2002 BMW Z8
4,941cc 32-Valve DOHC V8 Engine
Bosch Motronic Fuel Injection
400bhp at 6,600rpm
6-Speed Manual Transmission
4-Wheel Independent Suspension
4-Wheel Disc Brakes
*Rare and exclusive limited edition model
*3 Owners from new
*Utterly charismatic and highly collectible
*Striking Silver over Black interior
THE BMW Z8
'That this new car, the Z8, is scorchingly fast comes as no surprise. It employs the potent 400-hp M5 powertrain, which endows the M5 sedan with the acceleration of a Corvette. Weighing about 500 pounds less than the two-ton M5, the Z8's performance is beyond question.' ? Car & Driver.
In recent times many motor manufacturers, particularly those with a significant sporting heritage, have felt the need to reference iconic models from the past when launching their latest. BMW has proved adept at exploiting this 'retro' trend, commencing in 1996 with the Z3 coupé and convertible, the styling of which brilliantly recalled its fabulous '328' sports car of pre-war days. Its next effort along similar lines - the 'Z07' concept car of 1997 - took its inspiration from the post-war Alfred Goetz-designed '507', a luxurious limited-edition roadster which, despite its sublime looks and superb performance, all but bankrupted the struggling German company.
The sensation of the 1997 Tokyo Auto Show, the Z07 was received so enthusiastically that BMW took the decision to press ahead with a production version: the Z8. Some of the Z07's less practical features were deleted, including the four-spoke steering wheel, 'double bubble' hardtop and driver's headrest fairing, but for the most part the Z8 remained remarkably faithful to the original concept, retaining the 507-like twin-nostril front grille and distinctive front-wing vents. A period-style interior had been one of the Z07's most remarked upon features, and that too made it into the Z8. Car & Driver was moved to remark: 'In truth, the Z8's visual charisma is so powerful that just sitting in this car with the engine off is more fun than driving many other cars. Then when you press the starter button ? set apart, also a tribute to the past ? another level of excitement begins.'
The Z8's body paneling and spaceframe chassis were fabricated in lightweight and corrosion resistant aluminum, while the 32-valve 4,941cc V8 engine, shared with M5 saloon, was built by BMW's Motorsport division. With 400bhp on tap, the Z8 raced to 100km/h (62mph) in 4.7 seconds and only the built-in rev limiter stopped it from exceeding 250km/h (155mph). Power reached the run-flat tyres via a Getrag six-speed manual gearbox. Needless to say, the Z8 also came with all the modern appurtenances one would expect of a flagship model: traction control, stability control, front and side air bags, GPS navigation, climate control and power operation of the seats, steering wheel and convertible hood all being included in the package.
THE MOTORCAR OFFERED
This splendid example of BMW's limited-production retro-inspired Roadster was completed at the Munich based Bayerische Motoren Werke in October of 2001. The original owner kept the car for 3 years before a collector came along in 2004 to take it off his hands. It stayed with that gentleman for 12 years when it was eventually sold privately to the consigner in August of 2016. Between the limited owners the car remained sparingly used between them, rolling just 29,816 miles. Upon purchase the BMW will have its manuals and a partially complete tool kit included.
This is a well-presented example of BMW's limited production Z8. Finished in the attractive combination of Titanium Silver Metallic over soft sport black leather, this well-cared for example is in generally good condition with only very minor signs of wear. The aluminum bodywork presents beautifully with some minor scuffs present under the passenger side headlight and the 507-inspired interior is in a similar condition of light wear, with the most of which being present on the driver's seat.
This is a wonderful and well-sorted example of one of the 2,543 units produced for the US market. In the desirable 6-Speed manual configuration with the potent 32-Valve V8 engine out front, this Z8 would be a wonderful car for countryside drives. This Z8 is a highly collectible BMW, and will be a treasured asset for years to come.
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4,941cc 32-Valve DOHC V8 Engine
Bosch Motronic Fuel Injection
400bhp at 6,600rpm
6-Speed Manual Transmission
4-Wheel Independent Suspension
4-Wheel Disc Brakes
*Rare and exclusive limited edition model
*3 Owners from new
*Utterly charismatic and highly collectible
*Striking Silver over Black interior
THE BMW Z8
'That this new car, the Z8, is scorchingly fast comes as no surprise. It employs the potent 400-hp M5 powertrain, which endows the M5 sedan with the acceleration of a Corvette. Weighing about 500 pounds less than the two-ton M5, the Z8's performance is beyond question.' ? Car & Driver.
In recent times many motor manufacturers, particularly those with a significant sporting heritage, have felt the need to reference iconic models from the past when launching their latest. BMW has proved adept at exploiting this 'retro' trend, commencing in 1996 with the Z3 coupé and convertible, the styling of which brilliantly recalled its fabulous '328' sports car of pre-war days. Its next effort along similar lines - the 'Z07' concept car of 1997 - took its inspiration from the post-war Alfred Goetz-designed '507', a luxurious limited-edition roadster which, despite its sublime looks and superb performance, all but bankrupted the struggling German company.
The sensation of the 1997 Tokyo Auto Show, the Z07 was received so enthusiastically that BMW took the decision to press ahead with a production version: the Z8. Some of the Z07's less practical features were deleted, including the four-spoke steering wheel, 'double bubble' hardtop and driver's headrest fairing, but for the most part the Z8 remained remarkably faithful to the original concept, retaining the 507-like twin-nostril front grille and distinctive front-wing vents. A period-style interior had been one of the Z07's most remarked upon features, and that too made it into the Z8. Car & Driver was moved to remark: 'In truth, the Z8's visual charisma is so powerful that just sitting in this car with the engine off is more fun than driving many other cars. Then when you press the starter button ? set apart, also a tribute to the past ? another level of excitement begins.'
The Z8's body paneling and spaceframe chassis were fabricated in lightweight and corrosion resistant aluminum, while the 32-valve 4,941cc V8 engine, shared with M5 saloon, was built by BMW's Motorsport division. With 400bhp on tap, the Z8 raced to 100km/h (62mph) in 4.7 seconds and only the built-in rev limiter stopped it from exceeding 250km/h (155mph). Power reached the run-flat tyres via a Getrag six-speed manual gearbox. Needless to say, the Z8 also came with all the modern appurtenances one would expect of a flagship model: traction control, stability control, front and side air bags, GPS navigation, climate control and power operation of the seats, steering wheel and convertible hood all being included in the package.
THE MOTORCAR OFFERED
This splendid example of BMW's limited-production retro-inspired Roadster was completed at the Munich based Bayerische Motoren Werke in October of 2001. The original owner kept the car for 3 years before a collector came along in 2004 to take it off his hands. It stayed with that gentleman for 12 years when it was eventually sold privately to the consigner in August of 2016. Between the limited owners the car remained sparingly used between them, rolling just 29,816 miles. Upon purchase the BMW will have its manuals and a partially complete tool kit included.
This is a well-presented example of BMW's limited production Z8. Finished in the attractive combination of Titanium Silver Metallic over soft sport black leather, this well-cared for example is in generally good condition with only very minor signs of wear. The aluminum bodywork presents beautifully with some minor scuffs present under the passenger side headlight and the 507-inspired interior is in a similar condition of light wear, with the most of which being present on the driver's seat.
This is a wonderful and well-sorted example of one of the 2,543 units produced for the US market. In the desirable 6-Speed manual configuration with the potent 32-Valve V8 engine out front, this Z8 would be a wonderful car for countryside drives. This Z8 is a highly collectible BMW, and will be a treasured asset for years to come.
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