Drove a BMW M850i
Discussion
Got a drive in a BMW M850i over the weekend, only 60 mins, but unaccompanied and got to try it in a variety of setting.
Impressed.
Right from climbing in, the pictures don't do it justice. Very high quality cabin, materials that leave anything this side of a Bentley look cheap, and even then, more cohesive. Very low slung, very good seat and I liked the new 'screen' dials.
I loved the interior of my old 6-series, but this is a couple of leagues ahead.
Outside it looks better and less disjointed that stone pictures have shown. This one was white which may have helped. Rear looked great, front just an evolution of the 6.
The drive was likewise well above the 6. It's quick, progressive, doesn't feel like it's turbocharged, and sounds like a V8 should. Early pootling from the dealer in comfort was very luxurious, very 's-class' and way better than the Lexus. Once out on some faster road that I know, the shift into sport and even more so Sport+ brought a far more focussed feel. You can feel the rear wheel steering, but aside from harsh acceleration out of corners on cold roads, you couldn't tell it was AWD. Very rear biased. It's a fun car for its side. Steering is good, progressive and responsive. It could have more feel, but I am cognisant that I'm affected by the fact my car has steering feel like few things can rival. You do feel what the car is doing though, this isn't barge 2-door 7-series in the way the S-Class Coupe is the S-Class Saloon.
It did hide it's bulk well, it isn't a 911, not even an R8, nor even a competitor to either IMO. It's sportier than an S-Class, sportier than a Bentley, more chameleonic than a DB11. I can't think of a direct competitor at all.
Is it a £100k car. Immediate thoughts say no, but £100k is no longer an exotic price tag. Anything that comes close is in that price bracket....and the 840d, assuming the drive is just a slower version of it probably is good value.
I didn't want to give it back though.
Impressed.
Right from climbing in, the pictures don't do it justice. Very high quality cabin, materials that leave anything this side of a Bentley look cheap, and even then, more cohesive. Very low slung, very good seat and I liked the new 'screen' dials.
I loved the interior of my old 6-series, but this is a couple of leagues ahead.
Outside it looks better and less disjointed that stone pictures have shown. This one was white which may have helped. Rear looked great, front just an evolution of the 6.
The drive was likewise well above the 6. It's quick, progressive, doesn't feel like it's turbocharged, and sounds like a V8 should. Early pootling from the dealer in comfort was very luxurious, very 's-class' and way better than the Lexus. Once out on some faster road that I know, the shift into sport and even more so Sport+ brought a far more focussed feel. You can feel the rear wheel steering, but aside from harsh acceleration out of corners on cold roads, you couldn't tell it was AWD. Very rear biased. It's a fun car for its side. Steering is good, progressive and responsive. It could have more feel, but I am cognisant that I'm affected by the fact my car has steering feel like few things can rival. You do feel what the car is doing though, this isn't barge 2-door 7-series in the way the S-Class Coupe is the S-Class Saloon.
It did hide it's bulk well, it isn't a 911, not even an R8, nor even a competitor to either IMO. It's sportier than an S-Class, sportier than a Bentley, more chameleonic than a DB11. I can't think of a direct competitor at all.
Is it a £100k car. Immediate thoughts say no, but £100k is no longer an exotic price tag. Anything that comes close is in that price bracket....and the 840d, assuming the drive is just a slower version of it probably is good value.
I didn't want to give it back though.
Smuler said:
Nice write up.
I saw an 840d on the road.
Looked fantastic. Seemed smaller than the old 6 which I never much liked.
When you buying one ?
Two door no good for me, my 6 was a Gran Coupe/4-door, I'm also enjoying 500 Italian BHP too much, and have 2yrs left on it's lease...but at the end of that, and once the 8-series GC comes out..... I saw an 840d on the road.
Looked fantastic. Seemed smaller than the old 6 which I never much liked.
When you buying one ?
Smuler said:
I saw an 840d on the road.
Looked fantastic. Seemed smaller than the old 6 which I never much liked.
I believe the 8 series is shorter than the old 6 and it is also smaller in the rear...that is going some because my old 6 Coupe was tiny in the back! I really like the new 8 and I'm looking forward to seeing one in the metal. Looked fantastic. Seemed smaller than the old 6 which I never much liked.
I've had an 8 on the radar for a while. Was a bit underwhelmed with the looks when I initially saw one but the drive made up for it. Imo it looks similar to the 6. Originally had been looking at a S63 Coupe which I still think is a far better looking car. Just a pity it wafts around like every other big Merc. Slightest bit of power when it's not straight and say hi to your rear bumper. I'd say the 8 is directly up against the S Class coupes and similar. Rear seats are ABSOLUTELY pointless apart from being able to say it's a 2+2, more room in the wife's M4. The gear stick looks too bling, the general interior is good but not the significant step up from my 7 which I expected. All that aside it drives well and makes the S feel like a barge. I'll eventually be in the market for a 18+mth old one though as depreciation will be eye-watering. £100k into a 6 year old LP560 and you wouldn't lose a penny. You'd bin £40k in 18mths on this, easy.
