I am thinking about purchasing a Z8. Any comments from owners? It would seem to be a classic and hold its value and even appreciate. Driving experience and anything to watch for (weak areas)?
Bmw z8
- Thread starter Gene Cassone
- Start date
shelbyelite
PERMANENTLY BANNED
- May 10, 2007
- 1
Great cars. Check out the one that I have for sale:
http://www.eliteautosllc.com/vehicles.php/mode/view/id/506
http://fordgtstore.com/2001_BMW_Z8_147951196.veh
http://www.eliteautosllc.com/vehicles.php/mode/view/id/506
http://fordgtstore.com/2001_BMW_Z8_147951196.veh
FB GT40
GT Owner/B.o.D
Love my Z-8. Highly recommended. Stock run-flats are a PIA, so replace them. There were some upper suspension mount issues on a few cars that were vastly overblown. Probably caused by the "brick like" run flats! Do due diligence on the Z-8 Forum.
GTdrummer
GT Owner
Absent finding a 507, the Z8 would be my Bimmer of choice. I have had M5s as DDs but nothing holds value and looks as good as the 8.
I just got off Z8 forum. What's up with the shock towers and frame problems? Was there a major recall by BMW? They also had a survey of owners reporting problems. Quite high. Is there a easy way to check for damage or if a repair was made. Reports of hitting a pothole causing the problem. Pot holes are quite the norm here in the northeast!! Production numbers similar to the GT. I guess our gauge problems don't look so bad now!!
2112
Blue/white 06'
I have owned mine since new in 2001. FB GT40 is correct. the Frame issue is vastly overblown and could have been directly influenced by the totally Garbage Run Flats. Also, there is good evidence that many of those cars affected were abused vehicles. They are not racecars but grand touring boulevard cruizers.
It was not a recall. There was not enough cars with problems for it to have been. You had to pay to have the "Monte Carlo" bar installed. Cars that were damaged were usually considered unfixable so those remaining do not have the issue or have had the reinforcing strut and strut tower reinforcement installed. I also strongly suggest upgrading from the heavy factory wheels to a lightweight wheel and going with a tire with a decent sidewall to it.
By Z8 boards, are you referring to www.bmwz8.us ?
BTW one of the only other cars out there beside our GT that are appreciating (as you stated). Feel free to P/M me with further questions and as far as availability, It is probably impossible to beat Shelby's service after the sale.
It was not a recall. There was not enough cars with problems for it to have been. You had to pay to have the "Monte Carlo" bar installed. Cars that were damaged were usually considered unfixable so those remaining do not have the issue or have had the reinforcing strut and strut tower reinforcement installed. I also strongly suggest upgrading from the heavy factory wheels to a lightweight wheel and going with a tire with a decent sidewall to it.
By Z8 boards, are you referring to www.bmwz8.us ?
BTW one of the only other cars out there beside our GT that are appreciating (as you stated). Feel free to P/M me with further questions and as far as availability, It is probably impossible to beat Shelby's service after the sale.
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2112
Blue/white 06'
Oh, Just like my FGT or my custom Cigarette, it would be a cold day in hell before I would part with this work of art. I would sell my house first if it came to it.
RPM217
2005 white/blue stripe
I have a good friend that has a Z8 among many other cars (no GT however), and it's one of the "never will sell it" cars he has. It has over 20,000 miles on it and he's changed the tires, wheels (Alpina wheels and suspension), has had the rebuild of the shock towers (or whatever the problem was, he was very involved with the fix with BMW). The car is a classic, and yes they too are "appreciating". He keeps trying to convince me that I need to pick one up. I try to convince him that one more car and it's a divorce. I've just added a two car lift to the garage so that I can have my two toys, no more room!!! The Z8 is a great car, do it!!!
SteveA
GT Owner/B.O.D
GT4JR
GT Owner
I am looking into a 2002 Z8 with the following upgrades: any opinions from anyone about these upgrades would be appreciated! Thanks,
4.9 liter DOHC S62 V8 that, with the help of a Vortech V3 supercharger, produces 424 rear wheel horsepower
KW Variant 2 coil over system
19 inch HRE 897R wheels
Escort Passport 9500ci fully integrated radar and laser system
Factory 6-speed manual transmission that’s equipped with a Rogue short shift kit
Brembo power four wheel disc brake system
Aluminum body that’s covered in original Titanium Silver Metallic paint
Factory aluminum spaceframe
Eisenmann performance exhaust
High dollar aftermarket sound system
4.9 liter DOHC S62 V8 that, with the help of a Vortech V3 supercharger, produces 424 rear wheel horsepower
KW Variant 2 coil over system
19 inch HRE 897R wheels
Escort Passport 9500ci fully integrated radar and laser system
Factory 6-speed manual transmission that’s equipped with a Rogue short shift kit
Brembo power four wheel disc brake system
Aluminum body that’s covered in original Titanium Silver Metallic paint
Factory aluminum spaceframe
Eisenmann performance exhaust
High dollar aftermarket sound system
2112
Blue/white 06'
Kind of sounds like one of Shadowman's Z8's.
Are you familiar with Marty Wiener? Probably your best go to guy for a PPI on a Z8 and he is in the L.A. area.
Post pics if you get it!
Are you familiar with Marty Wiener? Probably your best go to guy for a PPI on a Z8 and he is in the L.A. area.
Post pics if you get it!
GT4JR
GT Owner
Thanks for the contact; no I do not know Marty but will be sure to contact him once I receive my Z8; it will ship from RK Motors from Charlotte, NC, hopefully, next week; it is a CA car with a vin#xxxx61325, but somehow it ended up in NC.
Btw, I read a lot of your posts in the BMWZ8 forum, under Upgrades & such; very informative. The Z8 I bought has the above upgrades already, and I am sure I will add few more! I will post photos once I receive it! Take care, and thanks again!
Gaby
Btw, I read a lot of your posts in the BMWZ8 forum, under Upgrades & such; very informative. The Z8 I bought has the above upgrades already, and I am sure I will add few more! I will post photos once I receive it! Take care, and thanks again!
Gaby
2112
Blue/white 06'
GT4JR
GT Owner
yes indeed; and where he was buried. There is also a Nixon Library, with a small museum;
Thanks,
Thanks,
2112
Blue/white 06'
I always thought of them as American Muscle Car Dealers. Car looks fantastic. Love the McIntosh Amp in the back, looks like what I have in my House. I have the same wheels. Brembo prototyped those brakes on my Z8 back in 01'/02'.
I have the KW V2 coilovers but have to install them. Looks like a winner! Perfect foe SoCal weather. You will need to hook up with the group on their organized drive in a couple weeks on the 9th.
2112
Blue/white 06'
Alpinas have and Automatic tranny and a lower HP engine. Interiors are tiny bit nicer.
I like their color options and wheel dimensions, not exactly loving the style of wheel, but I rarely like stock wheels (FGT, Corvettes and 60's GM & Shelby muscle cars being the exception).
Alpinas have a strong following and are much more expensive at the moment. A Gentleman's boulevard cruizer maybe? I prefer the Z8 but that is just me.
I like their color options and wheel dimensions, not exactly loving the style of wheel, but I rarely like stock wheels (FGT, Corvettes and 60's GM & Shelby muscle cars being the exception).
Alpinas have a strong following and are much more expensive at the moment. A Gentleman's boulevard cruizer maybe? I prefer the Z8 but that is just me.