BMW Z8 ??

[viperdrummer]

I have been looking at the Z8s. BMW stopped making them in 03 and they seem like they will be collectable. I have never driven one--anybody here had one ? Thoughts? I am sure more refined than the Viper, but certainly not as powerful.

 

[Anaconda]

What does this have to do with Gen 1/2 Vipers?

 

[V10SpeedLuvr]

The looks turn me off big time. It looks like a $100k Miata

 

[DEVILDOG]

The looks turn me off big time. It looks like a $100k Miata

DITTO. Also, has that stupid center instrument cluster.

 

[viperdrummer]

Gee Anaconda, perhaps I was interested in seeing what guys who are familar with Vipers thought of the Z8, particularly if they had owned or driven one. I'll put you down as no.

 

[Anaconda]

Fine, then ask in the appropriate forum, not here. There are other sections of this site that cater to such inquiries.

 

[viperdrummer]

Thanks, Anaconda. Another helpful reply.

 

[snampro]

I like them. I think they look awesome. If Bavarian can build fast 4-door cars they can do well by a 2-door sports car.

What's the deal with all the attitude on here lately? This is what happens when you turn the VIPER into a corvette with windows, airbags and cupholders, a bunch of girls start thinking they are tough...

Seriously, you guys don't need to be jerks, we're all friends here, regardless of whether or not the post is in the right forum, that's what admins are for...

 

[VENOMAHOLIC]

I have seen the Z8 in person and never liked the looks of them. Haven't driven one. I like the M roadster much better in appearence.

 

[sween]

i saw a Z8 yesterday at the dealership. not the best looking car but whatever you like. my friend has driven one and he said it was a very fast car!

 

[NHL2133]

They seem to be pretty collectable, since they made such a low number, and it is a BMW. I'm not sure about their original price, but one here in Colorado had an asking price of 145+ (if I remember correctly), and it sold.

 

[Lee00blacksilverGTS]

I have driven one. Not impressed. Too much money, not enough go.

 

[sween]

theres one here thats going for 80K

 

[DodgeViper01]

I have been looking at the Z8s. BMW stopped making them in 03 and they seem like they will be collectable. I have never driven one--anybody here had one ? Thoughts? I am sure more refined than the Viper, but certainly not as powerful.

Very FAST car. BMW did right with this car. It is solid as a BMW should be. A friend of mine owns one among other things and he loves it. Been in the car a bunch of times. It is such a nice looking car. It is night and day between the Viper though. It drives like a true German sports car. You feel nothing!! Any other questions, I would be happy to help!

 

[RainMaker]

Awhile back I had a 2000 M Roadster (Z3 body and bigger engine). After a few years, I decided to move up in the world and looked at the Z8.

The dealer let me sit in it and I drove it around the block. I decided to keep the M Roadster for a few more years.

A lot of show. Very refined for the time, but the Z4's interior is a copy of it. It's a collectable alright, but look for the Alpine trim line if you want a more rare Z8.

 

[Nuck]

I think performance right between a C5 Vette and a first Gen Viper. A little slower in a straight line. I think road tests peg them at a best of about 12.8 in the 1/4 altho there aren't very many so a good driver might improve on this with practice. Interior finish somewhere between a 911 and a Jag XK. They have the 394hp M5 engine and are 300lbs lighter. http://www.classicdriver.com/uk/magazine/3200.asp?id=10601
I wouldn't count on them to appreciate. They will just lose value more gracefuly than most other cars.
http://www.motortrend.com/features/news/112_news030422_bmw/
I like it a lot but not at the price. I don't know that it would hold it's value as well as a Modena and for a Viper lover, I think the Ferrari would be more satisfying.
http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=31&article_id=155&page_number=2

 

[Snakester]

I think that the Z8 is a beautiful classic design.
Even though the upcoming Z4 M-Roadster will offer similar performance, the Z8 is relatively exotic and coveted.
The Z8 shares the BMW M5's 400HP V8 engine, so it was as quick (and as rare) as the Ferrari 360 of the day.
Even though the V8 makes a decent amount of torque at mid revs, it nothing like a Viper's low-end grunt.
It's more of a classic cruiser than a racecar, and it's a well built and neatly appointed performance car.

For uniqueness, I'd rather have a Z8 than a Porsche Turbo. But the Viper is a very different animal.

 

[kwkshift]

Z8? [where's that 'drool' smiley?]

My favorite is black with red interior. That would be a nice daily driver!

 

[Batboy]

Get an M5 or M3. Much better car and just as collectible.

 

[BlueGTS]

Get an M5 or M3. Much better car and just as collectible.

Did you actually just compare the collectibility of a M3 to a Z8? I hope you were kidding.

 

[fastmd]

I used to own one. It was a great car, and i got many compliments. The performance was great, not like the viper, but very, very enjoyable (for me). I sold it to my business partner, and he loves the car.
Like everything if you like it, who cares.

Also, prices are continuing to creep up on clean, non-crahsed, pieces. Be aware that proper body repair is very difficult, and some have been sent back to the CAP for repairs.

 

[Andrew/USPWR]

Great car car and fantastic looking. BMW makes great cars and thats got it all.

 

[DodgeViper01]

Get an M5 or M3. Much better car and just as collectible.

Yeah I do hope you are kidding. They do not compare.

 

[VNMOUS]

I really like the car. One of my good friends has one with a full Dinan package on it to bring it close to 500 horses. He took me with him to the z8 driving school in Spartanburg SC and we got to flog about 10 of them on the Michellin proving grounds. It was a great experience and the cars really handles well. The fit and finish is awesome and they come with all of the electronic bells and whistles. As far as a pure visceral feeling, of course the viper wins hands down; however, this is a really nice car with a lot of performance. If you want a retro styled classic roadster with all of the latest technology then this car is definately on the short list. I think they will probably have some degree of collector value a few years down the road. I believe there was only a 3 year run with very low numbers produced. I have seen them from 80-100K in very good condition. This is a deal as far as I am concerned as most people who spend 150K on a new car don't use them as daily drivers.

 

[Mopar426]

They may have 400hp but they are HEAVY and S-L-O-W.

But would make a GREAT cruiser.

 

[Flexx91]

I used to own one. It was a great car, and i got many compliments. The performance was great, not like the viper, but very, very enjoyable (for me). I sold it to my business partner, and he loves the car.
Like everything if you like it, who cares.

Also, prices are continuing to creep up on clean, non-crahsed, pieces. Be aware that proper body repair is very difficult, and some have been sent back to the CAP for repairs.

Correct. Body is made of aluminum, therefore most body shops won't touch it. Knew of one here in Texas that was involved in an accident a few years ago (nothing major). Car was shipped to Califonia for the repairs.