2019 BMW 8 Series Review

　　

zzdcar' Expert Review

byMark TakahashiCorrespondent

　　Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the zzdcar YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.

　　

What's new

All-new modelRevives the 8 Series nameplate last seen in the 1990sCoupe and convertible body stylesStandard V8 power

　　The original BMW 8 Series debuted in the 1990s. This sleek coupe stood out among the already aspirational competition, even if it only lasted about a decade. Now it's back and reborn in the form of the 2019 BMW 8 Series. The new model takes a lot of its predecessor's spirit and combines it with a lot more power, performance and technology.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2019 BMW 8 Series M850i xDrive 2dr Coupe AWD (4.4L 8cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$223/mo  for 8 Series M850i xDrive

　　8 Series M850i xDrive

　　M850i xDrive 2dr Coupe AWD (4.4L 8cyl Turbo 8A) - $111,900 MSRPM850i xDrive 2dr Convertible AWD (4.4L 8cyl Turbo 8A) (Most Popular) - $121,400 MSRP

　　vs

　　$164/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　This driver's car won't force you to sacrifice comfort. It's just as pleasing to take on an empty curvy road aggressively as it is to cruise leisurely on a weekend getaway. The latter may be best suited to the new 8 Series convertible. For the rare driver who wants even more performance, an M8 variant has been confirmed for production at a later date.

　　Despite its rather large dimensions, the 8 Series has surprisingly little rear seat space. It's so limiting that we're not entirely convinced children will be comfortable back there. Overall, though, we think the 2019 BMW 8 Series effectively does its heritage proud while giving shoppers of big luxury coupe and convertibles something new to lust after.

　　Notably, we picked the 2019 BMW 8 Series as one of zzdcar' Best Luxury Cars for this year.

　　

zzdcar' Expert Rating

8.1 / 10

　　

Trim tested

　　The ratings in this review are based on our first drive of the BMW M850i xDrive Coupe (turbo 4.4L V8 | 8-speed automatic | AWD).

　　

Scorecard

Overall	8.1 / 10
Driving	8.5
Comfort	9.0
Interior	7.5
Utility	8.0
Technology	7.5

　　

Driving

8.5

　　We have high expectations for this segment when it comes to performance, and the 8 Series meets or exceeds them. More noteworthy, however, is how easy the 8 Series is to drive, from the everyday commute all the way to its high limits. It oozes with the kind of confidence that encourages you to drive harder.

　　

Acceleration

8.5

　　There's a brief initial delay in acceleration, but the 8 Series gathers speed with authority thereafter. At the test track, it reached 60 mph in 3.6 seconds, which is comparably quick to rival luxury sport coupes. There's an abundance of traction, even on wet pavement, and the burly V8 sounds great.

　　

Braking

8.0

　　The firm brake pedal is easy to modulate and instills confidence. Unfortunately, the last couple of inches of slowing are met with an inelegant and abrupt stop. The 8 Series needed 108 feet to come to a stop from 60 mph, a few feet longer than we're used to seeing from large luxury cars with summer tires.

　　

Steering

8.5

　　The 8 Series comes standard with four-wheel-steering, giving it good low-speed maneuverability and graceful motions on winding roads. Steering effort is appropriate for a touring coupe and increases in Sport modes. There's not a lot of feedback for the driver, but it is very accurate and responsive.

　　

Handling

8.0

　　Standard all-wheel drive gives the 8 Series thrilling but sure-footed handling, even in wet conditions. In Sport mode, body roll is effectively reduced, yet there's enough compliance for midcorner bumps. Stability control is well-tuned to allow for some yaw and will rein you back in if you get too far out of shape.

　　

Drivability

8.5

　　The 8 Series puts few demands on the driver in dense city conditions, yet it's rewarding on a challenging road. Few cars have this kind of flexibility. Shifts from the eight-speed automatic are smooth and quick in Comfort mode and aggressively strong in Sport modes. Low-speed acceleration response, however, could be a touch smoother.

