[TupperBMW]

Well, I figured I would review this car against my prior car (M340i), which I also adored.

Where I prefer the M850:

The V8 engine. Sorry B58, I love ya, really do. But this V8 is so smooth and powerful. I mean, I just love driving this thing. I know that prior generations had their issues, but the current N63 is among the great V8's in existence right now and I think that automotive history will review it in a positive light.

Looks. The GC is gorgeous. Looks exactly like a GT, and a car for a professional/executive who is going places. But it doesn't stop there--after all, a 7 series has that. The car is just beautiful. It is a bit rarer. It's a work of art, IMO

Interior build quality. Definitely a more luxurious interior than the 3 series was. But that's expected given the higher price.

Ride quality: A much softer and gentler ride than my 3 series had, where you felt every bump on the road. However, on my current car I have the Extreme contact Conti all seasons, while on the M340i I had the runflat Pirelli's, and that certainly could be contributing to the difference.

Where they are equal:

Infotainment/tech. Pretty much the same for both cars I've had. My 3 series didn't have the auto-cruise-self-driving thingy that my 8 series has (and which I haven't yet used), nor did my 3 series have gesture control (oh no! what to do without that?). But besides that, the Apple carplay, infotainment, tech, etc is pretty much identical across the BMW lineup, it seems.

Where the M340i excels:

One thing I miss about the 3 series as that there seems to be a more thriving aftermarket scene for these cars than the 8 series, and it's more affordable. I loved how easily I could get a nonvalved, mufflerless exhaust for that car. I didn't do any other mods but I know that there is a lot that can be, and has been, done by many enthusiasts with that car.

Handling. The M850i handles remarkably well for its size, but it still isn't as nimble as the 3 series. The 3 series just darts around every little curve and, for it not being a proper sports car, was still really fun to drive.

Overall verdict: I'm glad I got the 8 series. It was a huge upgrade. However, this car is not that thrilling for me. It's a sports sedan or a GT or a German muscle car or whatever you want to call it, but it doesn't seem to have the same edginess that my M340i did, and I admit that I can attribute a lot of that to the exhaust that I had on that car. It needs to sound just a tad bit more aggressive. But I am still very happy with it.

Thanks for reading

[Da_BatMann_]

More people have a 3series so there's a bigger market out there for aftermarket parts. It's a double edged sword for us.

[snowbimmer]

Originally Posted by TupperBMW

Overall verdict: I'm glad I got the 8 series. It was a huge upgrade. However, this car is not that thrilling for me. It's a sports sedan or a GT or a German muscle car or whatever you want to call it, but it doesn't seem to have the same edginess that my M340i did, and I admit that I can attribute a lot of that to the exhaust that I had on that car. It needs to sound just a tad bit more aggressive. But I am still very happy with it.

Thanks for reading

Take it on a couple of 4,000 mile trips anywhere west of Denver, between Mexico and Canada, and get back to me. This is a big, fast, luxurious cruiser that melts miles.

Don't pretend it's anything else. A Z4 would probably be a riot. Would I want to go 4,000 miles in it over 2 weeks? Doubtful.

At 18,000 miles, my exhaust seems to be coming into its own. Not super loud, but a great rumble to it.

[Rob_G77]

Originally Posted by snowbimmer

Don't pretend it's anything else. A Z4 would probably be a riot. Would I want to go 4,000 miles in it in 2 weeks? Doubtful.

You're right, the Z4 isn't a highway cruiser and neither is the M340i. That's the #1 reason I got rid of my 3 series is that I didn't find it engaging at all to drive on the highway. The Z4 is plenty fun to drive though. I guess it depends what your driving requirements are.

Rob

[BTWCD]

I used to have a 440xi GC with MPPSK exhaust, and tbh I often got near asleep driving that on highway…
Not so with the 8 so far! The 8 has made me looking forward to highway trips…

[mpop302]

I feel like you should have went for a coupe if the gc doesn’t give you enough thrill. Would also get more looks

[TupperBMW]

Originally Posted by mpop302

I feel like you should have went for a coupe if the gc doesn’t give you enough thrill. Would also get more looks

^ I need the full sized rear seats

[Accentu8]

Also, steering in 8 is MUCH better than any 3-series on the highway. 8 just tracks, 3 series requires almost constant corrections, even if only minute. Is exhausting and gets old really quickly. Not just me either, Thomas on Autogefhul has said same about 3 more than once.

[TupperBMW]

Many of you have now commented on how great of a highway cruiser this is. Interestingly, I haven't yet done a long highway drive with this thing yet. I'm looking forward to it.

Only other issue with this car is how easily you can bump the front when parking. Today I ran into a snowbank while parking. That front splitter really is vulnerable. Gotta be careful

[Accentu8]

Originally Posted by TupperBMW

Many of you have now commented on how great of a highway cruiser this is. Interestingly, I haven't yet done a long highway drive with this thing yet. I'm looking forward to it.

