STUD or DUD? Did BMW MISS An Opportunity With Its All-new M8?

STUD or DUD? Did BMW MISS An Opportunity With Its All-new M8?
When the BMW M850i first made its appearance, I remember saying something along the lines of "Well, at least there will be an M8." The reason: The M850i just wasn't enough.

While it could certainly carry two passengers in comfort, it didn't innovate at all in terms of style, with its technology or via its powertrain. The same can be concluded with the M8.

2020 BMW M8

Looking at the 8-Series I just can't help but ask: Is there ANYTHING special about this vehicle?

It borrows technology from other BMW products across the board. It looks like a refreshed 6-Series. It is not a game changer.

Although one could argue that was true of the original E31 8-Series, you have to remember one thing: At least it boasted one of the most striking and daring BMW designs in the history of the company at the time. Oh, and it had that honking great V12 motor up front. It was a vehicle that pushed boundaries.

So, we've got to ask: Did BMW MISS an opportunity with its all-new M8?


2020 BMW M8





























































































TomMTomM - 6/7/2019 6:43:52 AM
-3 Boost
BMW still makes some pretty nice looking cars.

However - they are 3 year lease cars at best. Their reliability has gone away - while the build quality shows up with all sorts of little nagging problems by the third year - the cars just seem to fall apart before your eyes.

THe current market - with JEEP and BMW having reliability problems that are being overlooked right now - won't stand for tis too much longer.




dlindlin - 6/7/2019 11:24:09 AM
+2 Boost
Glad to see the round tailpipes, but the excessive black finish, both interior and exterior, is a big turn off

Gray is the new Black... get in line, Bimmer!


dlindlin - 6/7/2019 12:10:29 PM
+1 Boost
I have to disagree. As owners of 3 BMW(E46/F30/F10), I do see the quality and reliability improves steadily. Recently sat in new X3 & X5, interior finish feels very sturdy, and IMHO better than MB, and on par with Lexus and Porsche, though certainly not as glamorous


carsnyccarsnyc - 6/7/2019 8:01:05 AM
-2 Boost
European Mustang


MDarringerMDarringer - 6/7/2019 8:05:18 AM
-7 Boost
And the Mustang looks so much better.


mre30mre30 - 6/7/2019 8:22:37 AM
+1 Boost
Its a 3-series that has had 50 PSI of air pumped into it at the "Quick Trip" tire inflation island.

Let me redirect that question -

Which customers is BMW seeking with this vehicle? I can't name any.


Yonder7Yonder7 - 6/7/2019 9:34:05 AM
+2 Boost
mre30: SL63 AMG customers...but they will fail because BMW wants is an sport car, not a luxury car. In the same way MB fail when they tray to be an sport car because cutomers want a luxury car from them. If I want several cars in my parking lot I will choose an S class for luxury and comfort and M2 for Sport car. This car will be a waste of resources with no real profit for BMW, I see it as too heavy to consider it an sport car, and not enough comfortable to be a luxury GT.


mre30mre30 - 6/7/2019 9:59:16 AM
+1 Boost
Which customers is Mercedes seeking with their SL63 AMG vehicle? I can't name any.

(I think the entire SL model line in the US, sold about 1,000 per year - the segment doesn't exist which is my point).


cidflekkencidflekken - 6/7/2019 11:50:07 AM
+1 Boost
Mercedes "fails" with sports cars? Have you ever heard of the C63S Coupe and Sedan, E63S, AMG GT? Clearly you have not.


valhallakeyvalhallakey - 6/7/2019 9:34:09 AM
+2 Boost
I have to disagree on the e31 8 series you mention "It borrows technology from other BMW products across the board. It looks like a refreshed 6-Series. It is not a game changer. Although one could argue that was true of the original E31 8-Series". Simply not true, the e31 was a game changer for BMW in many ways. Even though it may not have been the massive success BMW had hoped for, it's technology was ground breaking. First car designed using only CAD. That alone is quite significant for BMW in general. First V12 5sp Road car and only the 2nd V12 car from Germany post WW II, totally new multilink rear suspension design, front seatbelts integrated into the seat, super low drag coefficient of 0.29, electronic throttle, auto dimming rear view mirror etc... and as you did agree the styling was ground breaking for BMW.


Agent00RAgent00R - 6/7/2019 10:26:39 AM
0 Boost
So, the funny thing is we agree.

I think the E31 was groundbreaking; however, I am noting that some people would argue otherwise.

The first-gen 8-Series was a HUGE deal during its day and I was hoping that the 2nd-gen would follow suit. To me, the current-gen is not only a huge MISS but also a huge letdown.


valhallakeyvalhallakey - 6/8/2019 5:00:18 AM
+1 Boost
OK I'm in... agree on the new one as well... really unfortunate for BMW to blow that opportunity.


dlindlin - 6/7/2019 11:24:38 AM
+2 Boost
Glad to see the round tailpipes, but the excessive black finish, both interior and exterior, is a big turn off

Gray is the new Black... get in line, Bimmer!


cidflekkencidflekken - 6/7/2019 11:52:31 AM
+1 Boost
The entire 8 Series is a letdown for me. The exterior styling is nice, but well below coupes from Aston Martin, Benz/AMG, and even the Lexus LC (which I'm not a fan of). The interior wouldn't look appropriate in a 4 Series. From a performance standpoint, BMW did well with the entire range. But other cars with better design do it just as well and in some cases better.

I just don't see a compelling reason to choose an 8 Series over any of its intended competition. And even other competition that costs less.


Agent00JAgent00J - 6/7/2019 12:35:07 PM
0 Boost
The M8's issues are nothing that a 911 can't resolve.

-00J


Yonder7Yonder7 - 6/7/2019 4:52:48 PM
+2 Boost
cidflekken: Do not get me wrong , I am an MB fan , but if you the difference in the numbers, BMW or MB wins for tehths or thousandths of seconds. So two brands that use to be completely different now in plain numbers looks alomost the same. MB still more luxurios than the BMW and BMW is marginaly better sport car, so at the end will be your choice. I still preffer the AMGs any day over BMWs and if I have to choose M8 or SL63, the last will be the mine. However that does not blind me. MB and BMW are alomost the same. Usually MB is more expensive but also more reliable and usually last longer which is the deciding factor for me.


Tiberius1701ATiberius1701A - 6/7/2019 5:50:51 PM
+3 Boost
@carsnyc Big Fat Mustang... FIFY


MDarringerMDarringer - 6/7/2019 7:18:12 PM
-2 Boost
And a Shelby will eat it alive for 50% of the cost.


MDarringerMDarringer - 6/7/2019 8:15:38 PM
+2 Boost
(1) The 8 Series is a sad copy of the Mustang.
(2) The Mustang will go 100K miles relatively little incursion to your wallet beyond normal maintenance whereas the 8 Series will be a money pit right around 50K miles.
(3) You can't afford either, so pipe down.
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