Even with a slew of features ranging from the technologically advanced to the sumptuously pampered, and an excellent warranty with service plan, the 2020 BMW 8-Series is not a value, in coupe, convertible, Gran Coupe, or M variants.
Upstart makes such as Genesis and even the gorgeous interiors of Mercedes-Benz have proven that luxury and value are not mutually exclusive. They are for the 8-Series.
We give it an 8 for 10 for excellent standard features, luxury-loaded options, much-improved infotainment, and a solid warranty. But it’ll cost you, a lot, so we dock it one point.
All of the 8s get a 10.3-inch touchscreen with haptic feedback on the controller in the center console. BMW wants you to access vehicle info and media lists in every way imaginable, but the best is through the cloud-based voice control. The worst, or most unnecessary, is gesture control. Apple CarPlay comes standard, with Android Auto to join the fold mid-year.
The new touchscreen is complemented by a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster that pushes the gauges to the outskirt and opens the central real estate for a map or other goodies, such as the twin horsepower and torque gauges. The standard head-up display is pretty sharp at night, too.
A Harmon Kardon 16-speaker surround sound system is standard, but the available Bowers & Wilkins might be the best on the market.
Soft-close automatic doors, wifi hotspot, Bluetooth connectivity, wireless charging, XM radio for one year, two USB ports, keyless entry, and leather surfaces complete the standard feature list, except for one other feature we thought was over the top until we settled in: heated front armrests. If you can have a heated steering wheel and heated front seats standard, why not warm armrests, too?
All of this comes standard with the 840i at $88,895, including $995 destination. To go topless, the wallet might need to be bottomless; the convertible is a $9,500 upcharge across the lineup. You get a power retractable soft top and available seat vents that heat the neck.
All-wheel drive adds $2,900 to coupe or convertible. Or you could just add another $21,100 and get the M850i coupe for $112,895 or convertible for $122,395.
The standard equipment on the M8 ($133,995) and M8 Competition ($146,995) is mostly related to performance, such as the carbon fiber roof on the M8 Coupe and 20-inch wheels.
If there is a value buy, it is the four-door Gran Coupe, which starts at $85,895.
The options list for any 8-Series is dizzying, and standalone choices range from glass controls on iDrive and the shifter to ash black silver wood trim on the M8. Then there’s all the tech-heavy packages.
No matter which 8-Series comes home, BMW provides all 2020 vehicles with an impressive 4 years or 50,000 miles of warranty coverage that includes free maintenance. Get to know and love your dealer.
Review continues below