Handling

The first impression is ‘natural and intuitive handling.’ It holds its ground firmly in corners, showing no signs of instability or breaking down. Even with significant lateral G-forces, it presses the road confidently and navigates curves effortlessly.

The low center of gravity and light front end allow it to enter corners smoothly. I’m curious how the V8 model would feel, but this inline-six model is delightful on winding roads.

The M Sport Suspension with active stabilizers, akin to Porsche’s PDCC, effectively controls roll, preventing any unsettling sway even with quick steering inputs.

In terms of roll control, it feels like a sports car with a firm suspension, yet the suspension itself is supple and well-damped. This balance is likely thanks to the active stabilizers.

With such enjoyable handling on winding roads, this car is perfect not only for daily commutes but also for weekend drives and tours.

The most surprising aspect was the straight-line stability. The long tunnel on the Royu Driveway has significant undulations, and cars with softer suspensions can struggle to maintain their course. It’s an ideal road to test straight-line stability, and the BMW 840i’s stability is the best I’ve ever experienced.

It’s not just in the top three; it’s undoubtedly number one.

With just a light touch on the steering wheel, it moves like an arrow. Such straight-line stability is rare. Initially, the steering feels light, as is common with modern cars, making you think you need a firmer grip.

However, it offers remarkable stability, unaffected by road undulations. It doesn’t feel like the car is being electronically controlled, allowing the driver to simply rest their hands on the steering wheel.

I was genuinely impressed, and I would highlight this steering feel as my favorite aspect of this BMW.

How Does It Compare to the Panamera?

When it comes to engine power, it varies greatly by grade, so I’ll focus on the chassis tuning and handling.

The first noticeable difference is the amount of feedback from the steering. The Panamera communicates even the texture of the road surface. In contrast, the 8 Series filters out such fine details, focusing on the road condition and contact feel.

In terms of steering characteristics, the Panamera offers a more solid feel, bringing the road closer to the driver. The 8 Series, on the other hand, feels like there’s a thin blanket between the driver and the road. While the 8 Series offers superior ride quality and luxury, the Panamera might be easier to handle on a track.

Among the Panamera grades, the E-Hybrid feels closest to the 8 Series, while the GTS feels the furthest.

Even with the driver’s seat adjusted comfortably, the rear seat offers ample legroom.

In terms of comfort and livability, the 8 Series wins hands down.

The rear seats are surprisingly spacious for a ‘coupe,’ likely more so than the Panamera’s, and they offer excellent comfort. Not only are they spacious, but the ride quality is also superb. While there’s a bit more bumpiness than the front seats, the comfort level is still high.

I sat in the rear while the driver took on winding roads at a decent pace, and I was amazed by the lack of unpleasant jolts or discomfort, allowing for relaxed conversation with the person next to me.

The Panamera is designed as a ‘sports car’ with as much comfort as possible, aiming for fast lap times at the Nürburgring. In contrast, the 8 Series feels like a ‘comfortable coupe’ with as much sportiness as possible.

Both cars aim for the same goal and achieve it, but their starting points differ, resulting in different driving experiences.

Overall Impression

This car is the epitome of a ‘sports coupe (sedan).’ I never imagined a car could be so comfortable yet sporty. I used to think I’d choose a Mercedes SL if I were to buy a luxury coupe, but with the 8 Series’ high level of refinement, I might have to reconsider.

If you don’t need the Panamera’s solid feel and prefer a more relaxed yet fast car, I recommend the 8 Series. If I were to choose a personal car for work-related travel, this would undoubtedly be at the top of my list.

That’s how much I’ve fallen for this car during this experience.