Last updated August 4, 2026
The BMW 8 Series starts with the rear-wheel-drive 840i and four-door 840i Gran, which pair smooth six-cylinder power with grand-touring comfort. The 840i xDrive and 840i xDrive Gran keep that character but add all-wheel drive and rear-wheel steering for extra traction and easier maneuvering. The M850i xDrive and M850i xDrive Gran are the V8 performance branch, with much stronger acceleration and more advanced suspension hardware. At the top, the ALPINA B8 xDrive Gran is a hand-finished four-door cruiser focused on effortless speed, richer comfort, and distinctive ALPINA tuning.
The Core Model trim level — 840i and 840i Gran — is the balanced, rear-wheel-drive version of the 8 Series, built for smooth power and relaxed grand touring.
Best for: Drivers who want the 8 Series experience without prioritizing all-weather traction or V8 acceleration.
Highlights
The All-wheel Drive trim level — 840i xDrive and 840i xDrive Gran — keeps the smooth six-cylinder character while adding traction and low-speed agility.
Best for: Drivers who face changing weather or want easier maneuvering without moving up to a V8.
Highlights
Adds all-wheel drive and rear-wheel steering over the Core Model while retaining the 335-hp six-cylinder engine.
7 in stock
The Performance trim level — M850i xDrive and M850i xDrive Gran — is the V8-powered grand tourer, pairing much stronger acceleration with comfort for long trips.
Best for: Drivers who want serious V8 pace in either a personal two-door or a more passenger-friendly four-door.
Highlights
Replaces the six-cylinder with a 523-hp twin-turbo V8 and adds performance-focused suspension with active roll stabilization.
7 in stock
The Ultra Premium trim level — ALPINA B8 xDrive Gran — is the hand-finished four-door flagship, tuned for effortless speed, distinctive details, and richer comfort.
Best for: Drivers seeking a rare, highly finished V8 8 Series that favors high-speed comfort over a hard-edged track feel.
Highlights
Adds a 612-hp ALPINA-tuned V8, ALPINA-specific transmission and suspension tuning, a sport limited-slip rear differential, and more handcrafted cabin detail over the Performance level.
0 in stock| Feature | Core Model | Performance | Ultra Premium | All-wheel Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Includes | 840i, 840i Gran4 in stock | M850i xDrive, M850i xDrive Gran7 in stock | ALPINA B8 xDrive Gran0 in stock | 840i xDrive, 840i xDrive Gran7 in stock |
| Engine and output | 335-hp turbo six-cylinder | 523-hp twin-turbo V8 | 612-hp ALPINA twin-turbo V8 | 335-hp turbo six-cylinder |
| Driven wheels | Rear-wheel drive | All-wheel drive | All-wheel drive | All-wheel drive |
| Chassis highlight | Limited-slip rear differential | Rear-wheel steering and active roll control | Rear-wheel steering, active roll control, sport rear differential | Rear-wheel steering |
| Suspension focus | Adaptive, comfort-balanced | Performance-focused adaptive | ALPINA-tuned adaptive sport | Adaptive, traction-focused |
| Body and seating layouts | Two-door four-seat or four-door five-seat | Two-door four-seat or four-door five-seat | Four-door Gran Coupe | Two-door four-seat or four-door five-seat |
| Seat comfort emphasis | Heated front sport seats | Heated and ventilated front sport seats | Heated and ventilated front seats; heated rear seats | Heated front sport seats |
“Gran” identifies the four-door Gran Coupe. An 840i Gran or M850i xDrive Gran has five seats and easier rear access, while the equivalent trim without “Gran” is a two-door Coupe or Convertible with four seats.
xDrive means all-wheel drive. On 2020-and-newer six-cylinder 8 Series models, the xDrive versions also have rear-wheel steering, which helps the large car feel easier to maneuver at low speeds while improving stability on the road.
The main difference is traction. In recent years, both use the same 335-hp turbocharged six-cylinder engine and adaptive suspension. The 840i drives the rear wheels, while the 840i xDrive adds all-wheel drive and rear-wheel steering.
The body and seating layout are the key differences. In recent years, both have the 335-hp six-cylinder engine and rear-wheel drive. The 840i is a two-door Coupe or Convertible with four seats; the 840i Gran is a four-door, five-seat Gran Coupe with a panoramic roof and soft-close doors.
They share a 335-hp six-cylinder engine, all-wheel drive, rear-wheel steering, and adaptive suspension on newer models. The regular 840i xDrive is a four-seat Coupe or Convertible. The Gran adds four doors, five seats, a panoramic roof, and more useful rear space.
The M850i xDrive mainly adds much stronger performance. On newer models, it replaces the 840i’s 335-hp six-cylinder engine with a 523-hp twin-turbo V8. It also brings active body-roll control, a more performance-focused adaptive suspension, and ventilated front seats.
The performance hardware is largely the same in recent years: a 523-hp V8, all-wheel drive, rear-wheel steering, and active body-roll control. The regular M850i is a four-seat Coupe or Convertible; the Gran is a four-door model with five seats, a larger rear cabin, and soft-close doors.
The 2022–2025 ALPINA B8 Gran Coupe is the rarer, more luxurious step above the regular M850i Gran. It has an ALPINA-tuned 612-hp V8, its own transmission and suspension tuning, distinctive handcrafted details, and heated rear seats. Its focus is effortless speed and comfort.
No. The M850i is the V8-powered performance trim within the regular 8 Series lineup. BMW positions the separate M8 range above it with a more hard-edged performance focus. The M850i still emphasizes long-distance comfort alongside its speed.
The 840i xDrive Gran is the balanced daily-use pick in 2020-and-newer lineups. It combines the smoother six-cylinder engine with all-wheel drive, rear-wheel steering, four doors, five seats, and a more useful rear cabin without moving up to the V8 models.
An xDrive trim is the better fit because it has all-wheel drive. The 840i xDrive and 840i xDrive Gran pair that extra traction with the six-cylinder engine, while the M850i xDrive versions add a much more powerful V8.
Within this generation, Convertible versions include the M850i xDrive from launch and the six-cylinder 840i and 840i xDrive from 2020 onward. The Gran trims and ALPINA B8 are four-door Gran Coupes rather than convertibles.
A newer 840i includes a 12.3-inch touchscreen with navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 16-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, heated power-adjustable front sport seats, a heated steering wheel, and adaptive LED headlights.