Overview & Reviews

Introduced at the 1999 Frankfurt Auto Show, the BMW Z8 sports car was the company's conception of what its famous 507 roadster would have been if built past the 1950s. Stylistically, it offered many of the same cues, such as a long, sloping hood with round headlight blisters, twin-kidney grille, distinctive vents aft of the front wheels and a striking leather interior with a simplistic layout.

Not all was retro, though. The Z8's aluminum space frame was draped with aluminum body panels, and hidden from view was BMW's typical front strut/rear multilink suspension arrangement. For power, the Z8 relied on the same engine used for the third-generation M5 sedan.

The BMW Z8 was always intended to be a "halo" car, designed to draw attention to BMW and lead to increased sales of other BMW vehicles. BMW produced it for just four years with an annual production rate of about 1,500 cars. Naturally, Z8 ownership is an exclusive club. Given that the 507 is coveted by collectors and a good one can fetch more than half a million dollars, a similar future might be in store for the Z8.

Most Recent BMW Z8

The BMW Z8 roadster was produced for the 2000-'03 model years. It possessed all the necessary ingredients of a true sports car: superior performance, outstanding design and rarity.

Its all-aluminum chassis was exceptionally stiff and light, resulting in exemplary road feel. Driving hard, one could feel what was happening -- and, more important, what was going to happen -- better than seeing it. This lent extraordinary confidence when exploring the outer limits of its performance envelope.

Likewise, the steering, suspension and braking systems connected to this super-solid chassis operated with pinpoint precision. Many chassis components were borrowed from BMW's world-class sedans and recalibrated, and the resulting ride wasn't quite as supple as those vehicles but certainly not harsh either.

Under the hood was a 4.9-liter V8 producing 394 horsepower and 368 pound-feet of torque. Power was sent to the rear wheels through a standard six-speed manual transmission. (The one-year run of the Z8-based BMW Alpina came with an automatic transmission.) Thanks to its electronic variable valve timing system, the Z8 could purr about town, and then let loose with a shriek once pointed down a deserted road. In tests of the time, the Z8 typically posted 0-60-mph times in the mid-4-second range.

In general, the BMW Z8 was a pretty easy car to drive. And thanks to BMW's effective Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system, the Z8 was kind to drivers who weren't professionally trained. It combined antilock brakes, traction control and cornering stabilization to ensure that over-eager drivers were appropriately reined in before they completely lost their substantial investment in a smoldering heap.

Due to its stellar performance, early association with James Bond in The World is Not Enough and the reaction of people on the street, there was always a feeling that you were driving a surreal Hollywood creation. When it rolled down the boulevard, people were mesmerized by its stunningly unique styling and the sonorous note of its exhaust system.

Perhaps even more beguiling was its interior. In a nod to the past, BMW moved the speedometer, tachometer and other gauges to the center of the dash. The retro-styled steering wheel also evoked classic sports cars with its three metal-rodded spokes and fat, leather-wrapped rim. What wasn't brushed aluminum was covered in supple leather, including parts of the dash, center console, door skins and even the rollover bars. The final touch was a viscerally black push-button starter located next to the steering wheel. Turn the ignition key to On, depress that button and the muscular V8 roared to life -- a thrill every time.

Though we've raved over nearly every aspect of the BMW Z8, there were several gripes: an outlandish price, a fussy manual tonneau cover and excessive top-down cockpit noise. But these complaints weren't enough to turn us off, for the Z8 provided as much joy to sit in as to drive.

User Reviews:

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  Good Car, Slightly Cheap Parts - 2003 BMW Z8
  By S. Ricardo - June 8 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Alpina in Feb, and its a great car. Unfortunately, some of the parts are rather cheap. I cant tell you how many times I broke the cupholder. And the mirrors rattle and look like theyre to fall off while driving down the highway. I recommend this car, but it can be beat. Try a Maserati Cambiocorsa Conv, or a Porsche 911 Turbo before purchasing this Z8.

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  bmw z8 - 2003 BMW Z8
  By ghkghk - April 26 - 2:00 am

  its a reAlly good and fast car

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  I Love BMWs - 2003 BMW Z8
  By rondog23 - March 14 - 2:00 am

  It was fantastic. Ive never had a better car in my entire life.

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  Bad Car - 2003 BMW Z8
  By john53 - January 20 - 2:00 am

  Uncomfortable, bumpy ride, extremely loud engine

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  The Awesome Z8 - 2003 BMW Z8
  By Cars4me89 - January 15 - 2:00 am

  This is a really superb automobile. It is very fast and has good handling at speeds around 100+ MPH. I am really excited about the Alipina. Although it will no longer be M powered it will still be very fast.

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  Pinch me, I am so lucky!!!!!! - 2003 BMW Z8
  By laser - January 9 - 2:00 am

  This is the most fun to drive, exciting, lay you back in the seat car I have ever driven! Everywhere and every time I drive it, people pull up and comment on how beautiful this car is!

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  best car - 2003 BMW Z8
  By i6roik6fyukryk - December 21 - 2:00 am

  the ultamate raodster this car is the best. no raodster is better

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  Z Acht - 2001 BMW Z8
  By Routineer - December 20 - 2:00 am

  Benchmark combination of performance and styling, with BMW reliability.

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  IT WILL NEVER BE A PORSCHE - 2003 BMW Z8
  By Dr G - December 8 - 2:00 am

  It is a cool looking car, very stylish but you will get bored were soon, kinda boring to drive. People look, but performance and fun factor is no big deal. I have a 2002 911 turbo which is the best sports car in the world, and this new one cannot even compare. Eventhough the $ is close.

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  yea - 2003 BMW Z8
  By matthew17000 - November 23 - 2:00 am

  very smooth ride lots of pep very comfortable looks like a million dollars.