Name: New BMW 8 Series models and Specifications
Brand: BMW

840i-m-sport-4dr-auto

840i

M850i xDrive

M Sport

M850i

Coupe

Munich-based BMW is most famous for its sports saloons, in particular the 3 Series and 5 Series. However, it actually builds almost every type of car imaginable: everything from two-seat convertibles to seven-seat MPVs.

The cheapest model in the BMW range is the 1 Series hatchback, which is a rival to the Audi A3, Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Volkswagen Golf. Meanwhile, at the other extreme is the M8&nbsp;grand tourer, which costs more than £120,000.

BMW was also quick to capitalise on the rise of the SUV and now has ten in its range: the X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7 and XM, plus the electric iX3 and iX.

All of this makes it one of the big three German prestige brands, along with Audi and Mercedes-Benz.

8 SERIES

M850i xDrive 2dr Auto [Ultimate Pack]

m850i-xdrive-2dr-auto-ultimate-pack

840i M Sport 4dr Auto

840i M Sport 2dr Auto

840i-m-sport-2dr-auto

840i M Sport 4dr Auto [Ultimate Pack]

840i-m-sport-4dr-auto-ultimate-pack

840i M Sport 2dr Auto [Ultimate Pack]

840i-m-sport-2dr-auto-ultimate-pack

M850i xDrive 4dr Auto

m850i-xdrive-4dr-auto

M850i xDrive 2dr Auto

m850i-xdrive-2dr-auto

M850i xDrive 4dr Auto [Ultimate Pack]

m850i-xdrive-4dr-auto-ultimate-pack

BMW 8 Series

Introduction

Performance & drive

Interior

Passenger & boot space

Costs & verdict

The BMW 8 Series sits towards the expensive end of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/coupes/n17019">coupé car</a> market, it makes a decent case for itself when it comes to list price, undercutting the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/aston-martin/db12/coupe/review/n25897">Aston Martin DB12</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bentley/continental-gt/coupe/review/n17232">Bentley Continental GT</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/porsche/911/coupe/review/n98">Porsche 911</a>.

The downside is that the 8 Series is predicted to be one of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/the-10-fastest-depreciating-cars/n17027">fastest depreciating cars</a> on the market. To make matters worse, its main rivals are predicted to hold on to their value very well by any standard.

As for efficiency, the 840i will officially manage up to 33.6mpg, which is better than the key rivals. The V8-wielding 850i is less impressive, managing up to 26.9mpg, but still more frugal than the fastest and thirstiest version, the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/m8/sports/review/n20281">BMW M8</a>.

No matter which version you go for, the 8 Series sits in the highest <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/company-car-tax-guide/n9352">BIK tax bracket</a> so it will be an expensive <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-company-cars/n22605">company car</a>&nbsp;– as will its rivals. You'll pay much less BIK tax for a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/plug-in-hybrid-cars/n22743">plug-in hybrid</a> or fully <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/electric-cars/n17000">electric car</a> (the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/maserati/granturismo/coupe/review/n26333">Maserati Gran Turismo Folgore</a> for example).

Every 8 Series has plenty of standard equipment.&nbsp;The entry-level M Sport trim, which comes with the 840i engine, has&nbsp;20in alloy wheels, heated front seats, adaptive <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/headlight-bulbs-what-types-are-there-and-which-is-best/n19332">LED headlights</a>, keyless entry and start, and an M Sport limited-slip differential (for better control when cornering).

Stepping up to the M850i adds the more powerful V8, along with the otherwise optional M Performance Pack and M Technology Pack. Together, they add some sportier and more aerodynamic styling, M Sport brakes and M Sport seatbelts.

The only real disappointment&nbsp;when it comes to kit&nbsp;is that safety aids including lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot monitoring, front collision warning and rear collision warning are all part of the optional Driving Assistant Professional pack... which is only available as part of the fairly pricey Technology Plus pack.

We can't tell you how safe the 8 Series is (with or without that kit) because it's not been tested by the experts at <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/the-safest-cars-on-sale-today/n19724">Euro NCAP</a>.

In terms of reliability, BMW did pretty well in our 2024 What Car? Reliability Survey, finishing eighth out of 31 brands ranked –&nbsp;above Audi, Mercedes and&nbsp;Porsche (Aston Martin and Bentley did not feature in the survey).

We don’t have reliability data specifically for the 8 Series, but we can tell you it comes with&nbsp;a three-year, unlimited-mileage <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/best-new-car-warranties/n26485">warranty</a>.

