Four years after the series launch with the BMW 840Ci, a new more keenly priced version of the BMW 8 Series (E31) followed in 1981 equipped with a V8 engine. The M60B40 with a displacement of 4.0 litres packing power of 286 hp was installed in the BMW 840Ci. A more advanced version of the V8 engine with a displacement of 4.4 litres (M62B44) went into series production in 1996. Although the power remained at 286 hp, the engine achieved a higher torque of 420 Nm (instead of 400 Nm). This also improved statistics for acceleration. The BMW 840Ci was supplied up until the discontinuation of production of the 8 Series in 1999. Approximately every third buyer of the BMW 8 Series opted for this model, which had a price tag of DM 129,000 in the price list.