BMW looks strong in the large luxury coupe market with this sleekly-styled 8 Series model. Jonathan Crouch takes a look at the revised version.

Ten Second Review

What should a top luxury sports coupe be? Sharp and driver-orientated like a Porsche 911? Or a luxurious Grand Tourer like the Bentley Continental GT? If you can't decide, this BMW 8 Series Coupe might offer the perfect solution. Especially in this meaner-looking, usefully updated guise

Background

Back in 2018, this 'G15'-series model revived an 8 Series nameplate previously seen between 1989 and 1999, but sidelined in the early years of this century as BMW experimented with other approaches into the luxury coupe market. One was the electrified i8, the other the four-door 6 Series Gran Coupe. The Munich maker always insisted that this 8 Series wasn't merely a stylised two-door version of the 7 Series saloon, even though it's built alongside that car at the company's Dingolfing German plant. The manufacturer points out that '8' has always been a model badge given to its special projects. The i8 was one; the Z8 sports roadster of 2000 was another. With this 8 Series Coupe, development was conducted in parallel with the M8 GTE endurance racing car, which suggested a dynamic focus never previously seen in a top BMW coupe model. And sure enough, that was what we got when this 'G15' 8 Series Coupe was launched in 2018. Four years on, the range received the useful package of updates we're going to look at here.

Driving Experience

The range kicks off with the 340hp rear-driven 840i version but most 8 Series Coupe buyers choose between the two mainstream xDrive variants, both of which feature xDrive 4WD as standard. The enthusiasts' choice will be the M850i variant, which uses much the same 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged petrol V8 you'll find in the brand's M5 super saloon but here tuned to 530hp. An M Sport exhaust delivers a snarly soundtrack and there are the usual 'Driving Experience Control' modes - 'Eco', 'Comfort', 'Sport' and 'Sport+'. There's 750Nm of torque and 62mph from rest takes just 3.7s. If that's not fast enough, you'll want to talk to your dealer about the even quicker M8 Competition model which puts out 625hp. The old 840d xDrive diesel variant is no longer offered. For a more focussed and sporty handling, Integral Active Steering is fitted as standard to reduce the turning circle when manoeuvring. This also increases agility at moderate speeds and optimises poise and assurance when changing lanes and cornering at high speeds. It becomes more direct as the speed builds but allows the driver to manoeuvre at low speeds with minimal steering wheel movement. Optional active roll stabilisation further enhances the handling characteristics. Electric swivel motors on the front and rear axles ensure particularly fast and precise compensation of lateral forces. 

Design and Build

This updated 8 Series Coupe now gets BMW's M Sport styling pack as standard, which gives the car a meaner look, with a more heavily structured front bumper and rear diffuser, as well as revised 19-inch wheels and upgraded brakes with blue calipers. Across the range, it's also now possible to order an illuminated front grille. The M850i model gets a unique front splitter and M8-style for the exterior mirrors, the rear spoiler and the diffuser. The M8 itself has redesigned 20-inch wheels. Otherwise, things are much as before. The low-slung 8 Series Coupe design has an elongated silhouette with a slim window graphic and a roofline flowing elegantly into the powerfully shaped rear with distinctive 'double-bubble' contours. LED headlights are standard - the slimmest lamps of any BMW model to date. Both light tubes are used to generate the daytime driving lights as well as the low and high beam, thereby creating a signature brand look at all times. The side view is dominated by dramatic surfaces. Whilst they curve inwards on the far side of the front wheels, they bulge outwards again in a real display of power above the rear wheels. The glass area tapers at the rear, accentuating the muscular shoulder line, while the side window graphic terminates in a very tightly-angled version of the famous Hofmeister kink. And inside? Well the key change with this facelifted model is an upgrade in the size of the central infotainment screen - from 10.25 to 12.3-inches. And the six cylinder model gets multi-contour seats as standard. Otherwise, things are the same as before. The interior is awash with high-precision details and features a driver-centric cockpit and low-set sports seats featuring integral head restraints and trimmed in soft Merino leather. There's space for a couple of small children in the rear and the backrest sections can be folded down either individually or together in order to further increase the load capacity of the 420-litre luggage compartment.

