Tuesday 2nd June 2015

BMW Z8: Spotted

Time to get in before Z8 values really climb? Too late!

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It's hard to avoid quite significant shock when first glancing at current BMW Z8 values. What seemed to be £120K cars - still a heck of a lot - not so long ago are now for sale at nearly £180,000. A hundred and eighty grand! All this time we've been obsessing over the M3 CSL's climb towards ever larger numbers and E30s at £100K because they're the traditionally excellent BMW sports saloons. Meanwhile the Z8, not especially well received at launch, has rather quietly become a very valuable car. Remember, it was £80,000 back in 2000 when an M5 was £60K.

Just look at that behind

Why is it now so in demand? The looks must be a significant contributing figure. As a modern reinterpretation of the traditional roadster it was, and remains, a superb piece of design. Furthermore, think of how the combination of modern architecture with classic design is now more popular than ever - backdated 911s being the most obvious example. Without wishing the Z8 a disservice, it almost appears like a more refined Wiesmann in concept; retro looks with plentiful speed and a rather cool image too. They even both have BMW engines...

Harris wrote a Tell Me I'm Wrong on the Z8 a few years ago when they were at more sensible money. Probably about £100K then.

As Harris pointed out, what has become key to the Z8's appreciation is that those flaws that bugged owners and journalists when new become less important as the years pass. And BMW has form here. At the time the CSL's minimal performance gain for £18K on top of a regular M3 met with some disapproval; now as it ages the limited edition status and looks have ensured values are climbing. Similarly with the Z8, anyone buying it at £100K+ to cruise around in now doesn't care about excessive understeer or the fact an M5 is more fun. It will look fantastic inside and out, presumably make a great noise and there's little chance of seeing another. As always that final point can be of huge importance.

Retro styling for the win

Half of the LHD-only Z8s were initially sold to America and you can only assume that number has risen with the passing years. This particular car is one of three for sale on PH currently, each comfortably in excess of £150K. This car is in the timelessly classy silver with red leather combo and the mileage is predictably enough very low at 10,207.

Whether the Z8 will continue to appreciate remains to be seen, but BMW appears to be setting out its template for future sports cars with the i8 and so another car like the Z8 must be unlikely. And to these eyes it is more desirable than it's ever been, even if it has taken 15 years to become truly covetable. Problem is though, retro roadster with a modern base has been done again since then - could you really walk past an Alfa 8C Spider to buy a Z8?

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BMW Z8
Engine: 4,941cc V8
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Power (hp): 400@6,600rpm
Torque (lb ft): 369@3,800rpm
MPG: 19.5mpg (NEDC combined)
CO2: 349g/km
First registered: 2002
Recorded mileage: 10,207
Price new: £80,000
Yours for: £178,778

See the advert here.

[daveco]

Or save yourself £150k and go for an E39 M5

[pSyCoSiS]

I do like these, and if I had Jay Leno's money, it would be in my collection.

I remember when Alpina made their version, and it was actually a lesser car in terms of performance!

[Axionknight]

178k for that? You'd have to be fuggin' barmy.

[Fittster]

You have to admire the way that Hexagon have managed the market of the Z8 to drive the prices up as high as they are.

Period reviews of the Z8 had it trounced by the Merc SL.

They aren't even that rare, they made getting on for 6000 of them.

[Mermaid]

Fittster said:

..

They aren't even that rare, they made getting on for 6000 of them.

That's a lot of cars, did not think it was that high but checked and you are right.

All of these cars are enjoying the rising tide.

[TaylotS2K]

Pretty little roadster. I saw one at my local Waitrose the other day. It didn't get much attention at all though........

[Fittster]

Mermaid said:

Fittster said:

..

They aren't even that rare, they made getting on for 6000 of them.

That's a lot of cars, did not think it was that high but checked and you are right.

All of these cars are enjoying the rising tide.

Is there any vaguely desirable car that hasn't shot up in value over the last few years? I remember that an Alfa SZ was about 20K for years, check the classified today and there's one on offer for 65K!

It ended in tears last time.....

[shielsy]

Had the pleasure of seeing one in the flesh a few weeks ago on the Marylebone Road. Absolutely wonderful thing to behold.

[WCZ]

TaylotS2K said:

Pretty little roadster. I saw one at my local Waitrose the other day. It didn't get much attention at all though........

maybe the most discrete £180k car?
a neighbor of mine has owned his z8 from new - I'm not sure he's even aware they are so expensive these days

[CRA1G]

And to think I sold a my 03 7000 mile car for £55K.....!

[edo]

These got down into the mid 40s at one poinr. Hindsight is a wonderful thing!

[T1berious]

I saw the Alpina one in Bond Street a few weeks back. Considering the Lambo and Mac 650 parked up not far away the people swarming around the Alpina Z8 was shocking.

The thing was it looked tiny compared to everything around. Just looked "Right".

180K is a strong ask but if you want one and you fancy something a bit left field why not? The reaction would only be positive anywhere you drove it!

[SuperchargedVR6]

Loved the Z8 when it was launched, but looks a bit dated front and rear now, imo.

[TTwiggy]

edo said:

These got down into the mid 40s at one poinr. Hindsight is a wonderful thing!

I remember that - and I also remember having the money to buy one (well almost, it would have involved some budget creep). I bought an Audi TT roadster instead. Silly, silly me.

[Jonny TVR]

These were flawed when they were launched and didn't stack up to the competition. The classic and collectors market has gone mental and this is another example of it. The bubble has got to burst soon surely when you are looking at £178K for this.

[ngdragon]

Was speaking to someone at goodwood last year who told me he had been offered one back in the day brand new from a dealer for £40k. They could hardly give them away. Lovely looking car, particularly in silver with red leather.

[kambites]

Fabulous looking thing but by all reports they're pretty rubbish.

[hwajones]

I think the classic car scene is overheating at the moment...
Yes, rarity and condition should command a premium but these figures are daft in light of new car prices.
Crash on the way!

[sinbaddio]

If it's good enough for Ronan Keating it's good enough for me.......

On a serious note, I think I'd take a Z1 and lots of spare wonga!

[Dannbodge]

I see one quite a lot at my local dealer (Snows) and it's a beautiful car.