"Daddy, I don’t like this car." Those words from my daughter, uttered from the back seat of the brand-new BMW M8 Competition Coupe, hung in the air like a poorly tuned exhaust note. Was it the Individual Daytona Blue paint? The promise of 617 horsepower? Apparently, for a discerning kid, neither was enough. It made me wonder, had I failed as a car-loving parent? Or was she onto something about the 2023 Bmw M8 Competition Coupe?
2023 BMW M8 Competition Coupe: Quick Verdict
Reasons to Buy:
- Classic BMW aesthetic with a stunning Daytona Blue option.
- The legendary S63 V-8 engine roars to life.
- Blistering acceleration, matching supercars like the Z06.
Reasons to Reconsider:
- Feels surprisingly similar to an M5, but less practical for daily use.
- Some interior elements feel less premium than expected at this price point.
- The value proposition is questionable compared to other options in the high-performance market.
Soul Score: 7/10
A car that prioritizes sheer speed over genuine driving emotion and engagement.
2023 BMW M8 Competition Coupe: An In-Depth Look
My daughter’s initial reaction, while blunt, sparked a crucial question: What exactly is the 2023 BMW M8 Competition Coupe supposed to be? Is it a grand touring coupe with a hint of practicality? The cramped rear seats suggest otherwise. Is it a track weapon ready to challenge Porsche 911s and Corvette Z06s? While undeniably fast, it might not possess their raw, focused agility. Perhaps it’s a more stylish, two-door version of the M5? But even the M5 sedan has evolved into a beautiful machine in its own right. Or maybe it’s a luxurious and comfortable cruiser? In that case, the BMW Alpina B8 Gran Coupe, readily available from the same dealer, arguably excels with even greater comfort.
The 2023 BMW M8 Competition Coupe seemingly tries to blend all these roles into one striking, yet expensive, package. With an MSRP starting at $161,895 as tested, this M8 finds itself in a crowded segment of high-performance vehicles, each with a distinct identity and purpose. This raises the fundamental question: In aiming to be everything, has the M8 lost sight of what it truly should be?
One thing is clear: BMWs often shine brightest when they remain under the six-figure price mark (with a nod to the exceptional M5). To understand why, we need to get behind the wheel and explore what the 2023 BMW M8 Competition Coupe offers on the open road.
Performance Review: 7/10 – Velocity Without Visceral Thrills
Despite sharing familial DNA with the M5 and Alpina B8, the 2023 BMW M8 Competition Coupe promises a distinct driving experience. It boasts the celebrated S63 V-8 engine, along with performance-enhancing components like carbon ceramic brakes, a lightweight carbon roof, and an exhaust system designed to announce its arrival with authority. While the M5 can be forgiven for a degree of detachment due to its sedan practicality, the M8, as a dedicated coupe, is expected to deliver a more visceral and engaging sports car experience. Let’s examine if it lives up to this expectation.
Engine Performance
Engaging Sport+ mode for the throttle sharpens responses, and the customizable M buttons offer quick access to preferred driving presets. The S63 engine remains a highlight of BMW engineering. Around town, it’s remarkably refined and docile. Yet, on the highway, unleashing its immense power is as simple as a subtle press of the accelerator. BMW’s mastery of power delivery is evident, with peak horsepower arriving at 6,000 RPM and maximum torque available from a mere 1,800 RPM. These figures mirror the M5, and both cars share the same effortless, almost indifferent, power delivery.
However, this is where the M8 starts to falter in distinguishing itself from the M5. There’s a lack of unique character. The engine, while potent, doesn’t encourage exploration of its rev range or reward spirited driving with a distinct personality. A touch more rawness, a hint of untamed aggression, would elevate the experience.
The exhaust note further contributes to this sense of missed opportunity. Around town, it’s almost too subdued, failing to communicate the car’s performance potential. On the highway, however, an intrusive drone emerges, becoming bothersome enough to necessitate disabling the active sound feature. This is surprising, especially considering the more aggressively tuned (and less droning) exhausts found on models like the M3. Even the M850i often sounds more engaging at lower speeds, with a richer, more resonant tone. Compared to the aural drama of an AMG V-8, or the outright roar of a Cadillac Blackwing or Jaguar F-TYPE, the M8’s exhaust note feels underwhelming and mismatched to its performance capabilities.
Transmission Dynamics
The 8-speed ZF automatic transmission is, as expected, exceptional. It’s the same unit found across numerous BMW models, and its performance remains flawless. Gear ratios are identical to the M5, providing seamless shifts and intelligent gear selection in automatic mode.
Power is routed to all four wheels, but the system can be configured to send all torque to the rear wheels for those seeking classic BMW rear-wheel-drive dynamics, enabling impressive drifts and burnouts. For those concerned about all-wheel drive in an M car, BMW’s system is expertly implemented and enhances, rather than detracts from, the driving experience.
