BMW Z8 - Anyone have first-hand knowledge?

[SD987]

One car that caught my eye with its distinctive design was the BMW Z8, which is still one of the rarest car sightings out there. The performance numbers are impressive yet it never seems to be mentioned in discussions of high-performance roadsters.

From time to time I contemplate the idea of getting one, although four years after the last one was made they're still pricey (100K plus) and I'm curious if any boarders have first hand knowledge of them from driving or owning one.

There was a thread about how much they suck a while ago. I like them, but they arnt good on the track.

[Bavarian Motorist]

They're beautiful. Over-weight, however.


They are reminiscent of the old BMW roadsters






For the same $$, I'd get the new 600hp viper coming out. I've never driven an American car, though, so I don't know what it will feel like! Numbers look REALLY good, though

[BoxsterBob - CA]

are one of the nicest looking cars BMW has produced. There are two that I see around town quite ofter.

There are some spy shots of the Z9, and while it's tough to gauge from mules, that "slapped-in-the-ass" rear end just ruins it for me. A 600 HP V12 is interesting though.

http://www.leftlanenews.com Z9 Article

[Bavarian Motorist]

I don't believe that's the new Z9.


It's not nearly low enough and the wheels are not nearly big enough. And that antenna. If anything, that's a new 1 series convertible.



Funny thing is there is a boxster in the background LOL

[racer_d]

I never drove one, but I thought the Z8s were great looking cars. Good balance front/rear.. understated elegance is maybe another way to describe it. Not made for the track out of the box, more cruiser/gt than pure sports car imho.

Driven a Viper (older GTS Coupe) at Watkins Glen. Plenty of torque and HP but not my cup of tea. Very "heavy" feeling (steering, brakes, shifting). Brutish transmission/clutch feel. "numbers" were nice, but there is more to a car than its "numbers"

[Bavarian Motorist]

Originally Posted by racer_d

I never drove one, but I thought the Z8s were great looking cars. Good balance front/rear.. understated elegance is maybe another way to describe it. Not made for the track out of the box, more cruiser/gt than pure sports car imho.

Driven a Viper (older GTS Coupe) at Watkins Glen. Plenty of torque and HP but not my cup of tea. Very "heavy" feeling (steering, brakes, shifting). Brutish transmission/clutch feel. "numbers" were nice, but there is more to a car than its "numbers"

Yeah? Elaborate.


The skid pad #s extremely high. The power is there obviously. The weight is no more than say, a Z8, and much lighter than a 911 turbo.

The brakes are supposed to be good.

[AUDIOGUY]

I have a little time in a Z8... only about 20 minutes or so. My impression... I loved it. I thought that it was just perfect for me. Now at the time, I owned a BMW M roadster and this was like the Carrera GT for Boxster owners. It had gobs of power, incredible sound, stunning looks, Great steering and shifting feel... I have nothing to say about bad about the car. As far as tracking it.... why would you. With the top down on any road, this car is rewarding. The sound is amazing... braking felt as good as my M Roadster but the car did feel heavier and required a little more foot than I would have thought. The gearbox was typical BMW... short and accurate throws. Power was strong pulling from low to high rpms... and believe me revving a V8 to 7 grand is highly recommended.

If I had an extra 100k around, this would definately be on my must have lists!!!
The one I drove was silver with red interior... god..awesome.

HA. BMW shifts short and accurate. Maybe for you M types. All of us 2.3 and 2.8ers were installing the M roadster shifters into our cars because they were not short as you say.

[racer_d]

Originally Posted by Bavarian Motorist

Yeah? Elaborate.


The skid pad #s extremely high. The power is there obviously. The weight is no more than say, a Z8, and much lighter than a 911 turbo.

The brakes are supposed to be good.

Are we talking Viper or Z8 here?

This will sound harsh, but pull your head out of all the C/D, MT test specs you have read and drive an example of a Viper. Anyone.. RT-10, Coupe, New/old. I didn't say the Viper was slow. They are fast. They have a lot of hp and tq. You can leave black stripes wherever you want. But it is crude and brutish compared to Porsches and M-series BMW's.

The Viper has none of the lightness and balance of your boxster for example. The controls are heavy (ie takes a fair amount of effort) to steer and shift the car. The feedback through the steering felt numb. The seating position forces your legs into a tiny hole (on the left, blocked by the huge fender intrusion and on the right by the huge transmission tunnel) for a car this large. In comparison, a 996TT, at the same track, felt "lighter". Was more balanced. provided more feedback to the driver through the steering feel. Was more comfortable to sit in. And NOTHING seems to match a Porsche's brakes.

But were off topic, This was about Z8s. Out of curiosity, what do used Z8's go for these days?

Also, the spy photos in the link above was reported in Autoweek to be the new Z9 as well.

[Bavarian Motorist]

I wasn't implying you were wrong. I actually really wanted to know about your experience.


I knew they had to be cutting corners somewhere to sell a 600hp car for under 90k :\

That Z9 is gonna be one bad ass mutha if they put the M6 motor in it. I would definately drive that car, it looks like they focused it more on performance.

[986Roadster]

rare because it is ugly. i have driven one, and did not like it. the speedo was the only cool thing in that car. really over priced, i'd rather buy a ferrari at that price.

[Bavarian Motorist]

Funny that some of you say it is not worth the money.

This car began production in 2000 I think and went on to 2003.


The cars STILL sell for 100k at least. Why? Because they were limited production vehicles.


That's the same reason Ferraris hold their value (despite the fact ferrari over-produces their F series for the last 15 years)

It's not because a Ferrari is the greatest car in the world and uses such extreme technological advancements that it sells for so much. True, they are great cars, but their value is based primarily on their limited network and production.


It's a very simple economical concept I can explain in detail if anyone likes.

But you know whats crazy is that a 1996 993 turbo can go for over 100K, while an 03 will go for 70K. Whats up with that?

[racer_d]

Originally Posted by boggtown

But you know whats crazy is that a 1996 993 turbo can go for over 100K, while an 03 will go for 70K. Whats up with that?

Supply and demand.. MANY more 996TTs made (and therefore available) than the aircooled 993TT. The only 993TTs that I see going for more than 100K are the "S" models... extra hp and very limited availability to begin with.

[Boxter]

"MNBoxster"

I actually saw the episode with Clarkson driving the Elise and found it hilarious.
I would suggest anyone interested check out the link on youtube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9qNdsRT_qA

That said I would bet that he baulked at the Stig taking the Z8 around the track after his trouncing because he knew it would have been a stark contrast...and amazingly it was. Not much attention paid to that result either...5 min of the clip dedicated to the horrible performance and feel and 20 seconds on the actual outcome on the track.

Although I enjoy the show, he has proved himself time and time again to be something closer to an entertainer than anything else.

[Nick-NY]

I've driven several Z8 models including the Alpina, they are incredible vehicles, you should look out for "mushrooming" shock towers, BMW has just released a strut tower brace(very time consuming to install)which prevents the mushrooming.
it is a on a different level than any Viper, i think some are comparing apples to oranges. An Aston Martin is a better comparison.