2023 BMW 8 Series Convertible

BMW might not have a supercar in its ranks, but its performance drop-tops are still among the finest grand tourers in the business. The 2023 BMW 8 Series Convertible is one such machine, and while it may be a far cry from the original E31 8 Series with its V12 and bewitching styling, it proves itself a worthy adversary to the Mercedes-AMG SL-Class and even the Bentley Continental GT Convertible.

Rebooting the 8 Series as a replacement for the defunct 6 Series in a bid to move upmarket may have been frowned upon by some, but we have to ask ourselves, has it worked? After the facelift for the 2023 model year, the new 8 Series Convertible has hit its stride, despite a starting price of $94,900. With 335 horsepower under the hood, the base 840i model can hit 60 mph in five seconds flat. And there are even more thrills from the M850i xDrive, thanks to a brutish 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 and all-wheel drive that will undo your Beverly Hills bouffant in 3.8 seconds.

Already a stellar motorcar, updates to the 8 Series Convertible ensure it remains a viable option in a segment bristling with talent, but it lacks the style and specialness of others like the Lexus LC Convertible. How does it stack up elsewhere? Let's see what our review of the 2023 BMW 8 Series Convertible uncovers.

While products such as the M2 and M4 Coupes are more at home tearing up a race track, the biggest two-door in BMW's lineup prefers sweeping bends and galloping across long stretches of highway. Three variants are available; the base 840i, the 840i xDrive, and the M850i xDrive. There's also an M8 Competition, but we review that separately.

The base model employs a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six with 335 horsepower and 368 lb-ft of torque. In RWD guise, this is enough to send the drop-top hurtling towards 60 mph in five seconds. The xDrive variant shaves 0.4 seconds off that, courtesy of AWD. If you find that's not enough, the M850i xDrive is equipped with a magnificent 4.4-liter V8. The twin-turbo mill produces a heady 523 hp and a mountainous 553 lb-ft. Purists may be disappointed to find this variant is only available with all-wheel-drive, but the performance figures should cheer them up. BMW claims a 0 to 60 mph time of 3.8 seconds.

All three models make use of the ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic gearbox. Smooth, quick shifts are standard and the gearbox never feels dim-witted or uncooperative. Unsurprisingly, the big Bimmer is a delight to pilot. In town, all three variants cruise with the expected grace of a luxury sedan. The 840i derivatives have the measure of the M850i here; the sportier model can feel a touch unsettled over some road surfaces, but it's never too alarming. Creamy-smooth ride quality aside, the 8 Series can still hustle through the bends. We would appreciate more steering feel, but for a big GT convertible, it's engaging to drive. Courtesy of the Adaptive M Suspension and M Sport brakes, the M850i is the better choice if you want a racier experience.

The base model provides a classically BMW execution, and the smooth B58 engine is a masterpiece. Power delivery is superb, and flexing your right foot provides crisp and immediate acceleration. Both engines, however, make highway commuting and overtaking a cinch.

The 2023 8 Series Convertible is an undeniably good car. In fact, we'd go so far as to call it excellent. However, the BMW 8 Series competitors are equally as appealing. Now that the majestic S-Class Cabriolet has bowed out in the USA, this segment is occupied by the Lexus LC 500, as well as the pricier Aston Martin DB11 and Bentley Continental GT.

The BMW isn't quite as dramatic as the Japanese contender and while the German automaker knows a thing or two about building a great engine, neither the 40i or 50i derivatives can match the noise of the LC 500's naturally-aspirated V8. Similarly, the BMW boasts a beautifully crafted cabin but, again, the Lexus trounces the German in terms of perceived quality. Still, the 8 Series is a far more entertaining vehicle to pilot and boasts a smoother ride, too. The big 8 convertible is also cheaper than the Lexus; with a starting price of $94.900, it undercuts the cheapest Lexus LC Convertible by around $8,000.

On the other end of the scale, we have the upper-crust Brits. In terms of image, BMW is never going to cut it when compared to Aston Martin and Bentley. The 8 Series Convertible lacks the grandeur of the Continental or the rakish good looks of the Aston, but it manages to be nearly as comfortable as the former while besting the latter in terms of dynamism. What's more, it offers superior technology and equally powerful engines and does so at a far more palatable price tag. As something to show off at the local country club, the BMW is bested by the likes of the British. In terms of outright style, it's the Lexus that wins the beauty contest. But, as a car, the 2023 BMW 8 Series Convertible beats them all by a country mile. It's just superb.