[SLF80]

I just checked the M6 sub... so much hate towards the 8 and M8

The E31 didn't sell well either back then (25 years ago already!).

BMW
Sales Figures

2018
December 223

2019
January 99
February 138
March 364
April 275
May 321
June 325
July 228
August 271
September 374
October 421



BMW
8-series
2018 223
2017 0
2016 0
2015 0
2014 0
2013 0
2012 0
2011 0
2010 0
2009 0
2008 0
2007 0
2006 0
2005 0
2004 0
2003 0
2002 0
2001 0
2000 0
1999 0
1998 17
1997 616
1996 525
1995 942
1994 1.063
1993 715
1992 896
1991 1.711
1990 303
1989 0

Main competitor was:

Mercedes-Benz
SL
2018 2.126
2017 2.940
2016 3.722
2015 4.060
2014 5.030
2013 7.007
2012 4.899
2011 1.449
2010 2.385
2009 4.025
2008 5.464
2007 6.126
2006 8.462
2005 10.080
2004 12.885
2003 13.318
2002 13.717
2001 4.217
2000 5.409
1999 7.853
1998 7.809
1997 8.025
1996 6.856
1995 6.964
1994 5.919
1993 4.787
1992 4.861
1991 7.481
1990 9.619
1989 7.440
1988 11.943
1987 11.965
1986 12.565
1985 10.604
1984 15.720
1983 11.965
1982 9.238



But now, I don't understand why the 8 isn't selling.
Perhaps they should have produced it with this design?

[Art__Vandelay]

The lack of rear seat passenger space is the reason why the 8er Coupe isn't on my list. It does look nice overall, but there is no point for me to drive such a big car, which still only has space for 2 adults. Then I can as well buy a 911, which also has only space for 2 persons, but the advantages of a more compact car. I think BMW missed an opportunity here.

I know, there is the Gran Coupe now, but we are discussing the numbers of the Coupe here. Apart from that, not everyone wants a (even bigger) 4-door. But I will personally take a look at it for sure, when the time comes.

[redhot47fla]

Though the official specs don't suggest this, the backseat in the M850i 'vert seems fractionally more spacious, particularly in headroom, probably because the roofline is not as sharply angled. In addition, the rear quarter-panel windows seem larger and, unlike in the coupe, they can be lowered. (FWIW, I had the M850i coupe before trading it for the M850i 'vert. Long story.)

[jjasonSU]

I will not hate on the 8.
I'm impressed with the performance #'s, that's about it.
The 8 makes the 6 look dated, but the look of it to me isn't as striking as the F13 was when it debuted.

[mjr24]

I loved my M6 GC.....but, yeah, to most.....it's a lot of money for a car that doesn't really do much more considering it costs more than the 7 series or S560. It's smaller....it's not as executive.....I am not sure who the target demographic is. This is why the 6 had an issue at the end versus the A7, CLS, etc....because why would someone pay $100k for a car that is meant to compete against a $75k A7 or $80k CLS?

I had the GC because it was a bit more rare (talking about the M6) but looking at the 8....why would I pay $118k for a 850GC instead of $10k less for a 7 series....which is just a better car.

I think the 8 looks nice.....but it doesn't look as good as the 6 GC when it came out. I just don't get the point of it.

[bdmarc]

Have to disagree with much of this thread. Previous owner of 3 650 convertibles, one after another. And I loved 'em. Since the spring, now driving an 850 convertible. It is a significant step up. Better acceleration and handling. Better interior. Quieter ride with top up. Improvement in almost every way. And it definitely turns heads.

[brad850csi]

If I had a 640i or 650i GC I think the new ones would be fine. The weight is very similar, you can still fit 4 people comfortably, the fuel tank is virtually the same size, you have an 8 speed ZF auto in all versions.

With the Coupe or Vert in the non-Ms I think the main issue is that you can't fit 4 people any more at all. Even 3 is a pinch now whereas in my F13 3 is easily accomplishable.

But as an M6 Coupe owner, my concerns are:

I lose my 80 litre fuel tank and go down to 68 litres.
The aforementioned issue with losing 1" leg room and 2" headroom in the coupe.
I lose the M-DCT and get an 8 speed ZF
I get a small increase in power but that will be offset by drivetrain losses
The M6 is already a porker at 1925kg, now I'm going to 1960kg in the Coupe with worse weight distribution (I'm guessing roughly 54-55% at the front in the M8, the M6 is 51.5%)
Because I can't fit 3 people comfortably or 4 people in a pinch I might be considering the M8 GC, but that is 2055kg and 5098mm long vs 1925kg and 4898mm long. And while there MUST be more room in the M8 GC I still only get a 68 litre tank!

[brava09]

M8/ 8 series tries to compete in another segment, with S klasse coupe. Pricing is ridiculous, an M8 comes to double the price of an M5, it's a bad joke for the same performance.
Plus the rear end of M8 lacks harmony, looks like a twisted piece of paper with all those creases.