Only other issue with this car is how easily you can bump the front when parking. Today I ran into a snowbank while parking. That front splitter really is vulnerable. Gotta be careful

ABI- Although I use 360 view too.

[fmzip]

Originally Posted by TupperBMW

Many of you have now commented on how great of a highway cruiser this is. Interestingly, I haven't yet done a long highway drive with this thing yet. I'm looking forward to it.

Only other issue with this car is how easily you can bump the front when parking. Today I ran into a snowbank while parking. That front splitter really is vulnerable. Gotta be careful

Totally agree, I back into every space

[ArcticWhite]

200 cell cats and an aftermarket exhaust is a must do on the 8 if you like engine music. My gas mileage has dropped significantly since doing that, as the sound from this V8 under load is borderline exotic. I've been really happy with the Fi exhaust I put on.
Like you, I do prefer the sportier feel of the 3 series we have. And I do not think the 8 brings enough to the table to justify the price difference. But the looks, sound and comfort means I would do it all again.

[TupperBMW]

Originally Posted by ArcticWhite

200 cell cats and an aftermarket exhaust is a must do on the 8 if you like engine music. My gas mileage has dropped significantly since doing that, as the sound from this V8 under load is borderline exotic. I've been really happy with the Fi exhaust I put on.
Like you, I do prefer the sportier feel of the 3 series we have. And I do not think the 8 brings enough to the table to justify the price difference. But the looks, sound and comfort means I would do it all again.

Apologies if you went into this before, but I've been looking at that very exhaust, sans the 200 cell cats.

But I've done 200 cell cats before on a car, my only concern is getting a CEL. How has your experience with that been?

[Rob_G77]

Originally Posted by TupperBMW

Many of you have now commented on how great of a highway cruiser this is. Interestingly, I haven't yet done a long highway drive with this thing yet. I'm looking forward to it.

Only other issue with this car is how easily you can bump the front when parking. Today I ran into a snowbank while parking. That front splitter really is vulnerable. Gotta be careful

Use your parking cameras, even when pulling in to a spot so you can avoid that.

The only thing I would say I wish was better on the 8 series is the seating comfort. They are a little better than the seats in my X6 were though. It's those stiff side bolsters on the bottom cushions.... I always have issues with my left thigh getting uncomfortable after a while.

I sat in an I7 today and it has absolutely super comfortable seats! I didn't want to get out of the car I was so comfortable. The 32 speaker B&W was really good too! A big car though!

[ArcticWhite]

No CEL from the cats. The Fi exhaust has great sound, it is just a little low on volume for my liking without the cats.

[shawntech]

I'll mirror your thoughts. Loved my m340 for almost 4yrs, but never used the rear seats and liked the noise from my redeye hellcat charger more. 850 vert seems to bridge the gap and works in the same dd capacity the 340 did for me.

[bloozemanAZ]

Originally Posted by TupperBMW

Many of you have now commented on how great of a highway cruiser this is. Interestingly, I haven't yet done a long highway drive with this thing yet. I'm looking forward to it.

Only other issue with this car is how easily you can bump the front when parking. Today I ran into a snowbank while parking. That front splitter really is vulnerable. Gotta be careful

Yep and it will bottom out hitting the front splitter in drain culverts on the road (that also act as a reverse speed bump). Took some time for me to get used to the ones in my area with some more ove an aggressive dip then others.

As others pointed out, PDC and 3D view are your friend. Sometimes it's hit or miss for PDC and the cameras to always imengage but just press the parking button and they light up. As you approach something in the front the 3D will switch to an overhead view and there is a black box projected to help avoid the bumper/splitter. It's a little aggressive, i.e., extra space so you can still inch up a little but best not to especially for parking bumpers.

[gnr4all]

Hey tupperbmw, thanks for the write-up. I'm also coming out of an M340 and I'm considering a 2020 M850 coupe. I wanted to know after a few months how you feel about the m850. Do you like it better than the M340. Also, what's your gas mileage like on the m850. I ride the m340 hard all highways and average around 17mpg. I'm wondering what that will equate to riding the m850 hard on the highway. One more thing, I heard the car runs through tires really quickly. What's your experience with that?

Originally Posted by TupperBMW

Well, I figured I would review this car against my prior car (M340i), which I also adored.

Where I prefer the M850:

The V8 engine. Sorry B58, I love ya, really do. But this V8 is so smooth and powerful. I mean, I just love driving this thing. I know that prior generations had their issues, but the current N63 is among the great V8's in existence right now and I think that automotive history will review it in a positive light.

