[snareman]

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I've posted some pics and thoughts elsewhere, but thought I'd make an official thread. I've had my Santorini Blue M8 Coupe for almost 2 weeks and have the break in service scheduled for next week.

Initial random impressions...
-- The car is gorgeous and overall I'm in love with it.

-- Santorini Blue is gorgeous. It's a shade lighter than the Enzian Blue M4 I had and I think I like it better a little bit lighter.

-- I love the black/midrand seat combo. I'm still on the fence about the alcantara dash that it came with and think I would have preferred full actual leather. I know they put alcantara on high end cars, but I think I still prefer the look and feel of the leather. At least they didn't put the alcantara on the steering wheel.

--I won the tire lottery and for the Michelin PS4s instead of the P Zeros.

-- I've only pushed the car a few times since I'm still in the break in period, but the power seems to be endless. [Edit: I'm now past the break in service and indeed the power is endless.]

-- I understand what some here have said about how it drives a little larger compared to the M4. You can feel its size, but the suspension is so stiff (in a sporty way) and the engine so powerful that it's still super fun to drive.

-- The B&W wasn't available when I ordered so I'm stuck with the HK. I do think that it sounds better in my 8 than it did in my X3, perhaps because of the smaller cabin size? I am currently replacing the speakers with the Bavsound which I did think gave a significant upgrade in my X3.

-- For being such a large car the storage space is horrible. Compared to my smaller prior F82 and G82 M4s the 8 somehow has less storage. The cabin is oddly 10 cu ft smaller in the M8 compared to the M4. The cup holders are farther forward under the dash such that my 30oz Yeti has to sit at an angle in them. The door slots are much thinner. I'm only 5'7" but the space behind the driver's seat where I put my work messenger bag is significantly less to where the bag almost gets smashed. The back seat is most definitely not made for people. The truck needs a netted area on both sides and there is no under floor storage.

-- Small things - I love that the steering wheel goes up/down when you turn the car off/on. The 4's had manual steering wheels so this is a cool little feature. I didn't realize I was getting heated AND cooled seats. I hit the seat heater button and was greeted by the cooling option, a nice surprise.

Anyway, on with the pics and video. Here's the video from my Performance Center Delivery. Following this we drove to Atlanta for a Porsche driving experience at the Porsche Experience Center - PECATL. It was interesting comparing the 2 facilities and experiences.

The pics are a combo of my friend's Canon R5 & R6 and my Pixel 7 Pro. Video was a combo of the GoPro Here 10 and 11, DJI Pocket 2 and Pixel 7 Pro. Thanks to Daytona_John for the assistance and coming along.

[snowbimmer]

That is one fine looking automobile. A hearty congrats. All the waiting anguish and annoying hassles while seeking info on your delivery will soon fade away as you blast around the countryside (er, next year, when you get it back out of storage.)

The sunset picture is just killer.

[Beemer5to3]

Absolutely stunning that mate - enjoy the new car!!

[hersh67]

🔥embrace in good health

[Vic55]

Front Page here we come!!!

This color is so brilliant on the F92 Chassis....

I only have one word:

[BMWGUYinCO]

Stunning! I've followed your posts from order to the looooooong wait, really happy for you that not only is the car worth waiting for, but you also took advantage of the PCD. I especially like the way the red brake calipers pop with that exterior color - well done!

One last note: Mad props for "representing" the M crowd outside the Porsche performance center!

[snareman]

Originally Posted by BMWGUYinCO

Stunning! I've followed your posts from order to the looooooong wait, really happy for you that not only is the car worth waiting for, but you also took advantage of the PCD. I especially like the way the red brake calipers pop with that exterior color - well done!

One last note: Mad props for "representing" the M crowd outside the Porsche performance center!

I was in there walking around with that shirt on and the guy in the gift shop jokingly said something along the lines of, you've got some nerve walking around here with that shirt on. Lol

[hinckley]

Love your car, my friend. I've been meaning to mention the fact that, like me, you opted for the traditional badges. I know that the 50-Jahre badges are new and "special", but they just don't look good imo (except, maybe on white cars). I think it's a difficult but good decision on your part.

[jargon]

Gorgeous choices on exterior paint and interior as a combo!

Good Luck and Congrats!

[snareman]

Originally Posted by hinckley

Love your car, my friend. I've been meaning to mention the fact that, like me, you opted for the traditional badges. I know that the 50-Jahre badges are new and "special", but they just don't look good imo (except, maybe on white cars). I think it's a difficult but good decision on your part.

I agree. The 50th anniversary can look nice but I prefer the traditional appearance.

[nynd]

Congrats and great vid.

[fmzip]

Congrats man, absolutely stunning ride!

[germanroots]

Congrats snareman! Looks beautiful. Would love some interior pics…I love the two tone with black and Midrand, would like to see more angles if possible.

[elitex]

Congratulations! I really like the color combo. Looks amazing.

[snareman]

Originally Posted by germanroots

Congrats snareman! Looks beautiful. Would love some interior pics…I love the two tone with black and Midrand, would like to see more angles if possible.

Thanks! Here's 2 more.

[Mani59]

Stunning colour choice! Congratulations and enjoy!

Thanks for sharing.

[bloozemanAZ]

Congrats and absolutely gorgeous! Enjoy the drive.

[TheGreatM8]

Congrats!! Car looks awesome!
Also, what an excellent vide/docu. I watched it with enthusiasm and the whole thing, (which says a lot for me; watching some one else's car experience). You pulled that off great!

What a way to document your experience and let others know what they get with the optional package.

Well done Sir, well done ~ (from a fellow transplanted Ohioian)....

[snareman]

Originally Posted by TheGreatM8

Congrats!! Car looks awesome!
Also, what an excellent vide/docu. I watched it with enthusiasm and the whole thing, (which says a lot for me; watching some one else's car experience). You pulled that off great!

What a way to document your experience and let others know what they get with the optional package.

Well done Sir, well done ~ (from a fellow transplanted Ohioian)....

Thanks! And glad you enjoyed the vid. It was fun to make. And wow, you went a little ways from Ohio eh?

[TheGreatM8]

Originally Posted by snareman

Thanks! And glad you enjoyed the vid. It was fun to make. And wow, you went a little ways from Ohio eh?

Originally Posted by snareman

Thanks! And glad you enjoyed the vid. It was fun to make. And wow, you went a little ways from Ohio eh?

Haha. Ya, but after 16 years of living here in Hawaii. We are moving back. But to South Carolina. Maybe our paths will cross someday!

[snareman]

Originally Posted by TheGreatM8

Haha. Ya, but after 16 years of living here in Hawaii. We are moving back. But to South Carolina. Maybe our paths will cross someday!

Sounds like the perfect opportunity for a performance center delivery.

How did you like Hawaii compared to over here? And how does that work shipping all your stuff from Hawaii to South Carolina? You have to put your cars on some boats? Sounds complicated and expensive.

[M8Bimmer]

I can't understand why BMW would put alcantara on the top of the door panels. It looks great but as a guy who always has his left arm on the top part it would be ruined very quickly. I'm glad my door panels are all leather.
Personally i'm not a fan of all the leather that disappeared and alcantara replaced it. As we have all agreed basically it sucks on a steering wheel in the long term.
I hope your not like me Snareman. if you don't hang your arm on that door panel like me you should be ok.

Edit: Even for rain hitting the door top it might not like that. I have no idea what alcantara does with water on it. Can it be treated to repel rain. I get rain on my door panel or at drive thru while it raining out.
I remember Jerry Seinfeld's gorgeous suede jacket after the snow hit it on that episode. Ruined! I'd look for some protectant it that was my car.