M8 AND 8 SERIES
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
BMW M8 Forum and 8 Series Forum BMW M8 and 8-Series General Discussion 840i... Which is more fun to drive?

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      09-14-2020, 08:06 PM   #1
B///MW
Lance Bombardier
B///MW's Avatar
United_States
56
Rep
172
Posts

Drives: It varies
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Santa Fe, NM

iTrader: (0)

840i... Which is more fun to drive?

BIMMERPOST
     Featured on BIMMERPOST.com
I’m looking to order an 840i. Which would be more fun to drive:

840i xDrive
Or
840i RWD w/rear wheel steering

?
__________________
2021 840i Coupe, Alpine White, Cognac Leather (Scheduled for Production)
2020 X6 40i Alpine White, Coffee Leather
2017 Golf TSI, Pure White, Beige Leatherette, Wolfsburg Edition, Manual.
Appreciate 0
      09-14-2020, 09:01 PM   #2
B///MW
Lance Bombardier
B///MW's Avatar
United_States
56
Rep
172
Posts

Drives: It varies
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Santa Fe, NM

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by RJC-1 View Post
It depends does more fun = more power/much faster, or a lighter car with better handling characteristics/easier drifting via RWD?
lighter car with better handling characteristics/easier drifting via RWD is more appealing to me than the power aspect. Any thoughts on the rear wheel steering?
Appreciate 0
      09-14-2020, 10:19 PM   #3
bloozemanAZ
Brigadier General
bloozemanAZ's Avatar
4197
Rep
4,292
Posts

Drives: 2020 M850i Coupe
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Arizona

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by B///MW View Post
lighter car with better handling characteristics/easier drifting via RWD is more appealing to me than the power aspect. Any thoughts on the rear wheel steering?
I'm not sure that the heavy weight of the 8-series can be considered as a contender from a drifting POV unless one is looking to melt the rear tires on a M8/M8C. That said I'd take the active rear steering on my 2020 M850i coupe any day of the week for real world driving value. That assumes that the 840i Xdrive includes it as well.

Case-in-point is my neighborhood streets have numerous "roundabout" speed enforcement areas vs the typical speed bumps. In my outgoing Lexus performance sedan with RWD I used to take them at ease at 30 MPH vs their design goal of 15 MPH. Now that I'm accustomed to the extra length of the M850i coupe with the active rear wheel steering I'm pushing 40 MPH when I feel like having some fun.
Appreciate 0
      09-14-2020, 10:23 PM   #4
RJC-1
Lieutenant Colonel
RJC-1's Avatar
United_States
1280
Rep
1,640
Posts

Drives: 2019 BMW M850XI
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: Florida

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by B///MW View Post
lighter car with better handling characteristics/easier drifting via RWD is more appealing to me than the power aspect. Any thoughts on the rear wheel steering?
It helps for sure but nothing delivers the feel of RWD imho...
__________________
2019 M850i xDrive Coupe (06/19 Production)
Mineral White/Black, HP Cooling/Tire/M-Technology Pkg/Extended Shadow/Etc., Anthracite Headliner, Carbon Roof, DAx2, Display Key, Various Accs'.

Topic permitting, I try to be objective as possible
Appreciate 0
      09-15-2020, 11:21 AM   #5
WoodlandsM8
New Member
20
Rep
15
Posts

Drives: BMW M8
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Woodlands, TX

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by B///MW View Post
I’m looking to order an 840i. Which would be more fun to drive:

840i xDrive
Or
840i RWD w/rear wheel steering

?
Neither. Will feel underpowered
Appreciate 1
BMWGirlFL6232.50
      09-15-2020, 02:48 PM   #6
FBMWWINS
Captain
FBMWWINS's Avatar
604
Rep
909
Posts

Drives: M8C Coupé & M240i Coupé
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Europe

iTrader: (0)

