BMW M8 Competition
Why 5.8: 617 hp of S63 V8 in a 1,900 kg grand tourer — comfortably the quickest BMW in a straight line, and a car that drives bigger than its numbers suggest. Depreciation is steep; values fall fast after the first three years.
Layout
Natural habitat
Ride comfort
Sound
The S63 4.4-litre has a deep, expensive-sounding undertone and will crack on the overrun. But two turbochargers, a grand tourer's insulation and speaker augmentation leave little of the real engine audible — fast and quiet, which is not what this column rewards.
8-cylinder · turbocharged · 7,200 rpm redline · rated 5.8 / 10 for engine sound
Market value
Median asking price, good condition · €135k (2019) → €75k (2026), trending down · illustrative data
Child seats · ISOFIX
Tight 2+2 rear layout, but ISOFIX lower anchors are fitted — same pattern as the closely related M850i.
No front-passenger ISOFIX, matching every G-series BMW.
Treat the rear as occasional/child-only regardless of ISOFIX — legroom is very limited.
General 8-Series (G14-16) practicality reviews; no model-specific BMW compatibility document located (owner-community sourced, not manufacturer documentation)
The long version
BMW gave the M8 the full S63 engine and turned it into a grand tourer focused on covering distance quickly rather than attacking corners at the limit. The xDrive AWD system and high kerb weight mean the M8 Competition handles with competence rather than inspiration — it is a fast, comfortable, expensive way to cross a continent at licence-threatening speeds. Used-market behaviour follows the GT pattern: buyers who want the spec sheet trade up or sideways quickly once the novelty fades, which keeps depreciation steep and eventual ownership landing with higher-mileage enthusiasts who found an entry point they could justify.