RE: Tell Me I'm Wrong: BMW Z8
Discussion
I remember looking at one for 40 grand and thinking I could do better.....went to look at a really mint 993 was a whisker away from buying that when I bought a diesel Golf. Sometime I wish I could go back in time and slap myself........
BTW they're lovely cars but worth nowhere near the premium they command these days when looked at objectively.
I also came withing a gnats whisker of forking out for a Z1 but that's an entirely different kettle of fish.
BTW they're lovely cars but worth nowhere near the premium they command these days when looked at objectively.
I also came withing a gnats whisker of forking out for a Z1 but that's an entirely different kettle of fish.
Veeayt said:
In a word - styling exercise yes, driving machine no. The demand on Z8 means people prefer styling than driving in their cars.
And yet this 2001 mediocre handling gorgeous looking car was pretty quick at the 'Ring -8:07http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Nürburgr...
Compare that to modern stuff
Veeayt said:
In a word - styling exercise yes, driving machine no. The demand on Z8 means people prefer styling than driving in their cars.
I'm sure the Z8 drives fine. Maybe not if your surname is Clarkson or Needel, but what normal drivers actually care if they can't induce oversteer on the public road?It looks great, I'd be it drives just fine and there aren't many around so it's pretty exclusive.
Motorrad said:
I remember looking at one for 40 grand and thinking I could do better.....went to look at a really mint 993 was a whisker away from buying that when I bought a diesel Golf. Sometime I wish I could go back in time and slap myself........
BTW they're lovely cars but worth nowhere near the premium they command these days when looked at objectively.
I also came withing a gnats whisker of forking out for a Z1 but that's an entirely different kettle of fish.
My brother inlaw sold his for £42k (I`m guessing about 7yrs ago)but he`s a p3nis!BTW they're lovely cars but worth nowhere near the premium they command these days when looked at objectively.
I also came withing a gnats whisker of forking out for a Z1 but that's an entirely different kettle of fish.
Devil2575 said:
Veeayt said:
In a word - styling exercise yes, driving machine no. The demand on Z8 means people prefer styling than driving in their cars.
I'm sure the Z8 drives fine. Maybe not if your surname is Clarkson or Needel, but what normal drivers actually care if they can't induce oversteer on the public road?It looks great, I'd be it drives just fine and there aren't many around so it's pretty exclusive.
don logan said:
SuperchargedVR6 said:
Krikkit said:
Beautiful car, surely the handling could be sorted with a bit of fettling, and you'd end up with something really desirable.
My thoughts too. Most dynamic short comings can be corrected with either in-house or aftermarket parts. IIRC, it was an American market only car, where 9/10ths precision isn't a top priority. I'm sure if it was Europised, it would be a nice car And who does aftermarket bits for a Z8?and why would they bother? (how much of it would they sell?)
Always liked the Z8. They look great in the flesh; I was out for a blat north of Otley in Yorks one evening when a Z8 came the other way, making progress. It looked and sounded great.
I certainly don't think they're worth £80k though.... Then again, there's an Integrale road car up for £85k at the moment.
I certainly don't think they're worth £80k though.... Then again, there's an Integrale road car up for £85k at the moment.
I think the Z8 is a sort of black swan event in terms of classic car prices: it is not really that rare, nor particularly great, yet values are holding/going up in a way you can only compare to bona fide legends (F50/Enzo/Carrera GT etc). I cannot think of another car which experienced the same evolution. Maybe only the Citroen DS decapotable...No clue why?
Chris' comments on BMW's state of form made me think... I came to the conclusion that BMW is THE master for saloon cars, but almost a basket case for sportscars. Think about it: M3, 3.0CSL, M5, even normal E30, E36, E39, E38, etc are all legends. Yet, true single minded sportscars like Z8, M1, 507, 8-series albeit excellent were all manifestly inferior to the competition. Even 4-door M3s, when available, have always been 'secretly' better than their coupe counterpart (same applies to M5 vs M6 btw). Any thoughts on that?
Chris' comments on BMW's state of form made me think... I came to the conclusion that BMW is THE master for saloon cars, but almost a basket case for sportscars. Think about it: M3, 3.0CSL, M5, even normal E30, E36, E39, E38, etc are all legends. Yet, true single minded sportscars like Z8, M1, 507, 8-series albeit excellent were all manifestly inferior to the competition. Even 4-door M3s, when available, have always been 'secretly' better than their coupe counterpart (same applies to M5 vs M6 btw). Any thoughts on that?
Why has the Z8 kept its value so high? They're about $120,000 Canadian!
It's two things:
LOOKS. There really have been very few head turning BMW's. Some handsome ones, yes. But real head turners? There was the M1 and there is the Z8 and the 507. That's it.
BMW FANBOYS. Look at how many of those there are out there. And I can see a lot of FANGIRLS loving it, too. Don't you think they all want a Z8 at some point? Of course they do. On either continent, they've got a pretty limited supply. And almost every one out there is kept minty -- so there are no bargain Z8's and everyone wants top dollar.
Then you throw in the outrageous promotion of the Z8 as a "collector's piece" by BMW themselves. Including a 50-year stockpile of spare parts!
As for some handling issues, I'm sure that a little digging on the internet will show how to dramatically improve the car for enthusiast driving.
It's two things:
LOOKS. There really have been very few head turning BMW's. Some handsome ones, yes. But real head turners? There was the M1 and there is the Z8 and the 507. That's it.
BMW FANBOYS. Look at how many of those there are out there. And I can see a lot of FANGIRLS loving it, too. Don't you think they all want a Z8 at some point? Of course they do. On either continent, they've got a pretty limited supply. And almost every one out there is kept minty -- so there are no bargain Z8's and everyone wants top dollar.
Then you throw in the outrageous promotion of the Z8 as a "collector's piece" by BMW themselves. Including a 50-year stockpile of spare parts!
As for some handling issues, I'm sure that a little digging on the internet will show how to dramatically improve the car for enthusiast driving.
I've always loved the styling. Never had a chance to drive one, but from everything I've read I have no particular desire to really. Shame because all the ingredients were there for it to be a truly great car.
I think the article gets it right - it's value these days is based on its status as a classic car, and it's far more important that classic cars are beautiful than that they're good.
I think the article gets it right - it's value these days is based on its status as a classic car, and it's far more important that classic cars are beautiful than that they're good.
To me, the Z8 was a BMW E-Type - though more the Series III - something to do with those rear lights and retro look. My view hasn't really changed and I'm not convinced that, had it borne a Jag badge, its success would have been any the greater.
It had the nmakings of a beauty but the corporate BMW nose and "image" just pipped it at the post of success.
It had the nmakings of a beauty but the corporate BMW nose and "image" just pipped it at the post of success.
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