Market and Model

8 Series Coupe pricing now starts at around £75,000 for the 840i, rising to around £104,000 for the desirable M850i xDrive variant. And around £126,000 for the M8 Competition Coupe. Equipment highlights across the range include Merino leather upholstery, a Head-up display, Active Park Distance Control and the BMW 'Live Cockpit Professional' infotainment set-up, which includes a 12.3 inch instrument binnacle display screen and a 12.3-inch centre-dash monitor. Via this, you'll have access to an adaptive nav system, a hard-drive-based multimedia system with 20GB, two USB ports, plus Bluetooth and WiFi interfaces. A key new option is the illuminated front grille, offered with an 'Iconic Glow' package, which gives you an illuminated surround and waterfall lighting for each of the grille elements. You can also order optional M emblems in blue, purple and red in place of the traditional blue and white BMW roundel. Plus as before, there's plenty of cutting-edge camera-driven safety kit and autonomous driving tech. The driver assistance systems process camera images as well as data gathered by ultrasonic and radar sensors to monitor the vehicle's surroundings, to warn of potential hazards and to minimise the risk of an accident with corrective braking or steering inputs. The car is equipped as standard with Cruise Control with braking function, as well as Collision and Pedestrian Warning with City Braking, the latest version of which also alerts the driver when a cyclist is detected. Depending on the situation, the system can bring the vehicle to a halt to either avoid a collision or minimise its consequences

Cost of Ownership

Just because you're spending over £75,000 on your luxury coupe, it doesn't mean you'll be paying through the nose to keep it on the road. The 840i Coupe manages 34.4mpg and 186g/km of CO2. Even the M850i with its turbocharged petrol V8 is capable of up to 26.9mpg and combined CO2 emissions of up to 242g/km. The M8 Competition manages up to 25.7mpg and up to 251g/km. Routine maintenance is dictated by 'Condition Based Servicing' that monitors oil level and engine wear, taking into account how long it's been and how far the car has travelled since its previous garage visit. To help plan ahead for the cost of regular work, at point of purchase you'll be offered a 'BMW Service Inclusive' package that lasts for three years and 36,000 miles. With this, after a one-off payment, you'll have the peace of mind of knowing that all normal work on the car has been paid for during this period, including items such as oil, spark plugs and filters. On to the warranty package. BMW offers a warranty that lasts for three years, no matter how many miles you complete. You can also insure your car through BMW, though as most 8s will be funded with company money through a lease deal, this brokerage fees are likely to be bundled into that.

Summary

BMW itself admits that the days of big GT-style coupes are probably numbered - at least in this form anyway. Forthcoming emissions legislation won't look kindly on a 4.4-litre V8. So maybe we should just enjoy this car while we can. It isn't the most luxurious large coupe of its kind - Bentley or Aston Martin will give you that. Nor is it dynamically the most focused - your local Porsche dealership will help you there. You sense though, that the designers of this car wanted a combination of these two virtues, rather than an extreme expression of either one. Their stated mission was to deliver what BMW calls a 'Gentleman's Racer' - which is a rather good description for what we've ended up with. Which leaves us with well what? Possibly the most complete large coupe you can buy? We'd say so. But is it the 'ultimate driving machine' the ads will promise? Well it'll depend on how you define that. This car does so in its own very distinct way, with elegance, arrogance and excellence in equal measure. For a particular kind of customer, that'll be a very appealing combination indeed.

Body Glass

Heated windscreen washer jets

Climate comfort windscreen

Sun protection glass

Thermally insulated windscreen

Heat protection, sun protection glazing

Front electric windows

Automatic windscreen wipers and automatic headlight

Rain sensor and automatic driving lights control

Heated rear window, glass

Brakes

Anti-lock Brake System and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution

DSC - Dynamic Stability Control

Cornering brake control (CBC)

Dynamic brake control

Dynamic Traction Control - DTC

Hill start assist

Integrated brake system

Electromechanical parking brake with automatic drive away release and auto hold function

Brake discs, compound structure

Chassis/Suspension

Double wishbone front axle

Dynamic Damper Control

Communication

Wi-Fi hotspot

Bluetooth hands free facility with USB audio interface, voice control and enhanced bluetooth + Wireless charging

Driver Aids

Servotronic system

Speed limiter

Integral active steering

Drive experience control with Sport, Comfort, Eco Pro and Adaptive modes

Driver Convenience

Electric bootlid

Automatic tailgate operation, remote opening with key, closing by tailgate button or remote control including tailgate in LED technology