[Art__Vandelay]

Originally Posted by brava09

M8/ 8 series tries to compete in another segment, with S klasse coupe. Pricing is ridiculous, an M8 comes to double the price of an M5, it's a bad joke for the same performance.
Plus the rear end of M8 lacks harmony, looks like a twisted piece of paper with all those creases.

The M8 costs twice as much as the M5 in your country? At least in Switzerland it costs 12% more than the M5.

[LSM]

I think the problem is the target market. I'm not sure the 8 is meant to compete against the CLS or A7. It's an AMG GT sedan / panamera competitor both of which don't sell that well.

At 150 large no chance I'm buying a M8, I'm buying a Porsche C2S/C4S all day and the Porsche is less expensive if smartly optioned

The demographic for the 8 is so slim. Ok I want a massive grand touring car with no back seat room that looks ok but not spectacular . That also handles just OK but not fantastic. It's a tweener car.

FWIW huge step up from 6 for sure. I owned M6 and 640 GC great cars that look VERY dated inside and out now

[OTJeebus]

I have had 2 M6gc, the m6 to me was superior to the f10 m5 and justifies the cost premium. I just saw a m850igc at the dealership and I liked it, I am waiting for m8gc to really make up my mind, but it will have to be spectacular to justify the premium over the fantastic f90 M5.

[stein_325i]

While not a 6-Series owner, I can say as a CLS owner, which somewhat competes with the 6GC/8GC, I'm not too sure about the 8.

I'm not as sold on the looks as I was with the 6GC when it came out. Don't get me wrong I do like the new 8GC's looks, but certain aspects like the c-pillar, kink, and some angles just don't work as well, black does look good though, but overall the 6GC was classier and has aged very well (other than the hood-line). The 8 coupe does however look better than the 6 coupe, although the vert's roofline isn't the best, and I do love the 6 vert's buttress style top.

I wasn't honestly too impressed with the 8 Coupe when I drove it, it wasn't terrible, but like others have said, for the price, one could get an AMG GT or 911 for more thrills. So, I'm not sure a longer and heavier GC will work on me either, but I haven't tested the 40 or M50 models yet. The powertrain is impressive, but the handling wasn't my favorite, and the steering was meh. So nothing really stood out other than the quick V8, even some of the interior is cheap, as the mode I drove didn't have the full merino, so the lower door panel and center console had cheap plastic like a 3er, and overall I think the interior design is pretty lacking, especially since I loved the two tone dash/design of the 6.

My CLS53 is no sports car, but, I like the handling more than the 8, the steering is good, and the car just feels agile surprisingly for its size/weight, and other than the US bumper (license plate surrounds, which euro cars don't have), I like the styling inside and out, but then again, styling is subjective. I also love the Inline-6 and electric supercharger combo it has, it's a really interesting and "rare" powertrain that no other car has, and it does an excellent job at eliminating lag by filling in boost, and provides a seamless start/stop system.

After my lease ends, I'll be sure to check out the 840/M50 GC, but right now, it doesn't really stand out for me.

[Brain_attack]

Originally Posted by joshuastein55

While not a 6-Series owner, I can say as a CLS owner, which somewhat competes with the 6GC/8GC, I'm not too sure about the 8.

I'm not as sold on the looks as I was with the 6GC when it came out. Don't get me wrong I do like the new 8GC's looks, but certain aspects like the c-pillar, kink, and some angles just don't work as well, black does look good though, but overall the 6GC was classier and has aged very well (other than the hood-line). The 8 coupe does however look better than the 6 coupe, although the vert's roofline isn't the best, and I do love the 6 vert's buttress style top.

I wasn't honestly too impressed with the 8 Coupe when I drove it, it wasn't terrible, but like others have said, for the price, one could get an AMG GT or 911 for more thrills. So, I'm not sure a longer and heavier GC will work on me either, but I haven't tested the 40 or M50 models yet. The powertrain is impressive, but the handling wasn't my favorite, and the steering was meh. So nothing really stood out other than the quick V8, even some of the interior is cheap, as the mode I drove didn't have the full merino, so the lower door panel and center console had cheap plastic like a 3er, and overall I think the interior design is pretty lacking, especially since I loved the two tone dash/design of the 6.

My CLS53 is no sports car, but, I like the handling more than the 8, the steering is good, and the car just feels agile surprisingly for its size/weight, and other than the US bumper (license plate surrounds, which euro cars don't have), I like the styling inside and out, but then again, styling is subjective. I also love the Inline-6 and electric supercharger combo it has, it's a really interesting and "rare" powertrain that no other car has, and it does an excellent job at eliminating lag by filling in boost, and provides a seamless start/stop system.

After my lease ends, I'll be sure to check out the 840/M50 GC, but right now, it doesn't really stand out for me.

Did you try driving the competition version?

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by Brain_attack

Did you try driving the competition version?

