Holy smokes! I've only seen one Z8 in real life. Very, very, nice.
If you love your German car post them up!
- Thread starter Roadrash
- Start date
Holy smokes! I've only seen one Z8 in real life. Very, very, nice.
RFP
Active Member
Well, if you are ever in the Fort Worth area, let me know... you would be very welcome!
BMWCCA
Addicted Member
I'd admire both your choice of automobile and the tenacity it took to continue driving. We have automatic BMWs in our fleet now because of my wife's arthritic knee which pales in comparison to your accomplishments. I've been a fan of the Bovensiepen family's work for decades and I'm sure you enjoy the story behind their logo's "coat of arms" as much as I do. I've met and interviewed both Andy Bovensiepen and the designer of the Z8, Henrik Fisker. Both wonderfully talented people.
Bill Ferris
Lunatic Member
Thank you, lokerola, for that very generous compliment about my overly priced German sports conveyance ! LOL !
Bill Ferris
Lunatic Member
Yes, you provided the Bovensiepen family back story/history when I originally posted my Z8 Alpina picture in another thread several yrs. back, BMWCCA, Sir.
And I thank you again.
My neighbor had that exact car years ago, absolutely outstanding example of cool on four wheels.
Ex is driving that same Benz in red. I borrowed it one afternoon to run in town around Smith Lake AL, fun roads. It was actually fun to drive, you could load the suspension up pretty good, way more fun than I assumed.
My fun car, a heavily modified manual GTI, breaking the hearts of RS7 drivers, haha.
1986 Euro manual 735i, I have so many plans for this dirty E23. I sourced every part that was removed prior to being imported. I have an uber rare set of staggered BBS 16in RA’s, OEM rear lip spoiler, a complete new old stock ADS system, amps, separates up front, plates in the rear. I’m excited about this build, it will loose about 40mm in ride height.
The old 535 still sitting on jack stands in the hangar. Tuned cammed M30 motor, kinda on the fence as what to do with this car.
I was heavy into E24’s and E28’s for years so I’m left with boxes and boxes of parts etc. I really need to get off my butt and sort this stuff out.
Bill Ferris
Lunatic Member
Was it, in fact, a numbered Z8 "Alpina" ?
The Z8 Alpina was only available in 2 colors, either Black or Silver, with several wheel pattern style options.
Whereas the USA built Z8 was available in a handful of paint color options.
Do you happen to know whatever became of your neighbor`s Z8 "Alpina", justgotohm ?
Just curious, Sir.
And thanks for the compliment.
HiFi in WYO
The universe is a big place, perhaps the biggest.
Not my pic or ML, but my oldest's 2000 ML 320 came back to me this past week in a trade/sale for a Subaru I sold her. Dorky vehicles in the looks department but I kinda' like it. She loved it - she had an MB in high school. I hated it - what a nightmare to work on for certain things. German engineers do some amazing things, but other times one just scratches their head - what were they thinking? 165K miles. Yaw control bad, air doesn't work, bumper covers need replaced and a lot of the clear coat is gone. Mechanically, it's fine. I'll drop a few $$ into it and maybe drive it through the winter - it's a beast in the snow.
Second Krautmobile I've had - my 1992 Audi 80 Quattro was a wonderful little car.
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Second Krautmobile I've had - my 1992 Audi 80 Quattro was a wonderful little car.
I imagine it was a stock Z8 in silver, the owner does own a couple BMW dealerships in GA and FL. Seems I would have remembered specifically if it was an Alpina.
Yeah your Z8 is a poster car for sure, I’m proud to own an Alpina steering wheel, Haha.
I pulled the dogleg transmission so it’s far from drivable, you’d be much better off finding a nice driver. You better hurry the prices are getting up there on decent E28’s.
If you can find a nice 2001-2003 530 manual like we talked about, that’s the undervalued keeper out there now. Or the E36 M3 sedan with a manual.
My M3, '05 manual trans, cinnamon interior
Small Fuses
Super Member
ok, I didn't own it, but as a young [not very competent] service advisor circa 1996... and...
the German VW bus I owned that same decade; a 1978 camper. I'm trying to unclog a fuel filter here...
BMWCCA
Addicted Member
I know Bill knows the difference, but what he said implies that the non-Alpina Z8s were built in the USA. That's not correct. All Z8 aluminum frames were produced in Plant Dingolfing where every 5-series had been made since the beginning of the series. Final assembly was completed by hand at BMW's main plant in Munich.
The non-Alpina engines were built by BMW Motorsport. The 4.9L 400-hp S62 engine came from the E39 M5. Alpina used the 4.8L M62 developed and hand-built by Alpina to 375hp trim but designed to produce more low-end torque at a lower RPM than the S62 to enable it to work better with the 5-speed automatic in the Alpina. No turbos necessary!
Got an offer letter from my VW dealer last week - $14k towards the Taos with my trim level of choice including maintenance contract for my RLine convertible. We have a 19 CX5 AWD Sig so don’t need another small SUV. About the only thing that I’d give it up for would have 23 windows, a Type 34 Ghia or my old 356B
