Even though the 840i variants are the entry-level trims, it sure does pack in some punch under the hood. Housing the B58 Twin Power turbo inline-6, the 2021 BMW 8-Series Convertible is good for 335 hp and 368 lb-ft of torque. The twin-scroll turbos spool up pretty quick and there is a lot of thrust from the engine from lower down the rev range. This along with the standard launch control system and the xDrive AWD drivetrain etches out a best 4.6 second run to 60mph from the 2021 BMW 8-Series Convertible. The rear-wheel-drive takes a shade more, clocking around 5 seconds to do the same.
With the roof up, the 2021 BMW 8-Series Convertible manages a standing quarter-mile run in just over 13 seconds and does a claimed 155 mph top speed given that you have a proper set of tires. Talking about performance, if you chose to go for the M850i model, the turbo inline-6 gets replaced by a twin-turbo V8 that pumps out over 500 horses. This model cuts down the 0-60 time to below four seconds and is capable of reaching the same top speed quicker, posting an 11.5 second, 123 mile-an-hour pass over the quarter-mile.
Models
|
BMW 8 Series Convertible
|
Mercedes S 560 Convertible
|
Porsche 911 Carrera Convertible
|
Lexus LC 500 Convertible
|
MSRP
|
$94,400/
$97,300
|
$140,000
|
$114,300
|
$101,000
|
Engine
|
3.0L twin-turbo flat-6
|
4.0L Twin Turbo V8
|
3.0L twin-turbo flat-6
|
5.0L V8
|
Drivetrain
|
AWD/RWD
|
RWD
|
RWD
|
RWD
|
Transmission
|
8-speed automatic
|
9-speed automatic
|
8-speed PDK
|
10-speed automactic
|
Power (hp @ RPM
|
335hp @ 5000rpm
|
463hp @ 5250rpm
|
379hp @ 6500rpm
|
471hp @
|
Torque (lb-ft @ RPM)
|
368lb-ft @ 1600rpm
|
516lb-ft @ 2000rpm
|
331lb-ft @ 1950rpm
|
398lb-ft @ 4800rpm
|
0-60 MPH (seconds)
|
4.6-5.0
|
4.5
|
4.2
|
4.6
|
Quarter-Mile (seconds)
|
13.2
|
12.8
|
11.9
|
13.2
|
Top-Speed (MPH)
|
130
|
130
|
180
|
168
|
The 2021 BMW 8-Series Convertible does seem a bit low on power on paper, but in the real world, it more or less matches its pricier and more powerful competition. The 911 Carrera convertible. Being the lightest car here manages to post the best time both in the 0-60 mph and the quarter-mile run. The S 560 comes in second with a 4.5 second 0-60 run. The BMW and the Lexus manage identical times despite the Lexus having a significant power advantage. The higher curb weight and the absence of an AWD system might be the reason. That said, if it was the BMW M850i, the story would have been entirely different.
How well does the 2021 BMW 8 Series Convertible handle?
Well, let's just say the 2021 BMW 8-Series Convertible is balanced in this regard. It is not as sharp as something short and narrow like the M340i nor as lazy as say, something like the 7-series. It hits the sweet spot in between, without compromising the real-world comfort and usability that grand touring machines like these are expected to offer. The engine does offer a lot and cruising close to triple-digit speeds is effortless thanks to 8-speed auto transmission and excellent straight-line stability.
Even though the steering is power-assisted, it generally feels quite light in use and does weigh up nicely as the speeds increase. The sport drive mode noticeably stiffens up the whole ride and the steering does feel a whole lot more communicative. There is a lot of weight to play with here but as long as you drive it under the limits, there is a whole lot of fun to be had from this rather sizable car. The chassis does feel as solid as the coupe and when driven back-to-back, they almost feel dynamically equivalent.
2021 BMW 8 Series Convertible Braking Performance
The 2021BMW 8-Series Convertible does come with ventilated steel discs all around. BMW has not put up details about the sizes or type of hardware in use, but they sure feel good. There is a decent amount of bite and the pedal does feel very progressive. The best stop we could get out of the BMW 8-Series Convertible is around 115 feet, from 60mph. BMW also has included the whole electronic suit which includes dynamic brake control and cornering braking which aids in better control and confidence when the paces are high.
Models
|
BMW 8 Series Convertible
|
Mercedes S 560 Convertible
|
Porsche 911 Carrera Convertible
|
Lexus LC 500 Convertible
|
Brake Rotors: Front (inches)
|
NA
|
13.2
|
13
|
15.7
|
Brake Rotors: Rear (inches)
|
NA
|
11.8
|
13
|
14.1
|
Curb Weight (lbs)
|
4211
|
4784
|
3508
|
4540
|
60-0 (feet)
|
115
|
122
|
97
|
116
|
Given the Porsche 911, Carrera is a full-blown sports car and is the lightest on here, single-handedly taking a win in the braking department by being the only one stopping in under 100 feet while having no considerable advantage in the hardware. Even though we don’t have any official data on the brake sizes of the BMW, it stops the second best thanks to the comparatively lower curb weight. The LC 500, which boasts the biggest hardware here, comes a close next, stopping in just 116 feet. The hefty 4800 pound S 650 takes a bit longer to come to a complete halt, taking at least 122 feet from the application of brakes.