Fantasy Junction

Description

2001 BMW Z8 Roadster (auction ends December 8th, 2023)

VIN – WBAEJ13451AH60945
Exterior Color – Black
Interior Color – SportRed and Black
Engine – 4.9-liter quad-cam V8
Transmission – 6-Speed
Current Miles – 4,854 miles
Current Owner – Purchased 2002 with 3,000 miles
Owner miles – Approximately 1,800 miles

General Overview

In 1997, the Z07 styling study, initially penned by Henrik Fisker (later to become head of design at Aston Martin), was created in honor of the legendary and now multi-million-dollar collector car, the BMW 507. Never intended for production, it served as a contemporary brand heritage statement. Yet unrelenting customer enthusiasm pressed BMW to reconsider their position. Eventually the Z8 was announced as a limited production offering. Available only as a roadster, the Z8 would be constructed from 2000 to 2003. The new Z8 slightly varied from the concept study but retained the long hood and short deck proportions, placing occupants nearly at the rear axle. The small doors, curvaceous fenders, and low-slung stance evoked a retro but fresh presence. All Z8s came with removable hard tops, unique keys, an embossed tool roll (a vintage touch), and a color-matched dashboard with centrally placed instruments.

Mechanically, the Z8 was highly sophisticated and advanced for the period. The frame was formed using modern aluminum stampings, employing many lightweight castings in combination with formed aluminum components including a fully independent suspension. The M5 series 4.9-liter quad-cam V8 engine delivered 400hp, mounted well behind the front axle for optimal weight distribution. Not simply a pretty face, the Z8 was a legitimate high-performance machine, yielding .92g of lateral acceleration, and posting 4.2 second 0-60 times. Car and Driver’s tests proved acceleration, grip, and braking figures competitive with the contemporary Ferrari 360. Priced at $130,000, just 2,543 examples were sold in the United States. Today, Z8 values have continued to appreciate and rightly so given their exceptional design, remarkable driving manners, and limited production.

History and Build Details of This Car

This beautiful and rare black Z8 arrived through US Customs on June 8, 2001, and was subsequently delivered to the first owner in Dublin, OH October 18, 2001. The vehicle received recommended maintenance in March 2022 and service at Westchester BMW, White Plains, NY in June 2002 with 1,211 miles. The current owner, a resident of Northern California, purchased the car in December 2002 with 2,958 miles. Of the 5.073 production cars built, 1,572 were painted black at the factory. This car is one of just 342 factory black cars optioned with the rare SportRed/Black interior combination.
Delivered new with air-conditioning, 6 speed manual transmission, four-wheel disc brakes, power telescoping steering wheel, power seat and one-touch power windows, BMW Multi-Information radio, auxiliary hardtop, and 18 inch 5-spoke alloy wheels, this car has been exceptionally well-maintained since new. With a mere 5,000 miles indicated today, this car has been freshly serviced (October 2023) by Weatherford BMW, Berkeley, CA, including an oil and filter change, inspection and topping for all fluids, new intake air silencers, new air filter element, new ride height indicator bracket, and confirmation of all outstanding recall campaigns. While in service, brake lining thickness was recorded at 11mm (12mm max), brake lining thickness recorded at 10mm (10mm max) and California smog emissions testing was performed with passing results in all test categories.

Condition Overview

Today the stunning all-aluminum Z8 body features factory original black paint confirmed by digital paint meter readings, returning numbers that are consistent with original paint. The paint has excellent overall finish and glossy luster. The car body shows very little evidence of road use with just a few minor road marks on the front fascia. The factory wheels are in excellent condition and the tires appear to be the original Bridgestone Potenza performance units installed when new. The glass, lenses, and emblems are all in as new condition, as are the beautifully finished chrome details throughout the exterior of the car. Headlight covers are clear and very nicely preserved with very minor fogging consistent with the low miles and indoor storage attributed to the conscientious ownership.

The interior is a beautifully composed interpretation of the original 507 design featuring handsome brushed aluminum and chrome finishes, nicely contrasted by supple red and black Nappa leather seats, sculpted door panels, and assorted trim. The seats are in excellent condition with no scuff marks, just slight relaxing to the driver’s seat bottom cushion and no notable wear to the driver side seat bolster. The center console is accented by a clean array of switches and purposeful controls, while the smooth leather covered dashboard exhibits none of the typical signs of material delamination. The gorgeous analog and digital instrumentation display excellent color and lighting, while the electronic features and systems function as expected, illuminating properly when the key is engaged. The steering wheel, itself inspired by the original 507 design, is in excellent condition. The carpet and floor mats are in very good condition, with some minor discoloration evident on the driver’s side floor mat. Overall, the interior presents with excellent finishes, beautifully trimmed features, ice cold air conditioning, and crisp details, consistent with the low miles. The hardtop is finished in gloss black but has scratch marks acquired when stored and the felted headliner is showing some evidence of delamination as often found on these due to the passage of time. The black canvas convertible top displays excellent finishes on both the exterior and interior headliner, tightly fitting to the windshield and a clear rear window. The trunk compartment has been beautifully preserved, showing little evidence of use to the trunk liner and carpeting.

Under the hood, this Z8 continues to impress with originality and proper detailing. The engine retains correct factory finishes, factory engine components, all factory stampings, correct labels, and correct factory markings. All formed engine enclosures, air cleaner, and air-management boxes, ducting, and aerodynamic panels remain in excellent condition. Underneath the car, a detailed inspection reveals a car that has been properly maintained and likely only driven in dry weather. Finishes show only minimal signs of use, factory stickers and markings are preserved, even the exhaust system is only mildly hued from heat cycles. Factory castings, floor pan, and suspension components are also clean and tidy. The various factory formed heat shields are also importantly in place. There is no evidence of any structural compromise to the floor or suspension components and no reports of damage recorded on this car.

The car starts, drives, and handles as one might expect from such an exceptionally well-maintained and recently serviced car. The combination of excellent ride and comfort is a hallmark of these superlatively engineered cars. With the top-down wind is minimized by a clear panel aftermarket wind buffer mounted behind the seat headrests. Open air driving is both pleasant and sporty depending on your driving preferences. In a sea of hefty SUVs plowing mindlessly through traffic it’s easy to see how these cars have distinguished themselves as elegant performance statements with both grace and power. A powerful front mounted V8, manual transmission, and roadster configuration, it’s very likely that we may never see another of this kind assembled by BMW.

Remarkably original and thoughtfully preserved, this exceptional BMW Z8 offers the next owner an exciting opportunity to own one of the finest and most elegant performance roadsters ever built. With just 342 built in this rare and elegant color combination, built in limited numbers, and never to be built again, this Z8 delivers refined open motoring with truly remarkable performance.

Items Included with the Car

This beautiful Z8 comes with a hardtop, first aid kit, foldable safety triangle, a correct factory key and key fob pouch, a set of original BMW owner’s manuals, service and warranty manuals, as well as the factory BMW embossed leather case.

The above vehicle information is complete and accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time it is posted to this website. Corrections or additional information is always appreciated. All advertised prices exclude government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document preparation charge, and any emission testing charge. Vehicles are subject to prior sale. All advertised to be true but not guaranteed. We assume no liability for errors or omissions.

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Fantasy Junction  •  510-653-7555  •  1145 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA 94608