"I find it quite shocking just how quickly the BMW 8 Series is predicted to depreciate, with its value dropping off faster than pretty much every car I’ve researched over the past couple of years."&nbsp;– <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/authors/dan-jones/n23433">Dan Jones, Senior Reviewer</a>

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The entry-level&nbsp;BMW 8 Series, the 840i, has a&nbsp;328bhp turbocharged&nbsp;six-cylinder petrol engine under its bonnet, and while we've yet to try it, we doubt it'll feel slow. Indeed, while the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/porsche/911/coupe/review/n98">Porsche 911</a> is a bit quicker off the line, the 840i's official 0-62mph time of 5.2 seconds shows it's no slouch.

We have tried the M850i, with its 523bhp twin-turbocharged&nbsp;4.4-litre V8 officially firing you from 0-62mph in just 3.9 seconds. That's not&nbsp;as quick as the similarly priced 911 Carrera S but only 0.3 seconds behind the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/aston-martin/db12/coupe/review/n25897">Aston Martin DB12</a>.

The 8 Series sounds good while you’ve got your foot down,&nbsp;especially in Sport Plus mode. In that setting it does a good impression of an American muscle car that's had a couple of firecrackers shoved up its exhausts.

No matter what speed you’re doing, the M850i is quick to respond to accelerator inputs, and thanks to its traction-enhancing xDrive <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/4x4s-for-off-roading/n26188">four-wheel drive</a>, you can deploy all 523bhp with minimal drama when the road opens up. The only way to go faster in an 8 Series is to go for the performance-focused <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/m8/sports/review/n20281">BMW M8</a> (which we've reviewed separately).

On winding roads, this big <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/coupes/n17019">luxury coupé</a> positively shrinks around you, aided by its four-wheel steering. It’s certainly more fun for keen drivers than the vastly more expensive <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bentley/continental-gt/coupe/review/n17232">Bentley Continental GT</a>&nbsp;but the steering doesn’t tell you a great deal about what’s happening between the tyres and the road. For proper&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/sports-cars/n24412">sports car</a> thrills&nbsp;we'd suggest a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/porsche/911/coupe/review/n98">Porsche 911</a>.

The 8 Series' ride is firmer and more unsettled than the Continental GT’s but far from harsh over poorly surfaced roads, even with large 20in alloy wheels. The M850i is available with optional M <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/types-of-suspension-adaptive-suspension-explained/n27085">adaptive suspension</a>, which you can soften or firm up by changing driving mode.

Inside&nbsp;you'll find it's&nbsp;pretty good at shutting out wind and road noise, proving quieter as you drive along than the 911 but still without the exquisitely calm progress of the Continental GT.

"The BMW M850i’s V8 engine has been slightly detuned since its time in the M5&nbsp;but I don’t think you’ll mind. It still feels mighty powerful when you put your foot down." – <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/authors/dan-jones/n23433">Dan Jones, Senior Reviewer</a>

Fuel 

Gearbox

0-62 MPH

http://example.com

m850i-xdrive

Big yet nimble, luxurious yet frugal, exclusive yet well priced. The BMW 8 Series is a super-luxury coupé that’s designed to offer several seemingly conflicting qualities.

You can have your 8 Series with a choice of two petrol engines –&nbsp;a turbocharged six-cylinder or the same twin-turbocharged V8 that was found in the previous-generation <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/m5/saloon/review/n184">BMW M5</a>&nbsp;(before the performance saloon became a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/plug-in-hybrid-cars/n22743">plug-in hybrid</a>).

On top of that, the 8 Series adds appeal by promising seating for four and loads of standard equipment&nbsp;no matter which version you go for. You can also get a drop-top version – to read about that see our <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/8-series/sports/review/n19193">BMW 8 Series Convertible review</a>.

So should you get a BMW 8 Series instead of one of its supremely desirable <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/coupes/n17019">coupé&nbsp;rivals</a>? In other words, is it better than the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/aston-martin/db12/coupe/review/n25897">Aston Martin DB12</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bentley/continental-gt/coupe/review/n17232">Bentley Continental GT</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/porsche/911/coupe/review/n98">Porsche 911</a>? Read on to find out...

After you’ve absorbed the BMW 8 Series’ sleek exterior, with its flowing profile and taut surfaces, you might expect things to be equally dramatic inside. Instead, it shares its interior with the previous-generation <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/5-series/saloon/review/n63">BMW 5 Series</a> and now feels a little dated.