While the RWD may be more "fun" to drive and allow for more in that respect, the decisive question for me would be "where I live, does it get cold and icy and do I use the car during a harsh winter regardless as a daily driver"? If the answer is a clear yes, then there is no way around XDrive for me at least. In the cold and in the wet the XDrive will always transmit that extra feeling of safety which does not harm when you are moving around with that much power. If the 840 Xdrive has active rear steering too, that would be for me another valid reason to go this path.
Appreciate 0
      09-15-2020, 03:12 PM   #7
stein_325i
Ring Leader of G8X Haters
stein_325i's Avatar
No_Country
25051
Rep
8,761
Posts

Drives: A Car
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: All-Around

iTrader: (0)

I would say RWD purely because its lighter, however if you mainly want a fun car, something smaller and lighter would do you better justice, 8er is more of a comfy GT.
__________________
Current Garage: 2022 Mercedes-Benz S 580 / 2023 Genesis GV70 2.5T / 2007 Mercedes-Benz E 350 / 1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata
Retired: '95 E36 325i 5MT / '04 E46 330i 6MT / '05 E83 X3 3.0i / '11 E90 335xi / '17 G30 540i / '19 F87 M2C 6MT / '19 MB CLS 53 / '20 MB GLC 300
Appreciate 1
LSM1118.00
      09-15-2020, 03:25 PM   #8
snowbimmer
Lieutenant Colonel
snowbimmer's Avatar
United_States
5001
Rep
1,738
Posts

Drives: 2022 M850 GC - Carbon Black
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: PDX

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2022 M850 GC  [10.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by bloozemanAZ View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by B///MW View Post
lighter car with better handling characteristics/easier drifting via RWD is more appealing to me than the power aspect. Any thoughts on the rear wheel steering?
I'm not sure that the heavy weight of the 8-series can be considered as a contender from a drifting POV unless one is looking to melt the rear tires on a M8/M8C. That said I'd take the active rear steering on my 2020 M850i coupe any day of the week for real world driving value. That assumes that the 840i Xdrive includes it as well.

Case-in-point is my neighborhood streets have numerous "roundabout" speed enforcement areas vs the typical speed bumps. In my outgoing Lexus performance sedan with RWD I used to take them at ease at 30 MPH vs their design goal of 15 MPH. Now that I'm accustomed to the extra length of the M850i coupe with the active rear wheel steering I'm pushing 40 MPH when I feel like having some fun.
Hahahahaha......

As a side note, that reminds me of a time when we were visiting one of my wife's friends, who drove a suburu and lived on a fairly busy two lane arterial. She pestered the city to install speed bumps and was finally successful. She was so proud, the next time we saw them. I said, "You know, Sarah, it just means I now have to go at least twice as fast between them I order to maintain my average speed, don't you?"

We've never been invited back.
Appreciate 0
      09-15-2020, 04:14 PM   #9
Ozzie8
Captain
Ozzie8's Avatar
Australia
641
Rep
628
Posts

Drives: 2019 BMW m850i Coupe
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Sydney

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
The all wheel steering is a first for me and I think its fantastic. For city driving, navigating roundabouts, sharp corners, congested streets and my steep driveway its excellent. On the open road I don't find it as "obvious" but the car is just one hell of a highway cruiser.
Appreciate 0
      09-16-2020, 07:51 PM   #10
B///MW
Lance Bombardier
B///MW's Avatar
United_States
56
Rep
172
Posts

Drives: It varies
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Santa Fe, NM

iTrader: (0)

I just ordered the 840i RWD w/rear wheel steering. Thanks, all, for your help. Alpine white with cognac. They're gonna build it. I have a '20 X6 for winter driving.
__________________
2021 840i Coupe, Alpine White, Cognac Leather (Scheduled for Production)
2020 X6 40i Alpine White, Coffee Leather
2017 Golf TSI, Pure White, Beige Leatherette, Wolfsburg Edition, Manual.
Appreciate 1
FBMWWINS603.50
      09-17-2020, 10:24 PM   #11
Ozzie8
Captain
Ozzie8's Avatar
Australia
641
Rep
628
Posts

