2024 BMW 8 Series: A Comprehensive Guide On Features, Specs, And Pricing

When BMW brought back the 8 Series name, no one expected the variety of configurations we have access to, but the 6 Series it replaced set the stage for the 8’s success. Here we break down what you can expect from the present-day BMW 8 Series. Here, officially, is your guide to all the BMW 8 Series’ specs, photos, impressions, and comparisons with competitors. Spoiler alert, this is a serious competitor in the segment that we can’t help but praise for its many talents.

Aside from BMW’s mighty M8 Competition, the 840i and M850i models make up the majority of 8 Series sales, and the models we focus on here. The 8 Series Gran Coupe competes with vehicles such as Audi’s A7 and S7 performance variants, whereas the 8 Series Coupe and Convertible take on heavy hitters like Bentley’s brilliant Continental GT and GTC convertible. While no drastic changes have been made to BMW’s flagship, it still remains a powerful vehicle in the coupe landscape.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including Fueleconomy.gov.

What’s New For 2024?

BMW refreshed the 8 Series in 2023, leaving a few major upgrades for the 2024 model year. Notable, but subtle upgrades have been incorporated, including illuminated kidney grilles, a larger 12.3-inch center infotainment screen, new paint options, and a new selection of wheel options.

2024 Highlights

• Long awaited illuminated kidney grilles
• Upgraded center infotainment screen (iDrive7)
• Five exterior colors have been added: Skyscraper Grey Metallic, San Remo Green Metallic, and Portimao Blue Metallic, along with two “individual frozen” colors consisting of Frozen Tanzanite Blue Metallic, and Frozen Pure Grey.
• Larger 12.3-inch infotainment screen
• Two new available 20-inch wheel designs

Exterior Dimensions

(Source: BMW)

Engine Specifications And Performance

BMW’s bread and butter “B58” inline-six is present and accounted for here. Making 335 horsepower and 368 pound-feet of torque, the 840i has plenty of push to motivate the 8 Series around town and hustle it down a back road. The B58 engine is a true gem. The latest version of BMW’s iconic engine impresses and feels like it puts down much more than its 335 horsepower figure might suggest.

Truly, the V-8 is the star of the show here, though. The 8 Series, being the flagship, deserves big power. Big power is what we are rewarded with. Rated at 523 horsepower and 553 pound-feet, this represents a massive, near +200 on both figures over the six-cylinder model. It’s throaty, and punchy, and brings an effortless thrust to the 8 Series, making it feel nearly invincible on any road. With a broad powerband, the M850i can sprint to 60 miles per hour in well under 4.0 seconds.

Performance Specifications

(Source: BMW)

BMW offers the best of both worlds. Where the M850i offers immense performance with its 523 horsepower and ultra-quick 0-60 time of 3.5 seconds, the 840i still offers decent performance but returns a very respectable 25 MPG (combined).

4.7 seconds to 60 MPH might not be groundbreaking by today’s standards, but it wasn’t long ago that it required around 500 horsepower to achieve such a figure. This speaks volumes to cars like the 840i’s diligent use of the power it does have. Only 335 horsepower in a 4,000-pound car shouldn’t be that quick, but BMW has its way of bending the rules of physics at times.

Interior Technology And Comfort

Best Interior Features Of The 2024 BMW 8 Series

• New 12.3-inch infotainment display
• Available quilted seat surfaces
• Luxurious leather colors and textures available
• Available glass controls bring an extra level of glitz
• Upscale interior touch points and materials

BMW hasn’t skimped on the interior appointments. Overall, the fit and finish is premium in feel. BMW wowed with the 8 Series interior when it was originally launched, so much so, that the rest of their lineup received many interior qualities/materials/designs inspired by the flagship coupe. The materials all look and feel luxurious,

Technology

The 8 Series utilizes BMW’s tablet-style iDrive 7 and is not updated to the widescreen iDrive 8 as many new BMW models have for this year. Call us crazy, but we think this is no real drawback as iDrive 8 has proven itself to be quite busy, and riddled with an almost insane amount of menus, apps, submenus, and so on. It’s all getting a little overwhelming.

