RE: BMW M850i xDrive: Driven

RE: BMW M850i xDrive: Driven

Friday 26th October 2018

2020 BMW M850i xDrive | PH Review

It's been twenty years since BMW produced an 8-Series model. Welcome back, big dog



Few cars typify the age of their birth quite as powerfully as the original BMW 8-Series. Signed off in 1981, developed over the course of one of the most formative decades of BMW's corporate history, and finally launched in 1989, the 'E31' could have been made for London's 'yuppie' generation.

This car wasn't bogged down by associations of old-world luxury like a big Benz, and was infinitely more modern than the Astons and Jags of the time; like the people who bought it, it was up-and-coming. It also had pop-up headlights, of course, and a car phone big enough to double as an offensive weapon (lest the wad of bonus cash in your inside pocket be looking a bit thin to be useful for beating a pauper with).

And now, almost twenty years since the 'E31'went off sale, the 8-Series is back. If they'd reintroduced it a decade ago instead, I'm not sure too many city boy bankers would have been in a position to indulge. Now's probably the ideal time.


So what's new, what's different, what's to like - and to what do we owe the honour? The answer to the last of those questions is to do with Munich's latest corporate strategy, which is intended to move our perception of the BMW brand back upmarket, after a good few years in which an increasing number of new smaller and more affordable models has had the opposite effect.

Big BMWs like this and the new X7 are intended to restore some of the equity and esteem that the blue-and-white propeller commanded in its nineties- and noughties-era pomp - and, if successful, doubtless to allow for an associated boost in dealer profit margins. And who's not in favour of those, after all?

The car is based on the same platform you'll find under every BMW saloon from the 5-Series upwards, as well as serving under the all-new 3-Series. For now it comes in a choice of 320hp '40d' turbo straight six diesel or 530hp 'M50i' turbo V8 guises, with a cheaper '40i' petrol coming later - and the potentially epic M8 super-coupe (also to be available with convertible and four-door 'Gran Coupe' bodies, if you prefer) following on later.


As far as we know, there will be no V12 version; so there will be no direct replacement of the memorable 850CSi (booo...). But anyone who remembers that four-wheel steering was one of the 'E31''s technological calling cards may be pleased to read that it's standard on the new 8-Series, with adaptive dampers and active anti-roll bars optional. 'xDrive' four-wheel drive will feature on all versions of the new '8er' - something BMW diehards may be less pleased to read. But they needn't worry: it's an intelligent, torque-vectoring, rear-biased driveline, as we'll come on to explaining.

On the inside, the new 8-Series is very plush, expensive-feeling two-plus-two coupe. While we're on the subject of those back seats, though, we should record that, 8-Series or no, this car is actually 51mm shorter than the old 6-Series Coupe was. So, in this form at any rate, it's not much of a true four-seater. You wouldn't ask anyone over the age of ten to ride in the back.

The boot's a good size, though. And for those travelling up front, the car's cabin materials and latest-gen BMW onboard technology make for a rich and sophisticated ambience that's unlikely to disappoint. You can have a cut-glass gear selector lever if you want one (thanks for the idea, Volvo). You can also have fully digital and customisable instruments, a la Audi Virtual Cockpit; only, in a BMW, they're called Live Cockpit Professional. There's a hint of restraint and conservatism about some of the car's interior design, true; but then BMW regulars will doubtless have expected it to be less chintzy and more buttoned-down than a Mercedes S-Class Coupe - so fair enough.


Did you see Dafydd's review on the M5 Competition earlier this week? Confession time: I pinched his spec panel to edit for this review - and so couldn't help noticing that the M850i produces precisely as much torque (admittedly over a slightly narrower band or revs).

The engine in this car is new, and though derived from the M5's V8, there are plenty of technical differences. But, while it doesn't quite spin like the M Division motor, it's got a familiar feel under your toe up to about 4500rpm: slightly elastic but seriously potent, and ready to mix it with just about anything you fancy, in almost any gear. There may be more powerful rivals out there, and there may be more powerful new 8ers to come - but the M850i isn't a car that's seems even remotely undernourished. Not ever.

The car handles quite sweetly for a coupe of its size and heft, doing a pretty convincing impression of a sports car at times. It corners flat and fast, with fine grip and balance up to a level beyond which you're unlikely to want to progress in your 1.9-tonne, £100k BMW anyway. That four-wheel steering system works its voodoo to apparently shorten up the wheelbase around roundabouts and junctions, and makes the car feel darty and agile at lower speeds; sometimes, perhaps, a bit too darty, actually. More heft and feel though the car's steering would be nice.


As a grand tourer, though, BMW's decision to stick with steel coil suspension (rather than offer air suspension like many of the 8-Series's rivals) does act like a straight jacket on the car's versatility of character. In 'comfort' mode, there isn't the smoothness or isolation of, say, an Audi A7 Sportback, a Mercedes S-Class Coupe or even of a Porsche Panamera here; the M850i just feels a bit under-damped on the motorway, and still slightly tough-riding over sharper edges. In 'sport' mode, close body control is better, but the rumble-and-thump of the road under the car's wheels is certainly more present than it ought to be in a first-rate luxury long-distance machine.

It also bugged me a bit that, like in so many BMWs, there's no one driving mode preset that seems to represent the perfect compromise of comfort and body control, and of tactile control feedback balanced against fluency and ease-of-use. As ever, you're obliged to fiddle with an 'individual' mode compromise; and you're never absolutely sure you've quite cracked it. Grrr.

