2024 BMW M8 Gran Coupe Review: The Bucking BMW Bronco

The BMW M8 Gran Coupe is a more practical version of the beloved M8 Coupe, with an extra pair of doors and a little more passenger room in the back. It remains a high-performance luxury beast, though, courtesy of a 617-horsepower twin-turbo V8 and enhanced handling characteristics over the regular 8 Series. As such, it competes with similarly focused rivals like the Audi RS7 and Mercedes-AMG GT 63. Though all-wheel drive is standard, it has the ability to perform as a rear-wheel-drive sports car. However, this extreme focus on speed and fun comes at a cost to comfort that some premium-segment shoppers might take umbrage with. Nevertheless, the 2024 M8 Gran Coupe ticks all the right boxes for any BMW fan, and the new illuminated grille makes it even more intimidating for the brief few seconds it is in your review mirror before it shoots past you.

What's the Price of the 2024 BMW M8 Gran Coupe?

The starting MSRP of the new 2024 BMW M8 Gran Coupe is not a price many can afford to pay, at $138,800 before options. Luckily, most of the essentials are included, but if you intend to spend a lot of time at the track, the $2,500 M Driver's package, and $8,500 carbon ceramic brakes, along with other desirable enhancements, can push the cost up considerably. Also, keep in mind that the indicated base figure does not include the $995 destination fee, the $1,000 gas-guzzler tax, or any other administrative charges or markups.

2024 BMW M8 Gran Coupe Handling and Driving Impressions

No review of the BMW M8 Gran Coupe would be complete without an extensive test drive to see how this gorgeous performance sedan feels on the road, and we have to say there is very little to complain about. Sure, it's a large and heavy car, but it has so much raw power and refined handling that it feels light on its feet. Sliding into a corner at high speed is not something you'd normally consider in such a hefty car, but that roaring V8 paired with a grippy all-wheel-drive system gives you the confidence to do just that and lets you rocket out the other side with a grin on your face. It would be nice if the steering had a bit more feel to it though.

The standard brakes aren't as responsive as we'd like, either. It can be difficult to modulate them properly, which further hurts the overall sporting nature of the vehicle. Of course, we have to mention ride comfort, especially since the M8 Gran Coupe is classified as a luxury executive sports car. It is a bit of a sore point, considering even Audi's RS7 gives a smoother experience, and the Mercedes GT63 beats them both. That's hardly surprising, though, as BMW has always focused more on the fun factor, but the fact that every competitor gives a more balanced overall experience is disappointing.

Verdict: Is The 2024 BMW M8 Gran Coupe A Good car?

There is no denying that the 2024 BMW M8 Gran Coupe is a gorgeous and blisteringly quick car, but that isn't enough to make it feel special. No car at this price point should feel so unrefined on the road, even if the focus is on performance. What's worse, even cheaper competition like the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing is almost as fast while being more balanced in terms of ride comfort and practicality. Sure, you'd have to sacrifice some luxury and the prestigious logo, but you can even get a better package from the likes of Audi or Mercedes-Benz. There is a lack of cohesion in the BMW, with the suspension, steering, and brakes all feeling slightly out of sync with one another. If you want a BMW that is quick and not much else, consider a regular coupe, but as a model that tries to be a bit more practical and liveable on a daily basis, the M8 Gran Coupe just doesn't cut it.

What 2024 BMW M8 Gran Coupe Model Should I Buy?

There is only a single trim in the M8 Gran Coupe range, and it's a very expensive one. The Competition starts things off at $138,800, and while it comes with plenty of standard tech, many enthusiasts will want to option some of the missing performance pieces, like carbon-ceramic brakes or improved handling packages. Meanwhile, those who want to use the car as a daily driver will feel compelled to add the Driver Assistance Package or upgrade to the interior to something other than plain old black or white. All of this pushes up an already punishing price tag. You could technically get cars that rival the BMW in the USA at a fraction of the price, so it is hard to recommend even the base model.