BMW

BMW M8 CONVERTIBLE M8 Competition 2dr Step Auto [Ultimate Pack]

Fuel

FuelPetrol

Transmission

TransmissionAutomatic

Acceleration

0 - 62 mph3.3s

WLTP - CO2 (g/km)

WLTP - CO2261 g/km

BMW's M8 Competition Coupe model has been usefully updated. As before, it provides a real alternative to more exotically-badged high performance luxury sporting coupes, offering searing speed, sleek styling and an engine that has few peers.

COMPETITION WINNER

BMW thinks this M8 Competition Coupe model is the closest it's yet got to the all-conquering Porsche 911. But is it? Jonathan Crouch looks at the updated version

Ten Second Review

BMW's M8 Competition Coupe model has been usefully updated. As before, it provides a real alternative to more exotically-badged high performance luxury sporting coupes, offering searing speed, sleek styling and an engine that has few peers.

Background

BMW's M division certainly knows how to build driver-focused sports cars. The M8 Competition though, is something slightly different - a larger, more luxurious driver-focused GT. Offered in Convertible, four-door Gran Coupe or, as in this case, Coupe form, it delivers masterful performance - on a major scale. If you must have the ultimate BMW, then this may well be it. It's tempting to think of this model as nothing more than an M5 saloon in a more sporting suit. After all, it shares the same 625hp V8 twin-turbo engine, much of the same M Division technology and, as a result, pretty much the same performance figures. BMW though, thinks differently, pointing out that this car has a stiffer set-up, a shorter wheelbase body and cleaves a cleaner path through the air. Whatever your perspective though, this M8 Competition model looks to be a devastatingly effective piece of high performance engineering. The kind of car in which, for instance, you might drive to the Alps - but take in the Nurburgring on the way. Developed in parallel with the M8 GTE endurance racing car, it's a force to be reckoned with. Especially in this updated form.

Driving Experience

There are no mechanical changes with this updated model. Not familiar with it? Well imagine the mighty BMW M5 Competition super saloon as a two-door GT sportscar with a shorter wheelbase for extra agility and a stiffened set-up for even sharper responses. That's essentially what we've got here with this M8 Competition model. The 'Competition' tag refers to this car's stiffer engine mountings which aim to facilitate sharper turn-in. And the wheelbase has been reduced by a significant 201mm. Otherwise, everything's much as you'd find in an M5 - which is good. So there's the same 625hp twin turbo V8 mated to a more direct-shifting DCT M Steptronic paddleshift gearbox (rather than the lazier Speedtronic auto you get on a lesser M850i). Plus there's 4WD, an electronically-governed mechanical limited slip differential and a set of grippy 20-inch Michelin tyres, the rears slightly wider than the fronts. In addition, as with the M5, there are lots and lots of mode settings which you can programme in and customise via two buttons on the centre stack marked 'M Mode' and 'Set-Up'. Once you've arrived at your favourite two combinations of throttle response, gearshift timing, stability programming and damping feedback, you can save them via two red anodised levers on the steering wheel marked 'M1' and 'M2' - one perhaps for country roads, the other maybe for fast-flowing major routes. As with the M5, you can also select an 'M-Dynamic' setting that turns all the safety systems off and limits the drivetrain to rear wheel drive. It's a mode we'd advise you to use only for tyre-smoking circuit drifting. In any mode, this M8 is very, very fast of course - 62mph is dispatched in just 3.2s and if it weren't for the 155mph speed limiter, 180-190mph would no doubt be possible.

