Which BMW 8 Series Version Should You Buy?
The BMW 8 Series catalogue presents two distinct buying directions. The 1989–1999 Coupe Hardtop generation offers nine naturally aspirated Gasoline versions with RWD, including eight- and twelve-cylinder engines. The later generation starts in 2018 as a Sedan with sixteen listed modifications, while its restyled Cabrio range begins in 2022 with fourteen modifications.
The BMW 8 Series catalogue presents two distinct buying directions. The 1989–1999 Coupe Hardtop generation offers nine naturally aspirated Gasoline versions with RWD, including eight- and twelve-cylinder engines. The later generation starts in 2018 as a Sedan with sixteen listed modifications, while its restyled Cabrio range begins in 2022 with fourteen modifications. These newer cars use Turbo six- or eight-cylinder engines, Automatic transmissions, and either RWD or AWD. Choosing between them therefore starts with priorities: the 840d favors lower fuel consumption, the 840i balances performance and weight, the M850i emphasizes acceleration, and the earlier 850CSi 5.6 MT combines the highest first-generation output with a Manual transmission.
BMW 8 Series generations: what changed?
The first generation ran from September 1989 through May 1999 as a Coupe Hardtop and contains nine versions. Every listed engine is naturally aspirated and Gasoline-powered, every version uses RWD, and buyers can choose between Manual and Automatic transmissions. Output extends from 218 hp in the 830i 3.0 MT to 380 hp in the 850CSi 5.6 MT. Engine displacement ranges from 2,997 cc to 5,576 cc.
The second generation Sedan ran from June 2018 through January 2022 and has sixteen modifications, twelve of which are detailed here. Its range introduces Turbo engines, Diesel availability, eight-speed Automatic transmissions, and both RWD and AWD. The detailed versions span 320–530 hp, while recorded combined consumption ranges from 6.3 to 10.0 l/100 km. Compared with the first generation’s maximum of 380 hp, the 530 hp M850i 4.4 AT adds 150 hp.
The second-generation restyling begins in February 2022 as a Cabrio and lists fourteen modifications, with twelve detailed here. It retains Turbo engines and eight-speed Automatic transmissions. Its named choices are 840d xDrive, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, 840i 3.0 AT, and 840i, with repeated records distinguished below by power or measured performance. Output ranges from 320 to 539 hp.
BMW 8 Series engine specs and version comparison
Repeated names represent separate database records, so power and drive are included where necessary to distinguish them.
| Generation and version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders and layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First: 830i 3.0 MT | 218 hp | 290 Nm | 2,997 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | No | 6-speed Manual | RWD |
| First: 840i 4.0 MT | 286 hp | 400 Nm | 3,982 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | No | 6-speed Manual | RWD |
| First: 840i 4.0 AT | 286 hp | 400 Nm | 3,982 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | No | 5-speed Automatic | RWD |
| First: 840Ci 4.4 MT | 286 hp | 420 Nm | 4,398 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | No | 6-speed Manual | RWD |
| First: 850Ci 5.0 MT | 300 hp | 450 Nm | 4,988 cc | Gasoline | 12, V-shaped | No | 6-speed Manual | RWD |
| First: 850Ci 5.4 AT | 326 hp | 490 Nm | 5,379 cc | Gasoline | 12, V-shaped | No | 5-speed Automatic | RWD |
| First: 850CSi 5.6 MT | 380 hp | 550 Nm | 5,576 cc | Gasoline | 12, V-shaped | No | 6-speed Manual | RWD |
| First: 840Ci 4.4 AT | 286 hp | 420 Nm | 4,398 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | No | 5-speed Automatic | RWD |
| First: 850Ci 5.0 AT | 300 hp | 450 Nm | 4,988 cc | Gasoline | 12, V-shaped | No | 5-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Second Sedan: 840d 3.0 AT, 2019 record | 320 hp | 680 Nm | 2,993 cc | Diesel | 6, Inline | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Second Sedan: 840i 3.0 AT, 340 hp/500 Nm AWD, 2019 record | 340 hp | 500 Nm | 2,998 cc | Gasoline | 6, Inline | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Second Sedan: 840i 3.0 AT, 333 hp AWD, 1,865 kg record | 333 hp | 500 Nm | 2,998 cc | Gasoline | 6, Inline | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Second Sedan: M850i 4.4 AT, 1,995 kg record | 530 hp | 750 Nm | 4,395 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Second Sedan: 840i 3.0 AT, 340 hp/509 Nm RWD, 1,800 kg record | 340 hp | 509 Nm | 2,998 cc | Gasoline | 6, Inline | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Second Sedan: 840i 3.0 AT, 333 hp RWD | 333 hp | 500 Nm | 2,998 cc | Gasoline | 6, Inline | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Second Sedan: 840i 3.0 AT, 333 hp AWD, 1,915 kg record | 333 hp | 500 Nm | 2,998 cc | Gasoline | 6, Inline | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Second Sedan: 840i 3.0 AT, 340 hp/509 Nm RWD, 1,710 kg record | 340 hp | 509 Nm | 2,998 cc | Gasoline | 6, Inline | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Second Sedan: 840i 3.0 AT, 340 hp/500 Nm AWD, 2018 record | 340 hp | 500 Nm | 2,998 cc | Gasoline | 6, Inline | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Second Sedan: M850i 4.4 AT, 2,015 kg record | 530 hp | 750 Nm | 4,395 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Second Sedan: 840i | 340 hp | 509 Nm | 2,998 cc | Gasoline | 6, Inline | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Second Sedan: 840d 3.0 AT, 2018 record | 320 hp | 680 Nm | 2,993 cc | Diesel | 6, Inline | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Restyled Cabrio: 840d xDrive, performance not measured | 320 hp | 680 Nm | 2,993 cc | Diesel | 6, Inline | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Restyled Cabrio: 840i xDrive, performance not measured | 340 hp | 500 Nm | 2,998 cc | Gasoline | 6, Inline | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Restyled Cabrio: M850i xDrive, 539 hp | 539 hp | 750 Nm | 4,395 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Restyled Cabrio: M850i xDrive, 530 hp/2,050 kg | 530 hp | 750 Nm | 4,395 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Restyled Cabrio: 840i 3.0 AT, 1,830 kg | 333 hp | 500 Nm | 2,998 cc | Gasoline | 6, Inline | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Restyled Cabrio: 840i xDrive, 1,770 kg | 340 hp | 500 Nm | 2,998 cc | Gasoline | 6, Inline | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Restyled Cabrio: 840d xDrive, 1,830 kg | 320 hp | 680 Nm | 2,993 cc | Diesel | 6, Inline | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Restyled Cabrio: 840i, first record | 340 hp | 500 Nm | 2,998 cc | Gasoline | 6, Inline | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Restyled Cabrio: M850i xDrive, 530 hp/1,930 kg | 530 hp | 750 Nm | 4,395 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Restyled Cabrio: 840i 3.0 AT, 1,805 kg | 333 hp | 500 Nm | 2,998 cc | Gasoline | 6, Inline | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Restyled Cabrio: 840i, second record | 340 hp | 500 Nm | 2,998 cc | Gasoline | 6, Inline | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Restyled Cabrio: 840d xDrive, final record | 320 hp | 680 Nm | 2,993 cc | Diesel | 6, Inline | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | AWD |
Power per litre helps separate engines that otherwise appear close. The first-generation 830i 3.0 MT produces about 72.7 hp per litre, the 850CSi 5.6 MT about 68.1 hp per litre, and the 850Ci 5.4 AT about 60.6 hp per litre. Turbocharging changes that balance: the 333 hp 840i versions produce about 111.1 hp per litre, the 340 hp 840i versions about 113.4 hp per litre, the 320 hp 840d versions about 106.9 hp per litre, and the 530 hp M850i versions about 120.6 hp per litre. The 539 hp M850i xDrive reaches about 122.6 hp per litre.
Performance and fuel economy
Within the first generation, the 850CSi 5.6 MT is quickest to 100 km/h at 6.0 seconds. The 850Ci 5.4 AT follows at 6.3 seconds, while the 850Ci 5.0 MT requires 6.8 seconds. Both 840i 4.0 versions and both 840Ci 4.4 versions record 6.9 seconds. The 850Ci 5.0 AT takes 7.4 seconds, and the 830i 3.0 MT takes 7.8 seconds. Top speed is 250 km/h for every detailed first-generation version except the 830i 3.0 MT, which records 241 km/h.
Fuel consumption is not measured for most first-generation versions. For the 850Ci 5.0 MT, the measured figures are 19.8 l/100 km in the city, 8.8 l/100 km on the highway, and 10.4 l/100 km combined. For every other first-generation version, city, highway, and combined consumption are not measured.
Among the second-generation Sedans, both M850i 4.4 AT records reach 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds. The 333 hp AWD 840i 3.0 AT with a 1,915 kg kerb weight and two 340 hp AWD 840i 3.0 AT records take 4.9 seconds. The remaining detailed 840i versions range from 5.0 to 5.4 seconds, while the 840d 3.0 AT records take 5.1 and 5.2 seconds. Every detailed Sedan has a recorded top speed of 250 km/h.
The Sedan’s lowest combined consumption is 6.3 l/100 km in both 840d 3.0 AT records. The 333 hp AWD 840i 3.0 AT at 1,915 kg records 7.2 l/100 km, while the RWD 840i records range from 7.3 to 7.5 l/100 km. Other AWD 840i records range from 7.6 to 7.8 l/100 km. Both M850i 4.4 AT records consume 10.0 l/100 km combined. Relative to the M850i, the 840d uses 3.7 l/100 km less combined fuel.
