BMW thinks this M8 Competition Coupe model is the closest it's yet got to the all-conquering Porsche 911. But is it? Jonathan Crouch looks at the updated version

Ten Second Review

BMW's M8 Competition Coupe model has been usefully updated. As before, it provides a real alternative to more exotically-badged high performance luxury sporting coupes, offering searing speed, sleek styling and an engine that has few peers.

Background

BMW's M division certainly knows how to build driver-focused sports cars. The M8 Competition though, is something slightly different - a larger, more luxurious driver-focused GT. Offered in Convertible, four-door Gran Coupe or, as in this case, Coupe form, it delivers masterful performance - on a major scale. If you must have the ultimate BMW, then this may well be it. It's tempting to think of this model as nothing more than an M5 saloon in a more sporting suit. After all, it shares the same 625hp V8 twin-turbo engine, much of the same M Division technology and, as a result, pretty much the same performance figures. BMW though, thinks differently, pointing out that this car has a stiffer set-up, a shorter wheelbase body and cleaves a cleaner path through the air. Whatever your perspective though, this M8 Competition model looks to be a devastatingly effective piece of high performance engineering. The kind of car in which, for instance, you might drive to the Alps - but take in the Nurburgring on the way. Developed in parallel with the M8 GTE endurance racing car, it's a force to be reckoned with. Especially in this updated form.

Driving Experience

There are no mechanical changes with this updated model. Not familiar with it? Well imagine the mighty BMW M5 Competition super saloon as a two-door GT sportscar with a shorter wheelbase for extra agility and a stiffened set-up for even sharper responses. That's essentially what we've got here with this M8 Competition model. The 'Competition' tag refers to this car's stiffer engine mountings which aim to facilitate sharper turn-in. And the wheelbase has been reduced by a significant 201mm. Otherwise, everything's much as you'd find in an M5 - which is good. So there's the same 625hp twin turbo V8 mated to a more direct-shifting DCT M Steptronic paddleshift gearbox (rather than the lazier Speedtronic auto you get on a lesser M850i). Plus there's 4WD, an electronically-governed mechanical limited slip differential and a set of grippy 20-inch Michelin tyres, the rears slightly wider than the fronts. In addition, as with the M5, there are lots and lots of mode settings which you can programme in and customise via two buttons on the centre stack marked 'M Mode' and 'Set-Up'. Once you've arrived at your favourite two combinations of throttle response, gearshift timing, stability programming and damping feedback, you can save them via two red anodised levers on the steering wheel marked 'M1' and 'M2' - one perhaps for country roads, the other maybe for fast-flowing major routes. As with the M5, you can also select an 'M-Dynamic' setting that turns all the safety systems off and limits the drivetrain to rear wheel drive. It's a mode we'd advise you to use only for tyre-smoking circuit drifting. In any mode, this M8 is very, very fast of course - 62mph is dispatched in just 3.2s and if it weren't for the 155mph speed limiter, 180-190mph would no doubt be possible.

Design and Build

The M8 Competition models aim to display the hallmark proportions of luxury-class sports cars whether you choose two-door Coupe, four-door Gran Coupe or Convertible. For this updated model, an 'M lights Shadow Line' exterior trim package will be available via the Visibility Pack for the first time, opening up extra scope for individualising the car's appearance. The dark finish for the inlays and chrome detailing inside the headlight units help to give the front end a more eye-catching and sporty feel, an effect enhanced by the standard High-gloss Black finish for the BMW kidney grille surround. Passengers in the Convertible version are protected from the elements by a high-quality fabric roof pulled taut over the cabin. The multi-layer soft-top opens and closes in 15 seconds at the touch of a button while the electric mechanism can be activated while driving at up to 31mph. Once opened, the soft-top stows away flat under a high-quality cover whose surface structure matches that of the instrument panel, door and side-panel trim.  As before, the interior is awash with high-precision details and features a driver-centric cockpit, with low-set sports seats featuring integral head restraints and trimmed in soft Merino leather. What's changed is the introduction of a larger 12.3-inch Central Information touchscreen display. And full Merino leather/Alcantara upholstery in the a freshly introduced Black/Sakhir Orange colour scheme brings even more contemporary style to the interior. There's space for a couple of small children in the rear of both the Coupe and the Convertible variants - and a couple of adults will fit quite comfortably in the back of the Gran Coupe model. On all body styles, the backrest sections can be folded down either individually or together in order to further increase load capacity. Out back, there's a 420-litre boot in the Coupe model; it's 440-litres in size with the Gran Coupe and 350-litres with the Convertible.

