2025 BMW M8

The 2025 BMW M8 Competition is the high point where luxury and performance converge to create something truly special. Pricing starts at $139,975.

The M8 Competition is what happens when BMW’s performance-focused M division applies its expertise to the full-size 8 Series grand tourer. The M8 is muscular, poised, fast, and sumptuous. This generation of 8 Series debuted five years ago, so the M8 is not the tech powerhouse that some BMWs are, but speed and status are longer-lasting attributes anyway.

We’ll be calling this car the M8 at times during this review, but the full official name is M8 Competition. There used to be an M8 without the greater power of the Competition treatment — but this is now the standard configuration.

The 2-door M8 Competition Coupe is being discontinued. BMW’s retail site allows buyers to look through existing inventory, but there’s no option to configure a new version. The 4-door Gran Coupe and 2-door Convertible remain on sale (for now) and haven’t received any major changes.

The convertible is especially popular. That starting price is kind of academic, because any M8 Competition Coupes in the showrooms probably have a few additional features.

Looking at some alternatives, the soft-top Mercedes-AMG SL is the latest incarnation of a famed and desirable high-speed cruiser, while the new-for-2025 Mercedes-AMG GT Coupe would satisfy buyers wanting a fixed metal roof. The Lexus LC provides both options. Or perhaps the evergreen Porsche 911 is sufficiently large and comfortable. All these rivals begin above the $100K mark, yet still below the M8. Although a 911 with comparable power would be much pricier.

Before buying a new M8 high-performance luxury coupe or convertible, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should be paying. Resale values of the M8 are a bit below the class average. If that’s important, the Porsche 911 is particularly strong in this regard. Recouping more money when selling a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on the next one.

With 617 horsepower rumbling beneath the driver’s right foot, the M8 can rush from standstill to 60 mph in an awesome three seconds flat. Add a tenth for the slightly heavier convertible, which is still wonderfully quick and faster than most of the competition. This amount of power is easily enough for anyone and compares well against rival cars.

An M-tuned adaptive suspension is standard, making this a supple cruiser as well as a taut back-road blaster — just select the appropriate mode. We would have liked rear-wheel steering to be available with the M8, which would have enhanced its agility, but that’s not the case.

Fuel Economy

Regardless of body style, the 2025 M8 Competition achieves 17 mpg in combined city/highway driving. To compare, the Mercedes-AMG SL 63 with 577 hp manages 16 mpg, so there’s really not much in it.

This M8 differs from the usual 8 Series in a few ways. The front seats are more supportive, in anticipation of sportier driving, and have M8 badges set into the headrests. In this time of flat-bottomed steering wheels gracing enthusiast cars, the M8 retains a fully rounded version, with another M8 badge on its lower spoke. Zooming out from the details, the overall cabin is full of high-quality materials and the build is appropriately superb for what is one of BMW’s most expensive cars.

Rear passengers aren’t quite so spoiled. Legroom is tight in the convertible, while the 4-door Gran Coupe does better with 36.6 inches. Trunk space is similarly constricted, sufficient for a weekend’s-worth of luggage. We think this is all acceptable, though, given the M8’s reasons for being.

This year sees the phasing out of the 2-door coupe, leaving the convertible and the 4-door Gran Coupe. The former is roughly a foot longer than the Porsche 911, while the latter is about a foot shorter than the BMW 7 Series full-size sedan. The M8 definitely makes its presence known, which we think is absolutely right for a high-performance luxury tourer.

Live Cockpit Professional
Otherwise known as a digital instrument cluster, it can be configured to the driver’s liking and is standard in every new M8. We appreciate the system’s user-friendliness.

Harman Kardon surround-sound system
This 16-speaker/464-watt setup is standard. We think it’s great, although true devotees of timbre and thunder may want to consider the next offering.

Bowers & Wilkins audio
Sending 1,400 watts of audible gloriousness through 16 speakers, this optional B&W surround-sound system resonates with clarity and detail.

Driving Assistance Professional package
Even though the M8 is a driver’s car, traffic is inevitable, along with dull freeway stretches. We therefore recommend this options bundle containing comprehensive assistance and safety features.

M Driver’s package
This option is a day’s instruction in high-speed driving at a BMW Performance Center. We’d say it’s worth doing if possible, as it’s always good to learn something new or make a bit of knowledge more concrete.

M carbon ceramic brakes
They’re expensive ($8,500), but if anyone is going to exercise the M8 Competition’s 617 horses then these fade-resistant and warp-resistant brakes will provide a lot of reassurance.

A twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 endows the 2025 M8 Competition with a considerable 617 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque. Although BMW is rightly renowned for its 6-cylinder engines, this V8 is another of the company’s gems. An M-tuned 8-speed automatic transmission sits between this and a standard all-wheel-drive system.

We review the regular 2025 BMW 8 Series separately.

4-Year/50,000-Mile Warranty

BMW’s new-vehicle warranty (including powertrains) lasts four years or 50,000 miles, whichever happens first. These terms are typical in the luxury sector, especially among German manufacturers. BMW also includes three years or 36,000 miles of complimentary scheduled maintenance.

Safety

The 8 Series (on which the M8 is based) hasn’t been tested by any independent agencies, but that’s common for such high-end/low-volume cars. BMW’s standard set of advanced safety features includes forward collision warning with pedestrian detection and low-speed automatic emergency braking, post-crash braking, driver fatigue monitoring, plus automatic seat belt tensioning and window closing if an accident is imminent.