2020 BMW M8 Review

　　

2020 BMW M8 Review

byKurt NiebuhrSenior Vehicle Test Editor

　　Kurt Niebuhr has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. A automotive photographer by trade, Kurt is now one of zzdcar' high-performance test drivers. He's driven and photographed hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles all over the world, so Kurt's library of automotive experiences would certainly make for a good book. When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.

　　After a nearly 20-year absence, BMW brought back the 8 Series for 2019. As an encore, there's the 2020 BMW M8. The M8 treatment extends across the entirety of the 8 Series body lineup, with not only the two-door coupe benefitting from the extra performance but also the convertible and stylish Gran Coupe sedan.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2020 BMW M8 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

　　$267/mo  for M8 Base

　　M8 Base

　　2dr Coupe AWD (4.4L 8cyl Turbo 8A) - $133,000 MSRP2dr Convertible AWD (4.4L 8cyl Turbo 8A) (Most Popular) - $142,500 MSRPCompetition 2dr Coupe AWD (4.4L 8cyl Turbo 8A) - $146,000 MSRPCompetition 2dr Convertible AWD (4.4L 8cyl Turbo 8A) - $155,500 MSRP

　　vs

　　$164/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　The M8 comes with a 600-horsepower turbocharged 4.4-liter V8. It's also fitted with an adaptive suspension and a sport-tuned all-wheel-drive system. You can even select a rear-wheel-drive mode, should you like going sideways just as much as you like going forward. Extra performance can be had via the Competition package, which bumps the horsepower to 617 and offers further tuning to the suspension.

　　If the M8 looks to be an attractive option, the Porsche 911 would like a word with you since it offers more nimble handling and more options for personalization. Another fantastic option is the Mercedes-Benz AMG GT, which offers similar performance and comfort but lacks the M8's somewhat usable back seat.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Great

　　8.1

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.5/10

　　How does the M8 drive? Acceleration is like the Starship Enterprise jumping into warp speed. In our testing of an M8 Competition coupe, we recorded 0-60 mph in 3.2 seconds and a quarter-mile in 11.2 seconds at 125 mph. There's so much power. The brakes feel equally potent and stopped our car in 106 feet from 60 mph. They're also easy and smooth around town. This is a larger and heavier car than most in its class, but you wouldn't know it from these numbers.

　　The M8 delivers surprisingly agile handling, tracking through curves with a high amount of grip and confidence. The steering doesn't have quite the engagement of other sports cars of this ilk, but the M8 is responsive and it goes where you point it. When you're not trying to blast into orbit, the M8's effortless power and smooth-shifting transmission feel simply luxurious.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the M8? The M8 Competition is proof that BMW knows how to balance performance and comfort. The cabin is solid and well isolated from most noise, save for that nice burly V8 when you lean on it. Ride comfort is shockingly good. It doesn't matter if you're on a rough patch of road or a smooth freeway, the suspension does a great job of controlling motion and softening impacts. It's even comfortable enough to leave in Sport mode for a majority of the time.

　　The front seats are well cushioned and bolstered in all the right places and have a lot of adjustment. They offer plenty of support yet retain their comfort unlike some of the more extreme seats you'd find in this class. The rear seats aren't nearly as comfortable, but they're far more livable than those in, say, the 911. Climate controls take some familiarization but work just fine.

　　

Interior

7.5/10

　　How’s the interior? Getting in and out of the front seats is easy except in tight parking spots due to the long doors. Rear-seat access is challenging, but that's typical for a two-plus-two coupe. There's an abundance of space for front occupants plus plenty of adjustment range for the driver. The rear seats, again, aren't very spacious or comfy but still a lot better than others in this class.

　　Visibility out front is mostly decent except for thick windshield pillars that can impede your view through left turns. The over-the-shoulder view is a bit compromised as well due to the thick rear pillars. Blind-spot sensors definitely help when driving and a high-res screen and 360-degree camera really improve parking situations. We like that you can interact with the vehicle via touchscreen, rotary controller or through voice commands but wish there were fewer buttons and a better menu structure.

　　

Technology

8.0/10

　　How’s the tech? The M8's strength in technology comes primarily from a wealth of driver aids and voice interface. The driver aids are what you would expect at this level: adaptive cruise, surround-view parking camera, etc., and it all works really well. The voice assistant is state of the art and recognizes natural speech for all types of commands for the onboard navigation, audio and even climate (it works on the ventilated seats). But it's still not quite as advanced or quick as the Mercedes system.

