1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8. Yes – in the land of BMW, there is no number six. At least, not since 2020, which is when the M6 was replaced with this: The BMW M8. Available as a Coupe (F92), a convertible (F91), and a four-door Gran Coupe (F93), the M8 represents the pinnacle of BMW grace and power. This BMW buyer guide will help you sort through what will likely be the first and last M8 to leave the German factories.
Understanding the BMW M8
Read my full review of an M8 Competition Coupe here.
POGs, or Product Ordering Guides, are an excellent way to begin.
Pre-LCI years include:
And post-LCI years:
As of 2024, the BMW M8 is still in production, and will end its run in mid-2025.
This guide will focus on the Coupe, though the Gran Coupe and Convertible are identical in nearly every regard.
The BMW M8 vs the Competition
When the M8 started production, it followed the path of the M5. You could choose from the basic M8, or one with the Competition Package.
The base model is noted by its chrome M8 badge, chromed faux side vent, chrome exhaust tips, and chrome rings around the kidney grilles. Competition Package-equipped models received:
- An additional 17 horsepower, for a total of 617. All M8s get 553 pound-feet of torque from the S63 twin turbo V-8.
- An M Sport Exhaust system (this changed the tips to black from chrome, but sounds no different, at least to this author’s ears).
- All M8s had 20-inch wheels, but Competition models came with different standard options.
- M colors on the seat belts.
- Extended Shadowline trim, deleting the chrome everywhere.
- A black badge on the center console, in case you forget what car you’re in.
The base M8 was only offered during its introduction model year of 2020. BMW did not offer the car in 2021, and when brought back, was only made available with the Competition Package as standard. This means that officially, all 2022 model years and later are called BMW M8 Competitions.
Why isn’t there a 2021 BMW M8?
For 2021, BMW discontinued the M8 Coupe and Convertible, leaving just the Gran Coupe to hold the lineup. BMW claims this was due to parts shortages from the Covid-19 pandemic – “The decision is based on available inventory due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on dealership operations and sales.” It’s fun to note that the Coupe and Vert were still allowed to be sold elsewhere. Only the US received the cut.
The full M8 lineup returned in 2022, sans base model as stated above.
Will there be a BMW M8 CS?
The M5 CS proved to be one of BMW M’s better recent attempts at making a special one-off model, but I don’t think it’s meant to be for the M8. It sells in much smaller quantities than the M5, and already has one foot out the door.
Of course, you can always make your M8 Frozen Deep Green Metallic, select carbon fiber bucket seats, bolt on M5 789M bronze wheels, and purchase a CS yellow headlight kit. Gives the same effect.
The BMW M8 vs the Alpina B8
They really are two very different cars, and a good place to start with the Alpina is to check out my review of the B8. The performance of both cars is similar, but the driving experience is night and day.
- The B8 has an N63 V-8 tuned by Alpina, good for 612 horsepower, vs 617 in the M8
- The B8 only comes in a Gran Coupe body style
- The B8 keeps the basic 8 Series seats inside, but offers luxurious like wool floor mats, crystal controls, two sunroofs (not carbon fiber), a unique digital dash, and unique steering wheel treatment
- Outside, the B8 has Alpina’s body kit, two exclusive colors in Alpina Blue and Alpina Green Metallic, and stunning multi-spoke wheels that are the brand’s calling card.
I like the Alpina B8 better than the M8 – it’s much more the tourer, more comfortable and luxurious, all while being just as fast. The M8 feels more urgent and in your face, as an M car should, but its hard ride and big size don’t help it feel very nimble. The M8 offers an interior perhaps just a bit nicer, especially seat options, but if I had to choose, it would be the B8.
To put it more succinctly, the 8 Series is meant to be a grand touring car, and the Alpina is a better grand tourer.
What’s the difference with an LCI BMW M8?
In perhaps what is BMW’s lightest example of mid-model tweaking, only minor elements changed for the 2023 model year (available from March of 2022).
- A slightly redesigned kidney grille that now illuminates
- A larger 12.3-inch center display inside, increased in size from 10.25 inches.
- An expanded range of exterior colors
- Carbon bucket seats from the BMW M3 were made an available option.
The BMW M8’s M Carbon Package vs M Performance Parts
If you’re looking for the berth of M Performance Parts availability that the M2 and M3 enjoy, you’ll be disappointed. They only offer carbon fiber mirror caps (a part shared with all other current M models), and a carbon fiber kidney grille.
The alternative is to purchase one with the M Carbon Exterior Package, which includes:
- M Carbon air curtains
- Carbon blade (faux fender trim)
- Rear spoiler
- Mirror caps
- A single-piece carbon finisher around the tailpipes. A non-carbon diffuser insert is also included.
The package is $5,400, and does not include the kidney grille. The carbon fiber bucket seats are a stand alone option, available from 2022 onward.