Market and Model

Pricing for this improved M8 Competition Coupe start at around £140,000. It's around £138,000 for the Gran Coupe version and around £147,000 for the M8 Convertible. For this updated design, there are eight fresh exterior colours, you can choose a fresh 20-inch M light-alloy wheel star-spoke design and an 'M lights Shadow Line' exterior trimming package is available as part of the optional Visibility Pack. Otherwise, it's as you were. which means that standard equipment includes a sports exhaust and 20-inch M light alloy Star-spoke style Bicolour alloy wheels. Inside, there are heated 'M' sports seats trimmed in super-soft 'Merino' leather upholstery, carbonfibre cabin trim, soft-close doors and the BMW Live Cockpit Professional package, which gives you a 12.3-inch instrument binnacle dial display and a 10.25-inch centre-dash infotainment screen. If you've more to spend, you might want to consider the optional 'M Driver's package' which increases the top speed to 190mph and costs around £2,100 - which seems an awful lot to pay for a software tweak. That's also included as part of the optional 'Ultimate Package' which, for a cool £20,000 more, also gives you 'Laserlight' headlights, M carbon ceramic brakes, extra carbonfibre interior and exterior trimming, a thumping upgraded Bowers & Wilkins sound system, ventilated front seats, a TV tuner, an M Carbon engine cover and all the extra camera safety features of the optional 'Driving Assistant Professional' pack.

Cost of Ownership

You won't be expecting a super sports car of this power and price to be in any way affordable to run - and this one isn't. If you get anywhere near the quoted WLTP combined cycle fuel consumption figure of 24.6mpg (that's for the Gran Coupe and the Convertible - it's 26.6mpg for the Coupe body style), then you shouldn't have bought this car in the first place and it'll deserve a better home: you know where we are. The WLTP-rated CO2 figures are 242g/km for the Coupe; it's 263g/km for the Gran Coupe and the Convertible. 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 M8s will be funded with company money through a lease deal, this brokerage fees are likely to be bundled into that.

Summary

It really comes down to how driver-focused you want to be. If you want the most driver-orientated super sportscar you can buy for less than £200,000, this isn't it. If though, you want one that can combine Nurburgring Nordschiefe dynamics with GT luxury, then this M8 Coupe makes a very strong case for itself, especially in this updated form. It's certainly fast enough - and there's a competition-bred feel to the handling that rivals from Jaguar, Lexus and Audi can't quite match. A tougher question to answer lies in whether this car is worth nearly 25% more than BMW's mechanically rather similar M850i model. That's a question of personal preference of course. What's not up for debate is the way this M8 can make you feel, for its buyers delivering a perfect symbiosis of performance and exclusivity, dynamism and prestige. Or, to put it another way, a super car they could tail-out slide on a trackday, then cruise across Europe in afterwards. These people will love this M8, despite its high running costs and even higher price. There's a need, after all, to pay for the most consummate of pleasures. If you can afford to do that though, you'll find much to admire here. Powerful elegance - that's pitch-perfect.

Body Glass

Electric front windows

Heated rear window

Heated windscreen washer jets

Thermally insulated windscreen

Rain sensor with automatic intermittent windscreen wipers control and headlights activation

Climate comfort windscreen, infrared reflecting with burglary-deterrent acoustic film

Heat protection/Sun protection glazing - Tinted green tempered safety glass all around/Laminated safety glass windshield

Brakes

Anti-lock Brake System and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution

DSC - Dynamic Stability Control

Dynamic Traction Control - DTC

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

Integrated brake system with two selectable brake pedal characteristics

Compound structure brake discs

Carpets/Rugs

Velour floormats

Chassis/Suspension

Adaptive M suspension

Double wishbone front axle

Dynamic Damper Control

Communication

Wi-Fi hotspot

Bluetooth Hands free facility with USB audio interface and Voice Control

Enhanced bluetooth telephony with wireless charging

Driver Aids

Power assisted steering

M servotronic

Front/rear park distance control (PDC)