　　The optional Bowers & Wilkins audio system delivers great sound and feels worthy of the price tag. The M8's onboard navigation is easy to use. Wireless Apple CarPlay smartphone integration is also included. (Android Auto arrives later this year.) There are more than enough USBs and power ports for all your charging needs.

　　

Storage

8.0/10

　　How’s the storage? Compared to the typical exotic, the M8 has a good amount of storage. It's a larger coupe for this class so there's just more interior space to start. The trunk's wide opening and low liftover height are nice, but the inside area narrows quite a bit between the rear suspension. Still, there's 14.8 cubic feet available, and the seats fold down close to flat to help accommodate longer items.

　　Small-item storage space isn't abundant. But there's a small console in front of the cupholders, a nice-size armrest bin and glovebox, and decent door pockets. Car seat accommodation is quite limited since the space is tight, but at least the anchors are relatively easy to access.

　　

Fuel Economy

7.5/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? The M8 Competition coupe is EPA-estimated to return 17 mpg in combined driving (15 city/21 highway). This is respectable for the class. Admittedly, owners of these vehicles aren't likely to be too concerned with fuel efficiency.

　　During our 115-mile evaluation route, which equally covers highways, mountain roads and city streets, we were shocked to get 23 mpg. During our two weeks with the M8, we were able to average 17.2 mpg. That easily matches the EPA estimate, and we'd like to note that the onboard fuel computer was pretty close with our calculations.

　　

Value

8.0/10

　　Is the M8 a good value? Every penny you spend on an M8 seems justified. It has superb build quality and has more to offer for the price. For instance, the M8 Competition is comparable to a Mercedes-Benz AMG GT C and Porsche 911 GT3 Touring but has more usable interior room and more luxury per dollar.

　　BMW's warranty and ownership perks are as good as, if not better than, most in this group with basic and powertrain warranties at four years/50,000 miles and roadside assistance for four years. BMW also offers complimentary maintenance for three years/36,000 miles.

　　

Wildcard

9.0/10

　　BMW has spent a lot of time making sport sedans, so it's easy to forget that it's still capable of building some Ultimate Driving Machines. The M8 may not be an exotic from the ground up, but it shows the brand can compete at a very high level.

　　

Which M8 does zzdcar recommend?

It might not seem like much of a difference on paper, but the revised suspension, as well as the extra horsepower, of the Competition have won us over. To that, we'd add the carbon-ceramic brakes as well as the upgraded Bowers & Wilkins audio system. The Driving Assistance Professional package is a nice-to-have because of its surround-view camera system and front and rear parking sensors.

　　

2020 BMW M8 models

The 2020 BMW M8 is a high-performance version of the 8 Series. It comes as a coupe or convertible. (The four-door Gran Coupe is reviewed separately.) Like most current BMW M models, the M8 is available in two trims: the standard version and higher-performance Competition.

　　Both come with a turbocharged 4.4-liter V8, an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The base power output is 600 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque. The Competition is slightly more powerful at 617 hp.

　　M8

　　Notable standard features include:

　　20-inch wheels with performance tires Heated front seats and steering wheel Dual-zone automatic climate control LED headlights M Sport seats Leather upholsteryIt also comes with:

　　Wireless Apple CarPlay integration 16-speaker Harman Kardon sound system Digital instrument cluster 10.25-inch central touchscreen Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)Competition

　　Has the same standard features but adds performance and appearance upgrades such as:

　　M Sport exhaust system Different wheels Black exterior trim Revised suspension for better handling Track drive mode that sets up the car for optimum track-based performanceOptions available on both trims include:

　　Driving Assistance Professional package Traffic-adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go Lane keeping assist (steers the M8 back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker) Semi-automated steering for certain roads and conditions Night vision with pedestrian detection Bowers & Wilkins surround-sound system M carbon-ceramic brakes

　　

2020 M8 Highlights

Type: CoupeConvertibleConvertible

　　Trim: BaseCompetitionBase

　　

Base MSRP	$142,500
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	17 MPG
Cost to Drive	$267/month
Seating	4 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	12.4 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles