M850i Gran Coupe - BMW does Muscle

[414bhp]

Hi all!

I got to test a BMW M850i Gran Coupe and fell completely in love with it. It's a big soft barge with a grunty, ferocious V8. So, quite different than the E90 M3s I also love, but a perfect weapon for terrorizing a highway onramp.

Thanks to its swagger and mean demeanor, I feel like the high-powered 8 series swings at AMGs like the E63. I liked how the M850i could prioritize ride comfort, as BMW has the M8 to defend lap times. Not that a car this heavy is the best track tool, anyway.

Do you all like the 8-series? Its a different flavor than an M3, but still delicious to me!

Best,
Mike

[Asianoak]

I really like the 8 series but unfortunately havent had the chance to drive one. Your positive comments are encouraging too. The girlfriend just got an X5 so it dawned on me that i dont need an suv anymore... The 8 series started looking pretty good.

[414bhp]

Asianoak They are pretty fun. This was the event I did. I don't see an Oregon event this fall, but there is a Seattle event if you're up for a drive. The trick is to arrive very first thing in the morning so you can get in a bunch of test drives before anyone else appears!

[Asianoak]

That sounds like a blast. I'll have to see if dates line up for me

[Longboarder]

I leased an M8. Thought it would replace my e92. I was soooo wrong. The e92 is so much better I ended up dumping the M8 after less than a year of ownership and took a financial hit. I have a comprehensive write up about it in this section.

[VR1]

Originally Posted by Longboarder

I leased an M8. Thought it would replace my e92. I was soooo wrong. The e92 is so much better I ended up dumping the M8 after less than a year of ownership and took a financial hit. I have a comprehensive write up about it in this section.

Any chance you could point me to the writeup? Tried to search for it but wasn't able to find it.

[Longboarder]

Originally Posted by VR1

Any chance you could point me to the writeup? Tried to search for it but wasn't able to find it.

Just scroll down a bit. The thread title is: M8 Competition.

[bipp]

enjoyed the read - another great writeup!

I've been getting interested in a M550i for the concept of something primarily comfortable but decisively quick - short commutes to the office and bay area traffic have taken away some of the joy of the E92. though I don't think I will commit wholly in that direction, it's good to see that your M850i impressions align pretty well with what I thought it'd be like.

the 4700lb weight is notable though - does it feel 600lbs different from the m850i 2-door?

[414bhp]

Originally Posted by bipp

enjoyed the read - another great writeup!

I've been getting interested in a M550i for the concept of something primarily comfortable but decisively quick - short commutes to the office and bay area traffic have taken away some of the joy of the E92. though I don't think I will commit wholly in that direction, it's good to see that your M850i impressions align pretty well with what I thought it'd be like.

the 4700lb weight is notable though - does it feel 600lbs different from the m850i 2-door?

It was a year between my M850i coupe and gran coupe drives, so I can't really compare the weight. My guess is that both cars are going to feel heavy coming out of an E92.

BTW, I drove a 540i M Sport recently and thought that was a great sleeper. Given how fun the 540i was, I think the M550i could be a hoot as a commuter.

[414bhp]

Longboarder How was the ride quality on the M8? Stiff or wafting?

I have it in my head that these big modern M cars ride firm, but maybe I'm wrong!