The restyled Cabrio data are less uniform. The 530 hp M850i xDrive at 1,930 kg takes 3.9 seconds to 100 km/h, while the 2,050 kg record takes 4.1 seconds. The measured 840i xDrive takes 4.7 seconds, the measured 840d xDrive takes 4.9 seconds, and the two 840i 3.0 AT records take 5.2 and 5.3 seconds. Acceleration is not measured for the 539 hp M850i xDrive and for the remaining records where no figure is supplied. Top speed is likewise not measured for those records; every restyled version with a measured top speed records 250 km/h.
The restyled 840d xDrive records consume 6.2 l/100 km combined. The 840i RWD records consume 7.3 l/100 km, while 840i xDrive records consume 7.7 l/100 km. The two 840i 3.0 AT records list 8.6 and 8.8 l/100 km combined. Consumption is not measured for all three detailed M850i xDrive records.
BMW 8 Series weight, clearance, tank and wheels
First-generation kerb weight ranges from 1,780 kg to 1,900 kg. The lightest records are the 840i 4.0 MT, 840i 4.0 AT, 840Ci 4.4 MT, and 840Ci 4.4 AT at 1,780 kg; the 850CSi 5.6 MT is heaviest at 1,900 kg. Gross weight ranges from 2,180 to 2,340 kg. Every first-generation version has 140 mm of ground clearance and a 90-litre tank. Wheel sizes are not measured for most versions; the 850CSi 5.6 MT lists 235/45 R17 and 265/40 R17.
Detailed second-generation Sedan kerb weights range from 1,710 kg for a 340 hp RWD 840i 3.0 AT to 2,015 kg for an M850i 4.4 AT. Gross weight ranges from 2,225 to 2,600 kg. Ground clearance is 128 mm except for the 2018-record 840d 3.0 AT, which has 118 mm. Every Sedan has a 68-litre tank. Listed wheel combinations are either 245/45 R18 with 275/40 R18 or 245/35 R20 with 275/30 R20.
Restyled Cabrio kerb weight is not measured for several records. Where measured, it runs from 1,770 kg for the 840i xDrive to 2,050 kg for an M850i xDrive. Gross weight is measured as 2,225 kg for one 840i 3.0 AT, 2,280 kg for one 840i xDrive, 2,340 kg for another 840i 3.0 AT, and 2,370 kg for one 840d xDrive; it is not measured for the remaining records. Every restyled version has 128 mm of ground clearance and a 68-litre tank. Wheel sizes are not measured.
Weight per horsepower highlights the performance hierarchy. The first-generation 850CSi 5.6 MT carries 5.0 kg per hp, compared with about 6.2 kg per hp for the 850Ci 5.0 MT and about 8.2 kg per hp for the 830i 3.0 MT. The 1,710 kg Sedan 840i 3.0 AT carries about 5.0 kg per hp, while the 1,995 kg M850i 4.4 AT carries about 3.8 kg per hp. In the restyled range, the 1,930 kg M850i xDrive also carries about 3.6 kg per hp.
Which BMW 8 Series version should you choose?
Choose the first-generation 850CSi 5.6 MT if the priority is the strongest early Coupe Hardtop. Its 380 hp and 550 Nm exceed the 850Ci 5.4 AT by 54 hp and 60 Nm, and its 6.0-second acceleration is 0.3 seconds quicker. It also combines a 12-cylinder, V-shaped Gasoline engine with a 6-speed Manual transmission and RWD.
Choose an 840i 4.0 MT or 840Ci 4.4 MT if you want a first-generation 6-speed Manual without moving to the 850CSi 5.6 MT. Both produce 286 hp and reach 100 km/h in 6.9 seconds. The 840Ci 4.4 MT adds 20 Nm, but it uses 416 cc more displacement; its recorded acceleration is unchanged.
Choose the 840d 3.0 AT when combined consumption and torque matter most among the measured modern versions. It produces 680 Nm—180 Nm more than most 840i records—while consuming 6.3 l/100 km combined in the Sedan or 6.2 l/100 km in the restyled Cabrio data. Its trade-off against a 340 hp 840i is 20 hp less and slower measured acceleration.
Choose a 340 hp 840i 3.0 AT or 840i xDrive for the middle ground. These versions deliver 340 hp from 2,998 cc, and measured acceleration reaches as low as 4.7 seconds in the restyled 840i xDrive. The 1,770 kg restyled 840i xDrive is 60 kg lighter than the measured 1,830 kg 840d xDrive and reaches 100 km/h 0.2 seconds sooner, although its combined consumption is 1.5 l/100 km higher.
Choose the M850i 4.4 AT or M850i xDrive when acceleration and output take precedence over measured economy. The 530 hp Sedan reaches 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds, making it 1.0 second quicker than the fastest detailed 333–340 hp AWD Sedan 840i records. Against a 340 hp 840i, it adds 190 hp and 241–250 Nm. The restyled 539 hp M850i xDrive has the highest listed output, but its acceleration and fuel consumption are not measured; the 530 hp, 1,930 kg M850i xDrive is the clearer performance choice when a measured 3.9-second result is essential.