Kelley Blue Book: The 2021 BMW 8 Series is a formidable blend of power and suppleness

How much does the 2021 BMW 8 Series cost?

The least expensive 2021 BMW BMW, -0.17% 8 Series model is the 4-door 840i Gran Coupe, with a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $85,000. A $995 destination charge brings that to $85,995. We love simple math.

To BMW’s credit, this is only $100 more than last year, which is the largest price rise of any 8 Series variant. Most remain the same as 2020. Nor is the destination charge any higher.

The regular 2-door 840i coupe starts just under $89k, the 840i convertible at $98,395. Adding xDrive is another $2,900.

Pricing for the M850i xDriveGran Coupe starts just under $110k, going up just over $122k for the convertible. The ultrapowerful M8 Gran Coupe starts at $131k. With options, all of these 2021 8 Series prices can increase by several thousand.

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The 840i is still significantly more expensive than the Audi S5 and RS 5, as well as the Mercedes-Benz E-Class coupe. The Mercedes-Benz CLS starts about $15k below the least expensive 8 Series Gran Coupe.

The M850i xDrive costs less than the base models of the larger Mercedes-Benz S-Class coupe and cabriolet, but still more than the Lexus LC and Mercedes-AMG CLS 53.

Before buying, check the KBB.com Fair Purchase Price to see what others in your area are paying for their new 8 Series. The 840i and Gran Coupe models were new last year, so our analysts still don’t have sufficient data to predict their residual values yet. The M850i xDrive holds average values for this class, level with the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and S-Class coupes, but below those of the Audi RS 5 and Lexus LC.

Driving the 2021 BMW 8 Series

The BMW 8 Series has, with a priority on the former. It’s more potent, faster, and more precise than a Mercedes-Benz S-Class coupe, but not a track-day machine like an Audi RS 5. 

Yet for a big, 2-door grand touring coupe that weighs nearly 4,500 pounds, the 2021 M850i xDrive is surprisingly nimble. That’s due to the sporty chassis, quick-shifting 8-speed automatic transmission, and a beast of an engine.

The 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 roars, propelling the coupe from standstill to 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds, or 3.8 seconds for the heavier convertible (make that 4.4 and 4.6 seconds for the less powerful 840i xDrive coupe and convertible). Powering past the 100-mph mark happens soon after.

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Braking at the end of the straight and aiming into a corner, the xDrive’s all-wheel drive and standard 4-wheel steering system work well to propel the 8 Series through turns with ample speed and minimal roll. Go in too hot, and the traction/stability systems intervene (even in the Sport mode) to keep from running off the tarmac and into an embarrassing viral video.

Few owners will drive an 8 Series in such a manner, but these cars can be pushed to extremes. Which gives some idea of how thrilling everyday driving can be.

Favorite features

Gran Coupe
The 8 Series Gran Coupe has all the power, performance, and presence of the coupe and convertible, only with a more usable design allowing easy entry to the rear seat. The Gran Coupe’s sloping rear window and high beltline create the silhouette of a coupe, although the blacked-out B-pillar ruins the illusion somewhat.

All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system is standard in the M850i xDrive and optional in the 840i models. It optimizes traction in all driving conditions, putting power to the ground more effectively than a rear-drive arrangement, allowing these versions to shave a few tenths of a second off the sprint from standstill to 60 mph.

2021 BMW 8 Series interior

The 2021 BMW 8 Series coupe, convertible, and Gran Coupe are all 4-seaters. Rear accommodations are naturally more cramped in the 2-door versions, and the headroom is in short supply across the board. All three styles have folding rear seats allowing access to the trunk.

Although the Mercedes-Benz S-Class is generally more spacious, life becomes better for those up front in the 8 Series, where ample legroom is supplemented by a set of supremely comfortable 20-way power-adjustable seats.

The interior can be covered in soft Merino leather with a variety of colors and accent trims, including metal or wood. The dash is typical BMW, designed with the driver’s ergonomic needs taking precedence above all else.

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A large 10.25-inch infotainment display sits above the center console and the heat/vent/air-conditioning controls and is used for audio, navigation, and other info. Directly ahead of the driver is a fully digital 12.3-inch instrument cluster with many configuration choices.

2021 BMW 8 Series exterior

The 8 Series has a design that’s both muscular and contemporary, defined by smooth curves, sculpted sides, and BMW’s trademark twin-kidney grille, which itself has morphed over recent years.

The coupe features a steeply raked rear roof that carries over to the 4-door Gran Coupe. The Gran Coupe rides on a 119-inch wheelbase as opposed to the coupe’s 111 inches, and is 9 inches longer overall. The 8 Series convertible has a traditional fabric roof, in only two color choices.

2021 BMW 8 Series standard features

Despite the 840i not being as powerful or expensive as the M850i xDrive, it still comes with a ton of standard features. Such as heated/20-way power-adjustable front seats, leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, power-assisted soft-closing doors, power-operated trunk, and rain-sensing wipers.

On the tech front, every 8 Series has a 10.25-inch infotainment display with Apple AAPL, -1.61% CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration, the latest iDrive 7.0 system, Wi-Fi, wireless charging, and a 16-speaker/600-watt Harman Kardon audio system.

Standard safety features include lane departure warning, forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, and active blind-spot detection.

