BMW M8 Gran Coupe Competition

I recently had the opportunity to test drive BMW's M8 Gran Coupe and would like to write a review of it.

As I have written many times on my blog, I really like the manufacturer BMW. I especially love the M3 (M4),One of the three cars (Porsche 911, Mercedes Benz SL, BMW M3) that I have wanted to own at least once before I die since I was youngAnd I have a particularly strong admiration for the "M" emblem.

The car in question is the M8 Gran Coupe (Competition), the big brother of the M3 and M4.

Speaking of the current 8 Series, before,Article on the 840i test driveI wrote about the 840i in a previous issue of "The Panamera Turbo" and was so impressed with its excellent ride quality and handling that I even wanted to buy one.

The 4.4L V8 engine mounted by the M8

The M8 (Competition) is powered by a 4.4L V8 engine with a maximum output of 625ps at 6000rpm.

When the driver sits in the driver's seat and starts the engine, it starts with quite an explosive sound. The sound is quite loud, especially the heavy bass, so much so that if you are nearby you can hear the air shaking from the vibrations. To be honest, it would be unacceptable to start the engine late at night or early in the morning in a residential area. 971 Panamera Turbo with spooge is quite loud, but it is so loud that it may be even louder.

Inside, the seats and other features differ from those of the regular model, but the overall atmosphere is not so different from that of the regular 8 Series.

The responsiveness of the car can be felt by putting the gearshift in D range and placing the foot slightly on the gas pedal.The response is completely different from that of the 840i or any other normal car.One needs to be careful as it can jump out a bit vigorously if one is not used to it. I think the set-up is designed to give the driver a sense of sufficient power even at low speeds.

After a bit of jittery acceleration work in the parking lot, we get out on the road and start driving.

Ride and Handling

When you put your foot on the gas pedal very slightly to increase the speed, the car accelerates more than you can imagine.

It's so fast!"

This is clearly a speed at which the gas pedal cannot be depressed. If you step on the gas pedal with the sensation of a normal car, you will have a heck of a time.
Of course, my unfamiliarity with it is a major factor, but be careful when switching from another vehicle.

Incidentally, compared to the lighter and more powerful 992 Porsche 911 Turbo S (650 hp), the M8 seems to have more power at low speeds. The difference is due to the tuning of the accelerator; the 992 Turbo S is easier to drive anyway, and the surplus power is allocated to the weight and roominess, while the M8 seems to be aiming for 625 hp, which can be felt even at low speeds.

Incidentally, since the Panamera Turbo is in the direction of the former 911 Turbo S, you should expect it to feel quite different from the M8 at lower speeds.

The ride quality is indeed more knobbly than that of the 840i, and it is clear that it has a stiffer sports suspension.However, as is the case with recent high-performance models, the ride is rarely uncomfortable. The body firmly absorbs vibrations and shocks, and the occupants feel only noise and slight shaking.

Incidentally, the tires at that time had enough grooves but were 4 years old, so the owner replaced them with new ones after the test drive. After the test drive, the owner replaced the tires with new ones, and the car became much quieter and softer.

After all, freshness is also important for tires.

The handling is also quite rigid and precise, with a feel that puts the M to shame. There is very little slack in the steering, and it does not feel like a large sedan.It is similar to the F80/M3 that I have driven before, with the handling of the M3 being slightly more grandiose as it is.This is very similar to the relationship of the Panamera to the 911, and it is clear that the flavor is the same.

The owner had test-driven an M850i with the same V8, but decided on the M8 because the M850i felt a little nose-heavy when turning at intersections, while the M8 did not.

Incidentally, compared to the Panamera Turbo, the M8 seems to turn more easily just by turning the steering wheel, and the M8 is probably faster no matter who drives it. The Panamera Turbo has a certain amount of room for human intervention,They feel that in order to run really fast, some skill is also necessary.

Speed and stability

When I drove the 840i before, I was impressed by its stability at high speeds, especially its unusually strong resistance to ruts and undulations in the road surface, and its arrow-like straightness.

We decided to test the M8 on the same surface to see if it would feel the same way this time.

With the car in M1 mode, and even M2 mode, it heads up the winding roads and into the straight sections. The car's bodywork is not unlike that of a large sedan in the 5-meter class. In fact, it even feels nimble.

But the power is incredible.It's been a long time since I've seen a car that I couldn't accelerate so hard, maybe not since the Turbo S or GT2RS.The car is packed with such a sense of power at low and medium speeds that everyone can experience its high output.

This is exactly the kind of car that people buy in the third lane of the autobahn, when they don't want anyone to pass them.

When the driver presses the accelerator pedal more deeply in a straight line, the acceleration of 625 hp is as expected. However, because of its weight, even though it is over 600ps, the acceleration is not as fast as that of the Turbo S, but it is about the same as that of a Carrera S or GTS in the 911 class. Therefore, it should be considered quite fast,

To check straight line stability in rutted and undulating terrain.

Compared to the 840i, it can be a little bit disturbing because of its stiffer legs,The level is quite high when viewed as a large sedan.It can't be bad, since this is a car that cruises at 250 km/h on the autobahn. The ride quality of the 840i is just too smooth here, and straight line stability is not a problem at all.

Who is M8 suitable for?

Compared to the Panamera Turbo (S) and other models, the M8 has a high performance that is easy to understand. Even on ordinary roads, the M8's setting clearly makes you feel that it is "fast," and it has an incredible sense of being more than just a car. To be honest, it is a car that you can't really put your foot down on the gas pedal.

It is ideal for those who prefer to drive on highways, for example, leading the overtaking lane of the New Tokyo-Nagoya with its overwhelming power and acceleration.
In addition, theGood for people like me who have a strong admiration and commitment to being an "M" and who like the look of the M models, and for people who want to have both top-notch sports car performance and luxury sedan use in one car.I think.

On the other hand, if you are not looking for that much and want a more mature and luxurious driving experience, the 840i or M850i would be a better choice. If you ride with the mindset that the higher grades are all-inclusive and the big is better than the small, as in a normal car model,I think some people will say, "It's not what I expected."

This is true for Porsche as well, just as it is not the case that a GT3 is superior in every respect because it is a higher-end model.

From that perspective, this is a car that should be considered after clarifying what it is that you want.
If I didn't have another sports car, it would be a car well worth considering. It was one of those cars that made me think so.