Used BMW 8 Series Convertible for sale: everything you need to know

BMW used the 8-Series name back in the 1990s, but when the second-generation model arrived in 2018, it brought with it a convertible for the first time, which debuted in 2019. It’s the brand’s flagship drop-top, and is as luxurious and well-appointed as you’d expect.

It also sits in a gap in the market, being more affordable than most true grand touring convertibles (something that’s even more the case if you’re buying a used model), but also being neither a true sports car, nor a real luxury cruiser - instead sitting somewhere in the middle of those extremes.

If you want a sports car then a Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet is a better choice, while the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabriolet serves that ultra-luxury role. Other drop-top GTs include the Bentley Continental GTC and Aston Martin DB11 Volante, but both sit at a higher price point than the BMW.

Should you buy a BMW 8 Series Convertible?

The BMW 8 Series Convertible is a bit of an old-school open-topped grand tourer - a car that’ll cover the distance to some far-flung destination with ease, won’t be out of depth if you sling it around a few twisty roads, and will do the whole thing in comfort even when you’ve got the roof down.

As such it’ll appeal to someone who puts less emphasis on outright handling ability or driver engagement than they do an all-round experience. There are definitely sharper drop-tops out there, and more luxurious ones too, but BMW has done a good job of splitting the difference.

BMW has also resisted the temptation to power it with a hybrid-assisted four-cylinder or similar, so you get a range of proper six- and eight-cylinder engines, which suit the 8 Series’ luxurious feel and offer plenty of power. They’re quick and smooth, and fade into the background on longer trips, just as they should. The ride could be softer, but the slight firmness means it’s more capable in corners than you might expect of such a heavy car.

The cabin’s a real highlight though, with a slightly wraparound feel to the dashboard like some older BMWs, a perfect seating position, and a fantastic finish. It falls down a little on space though - front seat passengers will be happy, but for such an enormous vehicle, the rear seats are tiny.

One luxury convertible that doesn’t ignore rear-seat passengers is the Mercedes S-Class Cabriolet. It’s less sporty but even more relaxing as long-distance transport. The Bentley Continental GTC meanwhile trumps both for driver appeal but is also far more expensive than the BMW - you’ll have to look to older GTCs to match an equivalent 8 Series on price. Don’t forget the Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet though, which isn’t as grand as the BMW but is much more of a sports car.

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What’s the best used BMW 8 Series Convertible model to buy?

The sweet spot in the range is the petrol-powered 840i. Neither the M850i nor the range-topping M8 turn the 8 Series into a sports car despite their power, and neither is an appreciably better top-down grand tourer than the six-cylinder petrol car either. It’s not like the 840i is slow, and the straight six arguably sounds better than the two V8s, too…

Conveniently, with no distinct trim levels to choose between (equipment is tied to each engine variant), you don’t lose out on any significant equipment by opting for the 840i or 840d either - the M850i only has one or two extra toys over its smaller-engined siblings.

Used BMW 8 Series Convertible fuel economy and performance

• BMW 8 Series Convertible 840i sDrive: 840i models use a three-litre turbocharged inline six cylinder petrol, making 340PS through an eight-speed automatic gearbox and rear-wheel drive. 0-62mph takes 5.3 seconds, with economy topping 33.2mpg.
• BMW 8 Series Convertible 840d xDrive: The 840d also has a three-litre inline six-cylinder engine, but this time fuelled by diesel and with standard all-wheel drive. Performance nudges ahead of the 840i with a 5.2-second 0-62mph time, and it’ll do up to 40.4mpg combined.
• BMW 8 Series Convertible M850i: M8 aside the top 8 Series engine is a 4.4-litre turbocharged V8 petrol. It has an output of 530PS and gets from 0-62mph in 3.9 seconds. Combined economy is 48.8mpg.

What used BMW 8 Series Convertible trim levels are available?

Equipment levels here are split not by trim levels but according to each engine, though the two non-M badged models have a very similar level of kit, besides one or two items specific to either the petrol or diesel drivetrain.

• The BMW 8 Series Convertible 840i gets 20-inch wheels, active aerodynamics, Merino leather trim, M Sport brakes, an M Sport differential, adaptive LED headlights, a head-up display, Parking Assistant with sensors and a rear view camera, Air Collar (for keeping your neck warm with the top down), a power bootlid, and a 12.3-inch digital instrument display and 10.25-inch touchscreen.
• The BMW 8 Series Convertible 840d is almost identically equipped to the 840i, but the M Sport differential moves from the standard kit list to the options list.
• The BMW 8 Series Convertible M850i has a different 20-inch wheel design, and an M Technology package with a front lip spoiler and extra cooling.

Used BMW 8 Series Convertible dimensions and boot size

The BMW 8 Series Convertible’s dimensions are:

• Length: 4851mm
• Width: 1902mm (without mirrors), 2137mm (with mirrors)
• Height: 1345mm

The BMW 8 Series Convertible’s boot size is:

• 350 litres

Used BMW 8 Series Convertible road tax

All BMW 8 Series Convertibles attract a VED surcharge since they cost more than £40,000 when new. This means tax costs £570 from the second year of registration to the sixth, and drops down to a lower rate from year seven onwards. This is quite a hefty sum, but not unusual for this type of car.

How much is it to insure a BMW 8 Series Convertible?

8 Series Convertibles are a little more expensive to insure than their coupe equivalents. An 840i sits in insurance group 48 (the coupe is group 45), and while both the 840d and M850i are both group 50 and therefore the same as the coupe, you can realistically expect to pay slightly higher premiums for these too.

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