BMW M8 Gas Guide: Optimal Octane, Fuel Tank Specs, and Fuel Efficiency Tips

BMW M8 Gas Guide: Optimal Octane, Fuel Tank Specs, and Fuel Efficiency Tips

The BMW M8 is a high-performance luxury grand tourer that demands premium fuel to deliver its impressive power and performance. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about fueling your BMW M8, including recommended octane ratings, fuel tank capacity, and real-world fuel economy across all variants and generations.

Recommended Fuel Octane for the BMW M8

BMW officially recommends premium unleaded gasoline with a minimum octane rating of 91 AKI (Anti-Knock Index) for all M8 models. Using lower octane fuel can potentially reduce engine performance and efficiency. Here are the key points to know about octane requirements for the BMW M8:

• Minimum recommended octane: 91 AKI
• Preferred octane: 93 AKI or higher
• Using lower octane fuel (87-89) is possible but not recommended
• Engine knock sensors will adjust timing if lower octane fuel is used

While the M8’s engine can run on regular 87 octane gas in a pinch, it’s strongly advised to use premium 91-93 octane fuel to get the full performance potential and avoid potential long-term engine issues. The high-compression twin-turbo V8 in the M8 is optimized for high octane fuel.

Fuel Tank Capacity

The BMW M8 has a generous fuel tank capacity to match its high-performance nature. Here are the fuel tank capacities for different M8 variants:

The M8 Gran Coupe has a slightly larger fuel tank compared to the two-door variants, likely to accommodate its larger size and potentially longer driving range.

Fuel Economy and Consumption

Given its high-performance nature, the BMW M8 is not known for stellar fuel economy. However, its efficiency is respectable considering the power output. Let’s look at the official EPA fuel economy ratings as well as real-world consumption data:

Official EPA Fuel Economy Ratings

These EPA ratings are consistent across all M8 body styles and model years from 2020-2024.

Real-World Fuel Consumption

Real-world fuel economy can vary significantly based on driving style, conditions, and other factors. Based on owner reports and independent testing, here are some real-world fuel consumption figures for the BMW M8:

• City driving: 12-16 mpg
• Highway driving: 20-24 mpg
• Mixed driving: 15-19 mpg

Many M8 owners report slightly better highway fuel economy than the EPA estimates, with some achieving over 24 mpg on long highway trips. However, aggressive driving or frequent use of the car’s full performance potential can quickly drop fuel economy into single digits.

Fuel Consumption Across M8 Generations

The BMW M8 has only been in production since the 2020 model year, with minimal changes to its powertrain. As such, fuel consumption has remained relatively consistent across model years. Here’s a brief overview of any notable changes:

2020-2022 BMW M8

• Initial launch of the M8 model
• 4.4L twin-turbo V8 with 600 hp (617 hp in Competition models)
• EPA ratings: 15 city / 21 highway / 17 combined MPG

2023-2024 BMW M8

• Minor updates, but no significant changes to powertrain
• Fuel economy ratings remain unchanged
• Some reports suggest slightly improved real-world efficiency due to software tweaks

Factors Affecting M8 Fuel Consumption

Several factors can impact the fuel consumption of your BMW M8:

1. Driving Mode

The M8 offers multiple driving modes that affect performance and fuel efficiency:

• Efficient: Optimizes for fuel economy
• Comfort: Balanced performance and efficiency
• Sport: Increased performance, higher fuel consumption
• Sport+: Maximum performance, highest fuel consumption

2. Driving Style

Aggressive acceleration, high-speed driving, and frequent use of the M8’s performance capabilities will significantly increase fuel consumption. Smooth, steady driving can help maximize efficiency.

3. Climate and Temperature

Extreme hot or cold temperatures can affect fuel efficiency. Using climate control systems heavily also increases fuel consumption.

4. Tire Pressure

Maintaining proper tire pressure is crucial for optimal fuel economy. Underinflated tires can increase rolling resistance and fuel consumption.

5. Vehicle Load

Carrying extra weight or cargo will increase fuel consumption, especially in city driving with frequent stops and starts.

Tips for Maximizing Fuel Economy in Your BMW M8

While the M8 is designed for performance rather than efficiency, there are ways to improve your fuel economy:

1. Use the recommended premium fuel for optimal engine performance and efficiency
2. Utilize the Efficient driving mode for daily commuting
3. Practice smooth acceleration and braking
4. Use cruise control on highways to maintain steady speeds
5. Avoid excessive idling
6. Keep up with regular maintenance, including oil changes and air filter replacements
7. Monitor tire pressure and keep tires properly inflated
8. Remove unnecessary weight from the vehicle
9. Plan trips to combine errands and minimize overall driving
10. Consider using the auto start-stop feature in city driving

Comparing M8 Fuel Economy to Competitors

To put the BMW M8’s fuel consumption into perspective, let’s compare it to some of its high-performance luxury competitors:

As we can see, the BMW M8’s fuel economy is on par with its direct competitors in the high-performance luxury segment.

Conclusion

The BMW M8 is a high-performance luxury vehicle that requires premium fuel to deliver its impressive power and performance. With a fuel tank capacity of 68-76 liters (18-20.1 gallons) depending on the variant, the M8 offers a decent driving range despite its thirsty nature.

While official EPA ratings put the M8’s fuel economy at 15 mpg city and 21 mpg highway, real-world consumption can vary widely based on driving style and conditions. Many owners report slightly better highway efficiency than the official figures suggest.

By using the recommended premium fuel, adopting efficient driving habits, and keeping up with regular maintenance, M8 owners can maximize their fuel economy without sacrificing the thrilling performance that makes this BMW so special.