Looks. The GC is gorgeous. Looks exactly like a GT, and a car for a professional/executive who is going places. But it doesn't stop there--after all, a 7 series has that. The car is just beautiful. It is a bit rarer. It's a work of art, IMO

Interior build quality. Definitely a more luxurious interior than the 3 series was. But that's expected given the higher price.

Ride quality: A much softer and gentler ride than my 3 series had, where you felt every bump on the road. However, on my current car I have the Extreme contact Conti all seasons, while on the M340i I had the runflat Pirelli's, and that certainly could be contributing to the difference.

Where they are equal:

Infotainment/tech. Pretty much the same for both cars I've had. My 3 series didn't have the auto-cruise-self-driving thingy that my 8 series has (and which I haven't yet used), nor did my 3 series have gesture control (oh no! what to do without that?). But besides that, the Apple carplay, infotainment, tech, etc is pretty much identical across the BMW lineup, it seems.

Where the M340i excels:

One thing I miss about the 3 series as that there seems to be a more thriving aftermarket scene for these cars than the 8 series, and it's more affordable. I loved how easily I could get a nonvalved, mufflerless exhaust for that car. I didn't do any other mods but I know that there is a lot that can be, and has been, done by many enthusiasts with that car.

Handling. The M850i handles remarkably well for its size, but it still isn't as nimble as the 3 series. The 3 series just darts around every little curve and, for it not being a proper sports car, was still really fun to drive.

Overall verdict: I'm glad I got the 8 series. It was a huge upgrade. However, this car is not that thrilling for me. It's a sports sedan or a GT or a German muscle car or whatever you want to call it, but it doesn't seem to have the same edginess that my M340i did, and I admit that I can attribute a lot of that to the exhaust that I had on that car. It needs to sound just a tad bit more aggressive. But I am still very happy with it.

Thanks for reading

[Dasky_spas]

Originally Posted by TupperBMW

Well, I figured I would review this car against my prior car (M340i), which I also adored.

Where I prefer the M850:

The V8 engine. Sorry B58, I love ya, really do. But this V8 is so smooth and powerful. I mean, I just love driving this thing. I know that prior generations had their issues, but the current N63 is among the great V8's in existence right now and I think that automotive history will review it in a positive light.

Looks. The GC is gorgeous. Looks exactly like a GT, and a car for a professional/executive who is going places. But it doesn't stop there--after all, a 7 series has that. The car is just beautiful. It is a bit rarer. It's a work of art, IMO

Interior build quality. Definitely a more luxurious interior than the 3 series was. But that's expected given the higher price.

Ride quality: A much softer and gentler ride than my 3 series had, where you felt every bump on the road. However, on my current car I have the Extreme contact Conti all seasons, while on the M340i I had the runflat Pirelli's, and that certainly could be contributing to the difference.

Where they are equal:

Infotainment/tech. Pretty much the same for both cars I've had. My 3 series didn't have the auto-cruise-self-driving thingy that my 8 series has (and which I haven't yet used), nor did my 3 series have gesture control (oh no! what to do without that?). But besides that, the Apple carplay, infotainment, tech, etc is pretty much identical across the BMW lineup, it seems.

Where the M340i excels:

One thing I miss about the 3 series as that there seems to be a more thriving aftermarket scene for these cars than the 8 series, and it's more affordable. I loved how easily I could get a nonvalved, mufflerless exhaust for that car. I didn't do any other mods but I know that there is a lot that can be, and has been, done by many enthusiasts with that car.

Handling. The M850i handles remarkably well for its size, but it still isn't as nimble as the 3 series. The 3 series just darts around every little curve and, for it not being a proper sports car, was still really fun to drive.

Overall verdict: I'm glad I got the 8 series. It was a huge upgrade. However, this car is not that thrilling for me. It's a sports sedan or a GT or a German muscle car or whatever you want to call it, but it doesn't seem to have the same edginess that my M340i did, and I admit that I can attribute a lot of that to the exhaust that I had on that car. It needs to sound just a tad bit more aggressive. But I am still very happy with it.

Thanks for reading

Put some wider wheels and tires on and it becomes much more stable. Go as wide as you can. I'll do custom wheels next year , 295 front and 305 rear.

You could do the KW V3 as well to get the handling sharper.

[Rob_G77]

Originally Posted by gnr4all

Hey tupperbmw, thanks for the write-up. I'm also coming out of an M340 and I'm considering a 2020 M850 coupe. I wanted to know after a few months how you feel about the m850. Do you like it better than the M340. Also, what's your gas mileage like on the m850. I ride the m340 hard all highways and average around 17mpg. I'm wondering what that will equate to riding the m850 hard on the highway. One more thing, I heard the car runs through tires really quickly. What's your experience with that?

I'm not tupperbmw, but my M850i convertible gets pretty good gas mileage so I have no complaints there. I don't run my car hard though.

Rob