　　

Comfort

9.0

　　The 8 Series gets all the high marks expected from a fine luxury sport coupe. What's more impressive is that it's this comfortable in combination with the superb overall performance. The customary sacrifices in relation to ride quality and noise are blissfully absent.

　　

Seat comfort

8.0

　　The front seats have aggressive side bolstering to keep you firmly planted when cornering. They're adjustable but may still be confining for larger passengers. Otherwise, the seats are well-shaped for many hours of comfortable touring and have plenty of adjustments. The rear seats are comically small.

　　

Ride comfort

8.5

　　In Comfort mode, the adaptive dampers soften to absorb bumps and ruts in the road for a ride that is better than you'll experience in many luxury sport coupes. In Sport modes, the dampers stiffen to dial out body roll, and the difference is noticeable. That said, it's not at all punishing.

　　

Noise & vibration

9.0

　　You hear everything you want to, and nothing you don't in the 8 Series. Wind and road noise are impressively silenced, yet you can still hear just enough of the burly V8 exhaust/engine note to be inspired. There are no detectable squeaks or creaks, even on rough surfaces.

　　

Climate control

9.0

　　The automatic climate control is quick to cool things down on a hot day, and there's an even distribution of air. The controls are easy to use, and once set, you rarely have to adjust the temperature. The available ventilated seats keep you feeling fresh after hundreds of miles behind the wheel.

　　

Interior

7.5

　　The look and feel of the 8 Series' cabin is a huge asset, and it's also very easy to live with. All controls are pleasantly intuitive. And at least for front passengers, it's a wonderful place to do some long-distance touring. Deductions for rear-seat space and visibility are pretty common in this class, too.

　　

Ease of use

8.0

　　The primary controls are well-placed for virtual no-look operation, and supporting buttons and switches are about as easy to use. BMW's Live Cockpit gauge cluster isn't as useful as other digital gauge clusters. Gesture controls for basic audio functions seem gimmicky at first, but with repeated use may become preferred to traditional volume and skip functions.

　　

Getting in/getting out

7.5

　　The long doors can impede entry and egress in tight parking spots, and you'll need to stoop quite a bit to get in. But that's not all that uncommon for the class. Once seated, there's a long reach back to grab the seat belts. Accessing the rear seats requires shimmying through a narrow passage. Good luck getting out.

　　

Driving position

8.5

　　With 20-way-adjustable front seats and plenty of travel in those adjustments and the telescoping steering column, small and large drivers alike can find their optimal position. There are no perceivable compromises to contend with.

　　

Roominess

6.0

　　The cockpit has a snug wraparound feel without being confining, and there's ample lateral space for your elbows. The rear seats are tiny, even for children, making them better suited to cargo overflow than passengers.

　　

Visibility

7.0

　　The lack of visual references makes the 8 Series feel bigger than it is when you're maneuvering in tight spots. The large rear roof pillars sometimes get in the way, particularly in sharp left turns and when changing lanes. The standard 360-degree cameras and blind-spot monitor do a good job of alleviating guesswork.

　　

Quality

9.0

　　For six-figure luxury touring coupes, our expectations run fairly high. The 8 Series easily satisfies with premium materials and sturdy construction. The optional Glass Controls (gear selector, engine stop-start and iDrive dial) are a unique offering but also polarizing.

　　

Utility

8.0

　　Drawbacks are few in regard to convenience. The trunk is massive for the class and can accept surprisingly large and bulky cargo. The interior designers have given the 8 Series a fair number of usable spaces to hold your personal items, too.

　　

Small-item storage

7.5

　　Storage for your personal items is adequate but not generous. Pockets, bins and cupholders are moderately sized. The standard wireless charging pad with a rubberized surface ensures your phone will stay put.

　　

Cargo space

9.0

　　At 14.8 cubic feet, the trunk is surprisingly spacious — far more than you'd expect or possibly need for the class. That's just a few feet shy of a BMW 3 Series sedan. Adding to the abundance of cargo space is a low liftover height and remote seatback releases.

