Progress report: 2023 BMW M8 Competition vs 1997 BMW 8 Series

Let’s not jump to conclusions too early, eh? The first-gen BMW 8 Series, codenamed E31 and solely available as a two-door coupe, debuted in 1989 powered by a range of nat-asp V8 and V12 engines. Today’s second-gen equivalent, available in convertible (G14), coupe (G15) and four-door gran coupe (G16) body styles and powered by a straight-six turbo petrol or diesel plus a 523bhp V8 twin-turbo petrol, was launched in 2018. But then BMW’s M Division decided it wanted a slice of the pie, and the M8 was born.

Er, sure. The full fat M8 Competition you see above is powered by the 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 engine shared with the BMW M5, with 616bhp and 553lb ft of torque delivered to all four wheels through an eight-speed auto gearbox. That translates to a 0–62mph time of 3.2 seconds and, if you’ve gone all out and specced the Driver’s Package as we have, a derestricted top speed of 189mph. This is no less than the most powerful production car BMW has ever built.

During its nine-year production run, the E31 came in both 840 (4.0L and 4.4L V8) and 850 (5.0L, 5.4L and 5.6L V12) guises, but we also oh-so-nearly got a first-gen M8, with BMW secretly building a one-off 6.0-litre 550bhp V12 prototype but [sob] never putting it into production. Still, back in the real world, owner Debbie’s well used, much loved completely original example has the 4.4-litre V8 up top outputting 286bhp and 310lb ft of torque and sending all its power to the rear wheels via a five-speed automatic gearbox. 

To frame these two, it’s worth considering their primary purpose in life – grand touring. And in that sense the E31 fits the bill perfectly, with its hugely comfortable cabin, relaxed power delivery (0–62mph takes 6.6secs in the manual, 7.1secs in the auto) and easygoing manners on open roads. The M8 Comp is a different beast entirely, with its effortless acceleration, endless grip and fairly unforgiving ride – there’s no question that it’s a phenomenally quick car, but it arguably suffers as a grand tourer as a result.

From the wedgy shape to the long nose to the pop-up headlights, the E31 is now appreciated as one of the best looking Beemers in history, meaning a second album was always going to be a tough ask. While the modern day 8 Series shares a similar silhouette, the bigger grille and somewhat bloated body shape don’t turn heads in the same way. Will we look back in years to come with similar fondness? We think not.