BMW 8 Series vs. BMW i8
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the BMW 8 Series and BMW i8 contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the BMW 8 Series and the BMW i8.
When comparing the BMW 8 Series's and the BMW i8's specifications and ratings, the BMW 8 Series has the advantage in the area of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars. The BMW i8 has the advantage in the areas of fuel efficiency, resale value and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the BMW 8 Series's and the BMW i8's specifications and ratings, the BMW i8 is a better car than the BMW 8 Series.
Pricing: A used 2020 BMW 8 Series ranges from $43,395 to $65,000 while a used 2020 BMW i8 is priced between $64,955 to $94,528.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the BMW 8 Series loses 55.8 percent of its value and the BMW i8 loses 45.6 percent of its value. This means the BMW i8 retains 10.2 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the BMW 8 Series.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the BMW 8 Series’s base engine makes 335 horsepower, and the BMW i8 base engine makes 369 horsepower. The 8 Series is rated to deliver an average of 24 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 522 miles. The i8 is rated to deliver an average of 27 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 337 miles.This gives the BMW i8 the advantage in fuel efficiency and the BMW 8 Series the advantage in maximum range. The 8 Series uses premium unleaded, and the i8 uses electricity, premium unleaded.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$84,900
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
$63,037
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
$25,370 - $130,000
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$147,500
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Hybrid Sports Cars)
$143,683
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Hybrid Sports Cars)
$103,800 - $163,300
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$53,792
Price Range:
$43,395 - $65,000
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
$44,278
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
$23,996 - $77,843
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
51
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
44,596
# Good or Great Deals:
13
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$83,233
Price Range:
$64,955 - $94,528
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Hybrid Sports Cars)
$76,713
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Hybrid Sports Cars)
$68,156 - $83,233
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
4
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
31,881
# Good or Great Deals:
0
BMW 8 Series Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
7.0 / 10
Safety:
Not available
BMW i8 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.1 / 10
Reliability:
6.6 / 10
Retained Value:
7.7 / 10
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for BMW 8 Series
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
7.2
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
4 - 10.6
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for BMW i8
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
11
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
10.5
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
3
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
0.6 - 32.7
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
4.6
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Hybrid Sports Cars)
3.9
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Hybrid Sports Cars)
0.3 - 26.1
BMW 8 Series Rankings
Ranking
3 out of / 29Ranking
6 out of / 29Ranking
7 out of / 29Ranking
16 out of / 29Ranking
16 out of / 20Ranking
20 out of / 29BMW i8 Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 8Ranking
1 out of / 8Ranking
1 out of / 8Ranking
2 out of / 20Ranking
3 out of / 28Ranking
3 out of / 20Ranking
5 out of / 8Ranking
5 out of / 8Ranking
6 out of / 20Ranking
7 out of / 28Ranking
7 out of / 28Ranking
7 out of / 20Ranking
7 out of / 8Ranking
9 out of / 20Ranking
13 out of / 28Ranking
14 out of / 20Ranking
16 out of / 28Ranking
16 out of / 20Ranking
19 out of / 28Ranking
20 out of / 28Available Body Styles
Convertible, Coupe, Sedan
Available Body Styles
Convertible, Coupe
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Plug-In Hybrid
BMW 8 Series Trim Levels
Not yet available
BMW i8 Trim Levels
Not yet available
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
335 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque:
368 foot-lbs @ 1600 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.079 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
369 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque:
420 foot-lbs @ 3700 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.105 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
3 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
22 / 29 / 24
Range (city/hwy):
396 / 522 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
1.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
3
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
26 / 29 / 27
Range (city/hwy):
304 / 337 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Electricity, Premium Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Automatic Parking:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
N/A
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
Standard
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Lane Departure Warning:
Available
Lane Keeping Assist:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.1 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.1 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
57.2 inches
Rear Head Room:
37 inches
Rear Leg Room:
36.6 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54.6 inches
Cargo Space:
15.5 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
100.0 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.7 inches
Front Leg Room:
43.1 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.7 inches
Rear Head Room:
32.4 inches
Rear Leg Room:
28.2 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
49.6 inches
Cargo Space:
4.7 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4262 lbs
Width:
84.1 inches
Height:
55.2 inches
Length:
200.2 inches
Wheelbase:
119 inches
Ground Clearance:
4.8 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3501 lbs
Width:
87.3 inches
Height:
50.9 inches
Length:
184.9 inches
Wheelbase:
110.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
4.6 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
245/45R18
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
20.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
215/45R20
Exterior Colors
Black
Black Sapphire Metallic / Carbon Black Metallic
Blue
Barcelona Blue Metallic / Blue Ridge Mountain Metallic / Bluestone Metallic / Sonic Speed Blue Metallic / Tanzanite Blue II Metallic
Gray
Dravit Grey Metallic / Frozen Bluestone Metallic
Orange
Sunset Orange Metallic
Red
Aventurin Red Metallic
White
Alpine White / Mineral White Metallic
Brown
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Not available
Blue
Not available
Gray
Donington Grey / Sophisto Grey Metallic w/ BMW i Frozen Blue Accent / Sophisto Grey Metallic w/ E-Copper Accent / Sophisto Grey Metallic w/ Frozen Grey Accent
Orange
Not available
Red
Not available
White
Crystal White Pearl Metallic w/ BMW i Frozen Blue Accent / Crystal White Pearl Metallic w/ Frozen Grey Accent
Brown
E-Copper Metallic w/ Frozen Grey Accent
Interior Colors
Beige
Cognac
Black
Black / Black w/ M Piping
Blue
Night Blue/Black
Brown
Tartufo/Black
Red
Fiona Red / Fiona Red/Black
White
Ivory White / Ivory White/Night Blue / Ivory White/Tartufo
Gray
Not available
Interior Colors
Beige
Not available
Black
Not available
Blue
Not available
Brown
E-Copper Exclusive / Terra Exclusive Dalbergia Brown
Red
Not available
White
Giga Ivory White
Gray
Giga Amido