Inside, the M8 features the modern shifter design from the M3, a welcome change from the somewhat ungainly, joystick-style shifter in the M5. However, reaching for the paddle shifters behind the steering wheel reveals another area where the M8 falls short of expectations. The paddles lack the tactile feedback and premium feel expected in a car of this caliber. They feel surprisingly similar to those in a BMW X3 M40i, missing the satisfying snick and substantial feel of paddles found in cars like an Aston Martin Vantage or even the carbon paddles in the BMW M2. In a 617-horsepower performance coupe, these details matter, and the M8’s paddles feel like a missed opportunity to enhance driver engagement.
Steering and Chassis Feedback
The quest for steering feel in modern BMWs continues, and the 2023 BMW M8 Competition Coupe offers little improvement. A back-to-back drive with an older E92 M3 only emphasizes the gulf in steering feedback. While this has been a recurring critique of recent BMW M models, the M8, positioned as a top-tier performance coupe, should arguably offer a more connected and communicative steering experience. Perhaps a collaboration with Alpina could inject some of their renowned chassis tuning expertise into future M models.
The ride quality is undeniably firm, even harsh. While body roll is virtually nonexistent, the M8’s substantial weight (4,300 pounds) and wide stance contribute to a feeling of bulkiness, hindering nimbleness. The all-wheel-drive system, while aiding traction, adds to the overall weight penalty.
For extended journeys, Comfort mode for the suspension is essential. Anything firmer transforms the ride from sporty to punishing, diminishing its grand touring aspirations. The seats, as we’ll discuss later, further contribute to the lack of long-distance comfort. While the M8 excels at high-speed cruising on smooth highways, effortlessly maintaining 90 MPH, encountering rough road surfaces results in jarring impacts transmitted through the chassis.
Braking Performance
Optional carbon ceramic brakes are available, and they deliver the expected high performance. They exhibit typical carbon ceramic characteristics, including some squealing in colder temperatures, but the enhanced stopping power and reduced brake dust are worthwhile for track enthusiasts or those prioritizing aesthetics.
The M8 includes BMW’s adjustable brake pedal, a feature absent in the M5. Sport mode for the brakes is recommended to eliminate a somewhat spongy pedal feel in other settings. While effective, the brake feel lacks the immediate bite and directness found in competitors like the Aston Martin Vantage or Corvette Z06, which offer a more responsive and confidence-inspiring braking experience.
In summary, the 2023 BMW M8 Competition Coupe delivers impressive performance figures. It can execute smoky drifts and achieve a blistering 0-60 mph time of 2.5 seconds, even matching the Corvette Z06 in a quarter-mile sprint. However, raw numbers alone don’t capture the essence of a truly engaging driving experience. As “Machines With Souls” implies, there’s more to a great car than just speed.
Utility Score: 3/10 – Prioritizing Style Over Space
While not intended as a family hauler, the 2023 BMW M8 Competition Coupe’s practicality is limited. The rear seats are cramped, particularly in headroom, thanks to the sloping roofline. The BMW M2 offers surprisingly more rear passenger space, and even the Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG convertible provides a more accommodating cabin.
The trunk offers reasonable space for a coupe, sufficient for luggage for two, but its shallow depth restricts the transport of taller items. This reinforces the trade-off inherent in choosing the M8 over the more practical M5 sedan – prioritizing style and coupe aesthetics over everyday usability. While some compromise is expected in a performance coupe, the M8 leans heavily towards form over function in terms of passenger and cargo space.
The Carbon Bucket Seats
The optional carbon bucket seats are a visually striking feature, adorned with a quilted pattern that adds a touch of detail to the predominantly dark interior. However, their practicality and comfort are debatable.
Opting against the carbon buckets results in the standard seats shared with the M3, a surprising choice given that the M5 offers even more comfortable and luxurious seats. This appears to be a cost-saving measure, as the M5 seats are non-folding, while the M3/M4 seats do fold.
Choosing the carbon buckets introduces both aesthetic appeal and ergonomic challenges. Ingress and egress become significantly more difficult, requiring a careful maneuver to avoid landing awkwardly on the seat’s prominent side bolsters. They are arguably more challenging to enter and exit than even the seats in a Vanquish, although the M8’s greater ride height provides a slight advantage. Passenger feedback, particularly from spouses, may be negative, making this option potentially detrimental to domestic harmony.
Once seated, however, the carbon buckets offer a surprisingly comfortable and supportive experience. They feel slightly wider than the M3’s buckets and provide enhanced lateral support, beneficial for track driving. While not a dramatic improvement over the standard seats in terms of everyday comfort, they may be a worthwhile consideration for those intending to track the M8, despite the compromises in accessibility.
Fuel Economy: 8/10 – Surprisingly Efficient Power
The 2023 BMW M8 Competition Coupe mirrors the M5 in fuel efficiency, a commendable achievement for a high-performance V-8. Averaging around 20 MPG in mixed driving conditions, the S63 engine demonstrates impressive efficiency for its 600+ horsepower output. It’s likely among the most fuel-efficient V-8 engines in its power class.