There are plus points to the 8 Series' interior. For example,&nbsp;it has&nbsp;physical controls for the air-conditioning, unlike new <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/bmw">BMW car models</a>, which force&nbsp;you to delve into the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-car-infotainment-systems-tested-and-rated/n21269">infotainment system</a> to make simple changes. As a result, it's much less distracting to adjust on the move.

It also means the 8 Series interior has a focus on build quality over showiness. From the stitching on the leather dashboard to the numerous brushed chrome trim pieces, everything feels sturdy and expensive. The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/aston-martin/db12/coupe/review/n25897">Aston Martin DB12</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bentley/continental-gt/coupe/review/n17232">Bentley Continental GT</a> have interiors that feel plusher&nbsp;but they’ll also cost you more –&nbsp;lots more in the case of the GT.

It’s easy to get comfortable when you take a seat in the 8 Series, thanks to a wide range of adjustment for the steering wheel and an electrically operated driver’s seat. And while your view of what’s directly behind is quite limited, the standard all-round sensors and rear-view camera make parking easy enough.

Every 8 Series comes with a 12.3in <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-car-infotainment-systems-tested-and-rated/n21269">infotainment screen</a>. You can control it by touch, voice control or using the iDrive rotary controller between the front seats. The software is excellent, and the touchscreen is responsive and easy to use when you're driving.

You get plenty of standard features with the system, including DAB radio, Bluetooth,&nbsp;sat-nav, and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-android-auto/n1194">Android Auto</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-apple-carplay/n1193">Apple CarPlay</a>&nbsp;smartphone mirroring. There's also wireless phone-charging and a premium Harman Kardon stereo system.

"I have nothing against the BMW 8 Series’ interior but there’s not really anything overly exciting about it. For a bit more pizazz, you might want to add the glass iDrive controller and gear selector." –&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/authors/dan-jones/n23433">Dan Jones, Senior Reviewer</a>

The 8 Series is a quick and luxurious&nbsp;coupé with a comfortable ride but beware if its rapid depreciation

There’s plenty of head, leg and shoulder room in the front of the BMW 8 Series, along with lots of useful storage cubbies.

The rear is much more cramped, with even smaller adults likely to find their knees are jammed against the seat in front and their head is touching the ceiling.

You can forget about getting most <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/best-car-seats-the-safest-child-seats-for-newborns-and-toddlers/n26320">child seats</a> in the back of the 8 Series – the gap between the folded front seat and the body of the car is small. And&nbsp;unlike in the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/porsche/911/coupe/review/n98">Porsche 911</a>, there are no Isofix mounting points on the front passenger seats.

As for your luggage, the 8 Series has 420 litres of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/the-cars-with-the-biggest-boots/n18791">boot space</a>&nbsp;– more than the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/aston-martin/db12/coupe/review/n25897">Aston Martin DB12</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bentley/continental-gt/coupe/review/n17232">Bentley Continental GT</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;Porsche 911. The load bay&nbsp;is impressively long but has quite a narrow opening and a big lip at its entrance. So while a set of golf clubs will go in with no trouble, a big box probably won't.

If you like the look of the 8 Series but could do with more interior space or better accessibility and&nbsp;practicality, you might be better served by the four-door version. To read about that see our <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/8-series-gran-coupe/saloon/review/n20185">BMW 8 Series Gran Coupé review</a>.

As someone that only has use for the two front seats, I found the 8 Series more than practical enough. If, however, you plan on ever using the rear seats, I’d go straight for the 8 Series Gran Coupe instead.&nbsp;– <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/authors/dan-jones/n23433">Dan Jones, Senior Reviewer</a>

m-sport

m850i

With a comfortable ride and strong performance, the BMW 8 Series is a good luxury coupé and a bit of an all-rounder. The list price is fairly compelling, but it’s hard to ignore the steep depreciation and that some rivals are even more comfortable or more entertaining to drive.

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Strong performance</li> <li>Good balance between ride and handling</li> <li>Excellent build quality</li> <li>Decent practicality</li> <li>Sophisticated interior</li></ul>

Coupés are all about style, but while practicality undoubtedly takes a back seat to aesthetics, these cars still need to be easy to live with on a daily basis. It’s this that distinguishes a coupé from an out-and-out sports car.

Fortunately, there’s a wide range of style-focused models available, and you don’t even need to spend silly money to buy or run one.

NEW REVIEWS:

BMW 8 Series review

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