Design and Build

The M8 Competition models aim to display the hallmark proportions of luxury-class sports cars whether you choose two-door Coupe, four-door Gran Coupe or Convertible. For this updated model, an 'M lights Shadow Line' exterior trim package will be available via the Visibility Pack for the first time, opening up extra scope for individualising the car's appearance. The dark finish for the inlays and chrome detailing inside the headlight units help to give the front end a more eye-catching and sporty feel, an effect enhanced by the standard High-gloss Black finish for the BMW kidney grille surround. Passengers in the Convertible version are protected from the elements by a high-quality fabric roof pulled taut over the cabin. The multi-layer soft-top opens and closes in 15 seconds at the touch of a button while the electric mechanism can be activated while driving at up to 31mph. Once opened, the soft-top stows away flat under a high-quality cover whose surface structure matches that of the instrument panel, door and side-panel trim.  As before, the interior is awash with high-precision details and features a driver-centric cockpit, with low-set sports seats featuring integral head restraints and trimmed in soft Merino leather. What's changed is the introduction of a larger 12.3-inch Central Information touchscreen display. And full Merino leather/Alcantara upholstery in the a freshly introduced Black/Sakhir Orange colour scheme brings even more contemporary style to the interior. There's space for a couple of small children in the rear of both the Coupe and the Convertible variants - and a couple of adults will fit quite comfortably in the back of the Gran Coupe model. On all body styles, the backrest sections can be folded down either individually or together in order to further increase load capacity. Out back, there's a 420-litre boot in the Coupe model; it's 440-litres in size with the Gran Coupe and 350-litres with the Convertible.

Market and Model

Pricing for this improved M8 Competition Coupe start at around £140,000. It's around £138,000 for the Gran Coupe version and around £147,000 for the M8 Convertible. For this updated design, there are eight fresh exterior colours, you can choose a fresh 20-inch M light-alloy wheel star-spoke design and an 'M lights Shadow Line' exterior trimming package is available as part of the optional Visibility Pack. Otherwise, it's as you were. which means that standard equipment includes a sports exhaust and 20-inch M light alloy Star-spoke style Bicolour alloy wheels. Inside, there are heated 'M' sports seats trimmed in super-soft 'Merino' leather upholstery, carbonfibre cabin trim, soft-close doors and the BMW Live Cockpit Professional package, which gives you a 12.3-inch instrument binnacle dial display and a 10.25-inch centre-dash infotainment screen. If you've more to spend, you might want to consider the optional 'M Driver's package' which increases the top speed to 190mph and costs around £2,100 - which seems an awful lot to pay for a software tweak. That's also included as part of the optional 'Ultimate Package' which, for a cool £20,000 more, also gives you 'Laserlight' headlights, M carbon ceramic brakes, extra carbonfibre interior and exterior trimming, a thumping upgraded Bowers & Wilkins sound system, ventilated front seats, a TV tuner, an M Carbon engine cover and all the extra camera safety features of the optional 'Driving Assistant Professional' pack.

Cost of Ownership

You won't be expecting a super sports car of this power and price to be in any way affordable to run - and this one isn't. If you get anywhere near the quoted WLTP combined cycle fuel consumption figure of 24.6mpg (that's for the Gran Coupe and the Convertible - it's 26.6mpg for the Coupe body style), then you shouldn't have bought this car in the first place and it'll deserve a better home: you know where we are. The WLTP-rated CO2 figures are 242g/km for the Coupe; it's 263g/km for the Gran Coupe and the Convertible. Routine maintenance is dictated by 'Condition Based Servicing' that monitors oil level and engine wear, taking into account how long it's been and how far the car has travelled since its previous garage visit. To help plan ahead for the cost of regular work, at point of purchase you'll be offered a 'BMW Service Inclusive' package that lasts for three years and 36,000 miles. With this, after a one-off payment, you'll have the peace of mind of knowing that all normal work on the car has been paid for during this period, including items such as oil, spark plugs and filters. On to the warranty package. BMW offers a warranty that lasts for three years, no matter how many miles you complete. You can also insure your car through BMW, though as most M8s will be funded with company money through a lease deal, this brokerage fees are likely to be bundled into that.

