Large and in cost.
Daniel Golson/Roadshow
Let’s get this out of the best way first: Obviously a two-door luxurious coupe that has a base value of $88,895 (together with $995 for vacation spot) is not truly “cheap.” But within the grand scheme of BMW 8 Series fashions, this rear-wheel-drive 840i is a cut price at $94,245, and I additionally consider it is the most effective model of the 8.
LikeIncredible turbo-six engineSleek looksLots of ordinary options
Don’t LikeMost driver-assistance tech is optionalTight again seatThe four-door Gran Coupe is cheaper
I am unable to bear in mind the final automotive I drove that turned as many heads as this Barcelona Blue 840i Coupe. People gave me the thumbs-up on the freeway, took photographs once I handed them on the road and got here as much as me and requested questions on the fuel station and automotive wash. Everyone wished to understand how a lot it prices. Despite all the net memes saying the 8 Series seems to be like a Mustang or an Accord, most people can inform it is one thing much more particular. Oh, and guys in clapped-out muscle vehicles tried to race me, as a result of Detroit.My tester wears the $4,850 M Sport Package, which provides extra aggressive bumper designs, totally different aspect skirts, two-tone 19-inch wheels, bigger brakes with blue calipers, darkish window trim and a thicker steering wheel. With the M Sport bits fitted, this 840i undoubtedly seems to be sportier than a typical model, but it surely’s not practically as in-your-face because the fire-breathing M8. I do want the window trim no less than matched the chrome on the grille, nevertheless.
There’s nothing “base” about the best way the 840i Coupe seems to be.
Daniel Golson/Roadshow
The 840i’s single-turbo, 3.0-liter I6 is rated at 335 horsepower and 368 pound-feet of torque, which is a far cry from the M850i’s twin-turbo V8 with 523 hp and 553 lb-ft. Yet I by no means actually discovered myself craving for the V8 — besides with regards to the exhaust word, which is a bit missing by comparability. BMW says the 840i can speed up to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds (or 4.4 seconds when geared up with all-wheel drive, a $2,900 possibility), but it surely feels faster than that. There’s a ton of low-end torque, and the ZF-sourced, eight-speed computerized transmission is incredible: quick-shifting and easy. Yes, the M850i’ll hit 60 in 3.5 seconds, however though the 840i is not as fast, that does not imply it is not as pleasant. Also, over 500 miles of driving I averaged 24 miles per gallon — which features a few 30-plus-mpg freeway runs — and that undoubtedly would not occur with the V8.The 840i is totally on the grand touring finish of the high-end coupe spectrum, but it surely’s extra enjoyable to throw round than you could anticipate. The thick-rimmed wheel would not provide a ton of suggestions however the steering is correct and properly weighted, and the 8 Series is extra nimble than its measurement suggests. Turn-in is sharp and the massive coupe rotates properly, and though it is definitely extra at dwelling on lengthy, quick sweepers, the 840i stays enjoyable even when the going will get actually twisty and technical. Compared to the M850i, which has yet another turbo, two extra cylinders and two extra pushed wheels, the 840i feels noticeably lighter, particularly on the entrance finish.
Modern BMW interiors can really feel bleak and austere in darker colours, so the Ivory White leather-based of this check automotive is welcome. Nearly each floor is roofed in leather-based, and the entire cabin has a high-quality really feel. In phrases of design, the 840i Coupe’s cabin is fairly much like all of BMW’s different current merchandise, and that is no dangerous factor. There are a number of bodily buttons for issues like local weather management and driving modes, a quantity knob and BMW’s newest iDrive system, which I feel is the most effective within the biz. It pairs a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster with a 10.25-inch central touchscreen that will also be managed by a knob on the middle console. Like most different vehicles on this class, the rear seat is fairly laughable, however at 5 ft, 9 inches tall, I’m nonetheless capable of squeeze again there and sit comfortably-ish.
The solely different huge possibility this 840i check automotive has is the $500 Driving Assistance Package 2, which is definitely a requisite a part of the M Sport setup. It provides blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, an exceptional 360-degree digicam system and parking sensors. Every 8 Series additionally comes commonplace with a litany of options resembling a head-up show, navigation, wi-fi charging (and wi-fi Apple CarPlay functionality), adaptive LED headlights and heating for the seats, steering wheel and armrests. That final merchandise is life-changing, consider me.Annoyingly absent from this $90,000-plus coupe, although, is adaptive cruise management. To get that, you’ll want to pony up an extra $1,700 for the Driving Assistance Professional Package, which I might gladly do if it have been my cash. The adaptive cruise tech has the identical wonderful visitors jam help with stop-and-go performance that I’ve utilized in our long-term 330i, which could be a life-saver on lengthy drives. That pack additionally provides lane-keeping help with lane-centering tech and steering help, extra collision-avoidance options and the power for the automotive to drag itself over and are available to a cease in an emergency.Order the glass controls in case you’re feeling notably opulent.
Daniel Golson/Roadshow
That would deliver my supreme 8 sequence in at $95,945, which is not too removed from the 840i’s base value of $88,895. The M850i Coupe begins at $112,895, and it would not really feel prefer it’s price over $20,000 greater than this 840i, particularly as a result of it additionally would not include these driver-assistance options as commonplace. And the 840i might be simply nearly as good with out the admittedly costly M Sport pack, which might maintain it beneath the beginning value of opponents just like the Lexus LC 500 and Porsche 911.OK, cling on, I’m additionally fairly useless, so on my supreme 840i I’d get the 20-inch wheels for $1,300, which I feel look higher and do not destroy the 8’s incredible journey high quality. I’d additionally spring for the fabulous Ivory White and Night Blue two-tone inside (with matching Alcantara headliner) for $2,650. That places me at $99,895 together with vacation spot — nonetheless deal lower than the M850i. If I used to be feeling actually fancy, I’d add the $650 glass controls. And perhaps the $3,400 Bowers & Wilkins surround-sound system. But that is it. I promise.What I really need is the Gran Coupe model of the 840i. The four-door Gran Coupe — which can or might not truly be a coupe relying on which Roadshow staffer you ask — seems to be even higher than the two-door and presents much more house for rear passengers. Despite the added size and weight, the Gran Coupe is simply nearly as good to drive, and it is also $3,000 cheaper than the “regular” coupe. The two-door 8 Series is great, however the Gran Coupe is the most effective of each worlds.