You may never be able to ball like Michael Jordan, but you could soon 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 former owner may be the big draw here, but this example also appears to have remarkably little wear and tear considering its age.
Even if he wasn’t a known connoisseur of German automobiles, it’s easy to see why Jordan bought himself a first-generation 8 Series. The vehicle was something completely new for the German marque new when it made at the beginning of the 1990s, following a decade in development. The 850i had a bold angular design that previewed what to expect from the rest of the brand’s lineup for the rest of the decade. It was also available with a V-8 or V-12, making it even more of a powerhouse than the M3, which had made its debut six years prior.
Michael Jordan’s 1991 BMW 850i
Bring a Trailer
Jordan bought his 850i brand new from Motor Werks in Barrington, Illinois, in 1991. The sleek speed machine is finished in Mauritius Blue Metallic 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 carpets. Other interior features include dual-zone climate control and stereo system that includes a trunk-mounted CD changer.
The 850i may not be as powerful as the 850Si debuted at the end of the model’s first generation—and appeared on Robb Report’s Youngtimers list—but its 5.0-liter V-12 still packs a punch. The beefy mill produces 296 hp and 332 ft lbs of torque, all of which is sent to the back wheels via a six-speed manual transmission. When it was brand new, BMW claimed the vehicle could sprint 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 was put on the car by its current owner—is outfitted with a MagnaFlow exhaust system and had its oil changed last May.
Inside the 850i
Bring a Trailer
The auction for Jordan’s old 850i runs through next Monday, January 8. With more than six days to go, bidding has reached $30,000. Don’t be surprised if that number starts to climb as more people get word that one of No. 23’s cars is up for grabs.
Click here for more photos of Michael Jordan’s 1991 BMW 850i.
Bring a Trailer
