Vincent Kompany’s side made an immediate statement, aided by Wolfsburg’s extraordinary run of misfortune.
The visitors set an unwanted Bundesliga record when Kilian Fischer turned a cut-back from Luis Diaz into his own net in the fifth minute, marking a third consecutive league match in which Wolfsburg conceded an own goal.
Despite that early setback, Wolfsburg briefly responded, with Dzenan Pejcinovic equalising to give the home side a fleeting lift.
Bayern swiftly reasserted control. Diaz restored the lead by heading in a cross from Michael Olise, a goal that set the tone for a dominant display.
Olise, continuing an impressive performance, scored his first Bayern goal five minutes after half-time before adding a second in the 76th minute.
Diaz also struck twice in the second half, taking his league tally to nine goals in what was his 50th Bundesliga appearance for the club.
England striker Harry Kane was again central to Bayern’s attacking prowess. He curled a superb right-footed effort into the top corner to make it 6-1 and later added another goal, bringing his league total to 20 goals in just 16 matches this season.
Further own-goal misery followed for Wolfsburg when defender Moritz Jenz inadvertently found his own net, while Raphael Guerreiro also got on the scoresheet.
Leon Goretzka completed the rout with Bayern’s eighth goal in the 88th minute, finishing from a tight angle.
“It’s not normal, it’s not a given [to beat Wolfsburg 8-1]. We shouldn’t forget that. The first half was really not easy,” said Kompany.
“I already said before the game that Wolfsburg are strong going forward and don’t need many chances to score – and that’s exactly what we saw. But I had the feeling that when they get a bit tired, we’d create even more chances – and that’s exactly what happened in the second half.
“There are moments when the score is 5-1, 6-1, 7-1, and yet the boys keep running, keep pressing, and keep trying to score even more goals. I really like that.
“I also like this mix, where the young players can come in and show what they can do, but we still don’t lose that Bayern character.
“When it’s a performance like this, there are of course several things you can be happy with, but we always have to be looking for ways to improve.”
