The BMW M8 is a powerful and high-performance coupe. It also comes in a convertible and 4-door gran coupe. This car is also advanced, comfortable, and safe. However, it also comes with several problems that interested buyers should know about. So, what are the common problems with the BMW M8?
Common problems with the BMW M8 are inadequate screwing, faulty seatbelt lock recognition, defective hydraulic unit, excess oil usage, bad spark plugs, failing ignition coils, and oil leaks. These issues are easy to fix and most of them can be avoided with proper care and maintenance.
What are the common problems with BMW M8?
Inadequate screwing
Despite BMW M8 existing in the market for less than 5 years, it has already had some recalls. One of the reasons BMW recalled this model is because of inadequate screwing. Since some 2018 to 2019 BMW M8 models don’t feature enough screwing, the high-pressure pump could become detached and cause fuel to leak out.
As a result, this could lead to engine failure and increase the danger of the car catching fire. BMW recalled most BMW M8s made between 18 July 2018 and 24 June 2019. So, before you acquire a used model made during this period, you should confirm whether the owner had the issue fixed.
Faulty seatbelt lock recognition
Another problem that made BMW recall the M8 was the faulty seatbelt lock recognition. This problem was registered by BMW M8 models made between 2019 and 2020. The main cause of this problem is a short cable linking the hall sensor and the seat buckle.
Since this cable is extremely short, the sensor might detach the buckle, leading to a faulty seatbelt lock recognition, hindering the functioning of the restraint system and the deployment of the airbag. In the long run, this leads to an increased risk of injury when an accident takes place.
Defective hydraulic unit
BMW recalled M8 models made between 14 December 2018 and 1st February 2021 because of a faulty hydraulic unit of the braking system. This problem may lead to limited braking support and increased braking distance. When this issue occurs, it will make the ABS system not engage in case of an accident. As a result, it increases the danger of getting injured.
So, if you intend to purchase a BMW M8 made between 2018 and 2021, you should ensure that the owner had this problem fixed before paying for the car.
Excess oil usage
BMW models not only use a lot of oil, but they also use special and costly oil. Since the BMW M8 is fitted with the S63 twin-turbo V8 engine, it burns a lot of oil. As a result, this causes oil to deplete faster and it can also damage parts, such as the seals and gaskets, causing oil leakage.
Whether your BMW M8 is new or used, it will still use a lot of oil. The best way to keep it efficient and performing optimally is to ensure oil renewal every 15k to 30k miles. What’s more, you should always fill the engine with the right type of oil.
Failing spark plugs
The spark plug functions as a heat exchanger by pulling undesirable thermal energy from the combustion chamber and moving the heat to the engine’s cooling system. So, if the spark plug is failing, it won’t work as intended. As a result, you will see engine misfires, hard starts, reduced gas mileage, and rough idling.
To fix this issue, you will have to replace the bad spark plugs with new ones. What’s more, it is vital to change spark plugs every 30,000 miles.
Bad ignition coils
The ignition coil works in tandem with the spark plugs. It acts as a transformer. So, when the spark plugs are bad, the ignition coils will also go bad. Signs of a bad ignition coil are poor fuel economy, loss of power, engine misfiring, hard starts, vibrating, and check engine light comes on.
This problem can be fixed by replacing the bad ignition coils. Nonetheless, ignition coils should be replaced every 45k miles or when the spark plugs are being replaced.
Oil leaks
As stated earlier, the twin-turbo burns a lot of oil that ends up affecting the surrounding parts, such as seals and gaskets. These parts wear out faster because of burnout. As a result, the oil will start leaking which can affect the performance of your car’s engine, HVAC system, and radiator.
The best way to fix this issue is by replacing damaged parts. Hence, you should take the car to a professional mechanic to pinpoint the issue and fix it. Some of the things that will be replaced are oil filters, seals, gaskets, and filler caps.
FAQ
Is the BMW M8 reliable?
No, the BMW M8 is not reliable. Even though the BMW M8 has been on the market for less than 5 years, this car is not reliable. This is because it has already had over three different problems that made BMW recall some models. So, if you’re looking for a car with fewer issues, this powerful sports coupe is not the ideal option.
What is the high mileage for BMW M8?
If well-maintained, the BMW M8 can last over 250,000 miles. This is just an estimate as the BMW M8 has not been on the market for more than 5 years. But still, the BMW M8 is fitted with the S63 twin-turbo V8 engine, which has proven to be durable. So, with proper care, the car should do over 200,000 miles.
Is the BMW M8 expensive to maintain?
Yes, the BMW M8 is quite expensive to maintain. First and foremost, it has registered more problems than most of its competitors, meaning it has more problems to deal with. What’s more, BMW parts and services are costly, leading to a high cost of repair and maintenance.
Conclusion
Now that you know some of the common problems that the BMW M8 comes with, you can invest in the car knowing what to expect in the future. Regardless of having multiple issues, most of these problems can be averted by taking good care of your BMW M8 sports car.