Compare the2024 BMW M8VS 2024 Porsche Panamera

The M8’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Panamera doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The M8 has a standard PostCrash iBrake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Panamera doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The M8 offers an optional Active Park Distance Control that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Panamera doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the M8. But it costs extra on the Panamera.

The M8’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Panamera doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the M8 and the Panamera have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the M8 for 2 years and 26000 miles longer than Porsche pays for maintenance for the Panamera (3/36,000 vs. 1/10,000).

There are over 76 percent more BMW dealers than there are Porsche dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the M8’s warranty.

The M8’s 4.4 turbo V8 produces 269 more horsepower (617 vs. 348) and 184 lbs.-ft. more torque (553 vs. 369) than the Panamera’s standard 2.9 turbo V6. The M8’s 4.4 turbo V8 produces 154 more horsepower (617 vs. 463) and 74 lbs.-ft. more torque (553 vs. 479) than the Panamera 4 E-Hybrid’s standard 2.9 turbo V6 hybrid. The M8’s 4.4 turbo V8 produces 81 more horsepower (617 vs. 536) than the Panamera 4S E-Hybrid’s standard 2.9 turbo V6 hybrid.

For better stopping power the M8’s standard brake rotors are larger than those on the Panamera:

For better traction, the M8 has larger front tires than the Panamera (275/35R20 vs. 265/45R19).

The M8’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Panamera’s standard 45 series front and 40 series rear tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the M8 has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the Panamera.

The M8 Gran Coupe is 7.1 inches shorter than the Panamera, making the M8 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the M8’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Panamera doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

With its coupe, convertible or sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release in the glovebox, the M8 offers cargo security. The Panamera’s hatchback body style, non-lockable folding seat and non-lockable remote release defeat cargo security.

The M8 has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Panamera doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

If the windows are left open on the M8 the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Panamera can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The M8’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Panamera’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

Laser headlights, standard on the M8, produce their light by firing blue lasers through phosphorus, a process that uses one-half the power of the Panamera’s LED headlights. Laser headlights can have double the range of LEDs with a much smaller surface area.

The BMW M8 comes in coupe, convertible and sedan bodystyles; the Porsche Panamera isn’t available as a coupe or convertible.

The BMW 8 Series outsold the Porsche Panamera by 37% during 2023.