BMW markets its even-numbered models as “lifestyle” models, making the 8 Series a prime example for those who might not necessarily seek out the most complicated tech. Rather, 8 Series drivers tend to see the vehicle as more of a stylistic extension of their hustle and bustle lifestyle, relying on the proven performance and suave styling that only a BMW can possess. That being said, iDrive 7 is still quite impressive, and it’s still packed with many features most drivers won’t even realize exist.

Interior Dimensions

(Source: BMW)

Safety And Reliability

Packed with safety assistance systems, and some newer driving tech such as brake-by-wire, the 8 Series appears to be a serious player in safety, just as it is about being a sports car. Reliability is strong in the 8 Series with its B58 inline-six engine proving itself to be powerful, yet fairly bombproof.

Many have modified the engine to produce high horsepower with relatively reliable results. BMW also scored above the industry standard in J.D. Power’s 2023 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study, returning 184 problems per 100 vehicles. It was also one of the top brands in Consumer Reports’ annual rankings.

Driver Assistance Features

BMW offers an extensive suite of driver assistance packs split into two options in addition to its standard integrated assistance features. The first package includes features found in many other manufacturer assistance packs, such as cross-traffic alert, and blind spot detection. The top tier pack, called the “Driving Assistance Professional Package”, includes more extensive features such as “Traffic Jam Assistant” and “Evasion Aid”. This is where BMW dips into autonomous driving features.

Standard Assistance Features:

• Front collision warning with city collision mitigation
• Lane departure warning

Optional Assistance Features:

• Cross traffic alert
• Speed limit info
• Parking assistant plus
• Active blind spot detection
• Active park distance control
• Surround (3D) view
• Traffic jam assistant (limited highway access)
• Active cruise control
• Active lane keep with side collision avoidance
• Evasion aid
• Front cross traffic alert

IIHS Crash Testing

IIHS does not currently have any crash testing data or video of the BMW 8 Series.

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

NHTSA does not currently have any crash ratings, recalls, or investigations open with BMW for the 8 Series.

Warranties

The factory warranty program for the BMW 8 Series is fairly typical by industry standards with a 48-month/50,000-mile full vehicle and powertrain warranty. In addition to the 36-month/36,000-mile standard maintenance program, BMW offers no less than five additional maintenance programs offering coverage for up to 60 months/60,000 miles in addition to the standard 36-month/36,000-mile standard program.

(Source: BMW)

BMW 8 Series Versus Its Competitors

Competition is strong in the luxury/sports grand tourer space. BMW faces heat from one of its main rivals, Audi, with the A7/S7. Hot off the heels of the ultra highly regarded RS6 Avant, the A7 and S7 models are essentially cooled-down sedan versions of that wonder wagon everyone rants and raves about. From England comes the ultra-plush, and insanely powerful Bentley Continental GT and GTC (convertible). Yes, it’s a Porsche underneath, but since when has that been a negative? BMW has its work cut out for it.

How The BMW 8 Series Compares To The Bentley Continental GT/GTC

• 	2024 BMW 8 Series	2024 Bentley Continental GT
  Model	8 Series	Continental GT
  Engine	3.0-liter inline-6, 4.4-liter V-8	4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 or 6.0-liter twin-trubo V-12
  Horsepower	335-523 HP	542-650 HP
  Torque	368-553 pound-feet	568-664 pound-feet
  Transmission	8-speed automatic	8-speed automatic
  Driveline	RWD, AWD	AWD
  MSRP	$90,800	$242,700
  0-60 MPH	4.4-3.5 seconds	3.5-3.9 seconds
  Fuel Economy	19-25 MPG	20-23 MPG (combined)

Over the course of the latest generation, Bentley has injected some serious performance into the Continental GT for 2024. So much, so, that vehicles like the 8 Series needed to up their horsepower to compete with the likes of Bentley. While the 8 Series has typically been dynamically superior in any of its forms, the newer, Porsche-infused Continental has not only caught up to the likes of the 8 Series in terms of dynamic athleticism, but it’s always had a leg up in the luxury department.

