2002 BMW Z8 Roadster
VIN: WBAEJ13492AH61890
Titanium Silver Metallic with Black Nappa Leather

Remarkable performance, beautiful design, and a passionate enthusiast community, have all contributed to making BMW a premier sport luxury brand. In 1997, the Z07 styling study, initially penned by Henrik Fisker (later to become head of design at Aston Martin), was created to honor the legendary BMW 507. Never intended for production, it served as a contemporary statement of brand heritage. Yet unrelenting customer reaction encouraged 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 feel to the car. 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 both sophisticated and technologically bespoke. The frame was formed using modern aluminum stampings, employing many lightweight cast and formed aluminum components including the 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 all new Z8 arrived as a legitimately high performance machine, yielding .92g of lateral acceleration, and posting a 4.2 second 0-60 time. Car and Driver’s tests proved acceleration, grip, and braking figures competitive with the contemporary Ferrari 360. Priced at $130,000, just 2,382 examples were sold in the United States. Today, Z8s have continued to appreciate in value due in part to their exceptional design, remarkable driving manners, and limited production.

This amazing two-owner California car has travelled 28,133 miles since purchased new in Santa Monica, California, where it had been on display at Santa Monica BMW enticing buyers on the showroom floor. In 2004, the car was sold to the first owner, a BMW collector and regular customer of the dealership. The car was then sold to the current owner in 2006, having logged only 3,000 miles at that time. Delivered with air-conditioning, 6 speed manual transmission, 4 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. The second and current owner, however, has taken care and maintenance to a highly detailed level, supported by copious notes and services performed on the car within days of his purchase. Always garaged in Southern California with a collection of other cars, the current owner insisted that only BMW fluids were used throughout the life of the car to date, driven only by the current owner, driving careful highway miles on each outing to ensure that all systems were performing to proper standards.

As an example of the fastidious nature of the current owner and his desire to make this Z8 an exceptional example. Here are just a few of his efforts outlining improvement to the car while maintaining originality. In 2014 the front steering assembly was replaced due to failing alloy (a supplier issue common on these cars). Any qualified shop would have suggested simply replacing the rods with OEM parts. Knowing these parts could potentially also fail in the future, an exhaustive search for a more suitable solution began. Finally, after weeks of searching, and consulting with various experts, a machine shop specializing in alloy CNC fabrication offered to accurately machine a set of correct central rods using a stronger alloy. Having performed the process before, a specialized shop removed the steering rack and shipped it to Pennsylvania for comprehensive rebuild. Upon return, the new rods were installed and the complete rack was fit to the car to exacting dimensions. The driving manners remain as new with the added assurance and safety of these more robust steering replacement rods coupled with the fully rebuilt steering rack.

Also known for leather adhesive issues on the dashboard and headliner (particularly for cars used in warm or sunny climates), the dashboard leather commonly delaminates from the dash, slowly separating from the structure, pulling away from the surface, and stretching. Knowing this issue, the current owner located an expert auto upholstery shop to remove the entire dashboard, carefully remove the factory leather, and then stretch it into place while bonding with a stronger adhesive. For extra measure, the folded edges were reinforced with stainless steel staples. The dashboard was reinstalled and as further precaution (also subject to high temperature adhesive failure) the fabric headliner for the hardtop was removed and a brand-new BMW factory liner purchased and installed using stronger adhesive applied to the inside of the factory hardtop.

Finally, the current owner elected to install the BMW recommended OEM Limited Availability Front End Suspension Performance Kit. This BMW kit was specifically designed to prevent front end aluminum chassis “splaying” and front spring tower bending. Importantly recommended for installation before any deflection is evident, the owner elected to do so as a precautionary measure before any notable deflection was detected, further fortifying the car to a high standard.

