BMW still provides the 2023 BMW 8 Series and a four-door sedan model that goes by the fictitious name Gran Coupe for good measure.
Except for a slightly bigger infotainment touchscreen and a standard light-up grille, the BMW 8 Series doesn’t get many modifications for 2023. Various versions are offered, including the V8-powered M850i, the high-performance M8 Competition, the extra-stylish Alpina B8, and the six-cylinder 840i. All other 8 Series models only come with BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive technology, whereas the 840i Coupe, Convertible, and Gran Coupe may be had with either rear- or all-wheel drive. The four-door Gran Coupe is the sole configuration of the top-of-the-line Alpina B8.
The BMW 8 Series has various rivals since it is available in three distinct body types and four performance levels. The Gran Coupe aims to compete with the Audi A7, Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class, and Porsche Panamera lines, while the two-door variants go up against everything from the Aston Martin DB11 to the Jaguar F-Type, Mercedes-AMG SL and Lexus LC. The 8 Series Gran Coupe is more sporty and opulent than its four-door competitors, Audi and Mercedes-Benz, but Porsche still reigns supreme regarding raw performance and driver involvement.
The primary, rear-wheel-drive 840i Coupe costs $88,495, including a $995 destination fee. Pricing for the BMW 8 Series also casts a broad net. The M850i xDrive Coupe costs $103,495 to upgrade to V8 power, while the far more aggressive M8 Competition Coupe costs $135,095. The most costly model of the 2023 8 Series is the Alpina B8 Gran Coupe, which costs $145,895.
Regardless of the type, the BMW 8 Series is an excellent beauty with a svelte design and fantastic proportions. Soft leather inside surfaces that may be heated and cooled are available, and optional glass controls provide an added sense of sophistication. With rather cramped back seats, the two-door models are more geared toward the driver’s and front passengers’ comfort. However, the Gran Coupe doesn’t provide luxurious accommodations due to its constrained rear headroom.
Every 8 Series has a 12.3-inch multimedia touchscreen that runs BMW’s iDrive seven software and a digital instrument cluster. This in-car technology has features and supports wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and inbuilt navigation. Unfortunately, many 8 Series versions continue to offer driver-assistance features like surround-view cameras, lane-keeping aid, and full-speed adaptive cruise control as optional extras. Whatever version you pick, the BMW 8 Series delivers a fantastic balance of elegance, design, and performance.
Performance: BMW 8 Series
The 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 engine in the rear-wheel-drive 840i and all-wheel-drive 840i xDrive produces 335 horsepower and 368 pound-feet of torque. Despite being the weakest variant of the 8 Series, BMW claims the 840i vehicles can still reach 60 mph in around 5 seconds with an eight-speed automatic gearbox.
The M850i with a V8 engine, the M8 Competition, and the Alpina B8 share the 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 and xDrive all-wheel drive. The M850i has 523 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque, while the M8 Competition has 617 horsepower. The 4.4-liter V8 produces 612 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque in the Alpina B8 Gran Coupe, which has a slightly different tuning. The M8 Coupe and Gran Coupe, which can reach 60 mph in only three seconds flat, are the fastest versions of the 8 Series. All V8 trims are only available with an eight-speed automatic gearbox.
The M850i xDrive Gran Coupe is the actual sweet spot of the range, according to testing. It is more tolerable daily because of its softer suspension than the more extreme M8 Competition. The M850i’s quick steering, well-balanced handling qualities, and the V8 engine’s 523 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque are more than enough to make driving the car exhilarating.
Fuel efficiency: BMW 8 Series
The BMW 840i Coupe, Convertible, and Gran Coupe are quite efficient despite having a strong I6 engine. The EPA estimates that both the rear-wheel and all-wheel drive models will get 24 combined miles per gallon in 21 cities and 29 highways. A decrease in the overall economy results from switching to the more powerful V8, with M850i xDrive and Alpina B8 models rated at 19 mpg combined, 17 cities, and 24 highways. If you choose the full-bore M8 Competition, these numbers decrease to 17 mpg combined, 15 mpg city, and 22 mpg highway.
However, the fuel efficiency figures for the 8 Series aren’t that poor in contrast. A standard six-cylinder Porsche Panamera achieves a combined fuel economy of 20 mpg, whereas a base all-wheel-drive Audi A7 achieves a combined fuel economy of 24 mpg. However, it’s important to remember that Porsche also provides several Panamera plug-in hybrid models, some of which have an all-electric range of up to 19 miles.
Safety & Driver Support
The 2023 BMW 8 Series range has a starting price well over $85,000, although it lacks several standard driver-assistance features. Instead, only lane-departure and forward-collision warnings with automated emergency braking are included as standard equipment.
BMW provides several active safety options, with the $1,700 Driving Assistance Professional Package being the most comprehensive. Parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, a surround-view camera system, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and BMW’s Extended Traffic Jam Assistant, which combines those latter two technologies for more straightforward highway travel, are just a few of the many driving aids that come standard on this vehicle.
Also, do not assume that upgrading to more costly 8 Series cars will have such active safety measures. The Driving Assistance Professional Package costs an additional $1,800 even on the top-of-the-line Alpina B8 Gran Coupe.