Summary

It really comes down to how driver-focused you want to be. If you want the most driver-orientated super sportscar you can buy for less than £200,000, this isn't it. If though, you want one that can combine Nurburgring Nordschiefe dynamics with GT luxury, then this M8 Coupe makes a very strong case for itself, especially in this updated form. It's certainly fast enough - and there's a competition-bred feel to the handling that rivals from Jaguar, Lexus and Audi can't quite match. A tougher question to answer lies in whether this car is worth nearly 25% more than BMW's mechanically rather similar M850i model. That's a question of personal preference of course. What's not up for debate is the way this M8 can make you feel, for its buyers delivering a perfect symbiosis of performance and exclusivity, dynamism and prestige. Or, to put it another way, a super car they could tail-out slide on a trackday, then cruise across Europe in afterwards. These people will love this M8, despite its high running costs and even higher price. There's a need, after all, to pay for the most consummate of pleasures. If you can afford to do that though, you'll find much to admire here. Powerful elegance - that's pitch-perfect.

  • Electric front windows
  • Heated rear window
  • Heated windscreen washer jets
  • Thermally insulated windscreen
  • Rain sensor with automatic intermittent windscreen wipers control and headlights activation
  • Climate comfort windscren, infrared reflecting with burglary-deterrent acoustic film

  • M Carbon ceramic brakes with Gold callipers
  • Integrated brake system with two selectable brake pedal characteristics
  • Compound structure brake discs
  • Anti-lock Brake System and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution
  • DSC - Dynamic Stability Control
  • Dynamic Traction Control - DTC
  • Electromechanical parking brake with automatic drive away release and auto hold function

  • Velour floormats

  • Double wishbone front axle
  • Dynamic Damper Control
  • Adaptive M suspension

  • Wi-Fi hotspot
  • Enhanced bluetooth telephony with wireless charging
  • Bluetooth Hands free facility with USB audio interface and Voice Control

  • Parking assistant plus with 360 degree surround view camera system and remote 3D view
  • Front/rear park distance control (PDC)
  • Power assisted steering
  • M servotronic

  • Electric boot lid - electrically opening/closing rear tailgate
  • Start/stop red button
  • Automatic tailgate operation, remote opening with key, closing by tailgate button or remote control including taillight in LED technology

  • Light on warning
  • iDrive controller with shortcut buttons
  • BMW Live cockpit professional with HUD
  • BMW ConnectedDrive online services
  • Integrated owner's handbook
  • BMW Drive recorder
  • Brake pad wear indicator warning light
  • Check control system
  • Rev counter
  • Service interval indicator
  • Condition based service
  • BMW legal emergency call
  • Personal Profile
  • BMW Teleservices
  • Oil sensor for level and grade

  • Electric adjustable/heated/folding door mirrors

  • Petrol Particulate Filter
  • Valve controlled exhaust system
  • M Twin power turbo 8 cylinder

  • DAB Tuner enables digital radio reception
  • TV function plus including digital reception with CI+ card reader, operation by iDrive controller and integral roof aerial
  • Favourite buttons
  • Bowers & Wilkins diamond surround sound system

  • Fully automatic and lined black softtop
  • High gloss black kidney grille
  • Front and rear bumper system with replaceable deformation elements
  • M Sport exhaust system
  • Soft close automatic (SCA) for doors
  • Wind deflector
  • Body colour bumpers
  • Rear boot
  • Model logo on kidney, side strakes, right tailgate and door sill finishers
  • Full ornamental grille with kidney grille bars
  • M lights shadow line
  • BMW Individual high-gloss shadow line with extended contents includes kidney frame, clasp and air breather in black chrome
  • BMW Individual high-gloss shadow line with window frame and mirror base in black high gloss
  • M Carbon engine cover
  • Carbon core - innovative lightweight construction with highly rigid and light carbon elements
  • Door handle illumination
  • Black chrome exhaust tailpipes

  • Third LED technology brake light in rear window
  • High beam assistant
  • LED daytime running lights
  • Dynamic brake lights
  • LED rear lights
  • BMW Laserlights
  • Follow me home headlight function
  • Welcome lights in interior and door handle area

  • Microfilter and active carbon filter
  • Air collar
  • Automatic air conditioning with 2-zone control

  • M door sill finishers with illuminated BMW M8 designation
  • Steering column with adjustable height and length and activation via control on the steering column
  • Lashing eyelets in luggage compartment
  • Through loading function
  • Centre console and cupholder storage incl. USB
  • Centre console media control knob
  • Instrument and upper door panel in walknappa black leather
  • Front centre armrest with light, 12V socket and USB and storage compartment
  • Lockable glove compartment with light
  • 2 X front 12v power sockets
  • Frameless interior mirror
  • Glove compartment
  • Front door pockets
  • Front cupholders x 2

