The BMW 8 Series Convertible aims to blend grand touring comfort with sports car performance, but this big two-door struggles to fully deliver on that lofty promise. Though blisteringly quick in a straight line, the 8 Series' substantial heft dulls its handling prowess, feeling more like a boulevard cruiser than corner-carver.

Under the long hood sits BMW's latest 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 producing 523 horsepower. Mash the throttle and the M850i xDrive rockets forward with real vigor, hitting 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds. The eight-speed automatic transmission snaps off rapid yet smooth shifts, ably routing the V8's 553 lb-ft of torque to all four wheels.

Blasting down an on-ramp with the power-folding fabric roof stowed is an exhilarating experience. This soft-top setup looks far better than the old cumbersome retractable hardtops of previous BMW convertibles. Dropping the top takes just 15 seconds at speeds up to 31 mph.

Enlisting winds of change
However, the 8 Series can't quite match rivals like the Mercedes S-Class Cabriolet when it comes to interior opulence. While comfortable and well-equipped, the BMW's cabin design feels more familiar than truly special. The center stack's busy control layout looks too similar to lesser BMWs.

Dialed up to Sport+ mode, the 8 Series Convertible exhibits decent body control for a 4,700-pound ragtop. But the sheer mass is ever-present, exhibiting noticeable body lean and firmly refusing to change direction as crisply as the coupe model. The steering is accurate yet oddly numb on-center.

A mixed bag overall
At over $115,000 as-tested, the M850i Convertible faces incredibly stiff competition from premium rivals like the aforementioned Mercedes, as well as the Bentley Continental GT Convertible. For similar money, buyers could opt for livelier sports cars like the newly-launched Chevy Corvette Convertible.

BMW has undoubtedly created a supremely competent luxury convertible with a thrilling turn of speed. But the 8 Series struggles to fully embody the "ultimate driving machine" ethos in this heavy, pricey open-air form. For sheer wind-in-your-hair grand touring, BMW's coupe-cabriolet plays the smooth cruiser role nicely. Just don't expect sharp sports car handling to match that muscular V8 motivation.

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