BMW 840i

Core summary

The 840i combines 8 Series presence with a straight-six. Choose the body style before choosing the options: Coupe and Gran Coupe are not interchangeable.

The 840i is the six-cylinder petrol alternative to the V8-powered M850i within this 8 Series family. Its purpose is not to imitate an M8 at a discount. It offers the long-bonnet proportions and touring role of the larger BMW coupe range without making the V8 the centre of the purchase decision.

Cariary would start with how the car will be used. A driver travelling mostly alone may prefer the two-door Coupe; someone taking adults on regular journeys should investigate the four-door Gran Coupe before becoming attached to a colour or wheel design.

History & generations

The 840i arrived in 2019. This guide distinguishes the G15 Coupe from the G16 Gran Coupe; the related open-top G14 is a separate body choice, not the same car with an interchangeable roof. These models should not be confused with the original 1990s 8 Series.

BMW introduced the Gran Coupe with a longer wheelbase and four passenger doors. That change matters more to daily access than the shared 840i badge. Registration year alone cannot tell you which body, drivetrain or equipment package a listing represents.

Body, platform & design

The gallery shows a dark four-door Gran Coupe from the front and a black two-door Coupe from the rear. Their rooflines and door arrangements are deliberately identified separately. They illustrate the same engine-model family, not two views of one car.

Try opening the Coupe's long door in a realistic parking space. For the Gran Coupe, assess rear entry with the front seat in your normal driving position. A handsome low roof can be worth its compromises, but those compromises should be understood before buying.

Engine & drivetrain

The 2019 launch specification uses a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six rated at 250 kW/340 PS and 500 Nm, with an eight-speed automatic. Rear-wheel drive and xDrive versions were offered. These are dated metric specifications, not a claim that every market uses identical advertised horsepower.

Evaluate smooth low-speed operation and overtaking response during a proper drive. Ask whether the engine or gearbox software has been modified; an attractive performance claim is less useful than documented maintenance and a car that behaves consistently.

Trim differences

M Sport styling does not turn an 840i into an M850i or M8. Similarly, xDrive identifies the all-wheel-drive version rather than a cosmetic package. Confirm the factory build record before attributing equipment to a badge.

Seats, audio, driver assistance and chassis options deserve separate comparisons. If two used cars cost the same, the more comfortable and better maintained example may be the better touring companion even if the other has more conspicuous wheels.

Interior & seating

The Coupe is a 2+2 proposition; the Gran Coupe's 4+1 arrangement still does not make its middle rear position equivalent to a full individual seat. BMW describes that extra Gran Coupe place as suitable for shorter journeys. Families should test actual passenger fit rather than count seatbelts.

Operate the seat adjustment, climate controls and infotainment while parked. Check access to charging sockets and storage with your own phone and bags, especially if the car will be used for long weekends rather than occasional short drives.

Efficiency & range

Choose the 840i for the six-cylinder touring proposition, not because a lower engine position guarantees inexpensive ownership. Fuel, insurance, tyres and high-value body repairs remain relevant. Compare a realistic annual budget with the V8 alternative rather than relying only on a headline consumption figure.

Large wheels and urban stop-start journeys can undermine the savings a buyer expects. A representative test route is more informative than a best-case motorway photograph from the seller.

Safety & equipment

Verify the fitted assistance package and check that cameras and sensors work without warnings. Ask for repair and calibration records after windscreen or bumper replacement. Sophisticated parking equipment is helpful around a broad, low car but does not replace checking clearance yourself.

Inspect all tyres for age, damage and appropriate specifications, particularly on an xDrive car. Have outstanding manufacturer campaigns checked against the VIN.

Strengths

The 840i separates the appeal of an 8 Series from the decision to buy a V8. It can suit an owner who values the shape, cabin and touring character more than the strongest acceleration figure. That is a coherent preference rather than an incomplete purchase.

The Gran Coupe adds a meaningful practical alternative within that idea. The Coupe remains the clearer choice when two-door proportions are the reason for wanting the car in the first place.

Considerations

The body-style distinction creates several expensive mistakes to avoid: assuming rear-seat access will be easy, buying before checking garage space, or ordering accessories from a different body version. Test these details in person.

Commission an independent inspection covering diagnostic faults, fluid leaks, cooling-system condition, suspension and evidence of repairs. Those are inspection priorities, not a claim that every 840i suffers a particular defect. Leave a reserve after purchase for the premium-car components surrounding the engine.

Recommended use

A two-person touring car with occasional additional passengers is the natural Coupe use case. A buyer who wants a low, expressive four-door for work and weekends should begin with the Gran Coupe. Neither needs to be justified by pretending it is the cheapest way to carry people.

Cariary's buying order is body fit, condition, seat comfort and then performance preference. Reversing that order can leave an impressive car that is awkward on ordinary days.

Rivals & related

For a two-door shopping list, consider a Lexus LC or a suitable Mercedes-Benz coupe of comparable age and price. Their engine character and cabin packaging differ, so test them as alternatives rather than looking for an identical specification.

For the Gran Coupe, an Audi A7 or Porsche Panamera provides a useful four-door comparison. Internally, the M850i is the V8 step-up; its additional appeal must be weighed against ownership cost rather than assumed to be automatically necessary.

FAQ

Q: Is an 840i a V8?
A: No. This generation's 840i uses a turbocharged inline-six.

Q: Does every 840i have four doors?
A: No. G15 Coupe and G16 Gran Coupe have different bodies.

Q: Is every version all-wheel drive?
A: No. Confirm whether the car is an xDrive version.

Q: Can five adults use the Gran Coupe?
A: Check fit carefully; its 4+1 layout makes the centre rear position a compromise.

Sources & updates

Manufacturer references below identify the dated generations and specifications used here. Buying assessments are Cariary editorial analysis, not a claimed first-hand road test or a diagnosis of an individual vehicle. Photographs carry their own credits and licences. Confirm exact ratings, equipment and campaign status for the production date and original market of the car you are considering.

• BMW 840i introduction, summer 2019 →
• BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe, 2019 launch →
• Photograph — Dark BMW 840i G16 Gran Coupe from the front and above →OWS Photography; CC BY 4.0

Last editorial review: September 20, 2026. Specifications remain market- and model-year-specific.