Pioneer said:
I've had an 8 on the radar for a while. Was a bit underwhelmed with the looks when I initially saw one but the drive made up for it. Imo it looks similar to the 6. Originally had been looking at a S63 Coupe which I still think is a far better looking car. Just a pity it wafts around like every other big Merc. Slightest bit of power when it's not straight and say hi to your rear bumper. I'd say the 8 is directly up against the S Class coupes and similar. Rear seats are ABSOLUTELY pointless apart from being able to say it's a 2+2, more room in the wife's M4. The gear stick looks too bling, the general interior is good but not the significant step up from my 7 which I expected. All that aside it drives well and makes the S feel like a barge. I'll eventually be in the market for a 18+mth old one though as depreciation will be eye-watering. £100k into a 6 year old LP560 and you wouldn't lose a penny. You'd bin £40k in 18mths on this, easy.
A little disingenuous comparing the depreciation of a 6yr old car with a brand new one!Triumph Man said:
Every time I see a new 8 I like it that little bit more! Can you configure the dials to not be those hideous shaped ones that BL might have come up with and have the screen show "proper" BMW dials?
I don't believe you can change them and it isn't as configurable as the Audi/Mercedes offerings. Maybe it will be something that BMW look into in the future. cerb4.5lee said:
Triumph Man said:
Every time I see a new 8 I like it that little bit more! Can you configure the dials to not be those hideous shaped ones that BL might have come up with and have the screen show "proper" BMW dials?
I don't believe you can change them and it isn't as configurable as the Audi/Mercedes offerings. Maybe it will be something that BMW look into in the future. Ares said:
cerb4.5lee said:
Triumph Man said:
Every time I see a new 8 I like it that little bit more! Can you configure the dials to not be those hideous shaped ones that BL might have come up with and have the screen show "proper" BMW dials?
I don't believe you can change them and it isn't as configurable as the Audi/Mercedes offerings. Maybe it will be something that BMW look into in the future. cerb4.5lee said:
Ares said:
cerb4.5lee said:
Triumph Man said:
Every time I see a new 8 I like it that little bit more! Can you configure the dials to not be those hideous shaped ones that BL might have come up with and have the screen show "proper" BMW dials?
I don't believe you can change them and it isn't as configurable as the Audi/Mercedes offerings. Maybe it will be something that BMW look into in the future. Ares said:
A little disingenuous comparing the depreciation of a 6yr old car with a brand new one!
Well a new one then. My point was these specific type of mass produced cars are known for absolutely hemorrhaging money from new compared to other models. Initial outlay is double, running costs are higher but once you've taken depreciation into account the TCO would be far less on most exotics, exc. McL who's depreciation is on par with 7/8 series and S Classes at the moment! Easiest way to lose £50k is to buy a new one of these. One of the few occasions where leasing actually makes sense. I love BMW so I'll get either a 850 or M8 at some point but no way will I be buying new. You could get a nice 2 year old GT W12 for around £100k that has already done a big chunk of it's money and will still be worth more than a packet of peanuts in 3 years. Personally there's no way I'd spend £100k on a new BMWPioneer said:
Well a new one then. My point was these specific type of mass produced cars are known for absolutely hemorrhaging money from new compared to other models. Initial outlay is double, running costs are higher but once you've taken depreciation into account the TCO would be far less on most exotics, exc. McL who's depreciation is on par with 7/8 series and S Classes at the moment! Easiest way to lose £50k is to buy a new one of these. One of the few occasions where leasing actually makes sense. I love BMW so I'll get either a 850 or M8 at some point but no way will I be buying new. You could get a nice 2 year old GT W12 for around £100k that has already done a big chunk of it's money and will still be worth more than a packet of peanuts in 3 years. Personally there's no way I'd spend £100k on a new BMW
But you are making a "presumption" that BMW will be selling them new at £100k for the M850i. Which historically anything on BMW's price list would be in the fiction section of a library.
Having recently seen one potential look at granted a Pre LCI 7 in November 2018 so prior to the LCI being announced his list including options was £82k. Dealer offer? £54k.
A lot of new BMWs sell for over £100k. My colleague's 760 was well over that once spec'd, so was my sister's i8. Once you've stuck some options on a new 850i it will be north of £100k. I'm saying ... due to depreciation ... I personally wouldn't spend that on any new BMW. However I'd happily spend that plus more on something like a Z8, E9 CSL, M1 etc. If I wanted a new 850i/M8 I would 100% lease it. Same for anything like that S Class included.
Pioneer said:
A lot of new BMWs sell for over £100k. My colleague's 760 was well over that once spec'd, so was my sister's i8. Once you've stuck some options on a new 850i it will be north of £100k. I'm saying ... due to depreciation ... I personally wouldn't spend that on any new BMW. However I'd happily spend that plus more on something like a Z8, E9 CSL, M1 etc. If I wanted a new 850i/M8 I would 100% lease it. Same for anything like that S Class included.
Actually if you look through the configurator, the spec is high. All wheels/Paint/special Leather/etc all included/NCO. Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff