BMW 8 Series 840i M Sport 4dr Auto Ultimate Pack

  • Automatic
  • Petrol
  • 32.8 mpg
  • 4 door gran coupe
  • 196 g/km CO2
  • 196 g/km CO2 emissions
  • 32.8 mpg Fuel efficiency
  • 5.4 secs 0 to 62 mph
  • 333 bhp Engine power

Ten Second Review

BMW may not have invented the idea of a premium four-door executive coupe but it could certainly be argued that they perfected it with this car, the 8 Series Gran Coupe, here subtly updated. Elegant, beautifully finished and impressively efficient, it's a desirable choice if you need something dynamically luxurious with four seats but have out-grown a full-sized Executive saloon and don't want anything limo-like.

Background

So you want a luxury saloon. The thing is though, you don't want a boring one. One day perhaps, the time might be right for you to get something like a BMW 7 Series, a Mercedes S-Class or an Audi A8. For now though, you'd like something just as smart and luxurious but more individual and dynamic. Something, perhaps, like this, BMW's 8 Series Gran Coupe. This Gran Coupe is a lengthened four-door version of BMW's more conventional two-door 8 Series Coupe and was first announced back in 2012 badged as a '6 Series Gran Coupe' to plug an important gap in the Munich maker's luxury line-up. Buyers who'd out-grown the brand's 5 Series Executive saloon and didn't want to go on into something limo-like were being lost to a new breed of more style-conscious Luxury segment models - cars like Mercedes' CLS-Class, Audi's A7 Sportback and Porsche's Panamera. Targeting these people was still the brief for this four-door 8 Series model when it first arrived in 2019, then was subtly updated early in 2022. How effectively has this car's brief been executed? Let's find out.

Driving Experience

Three 8 Series Gran Coupe engines are now on offer, the range kicking off with the 333hp 840i petrol version, the only one featuring rear wheel drive. The other two 'M' variants both feature xDrive 4WD as standard. There's an M850i derivative, which uses a 530hp version of the 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged petrol V8 from the brand's old M5 super saloon. An M Sport exhaust delivers a snarly soundtrack, there's 750Nm of torque and 62mph from rest takes just 3.7s. If that's somehow not fast enough, you'll want to talk to your dealer about the even quicker M8 Competition model, which has the same 4.4-litre petrol V8 tuned up to 625hp, in which form it delivers 750Nm of torque. That flagship variant is capable of 62mph from rest in just 3.2s. The old 840d xDrive diesel variant is no longer offered. Across the range, there are the usual 'Driving Experience Control' modes - 'Eco', 'Comfort', 'Sport' and 'Sport+'. For a more focussed and sporty handling, Integral Active Steering is fitted as standard to reduce the turning circle when manoeuvring. This also increases agility at moderate speeds and optimises poise and assurance when changing lanes and cornering at high speeds. It becomes more direct as the speed builds but allows the driver to manoeuvre at low speeds with minimal steering wheel movement. Optional active roll stabilisation further enhances the handling characteristics. Electric swivel motors on the front and rear axles ensure particularly fast and precise compensation of lateral forces.

Design and Build

This updated 8 Series Gran Coupe now gets BMW's M Sport styling pack as standard, which gives the car a meaner look, with a more heavily structured front bumper and rear diffuser, as well as revised 19-inch wheels and upgraded brakes with blue calipers. Across the range, it's also now possible to order an illuminated front grille. The M850i model gets a unique front splitter and M8-style for the exterior mirrors, the rear spoiler and the diffuser. The M8 itself has redesigned 20-inch wheels. As before, the style of this 8 Series Gran Coupe is very similar to that of its Coupe and Convertible showroom stablemates, but it has a wheelbase that's 201mm longer in order to incorporate a couple of extra rear doors. Unlike obvious segment 'Grand Turismo'-style rivals like the Porsche Panamera and the Audi A7 Sportback (but like its closest competitor the Mercedes CLS), this BMW has a traditional notchback boot rather than a hatchback. And inside? Well the key change with this facelifted model is an upgrade in the size of the central infotainment screen - from 10.25 to 12.3-inches. And the six cylinder model gets multi-contour seats as standard. Otherwise, things are the same as before. As in other 8 Series models, the interior is awash with high-precision details and features a driver-centric cockpit and low-set sports seats featuring integral head restraints and trimmed in soft Merino leather. Despite the coupe-style pretensions here, this is a proper four-seater; there's certainly adequate head and legroom in the rear, even for loftier adults. The boot meanwhile (which has a high lip) is big enough for a quartet of adults too, being 440-litres in size (90-litres less than you'd get in a 5 Series saloon if you're wondering). Larger objects like skis can be dealt with by a through-loading hatch. If you need more room, then releasing a pair of neat boot sidewall catches flattens the rear seatbacks, a standard feature that can free up considerably more cargo space.