BMW Individual
This being the M flagship, BMW saw fit to truly open up the Individual color palette. On lesser models, BMW charges extra cost for Metallic paint, but on the M8, its free.
However, they offer additional tiers of unique colors (you can call them Individual-lite), that cost $1,950 – Dravit Grey, Tanzanite Blue and Aventurin Red Metallic. These seem to be the Individual colors available on most BMW models. One step above that is a selection of Frozen (matte) Pure Grey or Tanzanite for a charge of $5,000.
When it comes to selecting your own colors, BMW is pretty open, and you can get a sense of the scope with their color picker.
In my opinion, going Individual is the only way to make an M8 stand out.
M8 Color Gallery
Where to find one, and the importance of doing a PPI
The M8 Coupe was produced in 2020, then from 2022 through present day. BMW will wrap production some time in 2025. It’s unlikely there will be another – large coupes are not big sellers, and BMW has had to give some large incentives to move the M8 in any variation.
Regardless of where you find one, a pre-purchase inspection (PPI) is critical. I will not sit here and write that BMW M cars are driven by angels, used solely for picking up baby from day care or taken out only on date night with your boo. I’ve been around hundreds of them, and while 90% are not abused, they are all driven hard (as they should be).
Personally, I’d stay away from any modded car. You can do that yourself, and who knows just how much “’bout dat boost life” the previous owner was, or who did the work. Work receipts can help – if a reputable shop did the upgrades and you like the car, by all means.
What’s a good price for a BMW M8 Coupe?
The BMW M8 is a car that’s hit hard by depreciation, and it’s not difficult to find ones available for less then $80,000 – nearly half the cost of a new one. For used examples, I always recommend looking on BaT, which shows price history for the model: Bring a Trailer BMW M8 search.
The M8 isn’t a big seller, so although I wouldn’t call the model one that’s readily available, it’s by no means limited-production. Of the three variants, the Gran Coupe seems to be the one that retains its value the most, but it’s by a slim margin. A convertible with just 3,100 miles sold for $87,000, and that’s incredible, as it cost over $150,000 when new just two years ago.
On Cars & Bids, it’s much the same – some higher-priced, and some a bit cheaper, like this Coupe with 6,600 miles. Due to very limited updates, LCI models don’t command much of a premium. It’s difficult to find a base model, as they were only produced one year, but they can dip below $70,000 depending on mileage.
Options like the M Carbon Package or Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System are things you should get because you want to treat yo’ self, not because you think they bring value. Adding just those two packages will add nearly $9,000 to the price of a new M8, but won’t bring even half that back later on.
Common problems with the BMW M8
Dare I say that the M8 is one of the more reliable BMWs to date. There really aren’t many serious issues with the car.
Start here, with my story that explains the S63 engine in great detail. Even though it uses the same engine from the older M6, it’s been updated and refined to greatly enhance reliability.
Some recalls have occurred:
- 2019-12-10, 19V883000, Automatic transmission – The transmission wiring harness can become damaged, resulting in an electrical short circuit.
- 2020-03-18, 20V164000, Air bags – Front seat belt buckles may inaccurately detect a belted occupant as unbelted
- 2021-02-09, 21V062000, Power assist: Hydraulic – The rotor and shaft within the integrated brake system may not have been welded properly
- 2021-02-18, 21V096000, sensing system: camera – When shifting into Reverse, a small portion of the rearview image may be obscured, or the screen may not illuminate.
- 2023-02-16, 23V099000, Power window devices and controls – When the digital key is removed from the vehicle, the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) software may still allow the power windows and sunroof to be closed.
A good thread to look through is this one on Bimmerpost. But I can tell you that nothing major has happened. This M8 shares many components with the rest of the lineup, many of which have been around awhile. You no longer need to fear the Roundel.
Should I buy a BMW M8 Coupe?
This is a difficult BMW to pin. Should you buy a new M8 (while you still can)? No – I wouldn’t. M makes more engaging cars to drive, and more practical ones to use daily.
But used…
The M8 is in a sort of no-man’s land, except when it comes to performance. Stock, it runs the quarter mile in nearly 10 seconds flat, and it’s hard to find that kind of speed and power for an MSRP of around $140,000. But with lightly used ones going for less than $90? As the Joker said, now we’re talkin’.
Given the car’s reliability, power, traction, and modern BMW features, it’s difficult not to be enticed. I might like the BMW M2 better, but if they cost the same price, it becomes a harder selection to justify. And though the 8 is a bit generic in its styling, if you happen to have a thing for traditional BMW looks, it doesn’t get much more so than the M8. Might be the last time you find tradition in the “new” section of the lot too.
Perhaps the best way to view the M8 is through a set of rose-colored glasses. This is the perfect gas-powered BMW to line up against a Tesla and wipe the smug look off the owner’s face. Then, do it again and ag..wait, they ran out of charge.
Not you though. And not this V-8.
Not this M8.
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