M8 Competition

[Longboarder]

Test drove the M8 competition coupe yesterday. Visually compared against the e92 and even brought my tape measure. That's when you know longboarder is serious about buying a car. The irony is that I don't own a longboard but around 20 shortboards. I use my e92 for daily which has been pretty much limited to surfing the last 6 months and occasionally going to the office. I will usually throw multiple surfboards in the trunk and fold down the back seat.

While a few inches longer than the e92, the M8 has far less interior space. Narrower trunk space, and pretty much zero rear passenger leg room. Visibility is very poor esp the front windshield is seemingly half the size of the M3. I could live with the M8, but it would be a downgrade in that regard.

Def a nice rumble on start up. Feels and sounds like any 8cyl turbo from BMW or Merc. Nothing really special but sounds better than a 911 Turbo. There is an exhaust button that makes all sorts of terrible crackle sounds on shifting decel so I had to turn it off as it got annoying real quick. Also an M button which allows for comfort, sport and race. I tried comfort and sport only as it was programmed not to go into race. Maybe some of the issues I outlined below with the transmission are alleviated on the race setting. I let it warm up for a while before pushing it.

It's fast off the line when brake boosting for sure. Gets the adrenaline pumping. From a roll there is very little turbo lag but strangely doesnt seem any faster than a stock e92 but of course it is. M3 really lets you experience what is going on, and the 8,350 redline is something truly amazing. That's what is great about the M3...almost the same physical size as the M8 but the weight and drivetrain allow for a visceral experience. So when I floored the M8 from a roll, I felt nothing. Maybe the weight was muting the experience.

But I really shouldn't compare the M8 to e92 M3 in accel that's not fair. Maybe more like a 911 Turbo because interior space, hp and price are similar. Like i said, tried the comfort and sport settings but regardless I didn't like the many "delays". Delays when you punch it - not turbo lag - but it will downshift which isn't quick and also as it nears redline it slows down before shifts. Almost like BMW is doing too much to protect the trans. And in spirited driving / WOT car is ALWAYS shifting. I hated the gearing. Second gear maxes out at 55mph ?! 8 gears is too much for a car with 600tq. You definitely need to short shift the paddles to get max accel in comfort or sport due to the shift delays if you let the car shift itself...and that's a lot of shifting. 911 Turbos don't have these delays in any setting. Prob would be 1-2 seconds faster 0-100mph if BMW could figure out how to make the car shift as fast and smooth as the PDK. Maybe in race setting? Maybe someone who owns one can chime in. Well it's an auto trans not a dual clutch trans so I knew it would be slower to shift, but it appears the software slows it down unnecessarily. Maybe in the future a tuner will develop an aftermarket TCU tune. But why should this have to happen?

Seats are VERY nice and comfortable. Has heating and cooling function. Support and adjustments are fantastic...but so is the e92 M3 seats. I compare everything to the M3 seats. 911 Turbo seats are not good in comparison. Seats are a big deal to me. Good job on the interior BMW. Some people say the interior of the M8 is nothing special...like the same as a 3 series but I disagree. Did I say the seats were amazing? Seats on lower model BMW's are pretty bad IMHO.

I wasn't able to test the handling capabilities but at over 4,000 pounds, that's not the point. Can't mask the weight.

The M8 sort of looks like any other BMW coupe which I like. Understated. Well except the monstrosity that is the upcoming M3 with the horrendous grille. That's why I'm looking at other cars as the possible replacement for the e92. Upcoming M3 is a non-starter. Could be the ugliest car on the planet next to the Tesla Model 3 pig snout. I guess manufacturers are competing for ugliest car now. Not good for things to come.

Overall it's a nice car but for the money doesn't justify the massive premium over the e92. There is big manufacturer money for the dealers to move these. Gets the lease payment to about $1,700 pre tax 3 year 12k miles per year for a $160k car. Launch cars non-competition still sitting on lots and one person posted an offer for $1,400 pre tax recently in July 2020 but I wouldn't want one of those.

Overall if I had to get a new BMW it might be this. But with the interior space limitations, I should try the M5 first. Although my fear is that car will be far too big for me. So content with the e92 M3 at the moment. Had an open road on the way home from the test drive and drove the snot out of it. Then e92 M3 is really special. Hard to part with this car.

[rcracin]

Thanks for the write up. Excellent feedback

[kyrix1st]

Just because it's a fast boat, doesn't mean it's not a boat. BMW M is making luxury boats these days.

[kyrix1st]

I was actually very interested in 840i RWD with e diff LSD because that thing weighs around 1680kg and has B58 engine which can be pushed to around 450hp no sweat. Unusability of back seats were a huge turn off for me in the end.

[bvrider1]

Thanks for the review. I've read alot of your posts and it's good info.

[Longboarder]

Trying to upload comparison pics. App keeps crashing sorry.

[pbonsalb]

What about the new AWD M5 or E63 AMG?

[Longboarder]

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

What about the new AWD M5 or E63 AMG?

Sup. Never been a Merc fan. For the money their are better options IMHO. The new AWD M5 will absolutely have enough room for me, but I'm afraid of the size. Might have to test drive one.

I just want the upcoming M3/4 to be good looking with no turbo lag. I would expect it would have the interior dimensions and interior comfort and quality I'm looking for. From driving the X3M, the B58 has a ton of lag and of course the spy pics show a complete and utter design fail on the M3. So bad the admins here have to intervene on every thread to not talk about the grille. BMW is quite obviously involved here. If you are reading this BMW, good luck. So I will look elsewhere.

