1994 BMW 8 Series Problems: 1 Issues Every Owner Should Know
1994 model year · 0+ owner reports · Updated April 2026
According to Au7o's analysis of 0+ owner reports, the 1994 BMW 8 Series has 1 documented known issues, with 1 rated critical. The most serious is V12 Nikasil Cylinder Bore Wear (M70/M73) ($5,000-$15,000 repair). Across all issues, repair costs range from $5,000 to $15,000. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
All 1 Known Issues
On the 1991-1997 BMW 8 Series, the M70 and M73 V12 engines use Nikasil cylinder bore coating that is damaged by high-sulfur fuel, causing bore scoring and compression loss. This results in rough running, excessive oil consumption, and eventual engine failure.
Common Symptoms
- Rough idle
- Misfires
- Oil consumption
- Hard starting
- Reduced power
- Failed emissions
How to Fix
Confirm Nikasil bore wear by performing a compression test and cylinder leak-down test on all 12 cylinders, then inspect crankcase vacuum/blow-by, spark plugs, and bores with a borescope to rule out ignition or fuel faults. If compression is low across multiple cylinders and bore damage is confirmed, the lasting repair is replacement of the affected short block or complete engine with the later Alusil-spec unit/revised BMW replacement engine, along with new head gaskets, head bolts, intake gaskets, timing cover seals, fluids, and often timing chain guide service while the engine is out. Minor top-end work will not correct worn Nikasil bores; expect used-engine swaps to run about $4,000-$8,000 installed, while a proper rebuild or replacement long block can exceed $10,000-$15,000 depending on parts availability and machine work.
What Owners Are Using
Parts and tips from 0+ owners who fixed this issue
- UpgradeBluetooth OBD-II scanner for reading engine codes and monitoring live data (BlueDriver Bluetooth OBD2 Diagnostic Scan Tool)
- UpgradeQuality synthetic oil and filter combo for engine maintenance (Mobil 1 Full Synthetic Oil and Filter Bundle)