Getty Images/Bring the Trailer
You may never play like Michael Jordan, but you’ll soon be able to drive like him.
A 1991 BMW 850i that once belonged to His Airness is currently up for bid on Bring a Trailer. The sports car’s previous owner is probably the biggest draw here, but considering its age, this example also appears to have very little wear and tear.
Even if Jordan wasn’t a noted German car connoisseur, it’s easy to see why he bought himself a first-generation 8 Series. After ten years of development, the car was produced in the early 1990s and was completely new to the German brand. The 850i has a bold, angular design that bodes well for the rest of the brand’s lineup over the next decade. It also comes with a V-8 or V-12 engine, making it more powerful than the M3 that debuted six years ago.
Michael Jordan’s 1991 BMW 850i
With trailer
Jordan purchased his 850i brand new in 1991 from Motor Werks in Barrington, Illinois. This stylish speed machine is finished in Mauritius Blue Metallic paint and rides on a set of 17-inch multi-piece AC Schnitzer wheels. Inside, you’ll find power-adjustable seats covered in light parchment leather, along with matching door panels and carpeting. Other interior features include dual-zone climate control and a stereo system that includes a trunk-mounted CD changer.
The 850i may not be as powerful as the 850Si, which debuted late in the model’s first generation and appeared in Rob Reportlist of Youngtimers – but its 5.0-liter V-12 engine still packs a serious punch. The powerful mill produces 296 horsepower and 332 foot-pounds of torque, all of which is sent to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual transmission. When it was new, BMW claimed the car could accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds and had a top speed of 156 mph. This example has just 30,000 miles on the odometer (most of which were logged on the car by the current owner), is equipped with a MagnaFlow exhaust system, and had its oil changed last May.
850i interior
With trailer
The auction of the old Jordan 850i will last until next Monday, January 8th. With just over six days left until the auction, bidding has already reached $30,000. Don’t be surprised if that number starts to climb as more people learn that a car on the 23rd is up for grabs.
Click here to see more photos of Michael Jordan’s 1991 BMW 850i.
With trailer
