BMW 8 Series Review

 

BMW 8 Series Review: Year, Specifications, Customer Experience

The BMW 8 Series is BMW's grand tourer — a car built for covering long distances at high speed in complete comfort, wrapped in the brand's most dramatic styling. Offered as a Coupe, Convertible, and four-door Gran Coupe, the 8 Series sits above the 6 Series' old role as BMW's halo model, competing with cars like the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe/Cabriolet and Porsche's grand-touring lineup. This guide covers current specifications, pricing in USD with approximate INR conversion, honest owner feedback, and answers to the questions buyers ask most.

BMW 8 Series: Grand Touring, Reimagined

The current-generation 8 Series (G14 Convertible, G15 Coupe, G16 Gran Coupe) launched for the 2019 model year, reviving the 8 Series nameplate after a long hiatus since the original E31 8 Series ended production in 1999. Unlike the smaller 4 Series, the 8 Series is built to be BMW's genuine flagship performance-luxury statement — longer, wider, more powerful, and more richly appointed throughout.

The lineup spans from the six-cylinder 840i up through the storming, twin-turbo V8-powered M850i and the full M8 Competition, BMW's most powerful non-hybrid production car in the current lineup.

BMW 8 Series Specifications

• Body styles: 2-door Coupe, Convertible, 4-door Gran Coupe
• Layout: Rear-wheel-drive (840i, select trims) or all-wheel-drive xDrive (840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, M8 Competition)
• Engines:
  • 840i / 840i xDrive: 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-6, strong mid-range torque suited to relaxed high-speed cruising
  • M850i xDrive: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8, delivering serious grand-touring performance with all-wheel-drive traction
  • M8 Competition: BMW's most powerful conventional (non-hybrid) production model, built for genuine track capability alongside daily usability
• Transmission: 8-speed automatic across the range
• Fuel economy: Roughly 21 mpg city / 29 mpg highway on the 840i xDrive, with the M8 Competition trading efficiency for outright performance (approximately 17 mpg combined)
• Technology: BMW's latest iDrive infotainment, extensive driver-assistance features, available M Sport Professional and M Carbon Exterior packages

BMW 8 Series Price: USD and INR (Approximate)

Figures reflect current US MSRP, converted to INR at an approximate reference rate of $1 ≈ ₹88. Treat INR figures as directional only.

Trim	US MSRP (USD)	Approx. INR Equivalent
840i Coupe (RWD)	≈ $91,000–$99,300	≈ ₹80.1–87.4 lakh
840i xDrive Coupe (AWD)	≈ $100,900–$106,900	≈ ₹88.8–94.1 lakh
M850i xDrive Coupe	≈ $113,400–$132,700	≈ ₹99.8 lakh–1.17 crore
M8 Competition	Priced above M850i — check current BMW listings	—

Note for Indian buyers: BMW India offers the 8 Series through its flagship dealership channel, with local ex-showroom pricing set well above a straightforward currency conversion due to import duties, GST, and other levies applied to fully-built luxury coupes. Ex-showroom prices for the BMW 8 Series in India have historically started in the ₹1.3–1.6 crore range for the 840i and climb significantly higher for M850i and M8 variants. Always confirm current pricing directly with BMW India for exact figures.

Customer Experience: What Owners Actually Say

What owners love:

• Genuine grand-touring comfort at speed. Owners consistently praise the 8 Series for its ability to feel composed and refined even at high speeds, living up to its grand tourer billing.
• Striking, head-turning design. The long hood, low roofline, and wide stance draw consistent compliments, with many owners citing styling as a primary reason for choosing the 8 Series over more conservative rivals.
• Strong performance across the range. From the smooth six-cylinder 840i to the thunderous M8 Competition, owners describe the engine lineup as consistently satisfying, with the M850i's V8 earning particular praise for its sound and mid-range punch.
• High consumer satisfaction scores. Recent model years frequently earn strong owner ratings, with reliability and quality feedback holding up well for a performance-oriented luxury coupe.

Common criticisms:

• Firm ride on M Sport suspension, expected of a performance-oriented grand tourer, can feel stiff for buyers prioritizing outright comfort over dynamics.
• Limited rear-seat usability in the Coupe and Convertible — as with most 2+2 grand tourers, the back seats are best treated as occasional-use space, with the Gran Coupe recommended for those who need genuine rear-seat room.
• High price of entry, particularly once M Sport Professional and M Carbon Exterior packages are added, with fully-loaded M850i and M8 Competition trims easily surpassing $120,000–$150,000.

Which BMW 8 Series Should You Buy?

• Choose the 840i for the most accessible entry point into 8 Series ownership, with smooth six-cylinder power well suited to relaxed cruising.
• Choose the 840i xDrive for added all-weather traction confidence.
• Choose the M850i xDrive if you want serious V8 performance without stepping up to full M8 Competition pricing.
• Choose the M8 Competition if outright performance and track capability are the priority.
• Choose the Gran Coupe body style if you want 8 Series styling and performance with genuinely usable rear seats.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the starting price of the BMW 8 Series in the US? The 840i Coupe starts at approximately $91,000, with the M850i xDrive starting around $113,000–$118,000 and fully-loaded examples exceeding $130,000.

2. Is the BMW 8 Series available in India? Yes, BMW India offers the 8 Series through its flagship dealership network, with ex-showroom pricing set well above a direct currency conversion due to India's import duty structure on luxury coupes.

3. What's the difference between the 8 Series Coupe, Convertible, and Gran Coupe? The Coupe is the standard two-door hardtop, the Convertible offers open-top driving with the same engine lineup, and the Gran Coupe is a four-door version with meaningfully more usable rear seats.

4. What is the most powerful BMW 8 Series? The M8 Competition is BMW's most powerful conventional production model in the current lineup, built on the 8 Series platform with a high-output twin-turbo V8 tuned for genuine track capability.

5. How does the BMW 8 Series compare to the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe? The 8 Series is generally regarded as the sportier, more driver-focused option, while the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe leans further into plush, understated luxury — the choice often comes down to whether buyers prioritize dynamics or ride comfort.

6. Is the BMW 8 Series a practical daily driver? The Coupe and Convertible are best suited to buyers who don't need regular rear-seat capacity; the Gran Coupe is the more practical daily-driving choice within the 8 Series range.

7. What is the fuel economy of the BMW 8 Series? The 840i xDrive achieves approximately 21 mpg city and 29 mpg highway, while the more powerful M850i and M8 Competition trade efficiency for performance, typically returning lower combined figures.

8. Is the BMW 8 Series a good alternative to the M8? The 840i and M850i offer much of the 8 Series' grand-touring character and styling at a lower price and running cost than the full M8 Competition, making them a sensible alternative for buyers who don't need track-level performance.