It seems like a slam dunk for Bentley, but the problem lies, predictably, in its barrier-to-entry pricing. In essence, the Continental GT simply isn’t $150,000 better than a BMW 8 Series. yes, it’s quick, and comfy, but the M850i (not even the M8) matches the big Brit to 60 miles per hour, and we’ve never heard anyone complain that an 8 Series isn’t luxurious enough.

How The BMW 8 Series Compares To The Audi A7/S7

• 	2024 BMW 8 Series	2024 Audi A7
  Model	8 Series	A7/S7
  Engine	3.0-liter inline-6, 4.4-liter V-8	3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V-6, 2.9-liter twin turbocharged V-6
  Horsepower	335-523 HP	335-444 HP
  Torque	368-553 pound-feet	369-443 pound-feet
  Transmission	8-speed automatic	8-speed automatic
  Driveline	RWD, AWD	AWD
  MSRP	$90,800	$68,995
  0-60 MPH	4.4-3.5 seconds	4.1-4.7
  Fuel Economy	19-25 MPG	22-24 (combined)

Mercedes lit the coup-ified sedan market on fire when it dropped the first-generation CLS back in 2004. Everyone immediately jumped on the bandwagon and Audi had a star on their hands. Audi followed with the A7 and BMW with the 6 Series Gran Coupe. The subsequent Audi Audi S7 and RS7 variants were massive hits within the automotive community. Today the current A7/S7 and even the mighty RS7 just don’t carry the same allure it once exuded.

While the Audi A7 matches BMW’s 840i in both horsepower and torque, it just can’t perform as well. The performance figures reflect that. The S7 has absolutely nothing on the M850i. It’s power (and now cylinder) deficient by quite a large margin.

Then there’s the matter of the styling which is, of course, subjective, however, we can’t help but view the A7 as more of a “filler” design giving way to what might be “trendy” currently, with its lightsaber taillight and chunky radar elements in the grille. The 8 Series exhibits a more timeless approach. Both vehicles are undoubtedly luxury models, but the Audi is the more affordable model.

How Much Does A 2024 BMW 8 Series Cost?

It’s wild to think we live in a world where the “base” 8 Series is the 840i starting at $90,800 for both the coupe and Gran Coupe versions. Everything else has been fiddled with by the M-division. The M850i starts at $106,300 for coupe and Gran Coupe models. The convertible variant of either the 840i or M850i tacks on another $9,700. That’s nearly 10 grand just to put the top down.

(Source: BMW)

Fuel Economy

BMW’s legendary inline-six cylinder engine has never been better, and the 8 Series showcases just how versatile that engine can be. 335 horsepower (though it feels like more) when you want it, and 29 MPG on the highway, and 25 MPG combined when you need it.

The B58 inline-six does a respectable job at balancing power with economy. The V-8-powered M850i is quite a bit thirstier, returning only a 19 MPG combined rating, but when you consider it’s putting down almost 200 more horsepower, you really have to pick your battles here.

(Source: EPA)

Is It Worth Buying The 2024 BMW 8 Series?

If you’re looking for sports car-ish handling, but with a luxurious edge, the BMW 8 Series should absolutely be on your radar. Even hovering around the $90,000-$120,000 range, this model is a performance and luxury bargain compared to the competition. Both the 840i and M850i are a jack of all trades, offering a body style that suits any lifestyle. The availability of coupe, convertible, and sedan versions of both models set it apart from some competitors.

A contemporary take on BMW’s classic interior layout stays true to the brand’s roots, while offering a supple/luxurious place to be. The exterior doesn’t stray too far either, with appropriately sized kidney grilles, and smooth, clean lines that never end abruptly. Perhaps BMW executed the 8 Series a little too conservatively, as it, today, is not as stylistically as daring as its spiritual successor. What isn’t questionable is the 8 Series’ ability to deploy power to the ground through all four of its wheels, while feeling predominantly rear-wheel drive, a BMW tradition.