Other improvements include installing a GROM Bluetooth System (with compatibility to newer cellphones used as music players and more convenient hands-free use. The former original CD changer unit was removed and retained with the car), the clutch dampening device was removed (improving longevity of the clutch without compromising clutch performance), and replacement factory OEM headlights purchased as the original units potentially will fog over time. This valued precautionary pair accompany the car. These items as well as regular services, fluid changes, and meticulous detailing are all further documented with copious notes, print outs of internet forum conversations on specialized services, and factory notations.

Today the stunning all-aluminum Z8 body features original Titanium Silver Metallic paint with excellent overall finish and glossy luster. The car body shows very little evidence of road use or significant surface marks on the exterior. There are some mild scrapes at the lower edge of the front air dam, visible on close inspection. The factory wheels are in excellent condition showing no curb rash or scratches and the correct Bridgestone Potenza directionally biased tires have been recently replaced. 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 have slight fogginess but can be replaced with the OEM units included with the car. Every cosmetic aspect of the car has been dutifully maintained and carefully preserved with the intent of maintaining originality but also improving the car as needed.

The interior is a beautifully composed translation of the original 507 design featuring handsome brushed aluminum and chrome finishes, nicely contrasted by supple black Nappa leather seats, sculpted door panels, and assorted trim. 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, surrounding gorgeous instruments display excellent color and lighting, and all features and systems function as expected. The digital instruments all illuminate properly when the key is engaged. The steering wheel, itself inspired by the original 507 design, is in excellent condition showing only mild evidence of use. The carpet and floor mats are in excellent condition, with some use evident on the driver’s side floor mat. The door sill entry plates are in excellent condition. Overall the interior presents with excellent finishes, beautifully trimmed features, and crisp details. The hardtop is in excellent condition with smooth felted headliner, showing no surface delamination. The black canvas convertible top displays excellent finishes on both the exterior and interior headliner. The trunk compartment has been beautifully preserved, showing little evidence of use to the trunk liner and carpeting.

Under the hood, this immaculate Z8 continues to impress with originality and proper detailing. The engine and all components retain their correct factory finishes, factory engine components, all factory stampings, correct labels and correct factory markings. The important BMW OEM front strut crossbar spans the engine assisting in structural rigidity without causing undue stresses to other parts of the body (commonly found in lesser engineered, non-OEM support applications) 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 not only properly maintained, but appears clean and fresh. Finishes show only minimal signs of use, factory stickers and markings are preserved, even the exhaust system is only mildly hued from use. Factory castings, floor pan, and suspension components are also clean and tidy, and all factory formed heat shielding is in place. There is no evidence of any structural compromise to the floor or suspension components.

The car starts, drives and handles as one might expect from such an exceptionally well-maintained car. The combination of excellent ride and comfort is a hallmark of these superlatively engineered cars, particularly when slightly pushed, resulting in exhilarating acceleration coupled with composure. The added suspension and steering rack improvements offer even a moderately sporting driver the added confidence of long term driving pleasure.

The car comes with a hardtop and top tool, complete tool kit and tool roll, battery tender and first aid kit (each with separate original pouches), a correct factory key and key fob pouch, and four spare keys. Also included with the car is a notebook of service receipts and detailed notations, recommended procedures and care tips written by the current owner, over 100 pages of specialized information from online communities, and a complete set of original BMW owner’s manuals, service and warranty manuals, all in the factory BMW embossed leather case.

Further items included with the car:

Two new headlight assemblies
Two OEM gas struts
New pedal pads
New floor mats
CD player and brochure
Hardtop Cover
Car Cover
Security Lug Adapter
Factory Charger
Spare Intelligent Charger
BMW color posters

Remarkably original and thoughtfully improved for enjoyable use, this exceptional BMW Z8 offers the next owner an exciting opportunity to own one of the finest performance cars of the century. The engaging 6-speed manual coupled with V8 performance and luxury amenities makes this Z8 the perfect salute to the legendary and now multi-million-dollar BMW 507. Built in limited numbers, and never to be built again, this Z8 delivers refined classic elegance and open motoring with truly remarkable performance.