2023 BMW M8 Coupe

The BMW M8 is an incredibly potent grand tourer that sits right atop the German's marque's lineup of high-performance two-door coupes. Although it lacks the agility of the smaller M4 and M2, those cars can't match the M8's superb 4.4-liter turbocharged V8 engine that produces 617 horsepower. With a zero to sixty time of just three seconds and a well-sorted chassis, this car does much more than just look cool and cruise around the beachfront; it can thrill like few in this class can, all while carrying its passengers in sublime luxury, unless you're relegated to the cramped back seat. The new BMW M8 Coupe competes with heavy hitters such as the Porsche 911 Turbo. While the Porsche doesn't have a sonorous V8, it's even quicker than the BMW and is a sharper, more engaging tool. But if you can't stretch to the 911 Turbo's lofty price, the M8 Coupe is worth a look. It's got all the presence, performance, and luxury expected of BMW's halo coupe.

The price of the 2023 BMW M8 Coupe is up there with some of the brand's most expensive models. BMW will ask $134,100 of your hard-earned dollars to get behind the wheel of one of these machines, and that doesn't include tax, registration, a gas guzzler tax of $1,000, or a destination fee of $995. Despite the BMW M8's impressive specs, that's not cheap, but it's only slightly more than the Porsche 911 Carrera 4S which is slower, doesn't have a V8, and can't get close to the M8's standard feature count. The 911 is the more natural driver's car, though.

Unlike the nimble M2 and even the M3 and M4, the M8's sheer size and grand tourer status can clearly be felt in the way it drives and handles at speed. This car loves to bomb down the highway and launch from the lights, but throw it into a set of tight corners, and it will make its weight known, especially at the front. The lack of steering feedback doesn't help its cause, but it is still eager to turn in, and corner exit grip is impressive. The M8 is happiest on the freeway, where its dynamic dampers soak up bumps and offer a smooth ride. With 617 horsepower, the V8 has tremendous power but is also flexible, with plenty of low-down torque. This engine emits a cultured roar but it's not the best-sounding V8 you'll ever hear. Treated as a high-powered and crushingly quick GT, it's excellent. But as we found in our review of the BMW M8, it's a little too big and refined to match the playful nature of some smaller M cars.

People expect miracles from M cars, but sometimes they simply turn out to be good instead of amazing. The 2023 BMW M8 is one of those M cars that won't blow you away considering its price and positioning in the range, but it is impressive, nonetheless. From the outside, the M8 doesn't look too different from the standard 8 Series, which is disappointing, considering the performance it packs and the price tag that comes with it. The same can be said for the interior, which looks a bit plain for such a high-end car, and the driving experience doesn't always match the on-paper specs. Still, the car is a phenomenal performer when you step on the accelerator pedal and bring that 4.4-liter V8 engine to life. Competitors for the BMW M8 like the Porsche 911 are more agile and engaging, whereas the M8 was designed to eat up miles on the highway and destroy its rivals from the lights. Understand this, and you'll be blown away by this big M.

There aren't multiple BMW M8 trims or models so buying one is a matter of how much you're willing to splurge on options. The M8 is not a car you buy is value is a top priority, so we'd spec ours quite liberally, starting with the Tanzanite Blue II Metallic paint. This is still more GT than sports car, so we'd skip the M carbon buckets and go for the beautiful full Merino leather seats in Ivory White/Tartufo. To that we'd add the Driving Assistance Professional Package, the Bowers & Wilkins audio upgrade, and the M Carbon Exterior Package. The total for this comes to $152,145 including the destination charge and a gas guzzler tax of $1,000.