2021 BMW 8 Series options

We recommend the Driving Assistance Professional Package ($1,700) for partially autonomous driving features like adaptive cruise control and evasive steering assistance. The Comfort Seating Package ($1,050) adds ventilated front seats with active bolstering (plus neck-warming for the convertible that blows warm air from vents in the seats).

Other options include high-performance tires and extra engine cooling, rear-wheel steering, a kaleidoscope of interior and exterior cosmetics and material choices, glass interior controls, a carbon-fiber roof for coupe models, and a terrific Bowers & Wilkins audio system.

2021 BMW 8 Series engine

The 840i and 840i xDrive coupe, convertible, and Gran Coupe are all powered by a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-6 cylinder developing a completely respectable 335 horsepower and 368 lb-ft of torque.

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The M850i xDrive has a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 making a wonderful 523 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque.

Every 2021 8 Series has an 8-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive (RWD) is the default arrangement. The xDrive suffix indicates the presence of all-wheel drive (AWD).

The even more powerful BMW M8 variant boosts the V8’s output to 600 horsepower, or 617 with the Competition package.

Driving characteristics of the 2021 8 Series can be tailored with Eco Pro, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+ modes of the Driving Dynamics Control. In an effort to save some of the requisite premium gasoline, the 8 Series has an engine stop/restart feature that cuts power at idle. It can be disabled by pressing a button.

• 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6
• 335 horsepower @ 6,500 rpm
• 368 lb-ft of torque @ 1,600-4,500 rpm
• EPA city/highway fuel economy: 23/30 mpg (coupe), 22/29 mpg (convertible, Gran Coupe), 20/27 mpg (xDrive coupe, xDrive convertible, Gran Coupe)

• 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8
• 523 horsepower @ 5,500-6,000 rpm
• 553 lb-ft of torque @ 1,800-4,600 rpm
• EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/25 mpg (coupe), 17/24 mpg (convertible, Gran Coupe)

• 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 (M8 Gran Coupe, M8 Competition Gran Coupe)
• 600 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm (617 hp in M8 Competition)
• 553 lb-ft of torque @ 1,800-4,600 rpm
• EPA city/highway fuel economy: 15/21 mpg

Which 2021 BMW 8 Series model is right for me?

2021 BMW 840i Coupe/Gran Coupe/Convertible

Heated/20-way power-adjustable front seats
Heated steering wheel
Digital instrument cluster
Harman Kardon 16-speaker/464-watt surround-sound system
Wireless charging
Active blind spot detection
Dynamic dampers
Head-up display
18-inch alloy wheels

2021 BMW 840i xDrive Coupe/Gran Coupe/Convertible
All-wheel drive

2021 BMW M850i xDrive Coupe/Gran Coupe/Convertible

523-horsepower twin-turbocharged V8
All-wheel drive
20-inch alloy wheels
M Sport brakes/differential/adaptive suspension/exhaust system
Integral Active Steering

2021 BMW M8 Gran Coupe600-horsepower twin-turbocharged V8
Drive recorder
M Sport seats
Carbon fiber interior trim
Gesture control

2021 BMW 8 Series safety technology

Active Guard: BMW’s standard set of advanced safety features includes forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection and low-speed automatic emergency braking, post-crash braking, driver fatigue monitoring, plus automatic seat belt tensioning and window closing if an accident is imminent.

Adaptive LED headlights with automatic high beams: The 8 Series’ standard adaptive LED headlights turn in the direction of the car. The automatic high beams will dip when sensing another vehicle either directly ahead or approaching from the opposite direction, then click back when the road is empty once more.

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Adaptive cruise control with stop/go: This optional feature maintains a safe distance to the vehicles directly ahead. If traffic comes to a crawl or even a stop, the 8 Series will follow suit, then resume acceleration as the traffic begins to move again. This is part of the Driving Assistance Professional Package that also includes active lane-keeping assistance, front cross-traffic alert, and partially autonomous driving.

People also ask:

Is BMW still making the 6 Series?

No. The 8 Series coupe, convertible, and 4-door Gran Coupe replace the long-running 6 Series. That range’s basic long-hood/long-door/short-deck theme is carried over; the 4-door Gran Coupe being the exception.

Can I get all-wheel drive on the 2021 BMW 8 Series convertible?

Yes. The BMW 840i xDrive and M850i xDrive are the all-wheel-drive versions of the 8 Series, and both are available in convertible form. They feature all the same luxury and performance equipment as the coupe and Gran Coupe, but with an entry-level price starting at around $98k.

What is a Gran Coupe?

A Gran Coupe is BMW-speak for a 4-door version of its popular 2-door coupes. Unlike a traditional sedan, the 8 Series Gran Coupe features a coupe-like profile, with a low-slung roof and a tapered rear window running down to a tidy tail.

What is the difference between the M850i xDrive and the M8?

The M850i xDrive is the twin-turbocharged V8 version of the 8 Series coupe, convertible, and Gran Coupe. It offers more performance than the 840i models, but it is not the same thing as the M8. The M8 emanates from BMW’s M performance division, similar to what AMG does for Mercedes-Benz. M cars have specific engines, suspensions, brakes, and other performance upgrades.

This story originally ran on KBB.com.