While fuel economy might not be a primary concern for buyers in this segment, the M8’s relative efficiency is a notable advantage. However, the author humorously questions the relevance of fuel economy concerns for someone willing to spend $160,000 on a luxury performance car.
Features and Comfort: 7/10 – Familiarity Breeds Discontent?
The interior of the 2023 BMW M8 Competition Coupe presents a mixed bag. While the M5 previously earned a perfect 10 in this category, the M8, with its higher price point and market positioning, faces heightened expectations. The test vehicle, equipped with individual paint and carbon ceramic brakes, reached an as-tested price exceeding $160,000. At this price, and with the passage of time since the M5 review, certain aspects of the M8’s interior begin to feel less special.
Interior Design and Execution
In lower-tier BMW models like the 2 Series, M3, or even the 840i, the interior design is generally well-executed – logically laid out with large screens and digital displays. However, in the M8, the expectation is for a more unique and premium ambiance. While the test car featured a predominantly black interior, brighter color choices can enhance the perceived luxury. The quilted leather pattern on the door panels and seatbacks does elevate the interior beyond even the Alpina B8. And the optional carbon bucket seats are visually stunning.
However, key elements like the dashboard, steering wheel, and climate controls are shared with other BMW models, diminishing the sense of exclusivity. Even rear ambient lighting, present in the more affordable M2, is absent in the M8. Comparing the interior experience to competitors like the Corvette Z06, the M8 doesn’t necessarily feel like a significant upgrade, despite its considerably higher price. The absence of features like a seatbelt butler, standard in the M4, feels like an oversight in a car at this price point.
The M8 retains the older iDrive 7 system, which, while functional, feels dated compared to the newer iDrive 8 found in models like the latest 7 Series. While some may prefer the traditional climate controls of iDrive 7, it contributes to the overall impression that the M8’s technology and interior design are not at the cutting edge for its class.
An ideal interior configuration might blend the Alpina B8’s two-tone aesthetic with the M5’s seats and the M8’s quilted leather, but this bespoke combination isn’t currently offered.
M Performance Aesthetics
Color choice dramatically impacts the M8’s visual presence. In less vibrant hues, it can be difficult to distinguish from lesser 8 Series models like the 840i M Sport or M850i. Up close, M-specific details become apparent, including carbon fiber mirror caps, intakes, side vents, and a subtle rear lip spoiler. The carbon fiber roof is also a distinguishing feature. The M8 is a large car, and its imposing presence stems more from its size than its overtly aggressive styling. The large doors can be cumbersome in tight parking spaces.
The optional Carbon Fiber Package adds much-needed visual distinction to the exterior. The 8 Series design, in general, is attractive, but the Alpina B8 arguably presents a more refined and elegant aesthetic. The M8’s various vents and aerodynamic elements, while functional, can appear somewhat busy on a car of this size.
The 2023 BMW M8 Competition Coupe: A Good Car, Not a Great Sports Car
The 2023 BMW M8 Competition Coupe is undoubtedly an impressive machine. Its performance is undeniable, its styling is striking, and its BMW pedigree is strong. However, it struggles to fully capture the essence of a truly exceptional sports car. As my daughter astutely observed, even at a young age, something was missing.
"Daddy, I like the M2 better." Her preference highlights the core issue. The M2, despite being significantly less expensive, offers a more engaging and visceral driving experience. It feels more energetic, more playful, and ultimately, more fun. The M8, in comparison, can feel somewhat detached and even, dare I say, stodgy.
At its as-tested price of nearly $162,000, the M8 Competition Coupe occupies the upper echelon of BMW pricing, approaching the realm of the XM SUV. That price could purchase almost three M2s, each offering a distinct and arguably more rewarding driving experience.
Rumors suggest that the M8 nameplate may not continue beyond the current F92 generation, and perhaps that’s justifiable. SUVs like the X6 M utilize similar components and provide a comparable, albeit taller, driving experience.
The fundamental challenge for the M8 is its price point. Historically, large BMW coupes, from the original 8 Series with its V-12 to the M6 with its V-10, and now the M8, have struggled to achieve widespread success. Buyers in this segment expect more – a more distinct identity, a more engaging driving experience, a more compelling value proposition.
So, while the 2023 BMW M8 Competition Coupe is a capable and luxurious vehicle, it ultimately falls short of being a truly great sports car, especially when considering its price and the competition it faces. And as for my daughter, at least she won’t have to endure the cramped rear seats again anytime soon.
2023 BMW M8 Competition Coupe Specifications
Vehicle Type: Front-engine, all-wheel-drive, two-door, four-passenger coupe.
PRICE
- Base: $130,000
- As tested: $161,895
POWERTRAIN
- Engine: 4.4 liter twin turbocharged V-8
- Horsepower: 617 @ 6,000 RPM
- Torque: 553 lb-ft @ 1,800 RPM
- Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
DIMENSIONS
- Wheelbase: 111.1 in
- Length: 191.2 in
- Width: 74.9 in
- Height: 53 in
- Curb Weight: 4,295 lbs
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
- Combined/city/highway: 17 / 15 / 22 MPG
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