Review of the BMW 8 Series Convertible

The BMW 8 Series Convertible is a luxurious open-top grand tourer that's the definition of style. It comes with a fabric roof, a range of powerful engines, and exquisite exterior and interior design. 

Rivals to the 8 Series Convertible include the Jaguar F-Type Convertible, Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet, and Lexus LC Convertible. 

Our BMW 8 Series Convertible review covers:

• Stylish exterior with a fabric convertible roof 
• Premium interior with plenty of equipment 
• 350-litre boot with the roof up 
• Two petrol engines: 840i and the V8 M850i xDrive
• Two trim levels: M Sport and xDrive

Pros:

• Superb infotainment system
• Good performance 
• Plenty of standard equipment and excellent tech

Cons:

• Rear seats uncomfortable for adults 
• Not as engaging to drive as sportier rivals 
• Firm ride quality for a convertible

The 8 Series Convertible belongs to cruising around the south of France, but unlike other cars, it won't get as many heads turning. It has a traditional BMW appearance with a prominent front grille, slick headlights, and a refined rear end. One thing to note is that it doesn't have the large kidney grille found on other luxury BMWs like the 7 Series. 

Moving inside, there's plenty of space in the front for two passengers over six feet tall; however, in the rear, legroom massively decreases, and the seats are more suited to children. With the fabric roof on, it's a bit of an effort to get into the rear, and it's no surprise that headroom is limited. 

If you want to go from roof up to roof down, it takes just 15 seconds and can be done at speeds of up to 31mph. 

Boot space comes in at 350 litres with the roof up but decreases to 280 litres with the roof down. Access to the boot is good thanks to a wide hatch, and the rear bench splits 50/50 to carry longer items. Standard cargo space is on par with its rivals. 

The cabin of the 8 Series Convertible is very good; everything feels high quality and driver-oriented, and there's a good balance between physical controls and the touchscreen on the dashboard. If you're looking for the definition of luxury, the 8 Series Convertible falls short of the Lexus LC Convertible. 

Although it's less luxurious than its rivals, the 8 Series Convertible stands out with its technology. Its 12.3-inch is one of the best around, coming standard with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, sat-nav, 4G connectivity, and two USB connections. The system is responsive and easy to use, thanks to a rotary controller below the centre console. 

Another 12.3-inch screen is behind the steering wheel, which houses the digital instrument display. It shows a map and any media information and is available with a head-up display that projects your speed onto the windscreen. 

Two trims are available for the 8 Series Convertible: M Sport and xDrive. 

M Sport has 20-inch alloy wheels, M Sport exterior styling, door handle illumination, two-zone automatic air conditioning, a dark aluminium trace interior trim, front electric sports seats, an M Sport leather steering wheel, extended Merino leather upholstery in black, a Harman Kardon surround sound system, front and rear parking sensors, adaptive suspension, cruise control, and parking assistant. 

xDrive adds to this with 20-inch double-spoke alloy wheels, an instrument panel in Walknappa leather, four-wheel drive, driving experience control with adaptive mode, a turbo eight-cylinder petrol engine, and a rear-view camera. 

Two petrol engines are available for the 8 Series Convertible. The entry-level 840i has six-cylinders while the M850i xDrive is a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8. The entry-level unit comes with rear-wheel drive, while the V8 has BMW's all-wheel xDrive system. 

The 840i is more than an entry-level unit; in fact, it will be good enough for most. It has 333hp, achieves 0-62mph in just 5.5 seconds, and has a top speed of 155mph. Thanks to its smooth eight-speed automatic transmission, it feels good on the road and is driveable at all speeds. 

If you want more performance, the M850i xDrive is rapid. With the engine powering all four wheels, it returns a power output of 530hp and accelerates from 0-62mph in just 4.1 seconds. It's an effortless unit to drive and responds well to accelerator inputs, meaning you can really fly through the gears on an open road. 

If you're looking for the most control on the road, pay extra for the M850i xDrive engine. With four-wheel drive, traction on the road is good, and the car is more stable when cruising at high speed. It also feels nimbler than it looks, making driving around town pretty good. 

Ride quality is quite firm given how expensive the 8 Series Convertible is, and even with its adaptive suspension that is pretty good, it falls short of the ride comfort found in the Lexus LC Convertible. 

Overall, the 8 Series Convertible is a good drive and will serve you well for cruising with the wind in your hair. However, for thrill-seekers, it falls short of the engaging performance found behind the wheel of the Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet. 

Prices for the new BMW 8 Series Convertible start from £88,435.00 OTR* or to lease from £744.36 per month.

Looking to get behind the wheel of the BMW 8 Series Convertible? Nationwide Vehicle Contracts is one of the UK's largest car leasing brokers and offers a range of leasing deals to suit your every need.

Leasing may be cheaper than an outright purchase, thanks to a low initial deposit and fixed monthly rentals.

*' On the road' price correct at time of publication and includes one year's road fund license, DVLA first registration fee and number plate fee. Prices are subject to change; always check with your nearest retailer.