Steve 96C4S

I really want a Z8 in a few years when the prices come down, but... I really want to keep my 993 too! I can't have both... I know I have a few years to make this decision, but has anyone here seriously entertained buying one of these rare cars to replace their 993 at some point? I absolutely love the Z8 and wish I were single sometimes to be able to buy whatever the heck I want !







http://www.bmwz8.us/htmlL/gallery_cg.php

Steve R

Pzkw993

This may be unfair to the car but I am a long-time BMW dealership employee/CCA member/useless hangabout and I have never seen one driven by someone we would consider an "enthusiast". The most hilarious purchase I heard about... A medical services company in the area hired a young COO who drove a 330Ci convertible. The CEO, who had kind of a same-sex crush on this dashing fellow, went to the local dealership and asked for "the convertible better than what (this guy) has." They sold him a silver Z8. Sometimes, if you are in the area, you can hear him parking the car and slipping the clutch at what sounds like a steady 3000rpm. By all accounts he hates it.

The last Z8 in your photo montage is the Alpina Roadster... 20 inch wheels and automatic transmission. IIRC, it sold more in one year than the original car in three.

One of the Clarkson videos has the usual aircraft hooliganism in a Z8. I'll try to dig up a link for ya!

PedroNole

Nice indeed. Exhange the 993 for it...negative Ghostrider.

Steve 96C4S

To Pzkw993: Thanks for the inciteful response... I didn't realize that these were often considered "old man, non enthusiast cars", though. I've always admired their lines and rarity.

The gent that sold me his 2004 GT3 steering wheel (sans airbag) for my 993 started this Z8 website and it got me reinterested in the Z8. His pics are amazing to me, and I've been salivating over the thought of getting one ever since seeing them. He has the silver car, and at one point had another as well, but he tracked it so much, it got a little beaten up I guess with road rash so he decided to get another one and keeps it "as new" with very few miles on it from what I understand.



Ah, nothing like a red car and a pretty lady

Steve

993RS

I have seen some over here, though they are pretty rare. I find it one of the best looking convertibles around. Would I trade it for my car? No. I find that 993's have a special charisma...

C4S_fan

I've known several people who have owned then. I remember vividly watching my friend blush when his 1000ish mile Z8 wouldn't start and had to be towed away..... for the third time. I also think they're gorgeous cars.. but not sure about the reliabilty.

seege

The Z8 is a beautiful car, for sure(though the blue dash is a bit startling). I've only ever seen 3 of them. Recently, I was sitting at a stop light next to one in my M3 convertible of the same color.The guy never even looked over at me so I could pay my respect. it was kind of odd.

For the same money you could get a 996 Turbo Cab (give or take a few thousand) either one would be a very unique roadster.

Stevarino

I find the car more of an accessory than a machine - truly exquisite. The interior is very personal and unique: note that none of the button functions are marked. It might be in my top 50. The girl? Now she may give the 993 a run for the money....

Monique

A friend has one. He loves it but the 400+ Hp have never been awakened.

Z8 Total production run = 5000.

Total 993 run = more than 5000.

However, I will keep my RS thank you. Z8 is a cushy thing. RS is more... well more... tough.

Steve 96C4S

Thanks for the interesting responses... Maybe this is a car I'll try to talk my wife into getting to replace her 99 Jag XK8

in 4 years or so. It would be awfully hard to get rid of the 993 upon furthur thought... Additionally, it doesn't look like it's got much room to store stuff, like the back seat of my 993! That back seat just swallows up groceries and shopping purchases.

Yeah, I guess you might be able to get a 996 Turbo Cab for about the same price in 4-5 years as a used Z8. There's just something so audacious about the conspicuous comsumption Z8 that I love - also, it's a wolf in sheep's clothing and most people would think it's a more common but weird looking Z3. Total stealth, to a point.

Don't know if she would go for it (trading out of her Jag for a Z8) - I think she'd rather get a newer Jag XKR instead

, which still wouldn't be a bad bet. If only I had a 3 car garage!

Steve

AGC

Steve 96C4S,

My brother has a 2002 XKR (he bought it new in 02) and I can tell you that is a great car. Also in 2004 a lot of things were upgraded including a new 6 speed automatic.

Robert Linton

If you buy one, do I have parts for you!

mjsporsche

The Z8 is one of the most beautifully designed cars in recent times (which I also say about our 993). My next door neighbor (who has since moved) had a 2000 silver Z8 and it was his passion. Over the 4 years he lived next door, he bought and soon sold an MB SL, 01 P Turbo, yet he never contemplated selling the Z8...even after my repeated offers to buy it. Manhattan BMW had a beautiful black 01 Z8 available at a pricing that was in the 90s but I just cannot justify having both that and a 993. Given I only drive my 993 3K miles annually, a Z8 would become just another garage queen.

chris walrod

The Z8 is a nice looking car, but not my cup of tea. I see one of these cars, every two weeks.

mrsullivan

A little different opinion -- i love it.

Enthusiast/non-enthusiast, I am not sure....but its a really fun, fast, limited production car with great fit/finish, but not overly technical or complex. One of my complaints with the 997 is that the interior/dash looks like a tricked out Lexus SUV. Same can be said for many of the new BMWs, but the Z8 didnt have this issue.

They are expensive. If someone told me I had to choose between my 993 and a Z8, that would be tough for me. Throw a 993 tt or a 996 GT3 or turbo into the mix, it would be a different story.

For me, this is a price point issue...Z8s are much more expensive than normally aspirated 993s.