The BMW Z8’s quick rise in value is the result of a number of reasons. Let’s look at a couple of them.
When the stylish retro-styled BMW Z8 roadster was first introduced back in 2000, many sports car fans who yearned to own one were swiftly let down by the asking price.
For those used to the starting price of just $32,300 for the BMW Z3 Roadster, the $129,000 price tag (before options) for the Z8 felt a little excessive.
The purchase was a smart move for enthusiasts or collectors with the money. The value of the Z8 has increased while that of other early 2000s BMW models has decreased swiftly, similar to most other costly German cars.
The Z8 has increased significantly in value. Good models now regularly sell for well over $200,000 on the open market. A 2003 BMW Z8 ALPINA V8 Roadster that was auctioned off in 2016 brought at least $329,000 in bids. The Z8’s prospective value and long-term return on investment, according to British financing company JBR Capital, outperformed most other classic car investments at the time.
The cheapest Z8 currently available for sale on Autotrader has an asking price of $165,000, which is significantly higher than the original MSRP. The BMW Z8’s quick rise in value is the result of a number of reasons. Let’s look at a couple of them.
In This Article...
BMW Z8 costs have soared.
The price of the Z8, BMW’s finest roadster ever produced—if not the sexiest BMW ever—has suddenly increased. An example of a 2003 BMW Z8 ALPINA V8 Roadster was sold at the Bonhams auction in Goodwood last year for no less than $329,000, which led JBR Capital, a British financing company, to assert that the roadster has even more potential in the future and is a better investment for those seeking long-term returns than almost anything else you might be considering right now.
The Z8 originally cost $128,000, but buying one today will require quite a significant premium, and the UK market has witnessed a demand for used Z8. According to Cityam, BMW’s decision to not offer a Z8 in right-hand drive made the elegant roadster a poor seller in the UK. Fewer than 150 of these vehicles were put on UK roads, making them classics sooner or later. BMW solidified that future classic status by assuring customers that it will keep spare parts on hand for 50 years.
That PS80,000 price tag has decreased by half on the used market in a few years. In 2010, a Z8 could be purchased for PS100,000. A budget of at least PS170,000 is required today, and the best low-mileage specimens will cost closer to PS250,000.
This BMW Z8 has 7,000 kilometers on the odometer, is in immaculate condition, and will fetch a high price, according to Hexagon Classics, a car business in North London that has been buying and selling BMW Z8s since the model was introduced.
The Z8’s space frame chassis and body panels are made of lightweight, corrosion-resistant aluminum, and its 32-valve 4,941cc V8 engine, which is also found in the BMW E39 M5, was developed by BMW Motorsport. The Z8 reached 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.7 seconds with 400 HP available, and only an internal rev limitation prevented it from going faster than 250 km/h (155mph). A Getrag six-speed manual gearbox provided power to the run-flat tires.
When the 507 Roadster-inspired Z8 was released, a lot of individuals started a real bidding war due to its specifications and design. Even though the starting price of $128,000 was high for the 1990s, there didn’t seem to be any issues with it. There were only 5,703 of these produced.
The number of BMW Z8 sales
Early in 2000, the first retro-modern BMW Z8 roadster was introduced. Since the BMW Z8 become a collectible after more than two decades, you can still locate them for sale used in excellent condition. The best anodyne designs for SUVs, coupes, and sedans today are credited to BMW. The BMW Z8, which feels like a contemporary rendition of supercars from the 1950s, is the same.
The BMW Z8, an all-aluminum vehicle with a custom aluminum chassis and framework, was equipped with a 4.9-liter S62 V-8 engine and a 6-speed manual transmission. The output of 369 pound-feet of torque and 395 horsepower was more than plenty for this beast to sprint from 0 to 62 mph in under 4.7 seconds. In contrast to other supercars at the time, the top speed of 155 miles per hour was a little low.
Along with its opulent look, Z8’s luxurious interior also displayed care and attention. With its primary touchpoints, switches, and knobs made of aluminum, it had a modern, minimalist appearance. The 6-speed manual transmission was exclusively available in the USA, where the BMW Z8 was sold directly by BMW. At the time, 5,703 BMW Z8s were produced, with a 128,000 US dollar suggested retail price (MSRP).
After the iconic Alpina Z8 took over in 2002, BMW Z8’s post-production was put to an end. Additionally, the BMW Z8 Alpina, which differs greatly from the original Z8 model, is available for purchase. Alpina Z8 has a standard 5-speed automatic transmission and a softer suspension. Due to improvements and an automated transmission, the BMW Alpina costs $140,000 USD.
The development of the BMW Z8 in the market for automobile lovers and collectors is fascinating to see. The BMW Z8 quickly gained popularity in the market thanks to its futuristic and simple design. It’s one of the most gorgeous cars ever made and nevertheless maintains a surprisingly contemporary appearance. Whether it is a Z8 hardtop or convertible, each model reflects its own charm and inherent desirability.
As previously stated, one of the top collector-grade vehicles is the BMW Z8. It’s virtually impossible to find this automobile in poor shape. When the BMW Z8 costs started to rise vertically, the majority of owners locked their vehicles. Because of this, practically all of the BMW Z8s currently for sale are in excellent shape and come with a manufacturer guarantee of 50 years of spare parts availability. In that case, all you need to do is make sure you have the money to pay for both its upkeep and it. It’s also advised to have an expert with understanding of the BMW Z8 perform a pre-purchase inspection.
