BMW 8 Series Convertible review

Of course, if ownership costs are a real worry, Top Gear can offer you Some Sensible Buying Advice. BMW is brilliant at diesel engines, and the 840d will not only save you a packet on the purchase price versus the M850i (it’s £83k, not £107k), but the savings keep on coming. How does 45mpg (claimed) rather than, erm, 20-odd grab you? And 161g/km, instead of 229g/km? It’d not even slow: you’re still at 62mph less than five seconds after leaving nought.

Call us cynical, but we doubt many people in the market for BMW’s luxo-sport topless chariot will be counting the cost of fuel too closely.

That said, the fact that the 840d will go close to twice as far on a tank than the M850i does massively increase its GT credentials, and thought we’ve not yet had a chance to test it, is likely to be the sweet spot on the 8 spectrum. Because not every sporting car has to be A Sports Car, after all…

For the UK, all 8 Cabs regardless of engine are all-wheel drive, and come in M Sport specification. So, as standard you’re festooned with 20-inch wheels, a head-up display, the hateful, digital dashboard display, gaudy glass gear selector and iDrive controls, swathes of leather and electric multi-adjustable seats. We recommend spending extra on the heat package to get that steering wheel and those armrests nice and toasty.