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BMW Z8 (E52) - exclusive pictures of the rare BMW roadster spotted at our Glasgow branch

Just 3160 were built to EU specifications - and one of these rare classic cars recently passed through our BMW Giffnock branch. Read on for exclusive images.

In order to promote the Z8 to collectors, BMW promised that a 50-year stockpile of spare parts would be maintained in order to support the Z8 fleet.

In order to promote the Z8 to collectors, BMW promised that a 50-year stockpile of spare parts would be maintained in order to support the Z8 fleet.

Produced between 1999 and 2003, and created by Danish automobile designer Henrik Fisker, the Z8 (also known as the E52 by its BMW model code) is the production version of the BMW 1997 Z07 concept car.

How many Z8 cars were produced?

The car was a limited production model. Just 5703 were produced. 3160 were built to EU specifications, and 2543 built to meet the Federal standards of the USA. The total includes the 555 Alpina Roadsters which were built in 2002 and 2003: 105 for the EU, and 450 for the USA.

Our exclusive images of the Z8

BMW Z8 Spotted in Glasgow

BMW Z8 Spotted in Glasgow

BMW Z8 Spotted in Glasgow

BMW Z8 Spotted in Glasgow

BMW Z8 Spotted in Glasgow

BMW Z8 Spotted in Glasgow

BMW Z8 Spotted in Glasgow

BMW Z8 Spotted in Glasgow

BMW Z8 Spotted in Glasgow

BMW Z8 Spotted in Glasgow

BMW Z8 Spotted in Glasgow

BMW Z8 Spotted in Glasgow

BMW Z8 Spotted in Glasgow

BMW Z8 Spotted in Glasgow

BMW Z8 Spotted in Glasgow

BMW Z8 Spotted in Glasgow

We recently had a BMW Z8 in stock at our BMW Giffnock branch. Before it was sold for an undisclosed sum, we sent a photographer there to take some exclusive, high quality pictures of this immaculate silver BMW Z8, with stunning bright red interior. Looking for more Z8 pictures? The official Z8 owners club has one of the best collections of Z8 images around. This example of the legendary roadster has been expertly maintained and lovingly cared for. Admired by collectors worldwide, it's one of the fastest appreciating sports cars available today.

BMW Z8 spec

  • Engine: 4.9 L V8 (S62)
  • Horsepower: 394bhp
  • Transmission: 6-speed manual, 5-speed automatic (Alpina)
  • Built by: BMW Motorsport Dingolfing Plant (Southern Bavaria, Germany), hand-finished in Munich.
  • Acceleration: 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) time of 4.7 seconds
  • Neon exterior lighting: The tail lights and turn indicators are powered by neon tubes that offer quicker activation than standard lightbulbs and are expected to last for the life of the vehicle.
  • Top speed: 155.4mph (limited)
  • Full spec information is available at ze-club.de.

BMW Z8 Alpina

The production BMW Z8 was replaced by the Alpina V8 Roadster. Just 555 Alpina Roadsters were produced in 2002-3 - 444 went to the US, six to Canada and the remaining 105 to various other countries around around the world (mainly Japan). None, however, were sold to the UK and all were left-hand drive. The electronically limited top speed was officially raised to 161 mph (259 km/h). Power was reduced to 375 horsepower while peak torque was raised to 383 lb-ft (519 Nm). Its power peak comes at 5800 rpm, vs. 6600; its torque peak occurs at the same 3800 rpm.

BMW z8 in James Bond

BMW z8 Car James Bond

BMW z8 Car James Bond Advertisement

The Z8 was a Bond car in The World Is Not Enough. In the film, it was driven by Bond until it was sliced in half by a helicopter equipped with tree-cutting saws in Azerbaijan. In total, two kit cars and one shell were made for the film. The shell was destroyed during filming; the other surviving car remains in the possession of EON Productions and is on display at Bond in Motion, National Motor Museum.

BMW Z8 James Bond Cut in Half

Official BMW Z8 owners club

The only owners club globally is located in Germany. Benefits of membership, according to fansite BMWz8.us, include "wonderful trips in Europe, a great magazine, and a wonderful group of like-minded enthusiasts around the globe". Full information is available on their website z8-club.de. The club aims to be the source for all technical knowledge and exchange of know-how for and about the Z8. The UK representative is Michael Coates.

BMW Z8 reviews and critical reception - an instant classic

The Z8 was widely praised by automotive journalists - and whilst it's not old, it's already been voted "classic car of the future". However, in his Top Gear review, Jeremy Clarkson (Series 2 Episode 3) described it as a car that "didn't know whether it was a supercar or a roadster".

Topspeed.com published a comprehensive review of the car in 2006.

BMW Z8 parts stockpile

BMW promised that a 50-year stockpile of spare parts would be maintained in order to support the Z8 fleet.

In order to promote the Z8 to collectors and reinforce media speculation about the Z8's "instant classic" potential, BMW promised that a 50-year stockpile of spare parts would be maintained in order to support the Z8 fleet. Due to the limited volume of Z8 production, all elements of the car were constructed or finished by hand.

Looking for a BMW roadster?

The only real similarities between a Z3 or Z4 and the Z8 is that they have the same roundel on the hood and they're all roadsters. Besides that, everything from suspension to engines and tail light bulbs are different on the Z8. We do have a number of Z3 and Z4 cars in stock, along with the BMW M Roadster - the BMW M performance model of the BMW Z3 and BMW Z4 convertibles.

Though the Z8's aren't common, we may well have another in stock in the future - so we'd recommend you subscribe to the Arnold Clark Newsroom via RSS, as we'll update this article if we have any more for sale.

Have you seen a rare car? Share your photographs with us on Twitter (or e-mail them to us directly and we may feature them on our Newsroom - or simply follow us to see more unusual cars which we spot across our network of 200 branches.

About the Author

Sam England

Staff writer at Arnold Clark

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