- 5,703 Z8s were produced by BMW in total.
- The first year that Z8 was produced was 2000.
- 2003 marked the final year of Z8 manufacture.
- The MSRP of the BMW Z8 was $128,000.
- It is regarded as one of the most attractive vehicles of the 2000s.
- Expect the values to increase even more.
Depending on its condition, a BMW Z8 can be found for sale for anywhere between $150,000 and $250,000 US. The celebrity variants of the Z8s can potentially cost more than $300,000 USD. Even so, purchasing a BMW Z8 will be a wise long-term investment.
Will BMW produce a second Z8?
One of BMW’s most recognizable cars over the past 25 years is the Z8. Its futuristic throwback style resembled the iconic 507 from the middle to late 1950s. The Z8 was only produced for one generation, which ran from 2000 to 2003 and had four model years. It seems doubtful that BMW will produce anything similar again given its current course. Over ten years ago, there were murmurs of a resurgence, but nothing ever materialized.
However, some businesses are still creating contemporary roadster versions. The Smit Oletha is one excellent illustration; it’s the new Z8 that BMW ought to produce. The Oletha is a creation of Smit Vehicle Engineering (SVE), a company founded in California by Willem and Kaess Smit.
The Smit Oletha is not a Z8 with a few minor updates for the 2020s. Instead, it makes use of the E86 Z4 Coupe platform, which was offered from 2006 to 2008. The skin is made of hardened epoxy prepreg and carbon fiber composites that have been autoclave cured. The Oletha’s curb weight, according to SVE, is roughly 3,090 pounds (1,406 kg).
The Oletha prototype is clearly inspired by the Z8 design language. Its front end features a low-slung hood, horizontal grille, and headlights that resemble pods. The car has the traditional “coke-bottle” beltline on its flanks, which tapers out at the rear. It features a rakish hatch with a Z8-inspired tail and lights at the back.
The Oletha’s engine is not similar to the Z4 or Z4 M’s in terms of performance. SVE selected the E92 M3 GTS’s S65B44 mill. The 4.4-liter naturally aspirated V8 has also received modifications like forged internals and separate throttle bodies. In comparison to the normal M3 GTS’ 444 horsepower (331 kilowatts), the manufacturer claims it has over 450 horsepower (335 kilowatts). The engine shifts with a six-speed manual transmission, which will please purists.
It has lightweight forged aluminum control arms and KW 2-way adjustable suspension installed underneath the chassis. AP Racing brakes provide stopping force, while Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires hold the ground. Additionally, the Oletha has a mechanical limited-slip differential.
The car is a prototype, as previously indicated, and SVE made it plain that it neither makes nor sells vehicles. BMW automobiles owned by its customers are restored and modified by the business. Of course, it would be fantastic if BMW at least gave this automobile their blessing.
How uncommon is a BMW Z8?
In conclusion, the BMW Z8 roadster boasts a performance that combines pleasant touring with canyon-carving, as well as a vintage-inspired design that nonetheless appears contemporary. Furthermore, only 5703 units were produced by BMW, 2543 of which were sold in the US. And just 555 of those Z8s—450 of which arrived in the US—are Alpina variants.
The expense of the Z8 contributes to that rarity. It was originally priced at $128,000, which is almost $201,000 in modern currency. And the Alpina model cost $140,000 (approximately $211,500 today), which was even more costly.
But the Z8 hasn’t exactly become more affordable. These chic roadsters have increased significantly in value throughout the years for all the previously listed reasons. According to Hagerty, a BMW Z8 today costs between $163K and $209K in fair to outstanding condition. Additionally, according to RM Sotheby’s, Alpina vehicles frequently sell for over $300,000.
Undoubtedly, there are Bond cars that cost less, including BMW models. However, all it takes is a quick glance to realize why the Z8 is so expensive.
Why did BMW discontinue the Z8?
Occasionally, cars from reputable automakers are discontinued, but it always raises questions when it happens sooner than the firm typically does. BMW is known for not letting its vehicles linger too long, so the Z8’s end after just three years seems cruel to fans of contemporary roadsters. The BMW roadster never had huge sales. BMW sold a total of 317 Z8s in the United States in the first year of the model line, and only 5,703 Z8s were produced for the whole run, according to Hagerty.
The majority of people undoubtedly believe that the BMW Z8 Roadster’s manufacturing halt was caused by weak sales. However, BMW spokesperson Dave Buchko stated that the car “was never intended to be a high-volume automobile” in a late 2002 interview with Autoweek.
Buchko stated, “We’re not disappointed with the sales. “On the contrary, we were really happy with how the automobile was received and how much demand it had. It was never meant to last as long as our other cars do on average.” Buchko also asserted that BMW learned more about hand-constructing small production automobiles as a result of their experience with the Z8.
Since the Z8 Roadster had completed its mission on the automotive market, its production run effectively came to an end. The roadster had a small community of owners, but it had also taught the business a lot about exclusivity.