　　

Child safety seat accommodation

6.5

　　Car seat anchors are well-labeled, but space is at such a premium, only a booster seat will likely be suitable back there. A rear-facing infant seat will be a tight fit, even if the front seat is all the way forward. Accessing rear passengers will also pose a challenge.

　　

Technology

7.5

　　The only item missing in terms of in-car tech is Android Auto integration. We knock BMW for only offering one year of Apple CarPlay for free when you can get unlimited use in every other car with it. Otherwise, the 8 Series has most of the latest features you'd want or expect.

　　

Audio & navigation

8.0

　　The standard Harman Kardon surround-sound system is powerful and clear enough not to bother with the optional Bowers & Wilkins upgrade. The quiet cabin allows it to shine even more. The navigation and other infotainment features are easy to use and have crisp, modern graphics with quick responses.

　　

Smartphone integration

6.5

　　Apple CarPlay is included, but only for a one-year trial. After that it's a subscription ($80 per year or $300 for 20 years), which is unusual in the industry. On the bright side, you can use it without a cable on the wireless charging pad. Android Auto is not supported. There are both USB-A and USB-C type ports for charging.

　　

Driver aids

7.5

　　Forward collision mitigation and lane departure warnings are well-tuned to avoid false alarms. The rear cross-traffic alert and the rearview camera's wide view are helpful since the roof pillars impedes the view out the back. We would have expected adaptive cruise to be standard, though, especially at this price.

　　

Voice control

8.0

　　Native voice controls through the new iDrive system are accurate and understand natural language, but sometimes take a moment to process since the system is cloud-based. If you're in an area with weak internet connectivity, you're better off using the buttons and menus. Apple CarPlay is marginally easier to use.

　　

Which 8 Series does zzdcar recommend?

　　There aren't any trim levels to pick from, so the real decision comes down to coupe or convertible. If you're more into performance, the coupe is your choice because you can add a carbon-fiber roof as well as the Cooling and High Performance Tire package.

　　

2019 BMW 8 Series models

　　The four-seat 2019 BMW 8 Series is offered in a single M850i xDrive trim in either a coupe or convertible body style. Both are powered by a turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 (523 horsepower, 553 lb-ft of torque). An eight-speed automatic is the only transmission offered and sends power to all four wheels.

　　Standard features include 20-inch wheels, adaptive LED/laser headlights, power-folding heated mirrors, a power trunklid, soft-close doors, automatic wipers, front and rear parking sensors, a sport exhaust, selectable drive modes, all-wheel steering and an automated parking system. The convertible adds a power-folding cloth top.

　　Inside, you get dual-zone automatic climate control, a head-up display, an auto-dimming rearview and driver-side mirror, a virtual instrument panel, leather upholstery, heated power-adjustable front seats with memory functions, interior ambient lighting, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, a 10.25-inch touchscreen, a navigation system, a surround-view camera, a Wi-Fi hotspot, a wireless charging pad, a 16-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound system with satellite radio, and BMW Remote Services (emergency communications, remote controls and concierge services).

　　Standard advanced safety features include forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high beams.

　　Bundled options include the Driving Assistance Professional package that contains enhanced driving assist systems plus a vehicle stop lever you can pull in case of a health emergency. There's also the BMW Individual Composition option that allows buyers to specify unique paint and interior treatments. Other add-ons include a carbon-fiber roof, a gear selector and select controls in faceted glass, a microsuede headliner, dark-finished exterior trim elements, a night-vision camera, and a Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system.

　　The coupe is eligible for the Cooling and High Performance Tire package (upgraded engine cooling and tires for high-performance applications) while a neck warmer can be added to the convertible.

　　Jump to:Related 2019 8 Series articles

　　

2019 8 Series Highlights

Type: CoupeConvertibleConvertible

　　

Base MSRP	$121,400
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	20 MPG
Cost to Drive	$224/month
Seating	4 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	12.4 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles