The missing 850i roadster

Yooperboy877 · 08-03-2026, 04:34 PM

I had the good fortune to be able to tour the BMW Museum and BMW Welt in Munich two weeks ago. The Welt was disappointing; cool architecture, and free, but kind of like a dealership on steroids. Plus, all of the cool things they showed on the “behind the scenes” tour are only available for Europe-ordered cars.

The Museum, on the other hand, was amazing! Too many pics to post, but one vehicle really caught my eye: a 1990 850i roadster! The plaque said it got all the way through the development process, but was never released for production. One of the best cars in the entire collection!

Thought you all might appreciate this gem!

Turbanator · 08-04-2026, 08:40 AM

Very cool to see! Funny enough Audi also had a roadster get inches away from production around the same time and was killed at the last moment. The Audi Quattro Spyder was revealed in 1991 with AWD, a mid-engine V6, and a 5MT, and got all the way up to tooling being produced for production but was killed for a variety of reasons, including pricing being much higher than initially planned and not wanting to step too much on Porsche's toes when the latter was in a very rough financial position.

Manhattan · 08-04-2026, 09:25 AM

Very cool!

Westside Guy · 08-05-2026, 06:10 AM

It is a beauty, all I can say is what a shame it wasn't released!

MJBO · 08-05-2026, 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yooperboy877

The Welt was disappointing; cool architecture, and free, but kind of like a dealership on steroids.

Have to agree with this.

esoj37 · 08-08-2026, 11:34 PM

Thanks for sharing!

Dozer324 · 08-09-2026, 01:31 AM

Funny how it’s all German language except the sign that says, “don’t touch”.

MJBO · 08-09-2026, 02:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dozer324

Funny how it’s all German language except the sign that says, “don’t touch”.

The placard on the car literally has the whole description in both German and English, what are you talking about?

08-03-2026, 04:34 PM	#1
Yooperboy877 Registered 15 Rep 4 Posts Drives: 2026 BMW 550e Join Date: Jun 2026 Location: Greater Philadelphia iTrader: (0)	The missing 850i roadster I had the good fortune to be able to tour the BMW Museum and BMW Welt in Munich two weeks ago. The Welt was disappointing; cool architecture, and free, but kind of like a dealership on steroids. Plus, all of the cool things they showed on the “behind the scenes” tour are only available for Europe-ordered cars. The Museum, on the other hand, was amazing! Too many pics to post, but one vehicle really caught my eye: a 1990 850i roadster! The plaque said it got all the way through the development process, but was never released for production. One of the best cars in the entire collection! Thought you all might appreciate this gem! Attached Images
	Appreciate 10 wrickem2962.00 SW111710.00 tracer bullet6189.00 snowbimmer9184.50 Turbanator117.00 Llarry30931.50 BklynNYBMW487.00 The Guvna169.00 esoj37181.00 ctcarbonari753.50 Tweet Quote

08-04-2026, 08:40 AM	#2
Turbanator Behind Enemy Lines 117 Rep 118 Posts Drives: 2023 Audi S5 Sportback Join Date: Mar 2026 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	Very cool to see! Funny enough Audi also had a roadster get inches away from production around the same time and was killed at the last moment. The Audi Quattro Spyder was revealed in 1991 with AWD, a mid-engine V6, and a 5MT, and got all the way up to tooling being produced for production but was killed for a variety of reasons, including pricing being much higher than initially planned and not wanting to step too much on Porsche's toes when the latter was in a very rough financial position.
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08-04-2026, 09:25 AM	#3
Manhattan Private 100 Rep 135 Posts Drives: 840i, X3 Join Date: Nov 2022 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (0)	Very cool!
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08-05-2026, 06:10 AM	#4
Westside Guy Major General 10540 Rep 6,842 Posts Drives: 22 Z4 M40i, 21 228i Retired Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Hallandale Beach, FL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2022 BMW Z4 M40i [9.47]	It is a beauty, all I can say is what a shame it wasn't released!
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08-08-2026, 11:34 PM	#6
esoj37 Lieutenant 181 Rep 490 Posts Drives: M2C 6MT Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: New Orleans iTrader: (13)	Thanks for sharing! __________________ HS S55 F87 MG B58 F30 - Gone MG N20 F30 - Gone
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08-09-2026, 01:31 AM	#7
Dozer324 Private First Class 119 Rep 184 Posts Drives: BMW M2 Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: North Jersey iTrader: (0)	Funny how it’s all German language except the sign that says, “don’t touch”.
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