  • Entry lights on doors
  • Front reading lights
  • Luggage compartment light
  • Interior light front centre above interior mirror
  • Dynamic ambient interior lighting

  • Connected package professional - M8
  • M Driver's package - M8
  • Heat comfort front package - M8
  • M Carbon exterior package - M8
  • Driving assistant professional pack - M8

  • Driver and front passenger airbags
  • Crash sensor activating central locking release, hazard warning lights, fuel cut off, interior lighting, safety battery terminal clamp and airbags
  • M Seatbelts with black seat belts with fine M stripes for all seats
  • Front three point with pyrotechnical belt latch tensioner seat belts, belt force limiter and belt stopper
  • Rear three point with pyrotechnical belt latch tensioner seat belts and belt force limiter
  • Tyre pressure indicator
  • Active front integrated look headrests
  • Active protection
  • Driver/passenger seat occupancy sensor
  • Child seat ISOFIX attachment rear outer seats
  • Driver and front passenger knee airbag
  • 2 x 3-point rear seat belts
  • Two tone horn
  • Side impact protection
  • Driver/front passenger side airbags
  • Warning triangle and first aid kit
  • Passenger airbag deactivation system

  • 2 seat bench in second row
  • Rear headrests
  • Height adjustable headrests with integrated headrest look
  • Split folding rear seat with 50:50 configuration
  • 4 way electrically adjustable lumbar support for driver and front passenger

  • Vehicle key with exclusive M designation
  • Keyless engine start
  • Locking wheel bolts
  • Alarm system
  • Centre lock switch
  • Comfort access system
  • Electronic vehicle immobiliser
  • Closing system with central locking

  • M Sport differential
  • xDrive (permanent all-wheel drive, variable torque distribution, including DSC to control traction interventions)
  • Steptronic sport transmission with eight speed automatic and gearshift paddle switches on the steering wheel

  • Sunvisors with front ticket pocket and illuminated mirrors

  • Tyre repair kit

  • Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6
  • WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEH: 264
  • WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEL: 261
  • HC+NOx: N

  • Engine Code: S63B44T4
  • Cylinders - Bore (mm): 89
  • Cylinders - Stroke (mm): 88.3
  • CC: 4395
  • Cylinders: 8
  • Cylinder Layout: V8
  • Number of Valves: 32
  • Camshaft: DOHC
  • Fuel Delivery: TWIN TURBO
  • Catalytic Convertor: True
  • Engine Layout: NORTH SOUTH
  • Compression Ratio: 10.0:1
  • Transmission: SEMI-AUTO
  • Gears: 8 SPEED

  • EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: False
  • WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEL: 24.8
  • WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEH: 24.4
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEL: 11.4
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEH: 11.6

  • Generation Mark: 2
  • Alternative Fuel Qualifying: False
  • Timing Belt Interval Mileage: N
  • Timing Belt Interval Frequency - Months: N
  • NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: N
  • NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: N
  • NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: N
  • NCAP Safety Assist %: N
  • NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: N
  • Badge Power: 625
  • Badge Engine CC: 4.4
  • Vehicle Homologation Class: M1
  • Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3
  • Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 999999
  • Special Edition: False
  • Special Order: False
  • Based On ID: N
  • Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 50E
  • Coin Series: M8 Comp[Ultimate pk]
  • Coin Description: N
  • Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: False

  • Engine Power - BHP: 625
  • Engine Power - PS: True
  • 0 to 60 mph (secs): False
  • 0 to 62 mph (secs): 3.3
  • Top Speed: 190
  • Engine Power - KW: 460
  • Engine Power - RPM: 6000
  • Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 553
  • Engine Torque - NM: 750
  • Engine Torque - RPM: 1800
  • Engine Torque - MKG: 76.5

  • Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP
  • RDE Certification Level: RDE 2