Drives: 2019 BMW m850i Coupe
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Sydney

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Congratulations - great choice. Post photos when you have your beauty.
Appreciate 0
      09-19-2020, 03:38 PM   #12
TheStanman
Private First Class
315
Rep
182
Posts

Drives: 992 C2S
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: United States

iTrader: (0)

Awesome congrats. I'm intrigued by the RWD 6 cylinder and you really don't read much about it. I wonder how much weight it saves vs an M850?
Appreciate 0
      09-19-2020, 05:34 PM   #13
B///MW
Lance Bombardier
B///MW's Avatar
United_States
56
Rep
172
Posts

Drives: It varies
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Santa Fe, NM

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by TheStanman View Post
Awesome congrats. I'm intrigued by the RWD 6 cylinder and you really don't read much about it. I wonder how much weight it saves vs an M850?
840i 3933 #s
840xi 4081 #s
M850i 4478 #s

The M850i is 545 lbs. heavier than the 840i RWD according to the web site spec sheets.
__________________
2021 840i Coupe, Alpine White, Cognac Leather (Scheduled for Production)
2020 X6 40i Alpine White, Coffee Leather
2017 Golf TSI, Pure White, Beige Leatherette, Wolfsburg Edition, Manual.
Appreciate 0
      09-19-2020, 06:35 PM   #14
BMWGirlFL
Colonel
BMWGirlFL's Avatar
6233
Rep
2,344
Posts

Drives: Z4 M40i
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: South Florida

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
840i 3933 #s B58C 335 hp 368@1600 4.7 0-60
840xi 4081 #s B58C 335 hp 368@1600 4.4 0-60
M850i 4478 #s N63B 523 hp 553@1800 3.5 0-60
Z4 3457 B58D 382 hp 368@1800 3.9 0-60
Appreciate 0
      09-19-2020, 10:27 PM   #15
bloozemanAZ
Brigadier General
bloozemanAZ's Avatar
4197
Rep
4,292
Posts

Drives: 2020 M850i Coupe
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Arizona

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by B///MW View Post
840i 3933 #s
840xi 4081 #s
M850i 4478 #s

The M850i is 545 lbs. heavier than the 840i RWD according to the web site spec sheets.
Yes, the M850i is the heavy weight out of the group but at the end of the day it is significantly faster and better performing across the board.
Appreciate 2
BMWGirlFL6232.50
LSM1118.00
      09-19-2020, 10:36 PM   #16
bloozemanAZ
Brigadier General
bloozemanAZ's Avatar
4197
Rep
4,292
Posts

Drives: 2020 M850i Coupe
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Arizona

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by BMWGirlFL View Post
840i 3933 #s B58C 335 hp 368@1600 4.7 0-60
840xi 4081 #s B58C 335 hp 368@1600 4.4 0-60
M850i 4478 #s N63B 523 hp 553@1800 3.5 0-60
Z4 3457 B58D 382 hp 368@1800 3.9 0-60
Those are stock numbers and in the real world a M850i via launch control can beat that as can the Z4. Ambient temperature comes into play given a turbo charged vs super charged solution. However, even at 110 in the Phoenix summer months I still make the stock specs with a few 3.6's. In comparison though during January/February when the daytime highs were in the 60's I hit 3.3 on nearly every launch.
Appreciate 0
      09-19-2020, 10:49 PM   #17
Wolfman64
Captain
Wolfman64's Avatar
812
Rep
810
Posts

Drives: M8C Coupe,E63s ED1,AMG GTC
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Upper Midwest

