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

[Deleted member 1071]

Much indicates that the M-B SL successor will be positioned to go head-to-head with the 2 door BMW 8s'.

That would be interesting material for a future comparison thread.

 

[chonkoa]

I vote for closing this thread.

Due to lack of drama?

 

[Grosser]

Nope. For 8 series we have: official thread, picture thread, opinion thread (LOL), next will be: test drives thread, 8 vs 6 series, 8 G15 vs 8 E31 and who knows what else...It's just too much. And this BMW vs MB s**t has to stop.

 

[Matski]

You pose a difficult position for us, Matski, and everything has to be viewed in "moderation". LaArtist has always been antagonistic and controversial but never malicious or nasty. Given that this is the Internal Combustion section where a spirit of tolerance and leniency allows for discussion which is hoped to be more fun and direct. I don't feel that L...

Fair enough, I understand and respect your position, I'll try and avoid being overly 'direct'

Late to the party but here's my two cents on the 8,

-Like what i have been saying since day one it should've been released as the successor to the current 6er range with slight price bump.
-BMW should work on a true S-Class coupe rival to be introduced with the successor of the G11 7er and call it THE 8.
-M division just like what AMG did, should develop...

Given this topic has grown around whether or not BMW can sell cars at the 100k mark, I'm not sure introducing *more* models in that range, and directly targeting the family that is the de facto choice within the upper segments is the best idea, especially in such a niche area. If you want to offer the same thing Mercedes do, you've got to out Mercedes Mercedes, which is just asking for trouble, instead, keeping some differentiators is probably a good idea IMHO.

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As a separate idea... had the E63 been an 8 series (for which I believe there's a reasonable case), and then the Fx 6-ers continued that... would we still be having this conversation?

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

As a separate idea... had the E63 been an 8 series (for which I believe there's a reasonable case), and then the Fx 6-ers continued that... would we still be having this conversation?

That's something I've also wondered about as well since BMW re-introduced the 8er and there was some backlash over how BMW was positioning this car.

 

[Giannis]

Nope. For 8 series we have: official thread, picture thread, opinion thread (LOL), next will be: test drives thread, 8 vs 6 series, 8 G15 vs 8 E31 and who knows what else...It's just too much. And this BMW vs MB s**t has to stop.

It's not BMW vs MB. It's 8er vs itself.

I suggest we all grow up and have a proper discussion. Is it that hard?

(*) I'm not directly replying to you Rolf, it's a general reminder.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Interior - Absolutely not. Quality may be beyond reproach, but you have a problem when your new SUV's interior looks more stylish. At this level I without a doubt feel many buyers will be disappointed with this interior.

Exterior - I was head over heals at launch, but I've cooled on it rapidly. The rear haunches don't look right to me, the rear is absolutely overdone. It lacks timelessness. Maybe an in person experience will win me back over.

Oh no...I'm BMW bashing.

 

[Rolf]

It's not BMW vs MB. It's 8er vs itself.

I suggest we all grow up and have a proper discussion. Is it that hard?

(*) I'm not directly replying to you Rolf, it's a general reminder.

You replying to Grosser and not me, have the posts I put here been against the rules or out of line? It's been my opinion with some friendly comical phrases added in?

 

[Sunny]

Late to party, but the last special BMW for me was -

I know many will happily pay 100k in today's money for a lowly 3er if BMW resurrects that same spirit.

 

[Deleted member 1071]

If you want to offer the same thingMercedes do, you've got to out-Mercedes Mercedes, which is just asking for trouble, instead, keeping some differentiators is probably a good idea IMHO.

Stated in the spirit of the late and legendary former BMW marketing chief Paul "Nischen Paul" Hahnemann.

 

[Munzmjs]

Late to party, but the last special BMW for me was -

I know many will happily pay 100k in today's money for a lowly 3er if BMW resurrects that same spirit.

Oh the memories of that era. e38, e39, e46... and I still miss my e46 330i #feels

 

[martinbo]

Late to party, but the last special BMW for me was -

I know many will happily pay 100k in today's money for a lowly 3er if BMW resurrects that same spirit.

I don't think that something as raw and focused as E46 CSL needs to represent the total and only embodiment of what makes BMWs special to drive as road cars in daily use. I can recall more than a handful of non-M car BMWs which I drove on the road and thought that they were a pretty special drive. An E39 528i was one such example, as were the E46 330i and 330d models I spent much time in.

The E92 M3 Competition I drove years ago was definitely special in manual guise and I'd imagine that an M6 GC has a pretty large sense of occasion.

Maybe it doesn't even have to drive that well in the "purists" sense (whatever that might be these days) for instance I love the 4er GC which has such presence on the road and its looks alone make for a "special" car. Specialness, I guess, like beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

 

[Deleted member 1071]

The perception of "specialness" will always be subjective. And may be defined by seemingly secondary elements of "configuration" that can make a big difference.

For example, the orange, black-rimmed launch cars are, to me, among the most visually unbecoming. But it's the "small corrections" that can turn indifference into fascination.

My personal case-in-point:

 

[Deleted member 1071]

...or this would also evoke my perception of "specialness":


And I'm sure that BMW Individual will be pleased to assist customers seeking a car that is very special indeed.

 

[Giannis]

You replying to Grosser and not me, have the posts I put here been against the rules or out of line? It's been my opinion with some friendly comical phrases added in?

You are indeed correct. I meant to write Grosser, not your name. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[Matski]

I know many will happily pay 100k in today's money for a lowly3er if BMW resurrects that same spirit.

Would they be M4 GTS customers?

 

[Betty Swollocks]

Nope. For 8 series we have: official thread, picture thread, opinion thread (LOL), next will be: test drives thread, 8 vs 6 series, 8 G15 vs 8 E31 and who knows what else...It's just too much. And this BMW vs MB s**t has to stop.

I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and assume you're being serious.

Who cares how many threads there are as long as they serve different purposes? If you want to engage in a sensible discussion about the 8 Series, then visit this thread. If you prefer to have your reality sanitised then visit one of the other threads and avoid this one. How difficult is that? I don't visit the German Politics thread because it has nothing to do with me. You can choose not to enter this thread if you can't handle it.

 

[KiwiRob]

...or this would also evoke my perception of "specialness":


And I'm sure that BMW Individual will be pleased to assist customers seeking a car that is very special indeed.

but it doesn't look as special as these two.

 

[martinbo]

but it doesn't look as special as these two.

Oooo... interesting and controversial statement. I guess it all depends on who's looking...

I'm a sucker for the looks of both cars but I know for a fact that the DB11's design hasn't been universally well-received and the LC500 (whilst marvelous for me) is definitely polarising and doesn't appeal to all.
If anything the 8 Series has the broader spread of stylistic appeal, in my opinion, of course...

 

[Matski]

but it doesn't look as special as these two.

Why?