8 Series OPINION: The new BMW 8 Series - Is it "Special" Enough?

[LaArtist]

Saw another one at frankfurt airport, they are marketing it like crazy though.
this one was some kind of light grey/blue.
Still didn't look impressive the grill btw is very weird.
they had a slogan for it
THE 8 , Der Gentleman or something like that.
So they are gunning for that part of the market? the luxury aston martin/ s coupe part?
I was surprised by that slogan, i was expecting them to go for the sporty segment.
Anyway it makes sense cause its not sporty looking enough, and the sad part is that it won't survive as the gentlemans choice either.

sad

 

[Deleted member 1071]

Things are about to get really intense when the outrageous M8 will be unveiled.

Yep- the M8 may very well fit the description of "special". It will surely be "exciting".

 

[KiwiRob]

Do you think people would cross-shop a 911 with an M850i? In some cases, I would think so but are they comparable in the "classic" sense when the latter is a proper sports car (with touring potential) and the other is a true GT (with sporting undertones)...

I think they would, I also think some would look at the AM Vantage as well, and the AMG GT and S Coupe.

IMO the basic 911 Carrera 2/4 is a GT car, it's only when you buy the GTS and RS models that you're getting a proper out and out sports car.

 

[Matski]

THE 8 , Der Gentleman or something like that.
So they are gunning for that part of the market? the luxury aston martin/ s coupe part?
I was surprised by that slogan, i was expecting them to go for the sporty segment.

The Gentleman's racer.

 

[Rolf]

As much as I find the new 8 series to be stylish and better looking than the previous 6-series, it is playing in another league altogether that I don't think it stands a chance. Whereas the 6-series had rivals like the CLS/A7/E-Class Coupe, the 8-series is pushed upmarket to a place that i think its not special enough in terms of exterior and interior to make it stand out. Cars like the 911/AMG GT are more exotic pure sports cars in the same price bracket that are more desirable and then there is ultra luxury cars like the S-Coupe and Bentley Continental that are just slightly more expensive and have more upmarket appeal. If BMW had provided a much more exclusive expensive looking interior then maybe I would say yes, but when a new cheaper X5 and 3-series is launched soon after that even looks more expensive inside (X5) and is almost a match for the 8-series (3-series) then the wow factor of the 8-series is diminished for sure.

 

[martinbo]

People are funny things... Park an M850i next to a Porsche 911 and I'll plump for that Porker any day; even a base 911T.
A 911 however, in isolation, is an interesting phenomenon - to my mind it's one of the most complete sports cars available and to others it's too small and too focused.

But when it comes to the 8 Series' more "traditional contemporaries" in large, front-engined V8 grand tourers, then the list is considerably smaller and less equatable:
- Bentley's Continental GT still doesn't yet come in a V8, and even then, it's bound to be way more luxurious and expensive
- Mercedes AMG's S-Class Coupe S63 4matic (mechanically speaking) is very close in under-the-skin specification but again, being an S-Class variant is more expensive still (admittedly more luxurious) starting at £128,000 with nary an option
- Aston Martin's DB11 V8, again, another car which, on paper, is mechanically comparable (though it doesn't have all-wheel drive) but it too commands nearly £150,000 without options
- Mercedes AMG's E-Class Coupe E53 4matic isn't in the same class really
- Porsche doesn't do a 928 any more
- Audi's biggest two-door coupe is a size smaller and a class lower; the A7 certainly isn't a proper GT in my book either

So, for circa £110,000 for a solidly optioned up front-engined V8 GT - what competitor am I missing?

 

[chonkoa]

What a sad thread.

Attracts MB fanboys and Betty Swollocks like flies towards honey.

It is sad that you see it that way ie fanboy-ism. It is also truly sad that you have to inject Betty into this.
From the way I see it, it is an innocuous thread that I believe was just interested in soliciting opinions.

I find it truly disheartening that we find it difficult maintaining civility here.
Peace.

 

[Lupusmajor]

For me it's just funny how allergic this forum reacted on the BMW 8. Ok maybe it's not special enough to justify price tag. But also Mercedes gt4(the same technology as all Mercedes), Aston Martin (old Mercedes infotainment system, engine from Mercedes), Bentley Continental (I love this car, but it's base on porcsch, VW , same engine,....) are not special enough to justify price tag. The only GT ho justify price tag for me is Ferrari 812 superfast .

 

[chonkoa]

Do you think people would cross-shop a 911 with an M850i? In some cases, I would think so but are they comparable in the "classic" sense when the latter is a proper sports car (with touring potential) and the other is a true GT (with sporting undertones)...

Good question.

 

[Serpens]

For me it's just funny how allergic this forum reacted on the BMW 8. Ok maybe it's not special enough to justify price tag. But also Mercedes gt4(the same technology as all Mercedes), Aston Martin (old Mercedes infotainment system, engine from Mercedes), Bentley Continental (I love this car, but it's base on porcsch, VW , same engine,....) are not...

None of those brands you mentioned outside of BMW have had trouble selling cars in meaningful amounts over $100k. When you're the new kid on the block, especially at that price range, you have to bring something compelling to the table in order for people to consider anything other than the stalwarts. Some people aren't enamored by the styling (me) and others based on reviews don't seem to be invigorated by the driving experience.

Audi got this entirely right with the first gen R8.

 

[Serpens]

Do you think people would cross-shop a 911 with an M850i? In some cases, I would think so but are they comparable in the "classic" sense when the latter is a proper sports car (with touring potential) and the other is a true GT (with sporting undertones)...

They absolutely will. People aren't that narrow in the shopping strategy at this price point. They want something sporty which could lean them to a 911 on one side and a 8-series/Lexus LC on the other.

 

[chonkoa]

I have just gone through the responses and bar a few, this is a trove of market research here. It is great to see the diverse response and opinions.
I do not have an opinion, but I guess the underlying question is what is considered "special"

 

[Rolf]

So, for circa £110,000 for a solidly optioned up front-engined V8 GT - what competitor am I missing?

You can buy a 476PS AMG GT V8 for £102,000 and a 522PS AMG GT S V8 for £115,000 on the road.

 

[Serpens]

You can buy a 476PS AMG GT V8 for £102,000 and a 522PS AMG GT S V8 for £115,000 on the road.

It's funny to think of the 8-series in comparison to the AMG GT. I'd rather compare the SL, but I know people shopping don't think that narrowly. The AMG GT is not a comfortable cruiser. The seats are hard, the cockpit cramped, and the ride is very stiff. Completely different driving experience from the 8-series but people will browse all the same.

 

[KiwiRob]

Some cars are eyed to a specific clientele. THE 8 is one of them.

It was developed mostly with the help and support of the BMW M division, which tells just about everything. That is why, THE 8 is far from being a successor of the former 6 Series. It is simply a new car with a radically different vision. It is as special as the E31 series. If it...

The car isn't visually exciting, it's just a big coupe with a BMW badge, an 850iXDrive is €180,000 in Norway, if I'm going to spend that much on a car I want people to know I spent €180,000. That's where I believe it's main problem lies, it might be a brilliant car but it's no pinup, there no visual wow factor, a Lexus LC looks more expensive.

 

[Rolf]

It's funny to think of the 8-series in comparison to the AMG GT. I'd rather compare the SL, but I know people shopping don't think that narrowly. The AMG GT is not a comfortable cruiser. The seats are hard, the cockpit cramped, and the ride is very stiff. Completely different driving experience from the 8-series but people will browse all the sa...

Very good point, I forgot also about the SL and that is altogether even more impressive rival, the SL500 AMG can be purchased for £86,100 and a SL63 AMG for £118,000.

 

[chonkoa]

The car isn't visually exciting, it's just a big coupe with a BMW badge, an 850iXDrive is €180,000 in Norway, if I'm going to spend that much on a car I want people to know I spent €180,000. That's where I believe it's main problem lies, it might be a brilliant car but it's no pinup, there no visual wow factor, a Lexus LC looks more expensive.[/QUO...

How much of that is tax though?

 

[Betty Swollocks]

So, for circa £110,000 for a solidly optioned up front-engined V8 GT - what competitor am I missing?

Porsche Panamera? The E-Hybrid is £20,000 LESS than the M850i xDrive. OK, it's not a V8 and it's four-doors, but I think it's good value for money next to the M850i.

The Panamera GTS starts at £105,000, but has the V8. Options will take it north of £110,000 pretty quickly though.


For me, it's not necessarily about cross-shopping similar cars. It's about what kind of experience does "X" amount of money get me. In 2011, I cross-shopped a new E92 M3 (list price roughly £50,000) with a new R8 V8 (list price roughly £85,000) and a new R8 V10 (list price roughly £100,000). I was close to getting the M3, not because I think it would offer me the same experience as the R8 V10, but that for half the price, it would get quite close. The R8 V8 didn't get a look in.

You mention the AMG E 53. You're right, it's not as special as the M850i, but it lists at £64,000. Is the M850i really worth £35-40,000 MORE than the AMG E 53?!! I don't think it is. The M5 lists at £89,000, and that's a 600hp, proper M car.

I think The M850i xDrive should be priced around £80,000, and I think pretty quickly the market will price it as such also.

It is sad that you see it that way ie fanboy-ism. It is also truly sad that you have to inject Betty into this.
From the way I see it, it is an innocuous thread that I believe was just interested in soliciting opinions.

I find it truly disheartening that we find it difficult maintaining civility here.
Peace.

I've no idea why he mentioned my name either.

Why does he even care?! I find it truly baffling how a grown man can be so obviously upset about other people's not-so-positive opinions about something he had nothing to do with!!

 

[donkeykong]

People are funny things... Park an M850i next to a Porsche 911 and I'll plump for that Porker any day; even a base 911T.
A 911 however, in isolation, is an interesting phenomenon - to my mind it's one of the most complete sports cars available and to others it's too small and too focused.

But when it comes to the 8 Series' more "traditional contemporar...

What about the Lexus? I can see some even cross shopping the 8 with AMG GT.

 

[martinbo]

Ah - who says this wasn't a productive discussion. I'm going offline for a bit. Will be back with replies and further thoughts...