Name: BMW M8 (2019 - present) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: BMW M8
Rating: 51

Summary

The BMW M8 is the performance-enhanced version of the 8 Series, available as a two-door coupé or convertible and powered by a 617hp twin-turbocharged V8 petrol engine. There is also a four-door executive car variant, called the M8 Gran Coupé, but we will have a separate page for this model, coming soon.

The M8 range is limited to one engine/trim choice here in the UK, as only the top-spec M8 Competition is available. While there is not much choice on offer, the M8 has been warmly-received by the British motoring media – described by Auto Express as “a deeply effective car that delivers monstrous performance allied to a depth of sophistication that’s hard not to be impressed by.”

Which? concludes that the sports car is a very capable long-distance cruiser too, thanks to its “luxurious and tech-laden interior”, while Carwow states its enthusiasm for the car’s “great looks”, and calls the M8 Competition “the absolute peak of BMW M engineering”.

Advantages aside, the car comes with a steep price tag. Reviewers question if it is really worth paying £130k for the M8 Competition when the BMW M850i model at the top of the 8 Series range is almost as quick and just as luxurious for £25k less.

What Car? adds that it finds rivals like the Aston Martin DB11 and Porsche 911 to be sharper and more fun to drive on the road than the M8, and says that the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupé is more comfortable.

As of January 2024, the BMW M8 holds a lowly New Car Expert Rating of E, with a score of 51%. It gets poor scores in every category we currently have data for, especially its running costs. We don’t have reliability data yet, nor safety data (which we’re not likely to ever get, as the M8 is unlikely to be assessed by Euro NCAP).

M8 highlights

Impressive performance and handling
Refined and well-built interior
Attractive exterior styling
Packed with useful on-board tech

M8 lowlights

Cramped rear seats
911 and DB11 are more engaging on the road
S-Class Coupé is more comfortable
Very expensive to buy and own

Key specifications

Body style: Coupé and convertible
Engines: petrol
Price: From £133,020 on-road

Launched: Autumn 2019
Last updated: Spring 2022
Replacement due: TBA

Image gallery

Media reviews

Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Auto Express+

Model reviewed: Competition (2023)
Score: 7 / 10
“The BMW M8 Competition is still an event to drive, but while it has all the potency and technical prowess you’d expect of an M car, it’s lacking in terms of traditional sports car driver engagement. New infotainment upgrades and a smart cabin help it in the luxury grand tourer stakes.”
Read review

Model reviewed: M850i xDrive (2023)
Score: 8 / 10
“BMW’s facelift of the M850i might be minimal, but it’s still a well-rounded grand tourer.”
Read review

Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 7 / 10
“The new BMW M8 is a deeply effective car that delivers monstrous performance allied to a depth of sophistication that’s hard not to be impressed by.”
Read review

Auto Trader+

Model reviewed:
Score: 8.4 / 10
“The BMW M8 Competition is the most powerful, fastest and most luxurious car in the range and delivers an incredible driving experience – albeit at a cost.”
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Autocar+

Model reviewed: M8 Competition coupé
Score: 7 / 10
“The BMW M8 feels like a car set up for a fall by BMW for being given an M badge in the first place. It just never feels as sporty as an M car should, and in chasing that M dream, it also ends up being compromised in what could have been a more compelling and interesting GT car.” (Mark Tisshaw)
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Model reviewed: M8 Coupé
Score: 7 / 10
“The BMW M8 is a car of hidden depths. Get it in the right location, get it into the right modes, and it’ll do things that you scarcely think are credible, given its mass and its size. And in its own way, that’s hugely impressive. But for us, it’s not enough to become truly compelling.”
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Model reviewed: Competition Convertible
Score: 7 / 10
“Removing the roof from BMW’s performance GT widens its fun factor, but no compromise is made for comfort.”
Read review

Car+

Model reviewed: Competition
Score: 6 / 10
“It may sound like we’re being quite harsh on this car, and we’re not – in isolation, this M6 replacement is a fine fast cruiser that can be fun to drive.”
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Model reviewed: Competition
Score: 6 / 10
“Whizzing in 3.3sec from 0 to 62mph and in 10.8sec from 0-125mph feels and is jolly quick.”
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Carbuyer+

Model reviewed:
Score: 7.2 / 10
“The BMW M8 Competition Convertible is a heavyweight grand tourer with a price tag to match.”
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Carwow+

Model reviewed:
Score: 7 / 10
“The BMW M8 is supercar quick, easy to drive for long periods and looks great.”
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Evo+

Model reviewed:
Score: 7 / 10
“The BMW M8 is comfortable, quick and capable.”
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Parkers+

Model reviewed:
Score: 8.8 / 10
“The BMW M8 is a large and luxurious grand tourer, but it’s pricey.”
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The Intercooler+

Model reviewed: M8 Competition coupé
“If the BMW M8 was softer, more practical, spacious and affordable, it could be terrific. We know this because BMW already makes it and it’s called the M5. I guess if you’re seduced by the looks that’s fair enough, but the truth is the M5 is not just cheaper, it’s a better car too.” (Andrew Frankel)
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The Sunday Times+

Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“The BMW M8 is the everyday performance GT.”
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Top Gear+

Model reviewed: Competition
Score: 7 / 10
“The M8 is a really grand, grand tourer. It looks and operates as you’d expect of a peak BMW.”
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What Car?+

Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“The M8 is violently quick, handles capably, and has enough compliance and luxury to soothe away long jaunts.”
Read review

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

No safety rating

As of January 2024, the BMW M8 has not been crash tested by Euro NCAP.

Due to its price and exclusivity, it is unlikely to be crash tested in the future.

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

As of January 2024, the BMW M8 has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.

Due to its price and exclusivity, it is unlikely to have its emissions tested in the future.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

No reliability rating

As of January 2024, we don’t have enough reliability data on the BMW M8 to generate a reliability rating.

The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy, sourced from both official dealerships and independent workshops.

As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the M8, we’ll publish the results here.