BMW Z8: Munich's most misunderstood car? | PistonHeads

The Ford GT, Mercedes SLS AMG and even the new Mini proved that reboots could work. So how come the Z8 struggled to get off the ground?
Well, in the UK anyway. BMW sold 5,703 examples between 2000 and 2003, almost half of which were in the US. But fewer than 150 sold in Britain, and fewer still are on the road today. It's certainly got all the right ingredients: a beautiful Henrik Fisker design that pays homage to the old BMW 507, a bespoke interior and the 400hp V8 from the E39 M5. Perhaps it was ahead of its time, because the Z8 feels fresher than ever in 2024. We'll leave it to Cam to explain why.
A huge thank you to the seller of this BMW Z8 for allowing us to film their car.
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#BMW #Z8

[@richardm2661]

When bmw made good looking cars

[@garagecedric]

I threw away the runflats on my e91 bmw i once had, it really transformed the ride! Always liked the z8 design since the day it came out, it still looks really good!

[@andytait3262]

What. A. Noise. And, what gorgeous car. It was great to see it at the PH Annual Service. Nicely done video too!

[@longbeachcarguy]

How can you go wrong with a gorgeous roadster with a fruity V8, a manual gearbox and a bespoke interior with no stupid entertainment screens? A classic. Unfortunately the only classic BMW in 50 years alongside the M1. Great video, thxs!

[@MarcSob22]

I love the Z8

[@Hythe01]

Not sure you could say that the Alpina V8 Roadster received the “standard M62” engine - it was a tuned 4.8 litre version of the M62, which at that point had 4.4 litres, and had more torque than the S62. Not exactly “standard”… the Alpina was really built for the US market, primarily.

[@paullockwood7219]

Wasn’t it just the M5 power plant?
Didn’t Alpina just add their usual tuning bits to it? Can’t remember 😂

[@Hythe01]

@@paullockwood7219 Nope, the S62 in the regular Z8 was the 4.9l M5 engine, the Alpina had the M62-based 4.8l engine (coded F5), same as in the B10 V8S - 370hp and 376lb/ft. Before the current B3/B4, the only time I can think of when Alpina “did their thing” to a BMW M motor (in a road car, anyway) was the V12 in the B12 5.7 coupe…

[@gryphon123456]

This is my halo car!!!!❤

[@Gaaaaaaaaaaad]

Love it. In the flesh it looks beautiful

[@heinedenmark]

Designed by Henrik Fisker

[@chumpey]

Such a great car and one of my all time dream vehicles...but...it's not worth £200K+.

[@clownworld-honk410]

Is he taking a break from the set of The Umbrella Academy! For less money, the Mercedes SL gave similar performance and kudos plus being right hand drive made this car a tough sell.

[@Jo3man96]

It’s more exclusive though, and came with a manual. This also looks better than R230 SL that came out around the same time, in my opinion, and the R129 would have looked a bit dated at the time this came out to prospective buyers.

[@alwinciocortez8649]

The ultimate driving pos

[@davepoole8530]

Is the gear lever poorly placed? Journalist seems to have reach and stretch too far……?

[@Pahakyy]

James bond blaablaablaa. Ffs.

[@mikescott4008]

Isn't that the Evolve owned car?

[@PistonHeadsTV]

It's had some work done at Evolve, but it's a different car.