BMW Z8 Price Guide

The BMW Z8 is one of the most beautiful cars the company has ever produced. A modern interpretation of the 507 designed by Henrik Fisker that combined the S62 V8 from the M5 E39 with a hand-built aluminium space-frame body and the visual drama of a 1950s grand touring roadster. James Bond drove one in The World Is Not Enough, where it was famously cut in half by a helicopter. Just 5,703 were built.

The Car

Produced from 2000 to 2003 at BMW’s Munich facility, the Z8 used the S62B50 4.9-litre V8 producing 400bhp. A six-speed manual was the only transmission offered. The aluminium space-frame chassis was entirely hand-built, with the aluminium body panels formed and fitted by craftsmen rather than pressed by machines. The side-mounted analogue instruments, centrally mounted starter key, and the retractable soft-top all reflected an attention to detail that matched the car’s extraordinary appearance.

What Goes Wrong

The S62 rod bearing concern applies as in the E39 M5, so oil changes at no more than 6,000 miles are essential. The aluminium space-frame and body require specialist knowledge for any structural or body repair. The soft-top mechanism is generally reliable. Electrical systems are complex for their era.

Buying

The Z8 is a serious collector’s investment; values have risen dramatically over the past decade and show no sign of reversing. A car with full, documented service history and rod bearing attention is the specification to pursue.