Review - BMW 8

It’s a large, powerful and elegant GT car that offers drivers no compromises when it comes to fast, comfortable and premium motoring, making for a versatile commuter that gets the blood pumping on the weekend. 

In its latest form, BMW has cut prices for a number of 8 Series variants, so with that in mind, let’s take a look at the lineup and see how it stacks up against its competitors. 

Starting Price: $182,900

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BMW 8 (40i M SPORT) Specifications

For more details and other variants, check BMW 8 car page.

How Much Does It Cost?

The BMW 8 Series lineup kicks off from $182,900 for the entry-level 840i, with prices dropping to $170,900 for the 840i Gran Coupe, and up to $197,00 for the 840i Convertible. 

Stepping up to the M850i xDrive Gran Coupe brings the price to $277,900, while the M850i xDrive and Convertible variants are priced at $280,900 and $289,900 respectively. 

Finally, the M8 Competition Gran Coupe is priced at $354,900 while the M8 Competition is priced at $357,900. 

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What Features Does the BMW 8 Series Have?

The BMW 8 Series range comes riding on 20-inch alloys, and receives BMW Laserlight headlights, adaptive cruise control, semi-autonomous parking, a surround-view camera with parking sensors, head-up display, heated and ventilated seats, leather upholstery, wireless smartphone charging, a 12.3-inch digital driving display and a 10.25-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto which is paired with a 16-speaker Harman/Kardon sound system. 

Upgrading to the M850i xDrive adds a set of M Sport brakes, BMW’s Night Vision system and an adaptive M Suspension system with active anti-roll feature. 

The range-topping M8 Competition comes packing a set of 20-inch M Sport alloys, Matrix LED headlights, an M Sport exterior styling package with interior highlights featuring carbon fibre, as well as an upgraded Merino leather upholstery. 

Range Features: 

• 20-inch alloys

•  BMW Laserlight Headlights 

• Adaptive cruise control 

• Surround-view camera with sensors 

• Semi-autonomous parking 

• Leather upholstery with heated & ventilated seats 

• Head-up display 

• 12.3-inch digital driving display 

• 10.25-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto 

• M Sport brakes (M850i xDrive) 

• Adaptive M suspension with anti-roll system (M850i xDrive) 

• BMW Night vision (M850i xDrive) 

• Matrix LED headlights (M8 Competition) 

• M Sport exterior and interior upgrades (M8 Competition)

• Merino leather upholstery (M8 Competition)

BMW 8 Series Colours 

The BMW 8 Series is available in a range of colours, including Black Sapphire, Bluestone, Barcelona Blue, Tanzanite Blue, Dravit Grey, M Carbon Black, Aventurine Red, Sunset Orange, Mineral White and Alpine White as no-cost colour options. 

Forzen Bluestone, Frozen Cashmere, Frozen Dark Silver, Pure Metal Silver, Brilliant White and Frozen Brilliant White are also available as optional paint finishes. 

Is it Comfortable to Drive? 

It takes just a few moments behind the wheel of the BMW 8 Series to realise this is perhaps the pinnacle of the driving experience. 

The 8 Series offers a best-of-both-worlds approach that makes a commute extremely comfortable while performing like a sports car when pushed thanks to BMW’s lively steering characteristics, powerful engine lineup and suspension hardware. 

The base model 840i comes powered by a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six pushing out 250kW of power and 500Nm of torque to the rear wheels, while the M850i receives a 4.4-litre V8 pushing out 390kW of power and 750Nm of torque. 

Opting for the flagship M8 Competition brings the figures to 460kW of power and massive 800Nm of torque. 

There’s more than enough power in the entry-level 840i, making it a great all-rounder for smooth and comfortable drives around town, spirited weekend driving and long holiday grand tours. 

Upgrading to the V8 variants makes the 8 Series feel like a smooth and stable rocketship thanks to the all-wheel drive system and impressive amount of torque that gets you up to speed in supercar-like style. 

Around town, the 8 Series is exceptionally comfortable on a mix of roads, and while it is a heavy platform, BMW has done a great job in making the steering easy to navigate and park around town, while offering a heap of feedback as you pick up speed. 

As a complete package, then, the 8 Series is a fabulous all-rounder that offers sports car thrills in a massively comfortable platform that is perfect for making even the most mundane of daily drives a premium, engaging experience. 

Is it Practical and Spacious? 

Measuring 4,843mm in length, the 8 Series’ large platform lends itself perfectly to a spacious, comfortable and hugely premium driving experience, while the Gran Coupe increases this recipe with its 5-meter body. 

Up front, the driver and front passenger are treated to a wonderfully-appointed cabin that receives leather across the seats, dashboard, steering wheel and door surrounds, while the other touch-points receive a premium metallic or carbon fibre finish in higher-spec models. 

The front cabin is wide and spacious, offering a heap of headroom for even the tallest of drivers to get comfortable. It’s also impressive when it comes to practicality, with some storage behind the gear lever, inside the split arm rest and inside the large door bins. 

Things get pretty cramped when you move to the second row of the cabin, although there is ample legroom for adults to get comfortable in the four-door Gran Coupe variant.  

Headroom is impacted by the sloping roofline design that makes it a tight squeeze for tall adults in the rear of the 8 Series, but overall things are comfortable and refined. 

Thankfully, there’s a pair of ISOFIX anchors and top tether mounts in the rear of the 8 Series to accommodate forward and rear-facing child seats. 

Finally, the 8 Series offers a boot measuring in at 440L, which adds to the 8 Series’ practicality package.

Is it Safe? 

The BMW 8 Series is yet to receive an official ANCAP safety rating. For reference, though, all other BMW vehicles built on the same platform used in the 8 Series have been awarded five-star ANCAP safety ratings. 

As standard, the BMW 8 Series comes packing a heap of active safety tech, including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, a surround-view camera, autonomous emergency braking, lane-keep assistance, rear cross-traffic alerts and reverse autonomous braking, making it extremely well-credentialed. 

Is it Fuel Efficient?

Fuel efficiency in the 8 Series range depends on which variant you pick, with the entry-level 840i rated at 7.7L per 100km on a combined cycle, increasing to 8.0L per 100km in the 840i Gran Coupe. 

Stepping up to the M850i xDrive increases fuel economy to 10.6L per 100km, while the flagship M8 Competition is rated at 10.4L per 100km for the coupe and 10.7L/100km for the Gran Coupe. 

Our Verdict: Is the BMW 8 Series Worth it?

If you’re looking for one of the most dynamic, luxurious and refined premium coupes on the market, the 8 Series is one of the best you’ll find. 

It offers a high-tech and opulent interior for the driver and front passenger, making for a sublime place to sit on long-distance journeys that makes even mundane commutes special, and is well worth a spot on your shortlist.

On that note, if you’re in the market for a new car, you can get a free quote and see how much OnlineAuto can save you on your next car, or call us on 1300 719 925 

Five Specs You Need to Know

1. Three-year, unlimited KM warranty 

2. No official ANCAP safety rating 

3. Three engines on offer

4. Fuel economy between 7.7 - 10.7L/100km 

5. 440L boot volume 

Pros 

• Immense performance 
• Versatile platform for work, comfort & play 
• Generous entertainment and safety equipment 

Cons

• Three-year warranty trails major rivals 
• Limited rear headroom 
• Firm ride quality on rough surfaces 

OnlineAuto Rating: 9/10

BMW 8 Series Competition