Parking assistant plus with 360 degree surround view camera system and remote 3D view

Driver Convenience

Start/stop button in red

Electric boot lid - electrically opening/closing rear tailgate

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

Driver Information

Check control system

Rev counter

Service interval indicator

Brake pad wear indicator warning light

Personal Profile

BMW Teleservices

Oil sensor for level and grade

BMW legal emergency call

Condition based service

Integrated owner's handbook

BMW Drive recorder

BMW ConnectedDrive online services

iDrive controller with shortcut buttons

Light on warning

BMW Live cockpit professional with HUD

Driving Mirrors

Electric adjustable/heated/folding door mirrors

Frameless interior mirror

Engine

Petrol Particulate Filter

M Twin power turbo 8 cylinder

Entertainment

Favourite buttons

DAB Tuner enables digital radio reception

Exterior Body Features

Wind deflector

Fully automatic soft top

Body colour bumpers

Soft close automatic (SCA) for doors

High gloss black kidney grille

M Sport exhaust system

Front and rear bumper system with replaceable deformation elements

Carbon core - innovative lightweight construction with highly rigid and light carbon elements

Door handle illumination

Black chrome exhaust tailpipes

BMW Individual high-gloss shadow line with extended contents includes kidney frame, clasp and air breather in black chrome

BMW Individual high-gloss shadow line with window frame and mirror base in black high gloss

Rear boot

Model logo on kidney, side strakes, right tailgate and door sill finishers

Full ornamental grille with kidney grille bars

Exhaust system cover panels

Lined soft top material

Exterior Lights

High beam assistant

LED daytime running lights

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

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

Air collar

Microfilter and active carbon filter

Automatic air conditioning with 2-zone control

Interior Features

Front door pockets

Front cupholders x 2

Glove compartment

2 X front 12v power sockets

Lockable glove compartment with light

M door sill finishers with illuminated BMW M8 designation

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

Lashing eyelets in luggage compartment

Instrument and upper door panel in walknappa black leather

Front centre armrest with light, 12V socket and USB and storage compartment

Through loading function

Centre console and cupholder storage incl. USB

Interior Lights

Entry lights on doors

Front reading lights

Automatic interior light soft on/soft off system

Luggage compartment light

Dynamic ambient interior lighting

Interior light front centre above interior mirror

Packs

Connected package professional - M8

Safety

Side impact protection

Two tone horn

Warning triangle and first aid kit

Passenger airbag deactivation system

Driver/front passenger side airbags

Driver/passenger seat occupancy sensor

2 x 3-point rear seatbelts

Head airbags for first and second row seats

Child seat ISOFIX attachment rear outer seats

Driver and front passenger knee airbag

Active protection

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

M Seatbelts with black seat belts with fine M stripes for all seats

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

Tyre pressure indicator

Driver and front passenger airbags

Active front integrated look headrests

Seats

Rear headrests

2 seat bench in second row

Split folding rear seat with 50:50 configuration

4 way electrically adjustable lumbar support for driver and front passenger

Height adjustable headrests with integrated headrest look

Security

Locking wheel bolts

Centre lock switch

Comfort access system

Alarm system

Electronic vehicle immobiliser

Closing system with central locking

Keyless engine start

Vehicle key with exclusive M designation

Transmission

M Sport differential

xDrive (permanent all-wheel drive, variable torque distribution, including DSC to control traction interventions)

Steptronic sport transmission with eight speed automatic and gearshift paddle switches on the steering wheel

