• Year of manufacture 
    2001
  • Chassis number 
    WBAEJ21060AF78668
  • Engine number 
    60112454
  • Lot number 
    322
  • Drive 
    LHD
  • Condition 
    Used
  • Number of seats 
    2
  • Location
    United Kingdom
  • Exterior colour 
    Other
  • Drivetrain 
    2wd
  • Fuel type 
    Petrol

Description

2001 BMW Z8 Convertible with Hardtop
Registration no. Y228 SBE
Chassis no. WBAEJ21060AF78668
Engine no. 60112454

That this new car, the Z8, is scorchingly fast comes as no surprise. It employs the potent 400-hp M5 powertrain, which endows the M5 sedan with the acceleration of a Corvette. Weighing about 500 pounds less than the two-ton M5, the Z8's performance is beyond question.' – Car & Driver.

In recent times many motor manufacturers, particularly those with a significant sporting heritage, have felt the need to reference iconic models from the past when launching their latest. BMW has proved adept at exploiting this 'retro' trend, commencing in 1996 with the Z3 coupé and convertible, the styling of which brilliantly recalled its fabulous '328' sports car of pre-war days. Its next effort along similar lines - the 'Z07' concept car of 1997 - took its inspiration from the post-war Alfred Goetz-designed '507', a luxurious limited-edition roadster which, despite its sublime looks and superb performance, all but bankrupted the struggling German company.

The sensation of the 1997 Tokyo Auto Show, the Z07 was received so enthusiastically that BMW took the decision to press ahead with a production version: the Z8. Some of the Z07's less practical features were deleted, including the four-spoke steering wheel, 'double bubble' hardtop and driver's headrest fairing, but for the most part the Z8 remained remarkably faithful to the original concept, retaining the 507-like twin-nostril front grille and distinctive front-wing vents. A period-style interior had been one of the Z07's most remarked upon features, and that too made it into the Z8. Car & Driver was moved to remark: 'In truth, the Z8's visual charisma is so powerful that just sitting in this car with the engine off is more fun than driving many other cars. Then when you press the starter button – set apart, also a tribute to the past – another level of excitement begins.'

The Z8's body panelling and spaceframe chassis were fabricated in lightweight and corrosion resistant aluminium, while the 32-valve 4,941cc V8 engine, shared with M5 saloon, was built by BMW's Motorsport division. With 400bhp on tap, the Z8 raced to 100km/h (62mph) in 4.7 seconds and only the built-in rev limiter stopped it from exceeding 250km/h (155mph). Power reached the run-flat tyres via a Getrag six-speed manual gearbox. Needless to say, the Z8 also came with all the modern appurtenances one would expect of a flagship model: traction control, stability control, front and side air bags, GPS navigation, climate control and power operation of the seats, steering wheel and convertible hood all being included in the package.

The fact that the Z8 was a low-volume model assembled, for the most part, by hand enabled BMW to offer customers considerable freedom in personalising their cars. Further enhancing its appeal to collectors, the factory announced that a 50-year stockpile of Z8 parts would be maintained. Despite a (US) launch price of over $128,000, initial demand was so high that a bidding war broke out, with many Z8s selling for well in excess of that figure. By the time production ceased in 2003, 5,703 of these fabulous cars had been built.

In the current (third) owner's hands since 2007, this Z8 has seen little use over the course of the last 2-3 years and has covered only 26,500 miles from new. 'Y228 SBE' was last serviced in April 2014 by Performance & Prestige Cars Ltd of Ewelme, Oxfordshire (see bill for £2,568 on file) and is described as in generally good condition. Complete with factory hardtop, this rare and collectible modern classic is offered with sundry service bills, current MoT and V5C registration document.


Bonhams 1793
101 New Bond Street
London
W1S 1SR
United Kingdom
Contact Person Kontaktperson
First name 
Bonhams Collectors’ Car department

Phone 
+44-2074685801
Fax 
+44-2074477401