Petty quibbles? Yes and no, in my book. This may be BMW GT, but it's a GT nonetheless; and, though it's more fast, poised and involving than most of its kind, it still ought to be able to soothe away the miles as well as a Porsche or an Audi. In that respect, perhaps being away from the big coupe scene for the last two decades has left Munich with a bit of swotting up to do. But swot away, lads; you're very welcome back. The bankers have tighter suits and slimmer wallets these days, but we're led to believe their Swiss accounts still have plenty to plunder.


SPECIFICATION - BMW M850i xDrive
Engine:
4,395cc, V8, twin-turbocharged
Power (hp): 530@5500-6000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 553@1,800-4600rpm
0-62mph: 3.7 seconds
Top speed: 155mph (limited)
Weight: 1,890kg
MPG: 28.2
CO2: 228g/km
Price: £100,045

Matt Saunders

















Author
Discussion

Mark-C

Original Poster:

5,010 posts

204 months

Friday 26th October 2018
quotequote all
So they’ve built a modern XJS?

B17NNS

18,506 posts

246 months

Friday 26th October 2018
quotequote all
So big but so little space inside.

Murphy16

254 posts

81 months

Friday 26th October 2018
quotequote all
That rear bumper design is messy as hell, and the fake trapezoid exhaust tips look a bit silly.

Mr Tidy

22,065 posts

126 months

Friday 26th October 2018
quotequote all
I'm struggling to see what this does that the 6 Series GC doesn't do for less money.

Seems pointless to me!

rayyan171

1,294 posts

92 months

Friday 26th October 2018
quotequote all
With regards to the suspension, I am assuming that it still is reasonably rough because it is an M-Performance model after all. Most M-sports feel that way, let alone a M-Performance model. Thus, I believe that the standard 840d will be the best GT mile muncher, which the other marques are able to do, especially in SE guise, as that will essentially be the one which most will go for, and therefore will be the one which will prioritise comfort. At least, I hope so, as only time will tell.

I am also going to say that I like the look, call me crazy but it at the very least matches the previous gen. Love the huge, wide arches.

WolfAir

456 posts

134 months

Friday 26th October 2018
quotequote all
Mr Tidy said:
I'm struggling to see what this does that the 6 Series GC doesn't do for less money.

Seems pointless to me!
This. It doesnt even have flip up lights frown. It is basically the next gen 6 series.. but before

Bencolem

1,013 posts

238 months

Friday 26th October 2018
quotequote all
I’d rather have a Lexus LC 500 to be honest. Which is very disappointing given how much I love BMW’s from the ‘90’s to mid-2000’s. In fact, I’d rather have a 1998 840ci Sport.

lord trumpton

7,321 posts

125 months

Friday 26th October 2018
quotequote all
Looks sensational - love it!

Not in orange for me though

Kenny Powers

2,618 posts

126 months

Friday 26th October 2018
quotequote all
I really like it, and I can imagine it’ll look absolutely fabulous in the metal, as it were.

g3org3y

20,606 posts

190 months

Friday 26th October 2018
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Serious car cool

Rear looks overly fussy but I suspect looks better IRL.

schmalex

13,616 posts

205 months

Friday 26th October 2018
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One of those plus a new X7 would be pretty much my ideal driveway

sidesauce

2,456 posts

217 months

Friday 26th October 2018
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I respect them for making it smaller than the 6-series. 5cm isn't a bad look at all.

dazwalsh

6,095 posts

140 months

Friday 26th October 2018
quotequote all
It all looks pretty damn good until you get to the rear and then it all goes to st and ruins the entire thing. Not that id spunk 100k on one anyways, when your into 6 fogures there is some lovely alternatives.

Maldini35

2,913 posts

187 months

Friday 26th October 2018
quotequote all
I love it.
In the right colour this would be wonderful.


aston addict

418 posts

157 months

Friday 26th October 2018
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What an ugly, nonsense car, just like the X7.

Looks like the hideous offspring of a Mustang and Infiinti Q60.

Edited by aston addict on Friday 26th October 08:02

Mr Adds

264 posts

148 months

Friday 26th October 2018
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The rear is such a mess, think if I had 100k for a car I'd be looking at a Lexus LC....

redroadster

1,729 posts

231 months

Friday 26th October 2018
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4 series coupe as big as an old 5 series then super size 6 comes along now this huge pile what next a 10 series even bigger fatter heavier car pointless tbh

kambites

67,461 posts

220 months

Friday 26th October 2018
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Seems odd not to at least offer air suspension as an option on this sort of car. Surely the 8-series should be the pinnacle of waftiness in the BMW range let it's lacking a fundamental suspension comfort feature which is available on the 7-series?

belleair302

6,835 posts

206 months

Friday 26th October 2018
quotequote all
Side on they have copied a new A90 Toyota Supra and just extended it. Too fussy and the surfaces look over fluid. It isn't an attractive car and is way too heavy. I am sure it drives well but where has the feel gone, when Germans today are obsessed with BHP output and torque. Their chase designs need to drive more and spend less time eating at their office desks. Not a car for me and I am a huge BMW fan. Alas the new M5 doesn't get my vote either. Again too heavy looking.

kambites

67,461 posts

220 months

Friday 26th October 2018
quotequote all
Too heavy for what? It's a damned great GT not a sports car... its competition are almost certainly all heavier.