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This Special-Edition BMW Celebrates One of the Brand’s Most Divisive Models

BMW is treating the 8 Series to some ’90s nostalgia for its swan song M model.

Close-up of a red BMW car's front wheel and part of the side panel, featuring a black and silver multi-spoke alloy rim with the BMW logo in the center and an M badge on the brake caliper. The side panel includes a black air vent detail.BMW
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By Gray Van Dyke

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The 8 Series is nearing the end of its production life, which means it’s time for BMW to give the current model a proper sendoff. In other words, expect a series of special editions.

First up comes the announcement of the M850i Edition M Heritage, which marks the end of the legendary 8 Series M car line from M GmbH. Quite poetically, BMW has decided to look to the model’s origins as a way to pay tribute.

In doing so, the German automaker is also celebrating one of its most divisive models: the E31 8 Series produced from 1990 to 1999.

Front view of a red BMW M series car with illuminated LED headlights, a black kidney grille featuring the M badge, and aggressive air intakes on the bumper, set against a plain white background.
BMW’s M850i Edition M Heritage recalls historic colors originally available on its ancestor, the E31 8 Series.
BMW

Honoring an ill-fated M

BMW is making the M850i Edition M Heritage available in five historic shades that were available on the original E31 8 Series when it debuted in 1989. In addition to Bright Red, Mauritius Blue metallic and Cosmos Black metallic, this means eye-catching hues like Oxford Green metallic and Daytona Violet metallic.

As the swan song model of the 8 Series M car line, it’s an interesting (if a little peculiar) tribute.

Two red BMW cars are shown side by side on a plain white background. On the left is a modern BMW M850i with sleek, angular rear design and black accents. On the right is a classic BMW 850 CSi with pop-up headlights raised and a more rounded, vintage front design. Both cars are positioned at slight angles, showcasing their profiles and distinctive styling.
Though Bright Red makes for one of the bolder options, there are subtler hues like Mauritius Blue metallic and Cosmos Black metallic, too.
BMW

On the one hand, the E31 represents the genesis of BMW’s 8 Series lineage. However, the car was something of a sales disaster in the aftermath of its debut.

That’s because, following scathing critical reviews of the 850i and a mass cancellation of orders, BMW had to kill its planned E31 8 Series convertible. Likewise, the M Division was only able to build one E31-based M8 prototype — and in secret.

Though BMW was later able to salvage E31 8 Series sales performance through the introduction of the up-spec 850CSi, the model was never made an official M car in name. If anything, it was a bit of a sleeper, and enthusiasts have only recently come around to it.

Close-up of a car roof featuring a carbon fiber texture with two racing stripes, one red and one blue, running parallel along the center. The car body visible below the roof is painted in a bright red color.
Beyond the special aesthetic touches, BMW is equipping the Edition M Heritage with loads of carbon fiber upgrades.
BMW

Special-edition swan song

In any case, beyond the retro paint options, BMW is treating its M850i Edition M Heritage to a host of upgrades.

An M carbon fiber roof is included, as is the M Sport Professional package, a set of exclusive wheels, some M Sport brakes, M Shadowline lights and various unique aesthetic touches.

Red luxury sports sedan with sleek, aerodynamic design, black-tinted windows, and multi-spoke alloy wheels.
Though BMW’s E31 8 Series debuted as a two-door, the Edition M Heritage is only available as a four-door.
BMW

That’s not all — inside, BMW says that it sports “seating, upholstery and trim not available for order on other 8 Series models.” In practice, this basically means that the Edition M Heritage makes heavy use of Alcantara, and there’s no shortage of M badging.

However, there are other special items like a carbon fiber center console, and BMW is making luxe features like a Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System and the Driving Assistance Professional Package standard.

Carbon fiber center console panel with "M850i Edition M Heritage 1/500" badge, crystal gear shifter, and control dial with buttons for map, navigation, options, and back in a luxury car interior.
The BMW M850i M Edition Heritage is highly exclusive, as just 500 models are being built worldwide.
BMW

Exclusive opportunity

Though the Edition M Heritage comes powered by the same 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 found in other M850i models, it’s hardly lacking in performance. With 523 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque on tap, it can hit 60 mph in just 3.9 seconds thanks to an 8-speed automatic gearbox and BMW xDrive all-wheel drive.

Moreover, the car is highly exclusive. BMW is building just 500 examples worldwide, and MSRP is slated to start at $130,400. Production will begin in November 2025 with first deliveries expected in 2026.

About the Author: Gray is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, motorcycles and anything else with wheels. When he’s not chasing the latest industry news, he’s probably wrenching on one of many projects. For better or worse, he believes classics make perfectly practical daily drivers.

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