RE: A week with a BMW Z8

[Quhet]

Anyone know how much an Alpina Z8 would go for?
I seem to remember Clarkson saying that they slightly reduced the power on these to make them handle better?

[loose cannon]

Spotted a black z8 pushing on past blackbush airport yesterday looked very nice in black, first I've ever seen that colour
Had red leather looked fab

[George111]

PHMatt said:

I think it's one of the best looking BMW's, if not cars, ever built.

Best looking cars ? Are you ill ?

Have you never seen a Miura or an Iso Griffo ? How can you possibly prefer this monstrosity over those ?

[chrislloyd81]

I'll take the E39 M5 please

[patch5674]

I rate the looks, also I think it has one of the best looking modern(ish) steering wheels.

[patch5674]

I rate the looks, also I think it has one of the best looking modern(ish) steering wheels.

[Giles-qonxg]

ZesPak said:

I liked the look of them new.
But now, they just look like a '90s interpretation of a '50s classic. Which is exactly what they are.
As above, 150k? Doesn't that get you an 8c or something?

8C spider is way better choice - much much rarer - beautiful and makes way better noise - don't handle amazingly but somehow doesn't matter

[GranCab]

The reason they are so rare is that a James Bond baddie sawed lots of them in half .....

[Leins]

I love older BMWs, especially ones with lovely M-power motors in them, but just never really got the love for these things. An Alpina RLE (Z1-based) is more my sort of rare BMW-badged roadster

[Gandahar]

PHMatt said:

I love how they were panned quite badly and quite unanimously when new, but journalists are starting to warm to them.
I think it's one of the best looking BMW's, if not cars, ever built.
Those looks + that rarity = surefire classic.

Ironically, if the press didn't pan them so badly all those years ago BMW most likely would have made more of them meaning they'd not be so expensive now.

The PH driver did not warm to it, unless you consider just above absolute freezing warm. Read it again.


They were panned as not good to drive. I mean properly drive, not fannying about in it for a week impressing the neighbours and worrying about stone chips circa 2016. Surefire classic as long as you just look at it and not drive it.

You obviously think looks and rarity matter rather than the driving .... er ...

Edited by Gandahar on Sunday 7th August 19:30

[anonymous-user]

Strange times, I remember it as a sales disaster, looks like a weird Z3 crossover. Hilarious values.

[Alucidnation]

Did BMW do a competition to design it with the pupils of the local primary school?

[roverspeed]

I must admit, I didn't read the whole article.

But did anyone find a fix for the apparent structural failure (though fatigue)of the aluminium super structure that supports the front suspension?

[lufbramatt]

How much do these share with an e39, apart from the engine?

[Iva Barchetta]

Like these.

But like a Z1 more for fraction of the price and those silly doors.

[david hockney]

Not interested in image over substance- and the James Bond product placement was simply naff.
I would rather a 1M coupe that genuinely flies and keep the £100,000 difference thanks.

[Mr Tidy]

I first had a proper look at one of these at an event at BMW UK when they were in Bracknell.

I'm not a fan of convertibles, but in the flesh it looked absolutely stunning!

But I remember they got pretty average reviews for how they drove back in the day, so I would have to agree prices seem bonkers for what they are. Mind you if I had a lottery win I might still get one just to cruise around in on the few sunny days we get!

Then again with the Z4 maybe I'm half-way there........!

[anonymous-user]

A truly elegant roadster let down by an embarrassing registration: switch it for the original DVLA supplied age-specific plate for total class.

[rampageturke]

Always liked the look of these, especially that rear.

But at that price? Nah

[Shakermaker]

Quhet said:

Anyone know how much an Alpina Z8 would go for?
I seem to remember Clarkson saying that they slightly reduced the power on these to make them handle better?

They put an auto gearbox on them as well, to make them more of a cruiser/tourer than a sports car. Not sure about the power thing but I remember the TG comparison of the Z8 and the Alpina version