BMW Z8

Of all the designs born of the retro styling trend of the late 1990s, few were as effective, and even fewer have held up as well over time, as the BMW Z8. Previewed by the Z07 concept, which debuted at the 1997 Tokyo Motor Show, this nostalgic convertible mined a particularly rich vein of the German automaker’s heritage by paying tribute to the legendary, exclusive 507. Despite the midcentury roadster’s stunning looks, it was not a success for BMW, and in fact put the automaker in a precarious financial position. In a sense, the Z8 offered an opportunity to right that particular historical wrong—and it did so with both style and substance.

Beneath the Z8’s nostalgic skin is a very sophisticated, modern BMW. The Z8 is constructed on an aluminium space frame with aluminium body panels, Xenon headlamps, four-wheel independent suspension (including a sophisticated five-link set-up at the rear), power-assisted four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, power-assisted rack and pinion steering, ASC+T traction control, front and side air bags, and a stout four-cam V8 with double VANOS variable valve timing mated to a six-speed manual transmission. This 400 hp engine, built by BMW Motorsport, also featured in the the E39 M5, catapults the Z8 from 0 to 100 km/h in 4,7 seconds! Top speed is limited to 250 km/h, but without this limit, top speed of the Z8 would be 300km/h!

Nearly every comfort and convenience option was included, including an electrically adjustable steering column, satellite navigation, air conditioning, six-way electrically adjustable sport seats, and a 10-speaker Harmon Kardon sound system with six-disc CD changer.

Every Z8 was built on a special production line within BMW’s Munich facility, largely by hand.

Even before the BMW Z8 was sold, it was already extremely popular. This is because he was featured in the James Bond film The World Is Not Enough which came out in November 1999.

This Z8 was first delivered by Berry Heathrow, West Drayton in the UK and has a known ownership history from new. It has had 2 owners in the UK and was in a Belgium car collection since 2009. This desirable roadster is now presented showing 38.400 well documented kilometres. Finished in Titanium Silver over black leather, it is the epitome of stylish BMW performance with its M-derived -400 horsepower V-8 engine and six-speed manual transmission.

This Z8 is accompanied by its accessory hardtop, owner’s manual with pouch, spare keys, BMW Motorola cell phone. A blend of classic design and modern performance, the BMW Z8—much like its spiritual predecessor, the 507—seems destined to grow even more desirable with time.