🏷️ Basic Information

Make:

BMW

Model:

8 Series

Year:

1995

Chassis Code:

E31

👋 Introduction

Market Segment:

Luxury Grand Tourer (GT)

Target Audience:

Affluent individuals seeking a high-performance, luxurious coupe or convertible with advanced engineering.

Key Competitors:

Mercedes-Benz SL-Class, Porsche 911, Jaguar XJS, Maserati Ghibli.

Design Philosophy:

Long hood, short deck, flowing lines, pop-up headlights, powerful V8 engine, rear-wheel drive, sophisticated luxury interior.

Manual Value Proposition:

Provides dealership-level diagnostic and repair information, empowering owners and independent mechanics to maintain and repair the complex E31 8 Series effectively.

📋 Manual Details

Systems Covered:

Engine, Drivetrain, Suspension, Steering, Brakes, Electrical System, HVAC, Body, Chassis

Page Count:

Estimated 1000+ pages (based on typical factory manuals of this era)

Manual Type:

Factory Service Repair Manual

Language:

English

Format:

Printed

📖 Manual Coverage

Engine Mechanical:

Detailed repair and overhaul procedures for M60B40 (4.0L V8) and M62B44 (4.4L V8) engines, including cylinder head, pistons, crankshaft, timing system, lubrication, and cooling.

Fuel System:

Diagnosis, repair, and component replacement for fuel injection system (DME), fuel pump, injectors, pressure regulator, and fuel tank.

Ignition System:

Troubleshooting and repair of ignition coils, spark plugs, wiring, and electronic ignition control module (DME).

Transmission:

Repair and overhaul procedures for the 5-speed automatic transmission (GM 5L40-E/A5S370Z) and 6-speed manual transmission (Getrag S6-370Z), including torque converter, valve body, clutch pack, and gear sets.

Drivetrain:

Service and repair of differential, driveshafts, CV joints, and axle shafts.

Suspension Front:

Detailed procedures for MacPherson strut system, control arms, ball joints, bushings, springs, and shock absorbers.

Suspension Rear:

Service and replacement of multi-link rear suspension components, including control arms, trailing arms, bushings, springs, and shock absorbers.

Steering System:

Diagnosis and repair of hydraulic power steering system, steering rack, tie rods, and steering column.

Brake System:

Complete service for front and rear disc brakes, including pad and rotor replacement, caliper overhaul, brake lines, master cylinder, ABS system (including ASC+T), and hydraulic fluid specifications.

Electrical System:

Comprehensive wiring diagrams, component location, troubleshooting for lighting, power windows, seats, mirrors, central locking, and diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs).

HVAC System:

Diagnosis and repair of automatic climate control system, A/C compressor, refrigerant, blower motor, heater core, and climate control unit.

Body And Chassis:

Panel alignment, door mechanisms, convertible top operation (for convertible models), interior trim removal, and body repair guidelines.

Routine Maintenance:

Oil changes, filter replacements (oil, air, fuel), spark plug replacement, coolant flush, brake fluid replacement, belt inspection and replacement.

Troubleshooting:

Systematic diagnostic procedures for common drivability issues, electrical faults, and mechanical problems, often with symptom-based troubleshooting charts.

Component Removal Installation:

Step-by-step instructions for removing and installing virtually every major component and system within the vehicle.

Engine Rebuilding:

Detailed specifications and procedures for engine disassembly, inspection, measurement, and reassembly.

Transmission Overhaul:

Complete guide to disassembling, inspecting, and rebuilding both automatic and manual transmissions.

Electrical Diagnostics:

Use of diagnostic tools, reading fault codes, testing sensor outputs, and tracing wiring harness issues.

Special Tools:

Identification and usage instructions for BMW-specific tools required for certain repair procedures.

Depth Of Coverage:

Comprehensive, covering everything from basic fluid checks to complete engine and transmission rebuilds, including detailed diagnostic procedures.

📊 Manual Specifications

File Format Expected:

Likely a high-resolution scan of the original printed manual, potentially optimized for searchability if digitized.

Print Quality:

High-quality reproduction of original factory documentation with clear text and diagrams.

Binding Type Original:

Stapled or Perfect Bound (typical for factory manuals)

Paper Type Original:

Durable, often coated paper designed for workshop environments.

⚙️ Engine Specifications

Engine Code And Displacement 1:

M60B40 (4.0 Liters / 3982 cc)

Configuration 1:

V8, 32 Valves (4 valves per cylinder), DOHC

Bore X Stroke 1:

84.0 mm x 89.0 mm

Compression Ratio 1:

10.0:1

Horsepower 1:

282 hp (210 kW) @ 5800 rpm

Torque 1:

295 lb-ft (400 Nm) @ 4500 rpm

Engine Code And Displacement 2:

M62B44 (4.4 Liters / 4398 cc)

Configuration 2:

V8, 32 Valves (4 valves per cylinder), DOHC

Bore X Stroke 2:

82.0 mm x 100.0 mm

Compression Ratio 2:

10.0:1

Horsepower 2:

282 hp (210 kW) @ 5400 rpm

Torque 2:

317 lb-ft (430 Nm) @ 3600 rpm

Fuel Delivery:

Sequential Multi-Port Fuel Injection (Motional Electronic Injection - ME)

Fuel Type:

Premium Unleaded Gasoline (91 Octane or higher recommended)

ECM:

Digital Engine Electronics (DME) control unit

🔧 Transmission

Transmission Type:

5-speed Automatic Transmission (GM 5L40-E / A5S370Z)

Transmission Type Optional:

6-speed Manual Transmission (Getrag S6-370Z) - Available on 840Ci models

Automatic Transmission Features:

Electronic control, Sport mode, Lock-up torque converter.

