I’m apprehensive about modern Bimmers, like the 2023 BMW M850i xDrive. Like other curmudgeons who think that BMW cars peaked in the 90s, I don’t love the direction they’ve been headed, watering down the brand, becoming more disconnected, deliberately moving away from their former “Ultimate Driving Machine” mantra. The thing is, people have been throwing this criticism at BMW for years now, and you could make an argument that it started with the first 850i, launched all the way back in 1991.
Just as is the case now as it was then, the 8-series replaced the 6-series coupes, with the renaming signaling an upward shift, moving BMW’s big coupe into full-fledged flagship status, above and beyond the 7-series sedan. And, echoing history again, the 850 was and is a tour de force of BMW’s most cutting-edge engineering, with the aim of making a spectacular personal luxury car that performed with the world’s best sports cars, draped in styling that’s simultaneously subdued and striking.
Despite being an incredibly impressive car, the original 850 was rather unloved for the same reasons a lot of BMWs are unloved now: it was too soft, too quiet, too heavy, and too disconnected. It wasn’t what people expected a BMW to be, and it didn’t help that all the engineering prowess behind it made it incredibly expensive, with a sticker of over two hundred grand in today’s money. This is where the old-school 850 departs from the new kid on the block, it advances the same mission statement without compromising anything. Where the old 8 was a tonal shift away from what put them on the map, the new 8 is a spectacular return to form.
I should specify it’s not “new,” as this incarnation of 8 has been around since 2019. For 2023, the 8 gets its customary LCI (stands for Life Cycle Impulse, BMW parlance for refresh) update, which features a subtly revised front fascia, more ///M badges, and some new colors. Its GT-car shape is more than a little unusual and thoroughly dramatic, with some angles looking downright exotic and others looking awkward. It’s huge, wide, and low, with an expansive hood and incredibly steeply raked greenhouse. While it looked a little garish on debut, the 8 is now one of BMW’s more subtle designs, and stands as a refreshing break from some of their current design trends.
Another refreshing break is continued use of the “old” iDrive infotainment in the cabin. I hesitate to call it “old” because it’s still absolutely brilliant and a joy to use, with a crisp snappy display that still looks and functions better than the overwhelming majority of what else is out there, including BMW’s own newer version of the system. Rather than incorporating the sweeping ultrawide curved dual-display of some brand new BMWs, they’ve kept separate screens, but the infotainment screen grows to 12.3 inches, making it just a little bit nicer to use than it already was. I really can’t stress enough how good this is, it’s glorious.
The rest of the cabin is glorious too, a beautiful cocoon of functional luxury. Our tester’s stunning two-tone Ivory White & Night Blue Merino leather looks incredible against the screaming bright Santorini Blue paint and new Style 894M 20-inch wheels, adding some serious visual flare to the M850’s already commanding presence. Outside and in, and M850i looks every bit like the flagship product it is, and feels like it too.
The glass shift knob adds a nice little dose of bling, the Bowers & Wilkins Diamond audio system is incredible, and the driver’s aids function impeccably. The only compromises come in the form of hindered visibility from the nearly horizontal pillars, which is offset by some of the best parking cameras I’ve ever seen, and limited rear seat room, also mitigated by a remarkably commodious trunk.
With such opulent accommodation and sublime driving dynamics, the M850i is a magnificent grand tourer. It masterfully accomplishes the Jekyll and Hyde character traits of BMW’s greatest hits, all at once able to be a serene sheath of splendor and a rabid monster. When it’s impersonating Dr. Jekyll, it’s nearly silent, smooth, and seamless, with fabulous ride quality. It really takes to heart the meaning of being a personal luxury coupe, and is an absolutely wonderful place to sit in traffic.
On the other hand, it takes nothing more than a mild prod of the skinny pedal to elicit the wrath of Mr. Hyde. BMW rates the 4.4L twin-turbocharged V8 under the hood for 523 horsepower, and that figure feels very conservative. The M850i feels ridiculously fast and actually is significantly faster than that, capable of leaping to take-my-license speeds in just a few seconds, even at partial throttle. It sounds great too, emitting a hearty baritone V8 growl, with the requisite burbles and pops layered on in Sport mode. The ZF 8-speed in this application is effectively faultless.
BMW’s been making great powertrains for decades though, this is no surprise. What is a surprise is how good the chassis is. It breaks with BMW’s traditional McPherson front suspension and replaces it with a double-wishbone layout, which not only benefits ride quality, but also mechanical grip – it never seems to run out of traction. This has also had a great benefit on steering feel, as the M850i is one of the only modern BMWs with a truly talkative steering wheel. In classic BMW fashion, all the driver controls feel organic and linear, without overly-artificial boosting. It’s a satisfying thing to pilot, fast or slow.
I was really taken aback at how much I liked this car. See, here’s the thing: I’m one of those cynical curmudgeons that usually refers to “progress” in jest. I struggle to see how a lot of modern BMWs are better than their predecessors, and I (personally) would grab the keys to literally anything BMW was making thirty years ago before grabbing the fob to their modern equivalent. So please understand the gravity of what I mean when I say this is better.
The original 850 was knocked for being too heavy, too isolated, and too expensive. This new 850, despite being substantially larger and safer and all wheel drive and all that jazz, is only 200 pounds heavier, thanks to its Carbon Core frame. It’s double-wishbone front suspension makes for an incredibly competent chassis that’s a communicative and engaging partner, and it has some real racing pedigree. Despite the use of exotic materials and the most cutting edge tech available, our loaded tester rings up at $137,650, a little more than a less usable Lexus LC, considerably less than a comparably spec’d Porsche and roughly a hundred grand less than a Mercedes SL 63.
This is what progress looks like. It pulls off the unfathomably rare trick of being arguably more compelling than its contemporaries and better than its legendary progenitor. Being a big coupe makes it inherently more special and, for those that care, a much harder flex than all the massive SUVs and sport sedans parading around. The original 850 was supposed to be a resplendent autobahn bruiser, and it largely succeeded, with some hangups. The 2023 BMW M850i xDrive improves on what made the original a legend, and eliminates the weaknesses. If you’re looking for an impeccably executed luxury missile, stop looking. This is your car.
