for the accelerator. Today everyone's talking about "fly-by-wire" with acceleration and braking. The 850i was first Coupe to incorporate its full usage.
  • ...and much more.

• From 2002 to 2008, 8 Series prices have become affordable.  Enthusiasts are snapping up well-documented and maintained E31's.

• Published articles about the 8 Series have increased frequency.

• The E31 Registry has over 1,900 E31's registered as of July 2011; an incredible rate of growth from only 28 registered as of August 2002.

• Beginning in 2004, the 850CSi in North America regained increasing valuations after year-over-year declines since 2001.  Selling prices for well-documented and maintained CSi's routinely fetched between $50k to $70k. With the global economy suffering in 2008-2009, valuations are retreating with average 850CSi pricing in the $35k to $50k range.  Only 1 USA-spec 850CSi in 2009 fetched a price over $70k due to its rare nature.  Bargains exist for the low production BMW Motorsport produced 8er.