Manual Transmission Features:

Hydraulic clutch actuation, dual-mass flywheel.

Automatic Transmission Fluid:

BMW LT-3 (or equivalent Dexron III/Mercon)

Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity:

Approximately 9.0 Liters (for complete refill)

📐 Dimensions

Length:

4780 mm (188.2 in)

Width:

1855 mm (73.0 in)

Height:

1370 mm (53.9 in)

Wheelbase:

2634 mm (103.7 in)

Front Track:

1512 mm (59.5 in)

Rear Track:

1534 mm (60.4 in)

Curb Weight 840I:

Approximately 1760 kg (3880 lbs)

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating:

Varies by model, typically around 2200 kg (4850 lbs)

Wheel Bolt Pattern:

5x120 mm

Wheel Offset Et:

ET20 (typical for stock wheels)

🛡️ Safety Features

NHTSA Rating:

Not specifically rated by NHTSA for 1995 models in many regions, but built to high BMW safety standards of the era.

ABS:

Standard Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)

Traction Control:

Automatic Stability Control + Traction (ASC+T) available as an option.

Airbags:

Driver and front passenger airbags (standard).

Seat Belts:

Three-point inertia-reel seat belts with pretensioners.

Body Construction:

Reinforced safety cell with energy-absorbing crumple zones.

💡 Technology Features

Audio System:

BMW Bavaria C Business or Professional CD systems with multiple speakers. Optional Hi-Fi or Top Hi-Fi sound systems.

Navigation:

Optional BMW navigation system (often CD-ROM based).

Cruise Control:

Standard electronic cruise control.

Parking Assistance:

Rear park distance control (PDC) may have been optional on later 1995 models.

Telecommunications:

Optional integrated cellular telephone system.

🔧 Maintenance

Oil Change Interval:

Every 7,500 - 10,000 miles (12,000 - 15,000 km) or annually, depending on driving conditions, per BMW service recommendations of the era. Check Condition Based Service (CBS) indicators if equipped.

Spark Plug Replacement Interval:

Approximately every 60,000 - 100,000 miles (96,000 - 160,000 km), depending on spark plug type (e.g., platinum or iridium) and engine variant. Refer to manual for specific recommendations.

Coolant Flush Interval:

Every 2-3 years or 30,000 miles (48,000 km).

Brake Fluid Replacement Interval:

Every 2 years, regardless of mileage.

Engine Oil Specification:

BMW Longlife-98 (or equivalent SAE 5W-30 or 5W-40 synthetic oil meeting API SJ/CD and ACEA A3/B3 standards). Verify specific viscosity and specifications in the manual.

Engine Oil Capacity:

M60B40: 6.5 Liters (with filter). M62B44: 7.5 Liters (with filter). Consult manual for exact figures.

Coolant Specification:

BMW Blue Antifreeze/Coolant (Ethylene Glycol based) mixed 50/50 with distilled water.

Common E31 Issues M60:

Nikasil cylinder bore wear (pre-1995 models, though 1995 may be affected), coolant leaks from plastic components (e.g., expansion tank, thermostat housing), VANOS (Variable Valve Timing) system issues, MAF sensor failure, idle control valve issues, EML (Electronic Throttle Control) faults.

Common E31 Issues M62:

Similar to M60 but generally more reliable; can still experience coolant leaks, oil filter housing leaks, and potential timing chain guide wear over high mileage.

Common E31 Issues General:

Window regulator failure, HVAC blower motor resistor failure, ABS/ASC sensor issues, door seal degradation, complex electrical system faults (e.g., door modules), differential seal leaks.

📚 Vehicle History

Bmw Legacy:

BMW, Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, is a German luxury and performance vehicle manufacturer with a long history of engineering excellence and sporting pedigree, dating back to 1916.

8 Series Introduction:

The E31 8 Series was introduced in 1989 as a successor to the iconic E24 6 Series. It was BMW's flagship coupe and convertible, showcasing advanced technology and design for its time.

E31 Generations:

The E31 platform was produced from 1989 to 1999 and primarily featured V8 and V12 engines, with the 840Ci (V8) and 850i/Ci (V12) being the main variants. The 1995 model year falls within the mid-production phase.

Production Years E31:

1989-1999

Production Locations:

Dingolfing, Germany

Sales Figures:

Total E31 production was approximately 30,621 units globally, with the 840Ci variant being one of the more common versions.

🏆 Awards & Recognition

Design Awards:

While specific awards for the 1995 model year are not widely publicized, the E31 8 Series was consistently praised for its groundbreaking aerodynamic design and elegant styling, earning it a place as a design icon.

Performance Reviews:

Contemporary automotive reviews often lauded the 8 Series for its potent V8 engines, sophisticated handling, and luxurious appointments, positioning it as one of the finest grand tourers of its era.