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Due to the AC issue we had the chance to drive all 840 iterations as loaners.
The 840’s felt snappy but a bit anemic. Compliant but generic. This was emphasized by the fake engine noise. Sorry to say...
The 850’s have the punch to move that chassis. Fun factor goes to that car.
Appreciate 2
BMWGirlFL6232.50
LSM1118.00
      09-20-2020, 12:05 AM   #18
BMWGirlFL
Colonel
BMWGirlFL's Avatar
6233
Rep
2,344
Posts

Drives: Z4 M40i
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: South Florida

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by bloozemanAZ View Post
Those are stock numbers and in the real world a M850i via launch control can beat that as can the Z4. Ambient temperature comes into play given a turbo charged vs super charged solution. However, even at 110 in the Phoenix summer months I still make the stock specs with a few 3.6's. In comparison though during January/February when the daytime highs were in the 60's I hit 3.3 on nearly every launch.
M850i performance gain is huge for a relative small upcharge. M8 sexy with another relatively small bump. Big car, small engine - not for me. Small car, great small engine, huge price drop - very content so far.
Appreciate 2
FBMWWINS603.50
LSM1118.00
      09-20-2020, 12:52 AM   #19
FBMWWINS
Captain
FBMWWINS's Avatar
604
Rep
909
Posts

Drives: M8C Coupé & M240i Coupé
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Europe

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by bloozemanAZ View Post
Those are stock numbers and in the real world a M850i via launch control can beat that as can the Z4. Ambient temperature comes into play given a turbo charged vs super charged solution. However, even at 110 in the Phoenix summer months I still make the stock specs with a few 3.6's. In comparison though during January/February when the daytime highs were in the 60's I hit 3.3 on nearly every launch.
Those are superb numbers I would say especially if your car is stock. Yes according to many reviewers and especially tuning companies the car does stock better than from factory actually declared. A couple of German tuners said for example that when dynoed before applying the tune, many M850ies showed their power to lie between 560 and 570 HP compared to the 530 stock-delared and also a few more torque than originally specified (maxing at around 765-770 NM vx standard 750 NM). Most of all with such a solid basis, it is easy to imagine the potential of this engine. Thus 0-100 km/h is mostly done in 3.5-3.6 sec vs. the 3.7 factory specified.
Appreciate 0
      09-20-2020, 06:24 PM   #20
TheStanman
Private First Class
315
Rep
182
Posts

Drives: 992 C2S
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: United States

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by B///MW View Post
840i 3933 #s
840xi 4081 #s
M850i 4478 #s

The M850i is 545 lbs. heavier than the 840i RWD according to the web site spec sheets.
Wow - that's even more than I expected. I'd imagine 840i feels noticeably better in the turns. With a tune and exhaust that's a pretty appealing option. Or better yet, swap in an S58
Appreciate 0
      09-20-2020, 08:21 PM   #21
bloozemanAZ
Brigadier General
bloozemanAZ's Avatar
4197
Rep
4,292
Posts

Drives: 2020 M850i Coupe
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Arizona

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by BMWGirlFL View Post
M850i performance gain is huge for a relative small upcharge. M8 sexy with another relatively small bump. Big car, small engine - not for me. Small car, great small engine, huge price drop - very content so far.
Enjoy that Z4.

Quote:
Originally Posted by FBMWWINS View Post
Those are superb numbers I would say especially if your car is stock. Yes according to many reviewers and especially tuning companies the car does stock better than from factory actually declared. A couple of German tuners said for example that when dynoed before applying the tune, many M850ies showed their power to lie between 560 and 570 HP compared to the 530 stock-delared and also a few more torque than originally specified (maxing at around 765-770 NM vx standard 750 NM). Most of all with such a solid basis, it is easy to imagine the potential of this engine. Thus 0-100 km/h is mostly done in 3.5-3.6 sec vs. the 3.7 factory specified.
Yes, it is completely stock. If I buy out the lease when it's up I'll start down the mod pathway for more HP/torque, plus springs and exhaust.
Appreciate 1
BMWGirlFL6232.50
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:12 AM.




m8
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST