BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe Review 2024

The BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe offers coupe-like styling, but with the practicality of a saloon car. Extending the 8 Series into a four-door, four-seat model has little effect on how well it drives. A choice of high-performance engines, including a relatively frugal diesel, also add to the package. While the Gran Coupe may be roomier than the regular 8 Series Coupe, it lags behind rivals like the Audi A7 Sportback and Porsche Panamera on overall usability. Yet the high-quality interior, generous standard specification and handsome looks are enough to offset this.

What makes the Gran Coupe unusual is that it was the third version of the current 8 Series range to be released. Manufacturers typically base two-door models on an existing four-door saloon, whereas BMW flipped this on its head. The rationale was to ensure the Gran Coupe maintained the soul of a sports car, but one with an extra degree of usability. 

Given the way the Gran Coupe looks, and drives, BMW has managed to nail that brief. Extending the wheelbase and adding an extra set of doors has done little to upset the attractive styling. To our eyes, it is certainly one of the best looking modern BMWs on sale. Compared to the regular 8 Series Coupe and Convertible versions, practicality has also increased. 

That is not to say the Gran Coupe has become a limousine overnight. It can work as a four-seater with a reasonably sized boot, but key rivals offer more space inside.

Taller passengers in the rear will be aware of the sloping roofline, although those in the front will have no complaints. Cargo space in the boot is only marginally increased over the 8 Series Coupe, at 440 litres. However, this should still be sufficient for most. 

BMW has also ensured the Gran Coupe drives as it looks. It may be a big car, but clever technology ensures it still feels agile and sporty on country roads. Such a sporty setup comes with the drawback of a stiff ride, although BMW does supply adaptive suspension as standard. Switching this to Comfort mode makes things feel more compliant, even if a degree of tautness remains. 

Engine performance is impressive, regardless of which of the three options is chosen. Calling the 840i sDrive the ‘entry-level’ version feels unfair, given it can still accelerate from 0-62mph in just over five seconds.

Those regularly making longer journeys will be drawn to the 840d xDrive diesel, which delivers swift acceleration and the promise of respectable fuel economy. Peak power can be found in the M850i, which uses a twin-turbocharged V8. 

Whatever engine is picked, the interior of the Gran Coupe will be packed with luxurious materials and impressive technology. Merino leather upholstery is standard across the range, with four-zone climate control and internet-connected satellite navigation included.

Although the overall interior design may seem familiar to other BMW models, the level of quality and usability means this is not an issue. Should you want more opulence, a crystal gear shifter is on the options list. 

It all makes for a rather successful package, with only the taut ride quality and high running costs of the M850i to really complain about. Making a four-door saloon from a two-door coupe may not be a conventional route, but BMW has proven with the 8 Series Gran Coupe that it can work.

The Gran Coupe is not quite as engaging to drive as a Porsche Panamera, but it will entertain more than an Audi A7 Sportback.

Servotronic speed-sensitive steering is accurate and precise, while the four-wheel-drive models feature Integral Active Steering. This allows the rear wheels to steer opposite to the fronts at low speeds when parking, but then in the same direction at higher speeds for stability. 

Adaptive M suspension is standard on all models. This offers driver-selectable levels of ride stiffness, or the 8 Series can be left in Adaptive mode to pick the most suitable option. Engaging Sport mode does add a noticeable tautness to the ride, which could be uncomfortable on rougher roads. Thankfully, moving back to Comfort will solve the problem.

With just two petrols and one diesel, the engine range for the 8 Series Gran Coupe is easy to understand. All use an eight-speed automatic gearbox, including steering wheel-mounted paddles. 

Petrols begin with the 840i sDrive, which is the only rear-wheel-drive 8 Series. The 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six with 340PS is familiar from other BMW models, but is still more than swift enough for the Gran Coupe. 

Next in the petrol hierarchy is the M850i xDrive. It mates four-wheel drive with a 530PS 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8. Like the other Gran Coupe models, it has a limited top speed of 155mph, but is far more effective when it comes to acceleration. 

For those regularly making longer journeys in their Gran Coupe, the diesel 840d xDrive will appeal. The 320PS 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged six-cylinder engine is no slouch, accelerating faster than the petrol 840i due to the standard four-wheel drive. Increased fuel economy makes it an attractive option.

BMW has a reputation for building safe cars. While the 8 Series Gran Coupe has not been crash-tested by Euro NCAP, we would still expect it to perform well in protecting those inside. There are multiple airbags inside, including ones for the knees of the driver and front-seat passenger. 

Parking sensors at the front and rear are standard on all models, with a rear-view camera also included. The optional Parking Assistant Package can upgrade this to a 360-degree surround view, and it even includes an integrated dashcam.

Super-bright adaptive LED headlights are also standard, with laser high-beam units available from the options list. There is no standard spare wheel, with either run-flat tyres or a puncture repair kit supplied instead.

The whole reason for BMW building the Gran Coupe version of the 8 Series is to offer more practicality. Thankfully it hasn’t failed, with the four-door model offering substantially more space than found in the Coupe or Convertible. 

Four adults will fit in relative comfort inside the Gran Coupe, although taller passengers in the rear may struggle with headroom. There is a central rear seat, but this is best reserved for short journeys only, with the centre console eating into legroom. For this reason BMW refers to it as a ‘4+1’ layout. 

The 440-litre boot capacity is only 20 litres more than found in the two-door 8 Series Coupe, and the boot is a slightly awkward shape. At least the rear seats fold with a 40/20/40 split, allowing longer items to be slid through. 

It makes for an overall package that is more usable than the two-door 8 Series, but not quite as practical as rivals like the Audi A7 Sportback or Porsche Panamera. 

The interior of the 8 Series Gran Coupe is well-built and stylish, while also being familiar to drivers of other modern BMWs. That feels slightly like damning the flagship model with faint praise, but is more a reminder of how good the rest of the model range is. 

A large sweeping dashboard is angled towards the driver, with much of the interior covered in real leather. Other plastic and metal trim elements feel solid and expensive, with dark mesh aluminium trim used on the doors and centre console.

Other materials like wood and carbon fibre can be found on the options list, along with a £575 ‘CraftedClarity’ crystal gear shifter.

Multimedia in the 8 Series Gran Coupe is all controlled by the standard BMW Live Cockpit Professional system. This includes a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, along with a 10.25-inch touchscreen for infotainment settings. 

The Live Cockpit system allows the use of gesture and voice commands, with the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant responding to questions as a smartphone would. Curiously, only Apple CarPlay connectivity was included initially, with BMW adding Android Auto support to cars built from the middle of 2020 onwards. 

Satellite navigation with real-time traffic updates, DAB radio and a Harman Kardon sound system are all fitted across the range.

With only three engine choices, the pricing structure is relatively simple to understand for the four-door version.

Prices for a new 2020 8 Series Gran Coupe begin at £71,435 for the rear-wheel-drive petrol 840i sDrive. Opting for the diesel 840d xDrive is a slight increase in cost, with prices for this model beginning at £75,765. The high-performance M850i requires substantially more money, with a list price of £99,910.

BMW does offer a comprehensive range of options for the 8 Series. These range in price from £250 for gloss black wood interior trim to £22,000 for the elaborate Ultimate Package. The latter includes laser headlights and carbon fibre exterior trim. Making an 8 Series Gran Coupe into a very expensive car does not take much effort.

Being relatively new to the market means there is a limited supply of used and nearly-new Gran Coupes available. BMW dealerships are likely to have the best stock of second-hand models.

Of the cars available, the petrol 840i sDrive is the most plentiful in supply. Aiming to buy a manufacturer-approved model from a BMW dealership will see prices start at around £55,000. This should secure a car with fewer than 5,000 miles on the clock.

Despite the high list price, the M850i has proven to be popular with buyers. Many of these cars available will have numerous optional extras specified, making prices from £75,000 look good value. 

Finding a diesel 840d xDrive will be akin to finding a needle in a haystack, such is the lure of the petrol models. Should you find one, expect to pay £65,000 for a nearly-new example.

Given the price of a BMW 8 Series, running costs are likely to be lower down the list of priorities for new owners. However, there are ways to make the Gran Coupe experience more affordable.

Naturally, the diesel 840d xDrive is the most fuel-efficient engine choice. Based on the latest WLTP testing rules, the 840d returned an average of 39.8mpg. On long journeys, this would be a major advantage. 

The entry-level 840i sDrive is the most economical petrol model, recording 33.2mpg in the same official tests. However, the M850i xDrive is a serious thirst trap, being officially rated at 24.6mpg. Expect this figure to drop if using all the performance on offer, too. 

Compared to the 8 Series Coupe or Convertible, the Gran Coupe should be mildly cheaper to insure. The 840i sDrive is ranked in insurance group 44 (out of 50), with the diesel 840d xDrive in group 47. Due to the higher level of performance, the M850i can be found in group 49. Fitting an optional Thatcham-approved vehicle tracker may be a wise investment.

All versions of the Gran Coupe fall within the new VED (road tax) rules for cars costing more than £40,000 when new. This means for five years after the initial first-year of registration, drivers will pay an additional £325 on top of the standard charge of £150.

BMW does not offer actual trim levels for the 8 Series Gran Coupe. Instead, specification is determined solely by the choice of engine.

The entry-level 840i sDrive and 840d xDrive come with a generous amount of standard equipment. This includes four-zone climate control, black Merino leather upholstery, parking sensors and a set of 20-inch alloy wheels. Both come with the BMW Live Cockpit Professional multimedia system, including a head-up display

Opting for the M850i brings an obvious boost in performance, along with minor styling changes. This includes a different design of 20-inch alloy wheels, a reprofiled front bumper, and a special Cerium Grey finish on various exterior parts.