Driver Information

Check control system

On board computer

Service interval indicator

Head up Display

Outside temperature display

Run flat indicator

BMW Teleservices

Oil sensor for level and grade

BMW legal emergency call

Condition based service

Brake pad wear indicator

Instrument and upper door panel in walknappa leather

Integrated owners handbook

BMW ConnectedDrive online services

iDrive controller with shortcut buttons

Light on warning

Driving Mirrors

Frameless interior mirror

Exterior mirrors - Floating design mirror,exterior mirror housing upper in vehicle colour,electric adjust/heated,aspherical,electric fold in function

Engine

Sport exhaust system

Petrol Particulate Filter

BMW xDrive system

Entertainment

DAB Digital radio

Favourite buttons

Exterior Body Features

Illuminated door handles

Front and rear bumper system with replaceable deformation elements

xDrive designation on left tailgate

High gloss shadowline exterior

Carbon core

Rear boot

Front ornamental grille with kidney grille bars

Radiator grille frame in pearl chrome

Air breather inlay in pearl chrome, frame in black high gloss

M emblem on front side panel in light chrome

Window frame and mirror base in black high gloss

Illuminated radiator grille iconic glow

Model logo on right tailgate in chrome

Exterior Lights

High beam assistant

Dynamic brake lights

LED rear lights

Welcome lights in interior and door handle area

Follow me home headlight function

Third LED technology brake light in rear window

Daytime driving lights front and rear active

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

Microfilter and active carbon filter

Automatic air conditioning with 2-zone control

Interior Features

Anthracite headlining

Front door pockets

Lockable glove compartment with light

2 cup holders in front

Steering column with adjustable height and length and activation via control on the steering column

BMW ID

Lashing eyelets

Through loading function

3 spoke M sport leather multifunction steering wheel with shift paddle

1 x 12V power socket in front centre console

Storage compartment under front centre armrest with light, 1 x 12V power socket and USB

Interior Lights

Front reading lights

Front entry lights doors

Interior lighting - Interior light front centre above interior mirror,luggage compartment light,automatic interior light system soft on/soft off

Ambient light with dynamic interior light

Packs

Connected professional pack - 8 Series

M sport exterior styling aerodynamics pack - 8 Series

BMW Live cockpit professional pack - 8 Series

M Performance pack - 8 Series

Exterior items pack - 8 Series/xDrive

Safety

Side impact protection

Warning triangle and first aid kit

Tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS)

Active protection

Crash sensor activating central locking release, hazard warning lights, fuel cut off, interior lighting, safety battery terminal clamp and airbags

Front three point with pyrotechnical belt latch tensioner seat belts, belt force limiter and belt stopper

Rear three point with pyrotechnical belt latch tensioner seat belts and belt force limiter

Airbags - Driver and front passenger airbag with seat occupancy detection, knee, side and front passenger seat airbag deactivation