  • Tyre Size Front: 275/35 R20
  • Wheel Style: STAR SPOKE STYLE 813 M
  • Tyre Size Rear: 285/35 R20
  • Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT
  • Wheel Type: 20" ALLOY
  • Alloys?: True
  • Space Saver?: False

  • Length: 4867
  • Width: 1907
  • Wheelbase: 2827
  • Width (including mirrors): 2137
  • Height: 1353
  • Height (including roof rails): N

  • Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 350
  • No. of Seats: 4
  • Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): N
  • Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 12.2
  • Max. Loading Weight: 415
  • Minimum Kerbweight: 2025
  • Gross Vehicle Weight: 2440
  • Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 68

  • Carbon fibre interior trim finishers: Included
  • BMW Individual piano black trim with highlight trim finishers: £0
  • Ash grain grey interior trim: £0
  • BMW Individual ash black with silver effect interior finishers trim: £0

  • Frozen paint: £2,450
  • BMW M 50 Years badges on bonnet, tailgate and wheel hubs: £300
  • BMW Individual paint: £1,065
  • Metallic paint: Included
  • Solid paint: £0

  • Individual soft top - Bordeaux red: £4,445
  • Individual soft top - Marine blue: £4,445
  • Individual soft top - Brown: £4,445

  • Full leather Merino/Alcantara upholstery: Included
  • M sport leather steering wheel including multifunction controls: Included
  • Full Merino leather upholstery: £0
  • BMW Individual leather steering wheel: £0
  • BMW Individual full merino leather upholstery: £895

  • Metallic - Black sapphire: £0
  • Metallic - Marina Bay blue: £0
  • Metallic - Skyscraper grey: £0
  • Metallic - Isle of Man green: £0
  • Metallic - Brooklyn grey: £0

  • Solid - Alpine white: £0

  • BMW Individual paint - Aventurine red: £1,065
  • BMW Individual paint - Dravit grey: £1,065
  • Frozen paint - Frozen Pure grey: £2,450
  • Frozen paint - Frozen tanzanite blue: £2,450
  • BMW Individual paint - Tanzanite blue: £1,065

  • Electrically adjustable sport seat with memory on driver and passenger with decorative stitching in contrast colour: Included
  • M Carbon bucket seats: £3,000
  • Active front seat ventilation: Included

  • Full Merino leather - Sakhir orange/black: £0
  • Full Merino leather - Midrand beige/black: £0
  • Full Merino leather - Taruma brown/black: £0
  • Full Merino leather - Black/black: £0
  • Full Merino leather - Silverstone/black: £0
  • BMW Individual full Merino leather - Ivory White/Tartufo: £895
  • BMW Individual full Merino leather - Ivory white/Night blue: £895

  • Full leather Merino/Alcantara - Black/contrast sakhir orange: £0
  • Full leather Merino/Alcantara - Black/contrast stitching midrand beige: £0

  • 20" Star spoke M light alloy wheels with mixed tyres in bicolour - style 811M: £0
  • 20" Double spoke black alloy wheels - style 810M: £350
  • 20" Star spoke M light alloy wheels with mixed tyres in bicolour - style 813M: Included

Whilst every effort is made to verify and ensure the accuracy of the data, the information should only be used as a guide and no purchasing decision should be made without verification of the data from either the manufacturer or franchised dealer. Our offers may be on a different model year to that represented by this data and so specification may differ accordingly.

BVRLA
ogilvie
Novuna Vehicle Solutions
Lex Autolease
Alphabet
ALD
AEVAL
Leasing Broker Federation
LeasePlan
Santander

Join our Newsletter

Join our newsletter to receive our latest offers & news

Tilsun Leasing is a trading style of Tilsun Leasing Limited. Tilsun Leasing Limited is a credit broker not a lender.

Tilsun Leasing Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. FRN: 670872.
All our calls are monitored for compliance and training purposes.

Registered address: Tilsun Leasing Limited, Verity Court, Pochin Way, Middlewich, Cheshire, CW10 0GW.
Company Registered in England and Wales No. 4393228 Data Protection No. Z7014603 VAT Reg No. 400 8928 64

Tilsun Leasing 2024. All Rights Reserved