Ever since it was first released in 2018, the BMW M8 Competition has been making waves across the luxury sports car segment. BMW's top-tier version of their flagship 8 Series replaced the previous top-spec 6-Series coupe. At a $147,995 starting price, it's out of the reach of most auto enthusiasts, but for the lucky few that can afford it, it's a no-brainer.

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It combines all the best features that the Bavarians are known for, with striking looks, a thundering engine, and a premium interior. It's certainly got all the right ingredients, and the finished product is nothing short of excellent. Let's take a look at this beast of a car and decide whether it might just be BMW's best sports car yet.

10 It Was The Most Powerful Production BMW At Release

BMW M8 Competition
Via BMW Media

When it comes to deciding which model is the best, superlatives matter. The M8 Competition ticks that box straight off the bat, as when it released it was the most powerful production car to ever roll off Beemer's assembly line. Its engine delivers 625 hp, which is put to the ground via an automatic transmission and electronically-controlled differentials.

BMW M8 Competition
Via BMW Media

It no longer holds the title of the most powerful production BMW, as it's been beaten by the new BMW M5 CS that debuted a few months ago. However, that car only has 2 horsepower more than the M8 Competition, so it won't make any difference to the driving experience.

9 The V8 Redlines At 7,200 RPM

BMW M8 Competition
Via BMW Media

The M8 Competition weighs 1.9 tonnes, so it needs a fairly hefty engine just to shift its weight about. But, BMW wanted serious performance, so they installed a 4.4L V8 capable of revving to a limit of 7,200 rpm. That means the car can do 0-60 in just 2.5 seconds.

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BMW M8 Competition
Via BMW Media

It sounds amazing too, although the exhaust note is a little more restrained than an equivalent AMG even at full throttle. Not that it needs to be pushed at full throttle everywhere; even in the lower rev ranges, there's still plenty of poke on tap at all times.

8 There's A Coupe And A Convertible

BMW M8 Competition
Via BMW Media

As good as a coupe car can be, sometimes the weather calls for a more open-top driving experience. Thankfully, for those sunny days, there's a convertible M8 Competition offered as well, and it's just as crazy as its hard-top sibling. It doesn't lose anything in the way of power or handling capability either.

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BMW M8 Competition
Via BMW Media

The downside is that buying a convertible will increase the M8 Competition's sky-high price tag even further, to the point where it's almost getting comparable to a used supercar. But, for those with the cash, an M8 will provide a better mix of practicality and performance than a supercar would ever be able to.

7 Drivers Can Map Multiple Setups

BMW M8 Competition
Via BMW Media

If there are multiple drivers who drive one car, it can be a huge pain to adjust everything to one driver's exact preferences every time they get in it. The M8 Competition solves that problem by introducing two buttons that can be individually configured to a particular setup, including changing things like steering weight and braking response.

BMW M8 Competition
Via BMW Media

Likewise, it can also be used to make a dedicated "track mode". Say, if one of the buttons is configured to a single driver's preferred track setup and then the second is configured for the drive home. But, most M8 Competitions won't make it to the track, and to be fair that's not really what they're designed for anyway.

6 The Driver's Package Means A 189 MPH Top Speed

BMW M8 Competition
Via BMW Media

One thing the M8 Competition is designed for is long-distance driving, and as such, it needs to be able to outpace anything that happens to be on a German autobahn alongside it. To ensure drivers get the maximum performance out of their new car, most will want to opt for the Driver's Package, which will cost only a few thousand dollars extra.

BMW M8 Competition
BMW Media

That money includes an upgrade that unlocks the car's full top speed of 189 MPH, and there's also a day's specialist driver training at one of BMW's driving schools included. That's just to make sure that the car's new owner will be well equipped to handle all that speed.

5 There's A RWD "Drift Mode"

BMW M8 Competition
Via BMW Media

As much as the M8 Competition is designed to be precise and refined in every situation, there comes a time with every performance car driver where they just want to show off. Rest assured, the M8 caters for that too.

BMW M8 Competition
Via BMW Media

There's an option to engage RWD-only mode, which is essentially a free passport to begin instantly shredding rubber. With so much power just being sent to the rear wheels, it'll only take a small push of the throttle to get those tires spinning. Just make sure that there's a new set available for the drive home.

4 Every Driver Assist Can Be Turned Off

BMW M8 Competition
Via BMW Media

On the subject of showing off, drivers who want a more traditional driving experience without all the extensive driver aids can just choose to turn them all off. There's also a mode that specifically caters to track driving, turning off all the automatic assists that might interfere if a driver clips an apex during cornering for example.

BMW M8 Competition
Via BMW Media

For everyday motoring though, it's definitely recommended to keep those assists on, especially as they're so comprehensive. Being a flagship car, every assistive technology that BMW has is included, which means an M8 C driver will have access to as much assistance tech as the chauffeur of a top-spec 7 Series limousine.

3 There's Carbon Fiber Everywhere

BMW M8 Competition
Via BMW Media

It's very easy for a manufacturer to run a car by using cheap materials in a supposedly premium product, but not BMW. There's shiny carbon fiber all over the M8 Competition, from the accents on the exterior to the center console in the cabin.

BMW M8 Competition
Via BMW Media

There's also lots of precision-machined metal plating and soft-touch leather for surfaces that the driver will interact with. The only downside is that, unlike some of Beemer's other models, there's no crystal gear shifter included. Although, it's probably possible to spec one at the dealership as a special request.

2 The Next-Level Seating

BMW M8 Competition
Via BMW Media

The seats of the M8 Competition are a surprisingly cool feature, as they're actually fully adjustable to each driver and passenger. They're designed to keep occupants firmly in place through hard cornering, but still, be comfortable on long highway journeys.

BMW M8 Competition
Via BMW Media

Not only do they adjust in height, but also in width, so passengers of every shape and size can find the perfect fit for them. Anyone living in colder climates also has access to a range of heating options, including everything from the seats to armrests.

1 It's Actually Quite Practical Too

BMW M8 Competition
Via BMW Media

As far as luxury super GTs go, the M8 Competition is one of the best ones to live with on a daily basis. There are four seats available, although the two rear seats are a bit too cramped to use every day.

BMW M8 Competition
Via BMW Media

There's also 420L of trunk space, which might seem like an irrelevant feature. But, given the M8 Competition is designed for driving long distances, it's imperative that there's enough space to take whatever needs to come along for the ride. So, it seems like the flagship BMW ticks all the right boxes on both every day and the performance front. Is it the best sports car that the brand has ever made? It might well be.

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