Our evaluations of the 2023 BMW 8 Series suffer significantly since none of its variations have undergone testing by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
Comfort and Space
Whether you’re driving a fully equipped Alpina B8 or the least-cost 840i Coupe, the BMW 8 Series boasts excellent amenities. The heated and cooled leather seats are comfortable and supportive. Even the armrests and steering wheel have standard heating, which is a blessing on cold days. Shorter drivers will want to lift the power seat in the 8 Series since it is a low-slung vehicle and will provide them with a better perspective of the road ahead. However, the driver and front passenger have enough head, shoulder, and legroom, and the interior is quiet and crafted of high-quality materials regardless of how tall or broad you are.
The 8 Series Coupe and Convertible front seats may move and tilt forward, providing simple access to the back chairs. However, the 8 Series Gran Coupe is the best option if you often transport people. The 8 Series Gran Coupe is similar to the Audi A7 and S7, which have back headroom and legroom measurements of 37.1 inches and 37.0 inches, respectively. The rear seats are relatively roomy, measuring 37.0 inches in height and 37.1 inches in length.
Infotainment: BMW 8 Series
The iDrive seven system is still capable even if the 8 Series lacks BMW’s most recent iDrive eight infotainment system, which is included in newer models like the i4, iX, and 7 Series. All 8 Series vehicles now come standard with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, up from the previous model’s 10.3-inch screen, and iDrive reacts fast to inputs, whether made with the touchscreen or the buttons on the centre console.
Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a wireless charging pad are standard features with iDrive 7. You may adjust the automated temperature control using natural-speech voice commands by saying things like, “Hey, BMW, I’m cold.” BMW’s gesture controls let you adjust the volume by rotating your finger. Thankfully, it is also possible to turn off these gesture controls.
All 8 Series vehicles include a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster behind the steering wheel that can be customized and streamlined in the sporty M8 Competition to display a few gauges. Although the information in the gauge cluster is often arranged in an intricate and condensed manner, the system is nonetheless simple to use thanks to buttons on the steering wheel.
Storage & Cargo Space:
The BMW 8 Series falls behind the competitors regarding cargo space. With 15.5 cubic feet of room, the Gran Coupe’s trunk is the largest but still tiny compared to the Audi A7’s 24.9 cubic feet.
The fact that the Audi A7 and Porsche Panamera are hatchbacks gives them an additional edge. The 8 Series features a conventional fixed trunk, but its German competitors have more practical liftback designs. If the Audi or Porsche’s rear seats are folded down, the storage capacity is large enough to compete with certain small or medium SUVs. The 8 Series is not appropriate if you want to transport anything other than groceries and bags.
Design: BMW 8 Series
Every BMW 8 Series model looks fantastic. The 8 Series vehicle oozes elegance and grace regardless of colour, wheel size, or body style. It also has a lot of presence. The four-door Gran Coupe may have the most significant proportions of the lineup with its long hood, small front overhang, and beautiful roofline, but the two-door 8 Series Coupe has a fantastic sloping roofline that tapers down to a short decklid.
The inside of the 8 Series maintains that opulent vibe, with everything having excellent appearances and sensations. The optional glass controls provide a little additional flair, particularly with the lighted “8” in the gear shifter, and the actual metal trim is appealing. It has a pleasant amount of wow factor.
The 8 Series is more attractively styled than the Porsche Panamera and has a more opulent interior than the Audi A7. In terms of pure luxury, the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class is perhaps the closest rival, but the BMW has superior, simpler infotainment technology. It’s the most attractive package overall in terms of design.
Is the 2023 BMW 8 Series Worth it?
There isn’t a weak link among the BMW 8 Series models when compared. All are upscale, elegant, and enjoyable to drive—as they should be given their price tags.
The $103,495 Gran Coupe, the most practical of the three body types, is the M850i, which offers the most outstanding value throughout the 8 Series lineup. Instead of the excessive aggressiveness or exorbitant price tag that comes with the M8 ($136,095) and Alpina B8 ($145,895) models, you get V8 power and outstanding handling here.
How Much Does a BMW 8 Series Insurance Cost?
Insurance for the 8 Series is somewhat more expensive than its competitors. For the 840i and an additional $100 for the xDrive variant, the average yearly premium for a 30-year-old female driver with a clean driving record is $4,256. The price of the 840i Gran Coupe is $4,639. The M performance variants cost between $5,000 and $6,000.
For a Porsche Panamera basic model, the average yearly premium is $4,483, and it may reach $5,838 for a Panamera Turbo S Sport Turismo E-Hybrid. A Mercedes-Benz CLS450 4Matic costs roughly $3,657, compared to the Audi A7’s $3,500 starting price and $6,500 top speed for the high-performance RS7.
Verdict
An actual full-size luxury vehicle, the BMW 8 Series. The two-door Coupe and Convertible models provide a more individualized luxury experience, while the practical four-door Gran Coupe allows you to travel with companions. Although the M8 Competition and Alpina B8 variants have potent V8 power and handling prowess to match, even the M850i and “base” six-cylinder 840i don’t skimp on equipment or performance. Regardless of your selection, you can’t go wrong with any 8 Series.