Head airbags for 1st and 2nd seat row

ISOFIX child seat mounting for the two outer rear seats

Seats

50/50 split folding rear seat

2 rear head restraints

Front seat heating

4 seats

Security

Locking wheel bolts

Centre lock switch

Comfort access system

Keyless entry with start/stop button

Closing system with central locking

Alarm system (Thatcham 1) with electronic engine immobiliser

Vehicle key with exclusive M designation

Transmission

M Sport differential

Eight speed sport automatic transmission

Vanity Mirrors

Front sun visors with ticket holder and illuminated mirror

Emissions - ICE

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - High: 203

Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6

Noise Level dB(A): 71

HC+NOx: N

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Low: 405

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Medium: 248

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Extra High: 212

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb: 242

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEH: 244

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEL: 239

Engine and Drive Train

Fuel Delivery: TWIN TURBO

Catalytic Convertor: No

Cylinders: 8

Engine Layout: NORTH SOUTH

Compression Ratio: 10.5:1

Camshaft: DOHC

Number of Valves: 32

Transmission: SEMI-AUTO

Gears: 8 SPEED

Cylinder Layout: V8

Engine Code: N63B44T3

CC: 4395

Cylinders - Stroke (mm): 88.3

Cylinders - Bore (mm): 89

Fuel Consumption - ICE

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEH: 26.4

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEL: 26.9

WLTP - MPG - Comb: 26.6

WLTP - MPG - Low: 15.9

WLTP - MPG - Medium: 25.9

WLTP - MPG - High: 31.7

WLTP - MPG - Extra High: 30.4

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb: 10.6

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEL: 10.5

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEH: 10.7

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: 0

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High: 9.3

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High: 8.9

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium: 10.9

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low: 17.8

General

Special Edition: 0

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: 0

Coin Series: M850

Coin Description: i xDrive

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Badge Engine CC: 4.4

Badge Power: 530

NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: N

NCAP Safety Assist %: N

NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: N

NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: N

NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: N

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 50E

Based On ID: N

Special Order: 0

Generation Mark: 2

Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: 0

Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3

Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 999999

Performance

Top Speed: 155

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

Engine Power - KW: 390

Engine Power - PS: No

Engine Torque - MKG: 76.5

0 to 62 mph (secs): 3.9

Engine Torque - RPM: 1800

Engine Torque - NM: 750

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 553

Engine Power - BHP: 530

Engine Power - RPM: 5500

Test Cycles

RDE Certification Level: RDE 2

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

Tyres

Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT

Space Saver?: 0

Alloys?: No

Tyre Size Front: 245/35 R20

Wheel Style: M DOUBLE SPOKE STYLE 895M

Wheel Type: 20" ALLOY

Tyre Size Rear: 275/30 R20

Vehicle Dimensions

Length: 4851

Height (including roof rails): N

Height: 1346

Width (including mirrors): 2137

Wheelbase: 2822

Width: 1902

Weight and Capacities

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 11.9

Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): N

Max. Roof Load: 75

No. of Seats: 4

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 420

Max. Loading Weight: 465

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 68

Gross Vehicle Weight: 2395

Minimum Kerbweight: 1930

Carpets/Rugs

Oyster velour floormats

Chassis/Suspension

Adaptive M suspension professional

Driver Aids

Parking Assistant Plus with 360 degree surround view camera

Embellishment Trims

Fineline copper interior trim

Individual piano black trim

Carbon fibre interior trim finishers

Entertainment

TV Receiver function including reception of digital TV station

Exterior Body Features

Metallic paint

BMW Individual Frozen paint

M carbon roof

BMW Individual paintwork

Interior Features

CraftedClarity glass application for interior elements

BMW Individual full merino leather upholstery - II

BMW Individual full merino leather upholstery - I

BMW Individual extended merino leather upholstery - II

BMW Individual extended merino leather upholstery - I

Packs

M Carbon exterior package without carbon blade - 8 Series Coupe

Comfort plus pack - 8 Series Coupe

Comfort plus pack with individual alcantara headlining - 8 Series Coupe

Technology plus pack with lane change assistant - 8 Series

Visibility package - 8 Series

M Carbon exterior package with rear spoiler - 8 Series

Technology plus pack - 8 Series

Paint - Metallic

Metallic - Skyscraper grey

Metallic - Carbon black

Metallic - Sanremo green

Metallic - Black sapphire

Metallic - Mineral white

Metallic - Portimao blue

Paint - Solid

Solid - Alpine white

Paint - Special

BMW Individual paint special - Custom

BMW Individual paint - Special request

BMW Individual metallic paint - Aventurine red

BMW Individual frozen metallic paint - Frozen tanzanite blue

BMW Individual metallic paint - Dravit grey

BMW Individual frozen metallic paint - Frozen pure grey

BMW Individual metallic paint - Tanzanite blue

Seats

Front M Sport seats with electric memory function for driver/passenger seat + Lumbar support + Electric adjust comfort front headrests

Trim - Leather

BMW Individual extended Merino leather I - Black/Black world

BMW Individual full Merino leather II - Tartufo/black world

BMW Individual full Merino leather I - Cognac/black world

BMW Individual full Merino leather I - Black/Black world

BMW Individual full Merino leather I - Ivory white/Ivory white world

BMW Individual full Merino leather II - Fiona red/Black with Black world

Extended merino leather - Black M piping/Black world

BMW Individual extended Merino leather I - Ivory white/Ivory white world

BMW Individual extended Merino leather II - Fiona red/Black with Black world

BMW Individual extended Merino leather II - Tartufo/Black with Black world

BMW Individual extended Merino leather I - Cognac/Black world

Wheels

Run flat tyres

Wheels - Alloy

20" Y spoke M light alloy wheels with mixed tyres in jet black with run flat tyres - style 728M

20" Individual V spoke light alloy wheels with run flat mixed tyres - style 730

20" Double spoke bi colour alloy wheels with RFT - style 894M

20" Y spoke M light alloy wheels with run flat mixed tyres in bicolour - style 728M