Market and Model

Prices start at around £81,500 for the 840i Gran Coupe. The M850i xDrive version is around £113,000. The M8 Competition xDrive model will set you back around £138,000. Across the range, equipment highlights include Merino leather upholstery, a Head-up display, Active Park Distance Control and the BMW 'Live Cockpit Professional' infotainment set-up, which includes a 12.3 inch instrument binnacle display screen and a 12.3-inch centre-dash monitor. Via this, you'll have access to an adaptive nav system, a hard-drive-based multimedia system with 20GB, two USB ports, plus Bluetooth and WiFi interfaces. A key new option is the illuminated front grille, offered with an 'Iconic Glow' package, which gives you an illuminated surround and waterfall lighting for each of the grille elements. You can also order optional M emblems in blue, purple and red in place of the traditional blue and white BMW roundel. Plus as before, there's plenty of cutting-edge camera-driven safety kit and autonomous driving tech. The driver assistance systems process camera images as well as data gathered by ultrasonic and radar sensors to monitor the vehicle's surroundings, to warn of potential hazards and to minimise the risk of an accident with corrective braking or steering inputs. The car is equipped as standard with Cruise Control with braking function, as well as Collision and Pedestrian Warning with City Braking, the latest version of which also alerts the driver when a cyclist is detected. Depending on the situation, the system can bring the vehicle to a halt to either avoid a collision or minimise its consequences.

Cost of Ownership

Just because you're spending over £80,000 on a luxury car of this kind, it doesn't mean you'll be paying through the nose to keep it on the road. Even the M850i xDrive with its turbocharged petrol V8 is capable of 24.6mpg and CO2 emissions of 246g/km. The 840i sDrive enhances that to 33.2mpg and 186g/km. For the M8 Competition xDrive, it's 25.2mpg and 256g/km. 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 8s will be funded with company money through a lease deal, this brokerage fees are likely to be bundled into that.

Summary

Of all the motivations you might have for spending serious money on a full-sized luxury car, perhaps the most important is the need for it to make you feel special. And that's exactly how you'll feel with one of these in your driveway. It's what sets this executive four-door coupe apart from the kind of BMW 7 Series saloon you could have for much the same sort of money. And it's also what makes this a rarer, more exclusive choice than a rival Mercedes CLS or Audi A7 and a more beautifully resolved design than the only other two really direct alternatives, Porsche's Panamera and Maserati's Quattroporte. True, you do still need to spend plenty on the options list to create the 'ultimate driving machine' the Munich maker's ads promise. Do this though and you'll get yourself a car with dynamic capability no rival can match. So, in summary, is this the best luxury model BMW makes right now? There are some who would say so. And the best four-door premium coupe? Yes, that as well.