Only have driven an M850i coupe, planning on test driving an 840 and M50 GC towards the end of my lease (still got a little more than a year), but I doubt I'll go through with it based on how I felt about the coupe's driving dynamics, but I'll give it a chance, and I'll probably look at other options as well, or just get another Mercedes (maybe an E53, or something more practical).

I don't really have any desire to test drive an M8, as its not a vehicle I have much interest in and would likely never buy, but I wouldn't say no, maybe at the next M-Town Tour/BMW Event. I've driven an M5 Competition, so that's as close as I've gotten, but even still I preferred the E63S I drove before that.

The biggest problem I have with the 8GC is price. An 840 spec'd the way I'd like it is about a little over $10k than my CLS, and I think I'd probably prefer the CLS. To make matters worse, the 850GC in my spec is in the same ballpark as the AMG E63S Wagon, a car that I lust after, but have to stop myself from buying. When I go in for service, every-time I see my salesmen he tries to get me into an E wagon, even once offered an over-night test drive, and it was so tempting but I refused because I knew if I took it home, I'd end up buying it. I'm a sucker for stupid-fast, fun and practical wagons. If they made an E53 wagon in the U.S. I'd be a happy man!

[IancoleTX]

Originally Posted by OTJeebus

I have had 2 M6gc, the m6 to me was superior to the f10 m5 and justifies the cost premium. I just saw a m850igc at the dealership and I liked it, I am waiting for m8gc to really make up my mind, but it will have to be spectacular to justify the premium over the fantastic f90 M5.

Agreed, I think part of the problem is that the F90 M5 is a home-run.. and that you can fit car seats in it. Hard to argue with that!

[phoenixbmwlife]

Seems that SUVs are taking the spotlight for sales and is affecting all other type of cars. I was surprised by the sales figures myself but this seems to be the reason.

[RJC-1]

Originally Posted by Croatian test driver

The lack of rear seat passenger space is the reason why the 8er Coupe isn't on my list. It does look nice overall, but there is no point for me to drive such a big car, which still only has space for 2 adults. Then I can as well buy a 911, which also has only space for 2 persons, but the advantages of a more compact car. I think BMW missed an opportunity here.

I know, there is the Gran Coupe now, but we are discussing the numbers of the Coupe here. Apart from that, not everyone wants a (even bigger) 4-door. But I will personally take a look at it for sure, when the time comes.

The 8 coupe was meant and designed as a large gran touring car, comparing it to a 911 is a bit apples/oranges. Better comps would be the LC500 and S560

[Art__Vandelay]

Originally Posted by RJC-1

The 8 coupe was meant and designed as a large gran touring car, comparing it to a 911 is a bit apples/oranges. Better comps would be the LC500 and S560

Right, but I'm not saying it's the direct competitor of the 911. I'm saying you have a much bigger (and heavier) car than the 911 but still only space for 2 passengers, so where is the advantage of the 8er?

And then there is the Mercedes S Coupe you've mentioned. Also a large and heavy car, but you have passenger space in the rear, so the size makes sense. I don't mind the size and weight of the car if it gives you advantages on the other side.

Don't get me wrong, I like the 8er and that's why it was on my list but space for only 2 passengers isn't enough for me, while the GC is even bigger and I'm still not sure about the design (have to see it in person).

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by RJC-1

The 8 coupe was meant and designed as a large gran touring car, comparing it to a 911 is a bit apples/oranges. Better comps would be the LC500 and S560

While the 8er and 911 aren't apples to apples comparison, the problem is the prices can be very similar in the Carrera 4S and M8C which then argues the point, why for the price get an M8C. I still think that price is the 8's biggest weakness, because once you get past $100k, there's a lot of good choices, from M5/E63 all the way to S-Class Coupe or 911 or even AMG GT. The 6er also had this problem, but the 8 pushed it further.

[RJC-1]

Originally Posted by joshuastein55

While the 8er and 911 aren't apples to apples comparison, the problem is the prices can be very similar in the Carrera 4S and M8C which then argues the point, why for the price get an M8C. I still think that price is the 8's biggest weakness, because once you get past $100k, there's a lot of good choices, from M5/E63 all the way to S-Class Coupe or 911 or even AMG GT. The 6er also had this problem, but the 8 pushed it further.

I hear ya and understand your point but the two really aren't even in the same class, the 911 is more of a smaller/lighter type sports car with superb handling and speed vs a large GT meant to be very comfy heavy and essentially meant to go fast in a straight/er line. If we use price as a comp things can go all over/across the board comparing similarly priced vehicles to others. I am coming out of a 17 S550 coupe which is far pricier by about 22k+ over an 850, but the S coupe offers much more in standard features hence the higher base price for it. I for one like large Grand Touring cars and want them to be fast, comfy and solid which they pretty much all do. I have also owned countless Pcars/911's/turbo/non over the decades but have found they are too small and too low for me these days. If these magnificent GT cars don't start selling better, then they may go away all together which would be a shame...the world is becoming the land of SUV's and while they have their place, so do great GT cars. Long live the GTs!