The developmental period for the successor to the very successful M60B40 engine in the E31 started in December 1994 and lasted through all of 1995. Beginning in March 1996 the 840Ci was delivered with the M62B44 4.4L V8 engine and the choice between a Steptronic gearbox (ZF 5HP30 until Sep. 1996, ZF 5HP24 from there onwards) and the already known and proven Getrag 6-speed manual gearbox.
Despite the higher cubic displacement the peak power of the M62 remained the same 286 hp as in the M60B40. The engine characteristics with higher torque figures compared to the predecessor made the new E31 840Ci feel lighter and nimbler.
The sales figures of the M62 840Ci are well behind those of the earlier M60 840Ci and totalled at only 3075 cars.
The M62 840Ci came in 5 variants, similar to the M60 840Ci.
| Type
Code |
Steering |
Gearbox |
Count |
| EF71 |
LHD |
M |
93 |
| EF72 |
RHD |
M |
3 |
| EF81 |
LHD |
A |
708 |
| EF82 |
RHD |
A |
1470 |
| EF83 |
LHD
US |
A |
801 |
The M62 is the only 8-series model where the RHD production figures (EF72, EF82 - total 1473) almost reached those for the LHD world (EF71, EF81, EF83 - total 1602). For the M60 the ratio LHD: RHD was 4:1. The reason for this strong increase in RHD sales lies in the attractive UK Sport edition where a large range of normally costly options - sports seats, sports suspension, M-Styling 21 wheels and CSi aerodynamics kit were offered at no surcharge to the standard model. This was later on also bundled with additional no cost options like Individual paintwork and upholstery.
In similar vein the 840Ci M-Individual Japan has to be seen. This was also a highly specced special edition available from 1996 to the end of the production run in May 1999. Initial plans were to produce 200 units of this edition. Eventually 299 units were produced making Japan a stronger market than even the home country Germany where no such special priced bundles were to be had.
The last M62 840CiA produced was the last of the entire 8-series production off the BMW Dingolfing production line. CC67485 was farewelled on May 25, 1999 and delivered to the UK from where it returned to Germany in March 2011.