Models · BMW
BMW 8 Series G14/G15/G16 buying guide
BMW's grand tourer, launched as a coupé in December 2018 and joined by the convertible and four-door Gran Coupé in 2019, then facelifted in 2022. UK cars have six-cylinder diesel and petrol engines or a twin-turbo V8.
The versions
- 840d xDrive: 3.0 six-cylinder diesel, 315bhp, dropped with the 2022 facelift
- 840i: 3.0 six-cylinder petrol, 335bhp, the only rear-wheel-drive version
- M850i xDrive: 4.4 twin-turbo V8 petrol, 522bhp, with four-wheel steering as standard
- Coupé, convertible and four-door Gran Coupé bodies
- Eight-speed automatic on every car; the M8 isn't covered here
What to check on a G15 8 Series
3 model-specific things to look at when you view one. They're a starting point, not the full inspection.
Judder on tight turns (xDrive cars)
What to look for: On an 840d or M850i, drive slowly at full lock in both directions in a car park and pull away gently from a standstill. The car should move smoothly with no jerking or shudder through the floor.
Why it matters: BMW issued a service bulletin in May 2020 for jerking or shudder from the xDrive transfer box, covering the 8 Series among other models, with tyres or out-of-specification factory oil among the causes. There's no warning light, so the drive is the test. The 840i is rear-wheel drive and doesn't have a transfer box.
Brake recalls
What to look for: On the drive, the brake pedal should feel consistent and firm with no warning light or message. Before you travel, give the chassis number to a BMW dealer and ask whether the brake recalls have been done.
Why it matters: In February 2021 BMW recalled cars built between February and November 2020 for braking system faults, and in March 2021 it recalled cars for faulty brake discs. Recall work is done by a BMW dealer, and a record of it is a good sign.
Fuel smell and the engine-bay fire recall
What to look for: Around the car and in the cabin, note any smell of fuel. Ask the dealer whether the fuel pump and engine-bay fire recalls apply to the car and have been done.
Why it matters: Cars built in March and April 2019 were recalled in July 2019 for leaking fuel pumps, and cars built up to September 2020 were recalled in August 2022 for an engine-bay fire risk. Both are dealer fixes.
Also in the full guide
- Seatbelt buckles
- Infotainment and software
- The cold start, test drive and paperwork checks for the exact version you're viewing
The full guide to the G15 8 Series
The CrankSight guide walks you round the car on your phone at the viewing, with every check for the exact version you're looking at: what to look for, where to find it, and what anything you find is likely to cost. As you go it builds an assessment of that car, and if you view more than one, it lines them up side by side.
£29 for the model, used on as many cars as you like, delivered within 72 hours or your money back.
Other generations
General points for the model, last checked October 2026. Every car is different, so treat this as a guide to what to look at, not a verdict on any car. CrankSight is independent and has no connection with BMW.