  • Automatic tailgate operation, remote opening with key, closing by tailgate button or remote control including tailgate in LED technology
  • Electric bootlid
  • Bowers and Wilkins diamond surround sound system
  • DAB Digital radio
  • Favourite buttons
  • TV Receiver function including reception of digital TV station
  • BMW Individual high-gloss shadow line with extended contents
  • Carbon core
  • Exhaust tailpipes with chrome finishers,radiator grille frame,air breather inlay,black chrome tailpipe trims,radiator grille struts in black highgloss
  • Front and rear bumper system with replaceable deformation elements
  • Front ornamental grille with kidney grille bars
  • Illuminated door handles
  • Illuminated radiator grille iconic glow
  • M lights shadow line
  • Model logo on right tailgate in chrome
  • Rear boot
  • Rear side wing doors
  • sDrive designation on left tailgate
  • 1 x 12V power socket in front centre console
  • 2 cup holders in front
  • 3 spoke M sport leather multifunction steering wheel with shift paddle
  • BMW ID
  • CraftedClarity glass application for interior elements
  • Electric rear windscreen and rear side window sunblinds
  • Front door pockets
  • Lashing eyelets
  • Lockable glove compartment with light
  • Soft close doors
  • Steering column with adjustable height and length and activation via control on the steering column
  • Storage compartment under front centre armrest with light, 1 x 12V power socket and USB
  • Through loading function
  • BMW Live cockpit professional pack - 8 Series
  • Connected professional pack - 8 Series
  • Exterior items pack - 8 Series/Ultimate
  • Front heat comfort pack - 8 Series
  • M Carbon exterior package without carbon blade - 8 Series
  • M sport exterior styling aerodynamics pack - 8 Series
  • 3x3 point rear seatbelts
  • Active protection
  • Airbags - Driver and front passenger airbag with seat occupancy detection, knee, side and front passenger seat airbag deactivation
  • Child locks on rear doors
  • Crash sensor activating central locking release, hazard warning lights, fuel cut off, interior lighting, safety battery terminal clamp and airbags
  • Front three point with pyrotechnical belt latch tensioner seat belts, belt force limiter and belt stopper
  • Head airbags for 1st and 2nd seat row
  • ISOFIX child seat mounting for the two outer rear seats
  • M sport seatbelt
  • Rear three point with pyrotechnical belt latch tensioner seat belts and belt force limiter
  • Side impact protection
  • Tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
  • Warning triangle and first aid kit
  • Alarm system (Thatcham 1) with electronic engine immobiliser
  • Centre lock switch
  • Closing system with central locking
  • Comfort access system
  • Keyless entry with start/stop button
  • Locking wheel bolts
  • Vehicle key with exclusive M designation
  • HC+NOx: N
  • Noise Level dB(A): 67
  • Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6
  • WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb: 196
  • WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEH: 197
  • WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEL: 194
  • WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Extra High: 184
  • WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - High: 169
  • WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Low: 284
  • WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Medium: 200
  • Camshaft: DOHC
  • Catalytic Convertor: True
  • CC: 2998
  • Compression Ratio: 11.0:1
  • Cylinder Layout: IN-LINE
  • Cylinders: 6
  • Cylinders - Bore (mm): 82
  • Cylinders - Stroke (mm): 94.6
  • Engine Code: B58B30M1
  • Engine Layout: NORTH SOUTH
  • Fuel Delivery: TWIN TURBO
  • Gears: 8 SPEED
  • Number of Valves: 24
  • Transmission: SEMI-AUTO
  • EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: False
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb: 8.6
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEH: 8.6
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEL: 8.5
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High: 8.1
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High: 7.4
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low: 12.5
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium: 8.8
  • WLTP - MPG - Comb: 32.8
  • WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEH: 32.8
  • WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEL: 33.2
  • WLTP - MPG - Extra High: 34.9
  • WLTP - MPG - High: 38.2
  • WLTP - MPG - Low: 22.6
  • WLTP - MPG - Medium: 32.1
  • Alternative Fuel Qualifying: False
  • Badge Engine CC: 3.0
  • Badge Power: 333
  • Based On ID: N
  • Coin Description: i
  • Coin Series: M Sport[Ultimate Pk]
  • Generation Mark: 2
  • Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 45E
  • NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: N
  • NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: N
  • NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: N
  • NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: N
  • NCAP Safety Assist %: N
  • Safety Concerns: False
  • Special Edition: False
  • Special Order: False
  • Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 999999
  • Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3
  • Vehicle Homologation Class: M1
  • 0 to 62 mph (secs): 5.4
  • Engine Power - BHP: 333
  • Engine Power - KW: 245
  • Engine Power - PS: True
  • Engine Power - RPM: 5500
  • Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 369
  • Engine Torque - MKG: 51
  • Engine Torque - NM: 500
  • Engine Torque - RPM: 1700
  • Top Speed: 155
  • Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP
  • RDE Certification Level: RDE 2
  • Alloys: True
  • Space Saver: False
  • Tyre Size Front: 245/35 R20
  • Tyre Size Rear: 275/30 R20
  • Tyre Size Spare: RUN FLAT TYRES
  • Wheel Style: Y SPOKE STYLE 728M
  • Wheel Type: 20" ALLOY
  • Height: 1407
  • Height (including roof rails): N
  • Length: 5082
  • Wheelbase: 3023
  • Width: 1932
  • Width (including mirrors): 2137
  • Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 68
  • Gross Vehicle Weight: 2435
  • Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): N
  • Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 440
  • Max. Loading Weight: 620
  • Max. Roof Load: 75
  • Minimum Kerbweight: 1815
  • No. of Seats: 5
  • Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 12.3