What's New
- New standard features that include lane departure warnings, SiriusXM radio, and a new headliner
- Lane departure warnings now standard for all models
- Android Auto now available
- Removal of select color options
- No M8 model for 2021
Pros & Cons
- Strong, refined engines
- Gran Coupe is spacious
- Exhilarating performance
- Coupe and convertible back seats are almost nonexistent
- Gets expensive quickly
- Not as style conscious as some competitors, awkward from some angles
BMW 8 Series Overview
The 8 Series is now in its third year since rejoining the BMW lineup in 2019. The 8 Series brings raucous performance and, if it suits you, plenty of style to the top of BMW’s lineup. Unlike the original 8 Series of the 1990s, this new model is offered as a convertible and a four-door “Gran Coupe” in addition to its traditional coupe body style.
The wildest member of the 8 Series family, the M8 Coupe and Convertible, are not offered in 2021 due to supply chain issues, but they’ll return in 2022. This year, the lairiest 8 is the M850i, but all 8 Series variations mix serious speed with long-legged grand touring ability, soaking up the miles on long drives with engaging behavior and comfy confines. Even the base-model 840i is lively too, managing zero to 60 in under five seconds despite the fact that this is a big two-ton car. The Gran Coupe is a hair over 200 inches long, just seven inches shy of the big 7 Series; the coupe and convertible are about nine inches shorter and have much less useful back seats.
Because of its position in the BMW lineup and at least partially because of its price, the 8 Series isn’t a big seller, but then, no big luxury coupe is these days. BMW sold just over 4,400 units in 2019, but saw a notable increase in sales numbers for 2020, moving over 7,700 cars. That stands in contrast to the 3 Series cars, where BMW sells thousands of units every month. Still, the 8 Series represents a high watermark for touring cars, with excellent upscale interior accommodations, silky smooth but powerful engines, and traffic-stopping style.
The cars have remained sleek in profile in the face of BMW’s seemingly unending march to slap a huge grille on every model it makes, though that could change in the coming model years. Still, the 8 Series is quite a bit less flashy on the outside than competitors like the Lexus LC or the soon-to-depart Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe, and its lines are an opinion splitter, just less of one than some newer BMWs.
Trim Specifications
The 2021 8 Series Gran Coupe, Coupe, and Convertible are offered in three main configurations: 840i, 840i xDrive, and M850i xDrive. The 840i models are powered by a twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-six that makes 335 horsepower and 368 pound-feet of torque. Power reaches the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. xDrive models add all-wheel drive to the picture.
The M850i xDrive is powered by a twin-turbocharged V8 that produces 523 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic is also present here and is paired with all-wheel drive. The M8 Competition is available in the same Gran Coupe, Coupe, and Convertible body styles and also carries a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8, but it has been massaged to produce 617 horsepower in the performance model.
The standard 8 Series comes with Merino leather upholstery, ash grain grey-metallic wood trim, Nappa leather-trimmed gauges, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen, navigation, two USB ports, dynamic cruise control, a three-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a Harman Kardon surround-sound system with 16 speakers, four-zone automatic climate controls, a panoramic moonroof, a power rear sunshade, remote start and LED interior lighting.
The M8 adds standard equipment such as extended Merino leather upholstery, carbon fiber interior trim, an anthracite Alcantara headliner and 16-way power-adjustable M sport seats with a backlit M8 logo.
Despite the 8 Series’ lofty price, BMW holds back many desirable features in added-cost options packages. The $100 Active Driving Assistant pack adds frontal collision warnings with city collision mitigation, something standard in much cheaper cars. For $100, one wonders why BMW didn’t just make it standard. The $1,700 Driving Assistance Professional Package adds blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, a steering assistant system, and more. The 8 Series is a safe machine, but it hasn’t been evaluated by either the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
Several other luxury options are available as a la carte additions, such as $500 ventilated seats, $650 glass controls, a $3,400 Bowers & Wilkins sound system and a $1,150 active steering system.
The 2021 BMW 840i Gran Coupe starts at $85,995. Adding all-wheel drive moves the price to $88,895. The M850i Gran Coupe starts at $109,895. All prices include a $995 destination fee.
Warranty
4 Years/50,000 Miles
4 Years/50,000 Miles
12 Years/Unlimited Miles
4 Years/Unlimited Miles
3 Years/36,000 Miles
Specs & Safety
BMW 8 Series Specification
BMW 8 Series Safety
NHTSA: Not Rated