Vanity Mirrors

Sunvisors with front ticket pocket and illuminated mirrors

Wheels - Spare

Tyre repair kit

Emissions - ICE

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Extra High: 225

Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6

Noise Level dB(A): 71

HC+NOx: N

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Low: 494

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Medium: 250

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - High: 214

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb: 263

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEH: 264

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEL: 262

Engine and Drive Train

Fuel Delivery: TWIN TURBO

Catalytic Convertor: No

Engine Code: S63B44T4

Engine Layout: NORTH SOUTH

Camshaft: DOHC

Compression Ratio: 10.0:1

Number of Valves: 32

Cylinder Layout: V8

Transmission: SEMI-AUTO

Gears: 8 SPEED

Cylinders: 8

CC: 4395

Cylinders - Stroke (mm): 88.3

Cylinders - Bore (mm): 89

Fuel Consumption - ICE

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEH: 24.4

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEL: 24.8

WLTP - MPG - Comb: 24.6

WLTP - MPG - Low: 13.1

WLTP - MPG - Medium: 25.7

WLTP - MPG - High: 30.1

WLTP - MPG - Extra High: 28.5

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEL: 11.4

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEH: 11.6

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb: 11.5

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: 0

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High: 9.9

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High: 9.4

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium: 11

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low: 21.6

General

NCAP Safety Assist %: N

NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: N

NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: N

Badge Power: 625

Badge Engine CC: 4.4

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Coin Description: N

NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: N

NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: N

Timing Belt Interval Frequency - Months: N

Timing Belt Interval Mileage: N

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 50E

Coin Series: M8 Competition

Based On ID: N

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: 0

Special Order: 0

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

Generation Mark: 2

Special Edition: 0

Performance

Engine Torque - RPM: 1800

Engine Power - BHP: 625

Engine Power - PS: No

Engine Torque - NM: 750

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 553

Engine Power - RPM: 6000

Engine Power - KW: 460

Engine Torque - MKG: 76.5

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

0 to 62 mph (secs): 3.3

Top Speed: 155

Test Cycles

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

RDE Certification Level: RDE 2

Tyres

Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT

Space Saver?: 0

Alloys?: No

Tyre Size Front: 275/35 R20

Wheel Style: STAR SPOKE STYLE 813 M

Wheel Type: 20" ALLOY

Tyre Size Rear: 285/35 R20

Vehicle Dimensions

Length: 4867

Height (including roof rails): N

Height: 1353

Width (including mirrors): 2137

Wheelbase: 2827

Width: 1907

Weight and Capacities

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 12.2

Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): N

No. of Seats: 4

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 350

Max. Loading Weight: 415

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 68

Gross Vehicle Weight: 2440

Minimum Kerbweight: 2025

Brakes

M Compound brake in high gloss black with M designation

M Compound brake in high gloss blue with M designation

Embellishment Trims

BMW Individual piano black trim with highlight trim finishers

Ash grain grey interior trim

BMW Individual ash black with silver effect interior finishers trim

Entertainment

TV function plus including digital reception with CI+ card reader, operation by iDrive controller and integral roof aerial

Exterior Body Features

Solid paint

BMW Individual paint

Frozen paint

Hoods

Individual soft top - Marine blue

Individual soft top - Brown

Individual soft top - Bordeaux red

Interior Features

BMW Individual multifunction leather steering wheel with rim in leather Walknappa Night blue and shift paddles

BMW Individual multifunction leather steering wheel with rim in leather Walknappa Black and shift paddles

Full Merino leather upholstery

BMW Individual full merino leather upholstery

Packs

Comfort plus pack with M Carbon bucket seats - M8

Visibility pack with M lights shadowline - M8

M pro pack - M8

Comfort plus pack - M8

Carbon pack - M8

Technology plus pack - M8

Paint - Metallic

Metallic - Isle of Man green

Metallic - Black sapphire

Metallic - Skyscraper grey

Metallic - Brooklyn grey

Metallic - Marina Bay blue

Paint - Solid

Solid - Alpine white

Paint - Special

BMW Individual paint - Aventurine red

BMW Individual paint - Dravit grey

BMW Individual paint special - Custom

Frozen paint - Frozen tanzanite blue

Frozen paint - Frozen Pure grey

BMW Individual paint - Special request

BMW Individual paint - Tanzanite blue

Seats

M Carbon bucket seats

Trim - Leather

BMW Individual full Merino leather - Ivory White/Tartufo

Full Merino leather - Taruma brown/black

Full Merino leather - Black/black

Full Merino leather - Midrand beige/black

BMW Individual full Merino leather - Ivory white/Night blue

Full Merino leather - Sakhir orange/black

Full Merino leather - Silverstone/black

Trim - Part Leather

Full leather Merino/Alcantara - Black/contrast stitching midrand beige

Full leather Merino/Alcantara - Black/contrast sakhir orange

Wheels - Alloy

20" Double spoke black alloy wheels - style 810M

20" Star spoke bicolour alloy wheels - style 811M