Not a lot to cheer (or write) about with CarMax unicorns lately. Inventory has dropped to the low 30,000 car level from a high of over 70,000 cars just as the coronavirus hit, dealerships went on lock down, and employees were laid off. But out of the blue comes this beautiful 2019 BMW M850l X Drive, the first of its kind with CarMax. Technically not in my unicorn range at $81,998, and yet it’s pretty special so here it is. And it’s hot off the press – it’s listed a “Coming Soon” – a new feature on the CarMax website. Oddly I can see this car on my laptop but not the iPhone app.
Anyway, this BMW M850 is all wheel drive and cranks 523hp out of its 4.4 liter twin turbo V-8. Good for 0-60 mph in 3.3 seconds. Here’s the full Car and Driver review. The highs – “Brilliant driving dynamics in the right context, sweet mother lode of torque, gloriously impractical.” The lows – “Lacks visual drama, can be claustrophobic, gloriously impractical.” One reviewer thought it looked like a Honda Accord coupe from the side. I think the rear looks like a Lexus LC500.
The verdict – “A half-price grand tourer with full-price performance.” The car sold new for maybe $120,000 and is now a third less. Love depreciation. For what it’s worth, the BMW M8 won its division at the 24 hours of Daytona the last two years, over my beloved Corvettes and 911’s. Worth something.  This 2019 M850 is still under BMW factory warranty so curious what the MaxCare cost will be – pretty much buying it for whatever happens when the four year 50,000 mile BMW warranty expires. 
I do have concerns about the photo of the left front hood and fender. That hood seam seems way outta whack for an accident free car. Wondering (and hoping) it’s just not properly latched. Find this car here in Las Vegas. You can sign up to be notified when it’s available. 
This is a really beautiful car. I think I need to wait for a bit more depreciation, though.!