The current M3 CS has me curious, but the sound is so horrible and traction issues makes it a non-starter.

Porsche makes it really easy to take my money. BMW not so much anymore. BMW - don't make me get a Cayenne Turbo or GTS for daily.

[Dual.V8]

You should try the m5 decent price and enough power
Came from a e63 and the M5 is definitely the way to go
The newer M3 looks fun and I can't wait to see how this thing move
Good luck man !

[Longboarder]

Originally Posted by White_f90

You should try the m5 decent price and enough power
Came from a e63 and the M5 is definitely the way to go
The newer M3 looks fun and I can't wait to see how this thing move
Good luck man !

Thx. I like smaller 2 door coupes. The M5 looks too big but I can certainly check it out. Still very happy with the e92 M3 all these years later.

[SYT_Shadow]

I always enjoy reading your car impressions Longboarder. You clearly aren't going hungry and it's nice that you still appreciate something simple like the M3

I've driven the M5c in mountain roads and it's very impressive, but I also think the 8sp is a downgrade vs the dct and don't like the weight. M5c handles well and feels very nice. If i had one i'd take it to the track just to scare people.

I will likely get the g80 m3, grill or not grill. I don't buy cars due to aesthetics, the drive is much more important to me

[dmk08]

Originally Posted by Longboarder

Sup. Never been a Merc fan. For the money their are better options IMHO. The new AWD M5 will absolutely have enough room for me, but I'm afraid of the size. Might have to test drive one.

I just want the upcoming M3/4 to be good looking with no turbo lag. I would expect it would have the interior dimensions and interior comfort and quality I'm looking for. From driving the X3M, the B58 has a ton of lag and of course the spy pics show a complete and utter design fail on the M3. So bad the admins here have to intervene on every thread to not talk about the grille. BMW is quite obviously involved here. If you are reading this BMW, good luck. So I will look elsewhere.

The current M3 CS has me curious, but the sound is so horrible and traction issues makes it a non-starter.

Porsche makes it really easy to take my money. BMW not so much anymore. BMW - don't make me get a Cayenne Turbo or GTS for daily.

Why not a Panamera? You get the PDK you don't get in the Cayenne and to me its just more visually pleasing.

[Longboarder]

Originally Posted by dmk08

Why not a Panamera? You get the PDK you don't get in the Cayenne and to me its just more visually pleasing.

Good question. I never liked the styling of the Panamera until the lastest gen, which re-styled the rear which is a lot better IMHO.

But the model of Panamera I would want is the Turbo S Hybrid and it costs too much. I would rather opt for the Taycan Turbo S at that price level and have something unique.

[Longboarder]

Some comparison pics vs the e92

[Longboarder]

Front

[Longboarder]

Side view

[DRLane]

Originally Posted by Longboarder

Side view

M8 looks inspired by a Camaro.

[Longboarder]

Originally Posted by DRLane

M8 looks inspired by a Camaro.

Definitely domestic-inspired. Many have said Mustang.

Shame.

[dmk08]

Originally Posted by Longboarder

Good question. I never liked the styling of the Panamera until the lastest gen, which re-styled the rear which is a lot better IMHO.

But the model of Panamera I would want is the Turbo S Hybrid and it costs too much. I would rather opt for the Taycan Turbo S at that price level and have something unique.

Gotcha. I'm not at your level of car ownership yet (M4 most expensive car I ever bought) but I would love a new Panamera GTS.

Besides that I'm back on here again looking for another E90 daily. I just cant shake this cars feel. Any newer car I end up missing the sound and steering feedback.

[Scrippy]

Call me biased but I think the SG M3 still looks just a awesome if not better than the 8. The M8 GTLM barely looks better than the M3 GT2 to me as well and that says a lot. The size difference is what really bothers me with all the new BMW's. I really wish the M's were more driving focused and reflected a much smaller, nimble and racey size.

[chocstraw]

I think this is the first post that I've seen mention the gearing, the ZF8's gearing is really unenjoyable to me, all of them feel too short. "Almost as good as a DCT" doesn't really cut it, noticeably 'slushier' and less mechanical.

It also cannot be understated just how much smaller the F12/F13 + F92's interior is than a comparable 3 or 4 series, makes you wonder where all the space goes. Maybe it's the sharper slope to the roof.

[Cyberdemon]

Originally Posted by chocstraw

I think this is the first post that I've seen mention the gearing, the ZF8's gearing is really unenjoyable to me, all of them feel too short. "Almost as good as a DCT" doesn't really cut it, noticeably 'slushier' and less mechanical.

It also cannot be understated just how much smaller the F12/F13 + F92's interior is than a comparable 3 or 4 series, makes you wonder where all the space goes. Maybe it's the sharper slope to the roof.

Agreed that the ZF8 requires a lot of shifting because the ratios are so close, but I take slushy and less mechanical to mean "it's almost as fast but far far smoother". I haven't driven the M8 tune but the ZF8 for me is still a fantastic gearbox which I'd rather live with on a day to day basis than the DCT which is great when you're at 10/10ths but for daily living is still a bit clunky on occasion. (Slow shifts from reverse, low speed confusion, etc).

Same goes for space - I was amazed at how claustrophobic the 8 series feels. I'm 6'3" and I could barely get a decent view out the window, I felt like I was driving a Miata with the top up, and the back seat is just as tiny.

The S-class coupe felt the same way to me though, again not sure where all the space on these cars go or if it all just gets absorbed by the aesthetics and tiny green houses.