BMW Z8 - Anyone have first-hand knowledge?
 

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.

They're beautiful. Over-weight, however.


They are reminiscent of the old BMW roadsters


http://www.angelfire.com/in2/hummers/images/old.jpg



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 :D

While I have no first hand experience, but I must agree that they...
 

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://images.leftlanenews.com/conte...n17-bmw-z9.jpg
http://images.leftlanenews.com/conte...n17-bmw-z9.jpg
http://www.leftlanenews.com Z9 Article

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

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" ;)

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.

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.

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.

Bogg... I got a chuckle out of that one...
I havent really driven an BMW with a shifter I didnt like...
Maybe an older 5 series which felt awkward with a manual trans...
but I am overall impressed with BMWs linkage..
Somewhat unimpressed with my Boxster S shifting ... Sixth is almost impossible to
ingage without steering off the road...I find it takes alot of effort.
It is still a hell of alot better than a Corvette for example!

If you ask me, Boxster shifting is very smooth and buttery.


However it's just TOO EASY to use the clutch! Any moron can do it!


I am used to it now, though.

Z9 pics below....

http://janico.no.sapo.pt/Tuning/BMW%...0Cabriolet.jpg

http://www.arabadergisi.com/ab/bmw/bmw-z9.jpg

That was their old concept I believe.


That car has awesome doors. They open both as gull wings AND regular doors.


http://static.flickr.com/19/98678551_dcd77cf942_m.jpg


Bigger pic can be found here.


http://www.seriouswheels.com/pics-1990-1999/1999-BMW-Z9-Gran-Turismo-Open-Doors-1024x768.jpg

This better be a joke. :)

Z.

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.

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 :\

Thanks Audioguy for your detailed description. The car obviously made an impression.

Racerd, 55 nationwide on Autotrader with an average price of 100k, high price of 129k.

Hi,

A guy down the block has a Z8 Alpina which I got to drive this past summer. This one was Black/Tan.

I pretty much echo what Audioguy said except I did find it to be a little nose heavy. Not enough to reject it, because everything else was superb, Engine, Brakes, Tranny.

It did feel overall heavier than the Boxster, but also more solid. Lent greater confidence. Never been a fan of bimmers, but this one, or an old M1 would rank high on my wishlist...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

thi is a video of top gear bashing on that thing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qqhuPYv-Jw

it only looks nice...

Ha - that is a great vid.

I saw a Alpina Z8 at the BMW dealership a few years back. It had a sticker of about 125K. Nice looking car, but I can think of better ways to spend that kind of coin. 911 turbo comes to mind.

I know what I'd get for $120k, Callaway C16. 620hp in a track monster that's not rear-engined. Maybe a little rougher around town, but dear god just rev that engine...

-David

Hi,

I couldn't disagree more, we all know where Jeremy Clarkson is coming from. What he doesn't know about cars would fill a library! Remember, the Z8 Alpina did equal the Lap Time of the Lamborghini Murcielago on the track - hardly the stuff of a confused Boulevardier. Here is an except from one review of the car:

"The Z8 held BMW's production car performance records for several years, and many journalists praised the car, but some of the UK motoring press took umberage at the car's LDH only configuration and chose not to lavish the praise the car received in Europe and the USA. Most notable amongst these was Jeremy Clarkson, who whilst reviewing the Alpina edition of the Z8 on Top Gear (Series 2 Episode 3), described the car as having terrible handling and being an example of a car that never knew what it was supposed to be (supercar or roadster), but then again this is the same man who said the Lotus Elise couldn't handle until he was shown that it was his driving skills that were at fault, not the car."

While I didn't have the opportunity to take it on the track, on the street, the Z8 Alpina is more than adequate and certainly worth the price tag.

While engine HP was reduced from 400HP to 375HP with the Alpina variant, torque was greatly enhanced to 383 lb-ft. from the original 363 lb-ft. which was readily noticeable on the street. The Automatic is actually BMW's own Steptronic, far better than Porsche's Tiptronic S.

The owner and I actually swapped cars for the afternoon and we both came to the conclusion that a Boxster/Z8 offspring would offer the ultimate driving experience. The power of the Z8 is something Boxster owners can only dream of, and looks? With that long Hood & Boattail ? - Get outta town!...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

i like the way that car looks, but for what you get for that kinda money, (if i was considering spending that much dough), i would not even put that car on my list at all...

but damn Jim, tell that guy to come here to chicago so we can swap cars for a weekend lol

I just have to repeat two things I've said before:

1. I didn't find the Z8 body appealing but I always gain a new appreciation for a car when I see it nicely detailed in black:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/00-2DR-6-SPEED-MANUAL-CONVERTIBLE-LEATHER-POWER-TOP_W0QQitemZ300074763297QQihZ020QQcategoryZ36470Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
But I still think the Boxster looks better, more classic, and will age better.

2. What TF is the tach doing a yard to the right of the driver?

Z.

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.

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?

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.

"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.

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.