2023 BMW 8 Series

　　

2023 BMW 8 Series Convertible 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.

　　, rating written byMark TakahashiReviews Editor

　　Travis Langness has worked in the automotive industry since 2011. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career.

　　Sports cars are known for their potent performance while luxury cars are known for their cosseting comfort. Somewhere in between are grand-touring cars that aim to deliver an optimal blend of both. At the top of our list of sporty grand-touring coupes is the 2023 BMW 8 Series, as it artfully combines the best of both worlds.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 BMW 8 Series 840i 2dr Coupe (3.0L 6cyl 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

　　$192/mo  for 8 Series 840i

　　8 Series 840i

　　840i 2dr Coupe (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A) - $87,500 MSRP840i 2dr Convertible (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A) - $97,100 MSRP840i xDrive 2dr Coupe AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A) - $90,400 MSRP840i xDrive 2dr Convertible AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A) - $100,000 MSRPM850i xDrive 2dr Coupe AWD (4.4L 8cyl Turbo 8A) - $102,500 MSRPM850i xDrive 2dr Convertible AWD (4.4L 8cyl Turbo 8A) (Most Popular) - $112,100 MSRP

　　vs

　　$165/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　For 2023, the 8 Series undergoes a little nip-and-tuck up front, with a restyled grille that illuminates and a minor resculpting in the surrounding bodywork. On the inside, the infotainment touchscreen grows from 10.25 inches to 12.3 inches. Otherwise, the 8 Series is the same as it was last year, and for that, we're happy.

　　There aren't a lot of rivals to pit against the 2023 8 Series, yet it manages to find an optimal position within the class. The more expensive Porsche 911 is the most direct competitor, though it favors performance over practicality. The high-performance BMW M8 seems a better rival to the Porsche and is priced similarly to the midrange 911 models. The Jaguar F-Type is a raucous two-seater that's worth considering even though it's showing its age, while the Lexus LC 500 fully embraces its luxury grand-touring niche. All of these luxury sport coupes have their own set of advantages and drawbacks, and we cover all of the 8 Series' in our Expert Rating below.

　　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.

　　Good

　　7.9

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.5/10

　　How does the 8 Series drive? The 840i with the base six-cylinder engine has more than adequate power, and the eight-speed automatic transmission delivers smooth, lightning-fast shifts. At our test track, our 840i convertible test car accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in a quick 4.8 seconds. Dynamic back-road driving from this big grand tourer is impressive too, with relatively flat cornering and impressive braking performance.

　　There are a few drawbacks to the base 8 Series convertible, including heavy but vague steering, poor throttle calibration at slow speeds, and a lack of braking feel. Those are small gripes when you consider the car's overall aptitude.

　　

Comfort

9.0/10

　　How comfortable is the 8 Series? The 840i's ride quality is excellent. The adaptive suspension soaks up almost all road imperfections. It's still smooth sailing even in Sport mode. Combine that with one of the quietest cabins in its class, and you've got a car that begs to be taken on a long road trip. The front seats are very comfortable for hours on end. The rear seats are a bit less comfortable, but they're adequate for small children, which is expected in this class.

　　The buttons for the climate control are a bit confusing at first, but the air conditioning and heated seats work well. The seat ventilation feature, on the other hand, doesn't provide much cooling effect.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below