Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

BMW 8 Series review

Muscle car performance and proportions give BMW’s 8 Series old-school appeal, but it’s packed with the latest technology

Overall Auto Express rating

4.0

How we review cars
RRP
£85,980 £137,475
Avg. savings
£23,572 off RRP*
Pros
  • Strong engines
  • Impressive tech
  • Very luxurious
Cons
  • Some rivals feel sharper
  • Fidgety low-speed ride
  • Tiny rear seats
Find your BMW 8 Series
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

The range-topper within BMW’s sports car lineup, the 8 Series aims to mix luxury grand touring with an engaging driving experience. The design is more traditional than some of BMW’s more recent unveilings but still has plenty of presence on the road thanks to its sheer size. The cabin’s fit and finish, along with the technology on board means the 8 Series impresses inside and out.

Advertisement - Article continues below

There’s 4x4 drive from the devastatingly quick V8 M850i or M8 Competition models, while a big boot makes the coupe a genuinely practical grand tourer, if you accept that the confined rear seats are only for occasional use. Otherwise the four-door Gran Coupe variant effectively addresses any accommodation problems.

About the BMW 8 Series

Almost 20 years after the first 8 Series went off sale (the wedge-shaped one with the pop-up headlights), the second generation model launched in 2018. Although the original was coupe-only, to replace the 6 Series’ range of bodystyles the current BMW 8 Series is offered as a two-door Coupe, a four-door Gran Coupe version with an extended wheelbase and a Convertible that sits at the top of the range. BMW introduced a light facelift for the range in early 2022 incorporating subtle styling tweaks, along with extra onboard technology and equipment (pictures in this review are pre-facelift model).

Don’t let the name fool you, in terms of powertrain the 8 Series shares nothing with the now defunct i8 hybrid when it went on sale. Those looking for frugality should check out the 316bhp 3.0-litre diesel 840d xDrive - although you’ll have to look at used models as it’s no longer on sale. This leaves a petrol-only lineup: the 328bhp 840i, the 523bhp M850i xDrive, with a 4.4-litre twin-turbo and the M Competition - which uses the same V8 engine tuned to 616bhp.

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

8 Series

2022 BMW

8 Series

37,274 milesAutomaticPetrol3.0L

Cash £30,800
View 8 Series
8 Series

2022 BMW

8 Series

36,200 milesAutomaticPetrol4.4L

Cash £38,990
View 8 Series
8 Series

2022 BMW

8 Series

35,300 milesAutomaticPetrol4.4L

Cash £43,440
View 8 Series
8 Series

2020 BMW

8 Series

55,297 milesAutomaticPetrol3.0L

Cash £26,920
View 8 Series

Once you’ve chosen a body style and engine, BMW makes life relatively simple because there are no trim grade options beyond those imposed by your engine choice. The entry-level 840i only comes in M Sport guise, while you’ll find the M850i under “M Models” if you delve into the configurator.

Naturally equipment levels are lavish even on M Sport cars, but BMW will try to upsell you into a range of expensive add-on packages. These include the £1,500 Visibility Pack for laser headlamp upgrades, the M Sport Pro pack for 20-inch alloy wheels and dark chrome exterior finishes, the £3,000 Comfort Plus Pack for features including heated armrests, ventilated seats and electric window blinds, and the £6,000 Technology Plus Pack which includes a 1,400 Watt Bowers & Wilkins sound system, a full package of active driver assistance features, on-board video recording and Parking Assistant Plus. The £19,000 Ultimate Pack includes all of the above, plus additional features such as a TV receiver.

While the BMW 8 Series offers a distinct blend of comfort and sportiness that sets it apart, it enters a market that’s not short of rivals when it comes to expensive GT models. With list prices starting from around £77,000 for the cheapest Gran Coupe four-door to almost £143,000 for the M8 Competition convertible, the roster of potential competitors includes the sportiest of rivals such as the Porsche 911, along with more relaxed offerings like the Lexus LC.

The Gran Coupe goes head-to-head with the Audi A7 Sportback and Mercedes CLS. All 8 Series get an eight-speed automatic gearbox and all bar the 840i feature xDrive four-wheel drive.

Inside BMW’s own range there’s not much that comes close. Buyers looking for ultimate luxury might consider the larger BMW X7 SUV, while those wanting sporty thrills will arguably be better satisfied behind the wheel of a BMW M4 or M5.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Which Is Best

Cheapest

  • Name
    840i M Sport 2dr Auto
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • RRP
    £85,980
Select car

Most Economical

  • Name
    840i M Sport 2dr Auto
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • RRP
    £85,980
Select car

Fastest

  • Name
    M850i xDrive 2dr Auto
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • RRP
    £118,575
Select car
Executive editor

Paul was employed across automotive agency and manufacturer-side sectors before joining Auto Express in 2020 as our online reviews editor. After a brief sojourn at a national UK newspaper, Paul returned as executive editor where he now works closely with our commercial partners.

New & used car deals

BMW 8 Series

BMW 8 Series

RRP £74,820Avg. savings £23,572 off RRP*Used from £26,920
Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

RRP £29,820Avg. savings £5,075 off RRP*Used from £14,448
Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo

RRP £15,255Avg. savings £1,848 off RRP*Used from £7,649
Renault Clio

Renault Clio

RRP £16,160Avg. savings £2,721 off RRP*Used from £8,600
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k
Kia PV5 Passenger - show front

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k

New entry into the electric people carrier market undercuts the VW ID. Buzz by a significant margin
News
29 Apr 2025
Car Deal of the Day: BMW’s ultimate luxury SUV at an unusually low price
BMW X7 - front

Car Deal of the Day: BMW’s ultimate luxury SUV at an unusually low price

German firm’s flagship SUV could never be called cheap but it is exceptional value at £735 a month – making it our Deal of the Day for Sunday 27 April
News
27 Apr 2025
New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645
Kia PV5 Cargo on display at Commercial Vehicle Show - front 3/4

New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645

All-new entry into the van market promises competitive pricing and comes with a range of up to 247 miles
News
30 Apr 2025