Despite a “scorching September” as described here in Alberta, convertible season is drawing to a close, so it’s high time to feature the rarely seen BMW Z8. Rare as in about 5700 produced between 2000 and 2003, including about 550 of an Alpina Roadster V8 version. About 2300 came to the US, so I’m guessing only 100-150 to Canada. Found this example at a golf course just outside Calgary last summer.
Basic info mostly from Wiki: all aluminum chassis/body, engine S62 4.9L V8 395 hp, same as used in the E39 M5 sedan. Initial no-option price $ 128,000 included a color matched hardtop. These days they change hands between $150 and 250k, as most are well-maintained/low mileage examples. BMW committed to a 50 year (!) spare parts availability.
Unlike all other BMWs, Z8s featured no external model identification other than the roundel. The Z8 appears only inside between the seats, as in following photo from the web. Bottom 3 photos from the web.
Coincidentally enough, three weeks ago bought a red one of these just outside of Branson, MO. It had a cracked windshield, & is missing the driver’ side rear mirror, so I got it for a steal – just 10 bucks The owner at the thrift shop wanted 12, but I bargained him down. Oh….it’s a 1;18 model. Low mileage for sure.
Ronald,
I was able to find a beautiful 1955 Packard Caribbean convertible that had front suspension problems, I found it at a local estate auction, stole it for ony $1!
Sadly, like you Z8, it’s also 1:18
When looking at the front 3/4 view of the black Z8, am I the only one who sees a lot of the original Goertz designed 507 roadster from 1956?
I think that was precisely the intention. Retro, but done a bit better than average, say compared to the neo-Thunderbird.
I’ve read that these cars had a corrosion problem, as-in once they suffered structural corrosion they were un-repairable….
Uncle Mellow,
I had heard rumors to that effect, but when I attempted to pin down the problem, I wasn’t able to find anything on the internet, where a Z8 had the aluminum frame corrode to the point the car was not safe. Nor was I able to track any Z8 cars being parted out or in a BMW junkyard.
I did discover that the Z8 alloy body/frame was a pilot test project to see how successful the alloy body/frame was for limited production cars, and it became the choice for the new Phantom Rolls-Royce’s alloy body/frame.
I’m familiar with the Rolls-Royce and Bentley brand motorcars, and have owned about 30 [1932 to 1985] over the last 50 years. Knowing what I do about these cars, I cannot imagine them using such an important concept for a new car unless it passed their intensive testing. But it’s also possible R-R learned from this possible corrosion issue and solved the problem, perhaps powder coating the panels after assembly [just an example, and a guess on my part].
And yes, as you rightly infer, anyone interested in buying a Z8 should be aware of this possible problem, and have a potential purchase carefully inspected by a shop that works on Z8 cars.