My Week with the BMW M8 Competition: It’s Glorious, But Is It For You?

Let’s be honest, you’ve already read the specs: 617 horsepower, 0-60 in 3 seconds, twin-turbo V8. Yawn. Those numbers are cold. They don’t tell you about the way your stomach lurches when you first stomp the pedal, or how you’ll find excuses to take the long way home. I spent a week living with a Marina Bay Blue M8 Competition Gran Coupe, and here’s the real-world story no brochure will give you.

The First Thing You Notice: It’s Shockingly Subtle (Until It’s Not)

Parked next to a shouty Lamborghini or even a Mercedes-AMG GT, the M8 is almost dignified. To the untrained eye, it’s just a “nice BMW.” The beauty is in the details: the way the carbon fiber roof blends into the pillars, the subtle “gurney flap” on the trunk lid, the sheer width of the rear hips you only notice in your side mirrors.

Then you start it. And the illusion shatters. The cold start is a violent, barking roar that settles into a menacing gurgle. Your neighbors will know you’re leaving. It’s not loud; it’s authoritative.

The Driving Experience: Jekyll and Hyde on Demand

This is where the M8 truly earns its price tag. It’s all thanks to the M Mode buttons on the steering wheel.

• “Road” Mode: This is Dr. Jekyll. The suspension (even on 20-inch wheels) is firm but miraculously compliant. The exhaust quietens to a whisper. The xDrive system sends power to all wheels, making it a total luxury barge. I used this in traffic, and it was calmer than my friend’s 5 Series.
• “Sport” Mode: And here comes Mr. Hyde. This is the party trick. The digital dash switches to a focused, radical layout. The exhaust valves swing open. The steering weights up. The AWD system sends more power rearwards. The car transforms. It’s not a subtle change; it’s like someone gave the car a triple espresso.
• “Track” Mode: This turns off all nannies and driver aids. I didn’t try this on public roads. You shouldn’t either.

The power isn’t just explosive; it’s relentless. The acceleration doesn’t taper off; it shoves you towards the horizon with terrifying consistency. Overtaking isn’t a maneuver; it’s a thought.

The One “Flaw” I Fell In Love With

It’s almost too capable. On a perfect, smooth German autobahn, it would be godly. But on patchy city roads, you can feel its potential being strangled. The car is begging for a track, a purpose its owners might rarely give it. This slight sense of unfulfilled madness is its most charming, human flaw. It’s a genius that’s a little bored.

Living With It: The Daily Reality Check

• The Back Seats: The Gran Coupe’s rear doors are a lifesaver. The back seats are for kids or adults on short trips. It’s a 2+2, not a full sedan.
• The Tech: iDrive 7 is brilliant. The “SetUp” button on the center console that lets you configure the car like a fighter jet is a delightful geek-out moment.
• The Attention: You will be photographed at gas stations. You will have teenagers give you a thumbs-up. It’s an event.

The Verdict: Who Should Actually Buy One?

The BMW M8 isn’t for the person who wants to show off. It’s for the person who knows. It’s for the driving enthusiast who needs one car to do it all: school run, business meeting, and weekend blast on a canyon road. It’s a car that rewards your skill without punishing you for your commute.

It’s not just a mode of transport. It’s a mood. And after a week, my mood has never been better.