Part of the appeal of cheap(ish) cars to me is that when they get older they’re so infrequently seen. It’s not that exotics are daily drivers around me, but once a generation of car’s usefulness has been eclipsed they all but disappear from the roadways, replaced by the newest model. Do you really want a clean Audi 5000CS quattro Avant, for example, or an impeccable BMW 630CS? They can be found, but few and far between best describes the frequency with which they come to market. But as the price goes up, so rises the number of examples that are available at any given time. They may still be classified as “rare”, but they’re rare not because they’re hard to find – just hard to afford. There is nothing particularly rare, for example, about most of the Porsche 911 model range from any generation – they were all effectively mass produced sports cars. But because they were highly priced and treasured, the number of good examples that are on the market today exceeds the actually rare 924 Turbo and late 944 Turbo, for example. Looking in another direction, I marveled that on eBay this week there was not one, not two, not even three – but no less than six Z8s tuned by Alpina. That represents just over one out of every 100 that was produced, all for sale at the same time, all in perfect shape, all with low miles and high prices. In fact, this pool gives us a chance to check out exactly how much mileage changes perceived value – or at least, asking price:
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 2003 Alpina Z8 on eBay
Year: 2003
Model: Roadster V8
Engine: 4.8 liter V8
Transmission: 5-speed automatic
Mileage: 3,191 mi
Price: $314,800 Buy It Now
2003 BMW Z8 ALPINA Alpina
WE HAVE JUST ADDED TO OUR EXTENSIVE EXOTIC CAR INVENTORY A BEAUTIFUL 2003 BMW Z8 ALPINA IN JET BLACK WITH BLACK LEATHER INTERIOR AND ONLY 3100 MILES. THIS Z8 IS # 411 OF 555 PRODUCED AND IT HAS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, NAVIGATION, HEATED SEATS AND MORE. BUY THE BEST FROM THE BEST!!!
This example comes with a staggeringly low 3,200 miles and in the classic all-black color combination. Condition is, unsurprisingly, perfect. This seller – Marshall Goldman – has several of the Z8s in this roundup
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 2003 Alpina Roadster V8 on eBay
Year: 2003
Model: Roadster V8
Engine: 4.8 liter V8
Transmission: 5-speed automatic
Mileage: 6,992 mi
Price: $299,888 Buy It Now
Exotic Motors Midwest is pleased to offer this VERY RARE 2003 BMW Alpina Z8 Roadster, finished in Titanium Silver Metallic over Sport Red and Black Leather interior! This Alpina Z8 is in spectacular collector condition with only 6,992 pampered miles from new! Options and features include – Titanium Silver Metallic, Sport Red/Black Leather, Anthracite Headliner, CP8000 Timeport Phone Kit, Alpina Package, and More! Do not miss this rare opportunity to own what is sure to be one of the greatest investment grade BMW’s of the modern era! Supply is quickly drying up and the opportunity to own an Alpina Z8 in such a stunning color combination is rapidly disappearing!
Number: 340 of 555
Please call Craig Becker Cell: (314)223-4543 Office:(314)561-9600 or email Craig@exoticmotorsmidwest.com for more information and details!
If you’re willing to accept another 3,800 miles on your ride, you can save a substantial $15,000. Plus, you get the prettier color combination of silver over red.
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 2003 Alpina Roadster V8 on eBay
Year: 2003
Model: Roadster V8
Engine: 4.8 liter V8
Transmission: 5-speed automatic
Mileage: 6,921 mi
Price: $285,800 Buy It Now
WE HAVE JUST ADDED TO OUR EXTENSIVE EXOTIC CAR INVENTORY A BEAUTIFUL 2003 BMW Z8 ALPINA IN TITANIUM SILVER WITH BLACK LEATHER INTERIOR AND ONLY 6900 MILES. THIS ALPINA IS LOADED WITH: AUTOMATIC, #411 OF 555 PRODUCED, NAVIGATION, HEATED SEATS, REMOVABLE HARDTOP AND MORE. BUY THE BEST FROM THE BEST!!!
Prudent consumer advice here – forgo the red interior and save $14,000. On second thought, at that point I’d pay $14,000 for the red interior. Nevermind.
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 2003 Alpina Roadster V8 on eBay
Year: 2003
Model: Roadster V8
Engine: 4.8 liter V8
Transmission: 5-speed automatic
Mileage: 9,745 mi
Price: $285,800 Buy It Now
2003 BMW Z8 Alpina Alpina
WE HAVE JUST ADDED TO OUR EXTENSIVE EXOTIC CAR INVENTORY A BEAUTIFUL 2003 BMW Z8 ALPINA IN BLACK WITH BLACK LEATHER INTERIOR AND ONLY 9700 MILES. THIS Z8 IS LOADED WITH: AUTOMATIC, #56 OF 555 PRODUCED, NAVIGATION, HEATED SEATS, REMOVABLE HARD TOP AND MORE. BUY THE BEST FROM THE BEST!!!
We also learn from these listings that apparently black is worth a premium. How else do you explain the 50% higher miles than the previous example but the same asking price?
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 2003 Alpina Roadster V8 on eBay
Year: 2003
Model: Roadster V8
Engine: 4.8 liter V8
Transmission: 5-speed automatic
Mileage: 9,520 mi
Price: $279,995 Buy It Now
2003 BMW Z8 Alpina
*CLEAN CARFAX*
*SUPER CLEAN*
*SUPER RARE*
*LOW LOW MILES*
*ALPINA*
– This vehicle is #241 OF 555 MADE!
THAT’S RIGHT ONLY 555 WERE MADE!
CAR IS TRULY STUNNING!
TIRES ARE LIKE NEW
BRAKES ARE LIKE NEW
CAR DOES NOT HAVE A SCRATCH ON IT!
– For the 2003 Z8 productions, all Alpina V8 Roadsters only came with automatic 5-speed steptronic transmissions mated to an Alpina tuned V8.
– Original BMW phone, books/manuals, floor mats/covers, and original numbered spare key.
100% FEEDBACK, BUY WITH CONFIDENCE!
WE ARE A FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS WITH OVER 30 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
CAR HAS GONE THROUGH A MULTI-POINT INSPECTION BEFORE BEING PUT ON EBAY!
CHECK OUT OUR INVENTORY AT WWW.AUTOEXOTICAINC.COM
MENTION THIS EBAY AD TO GET THE BEST DEAL!
732-704-4380, ASK FOR MATT!
It amazes me slightly that despite the multi-hundred thousand dollar asking price, none of the listings got the name right and a few even got the engine size wrong. This one at least provides slightly more information (though only slightly) and the lowest asking price of the group (though, again, only slightly). At this level, I’d probably pay the $5,000 premium to get the example with lower miles or a large premium for the lower miles and red interior.
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 2003 Alpina Roadster V8 on eBay
Year: 2003
Model: Roadster V8
Engine: 4.8 liter V8
Transmission: 5-speed automatic
Mileage: 21,764 mi
Price: $289,000 Buy It Now
2003 BMW Z8 Alpina
You are looking at BMW Z8 Alpina #95/555.
The Z8 Alpina is a well-built, yet compact and enjoyable ride that is unmatched by any other convertible on the road. With the ability to easily switch between having the top up or down, you’ll be able to go about your weekday routine without feeling like you’ve sacrificed the weekend thrills. Excellence, luxury and stature are just a few of the pillars this car is built upon.
While the Z8 featured the same 395hp and 370 lb-ft 4.9-liter V8 hooked up to a six-speed manual as the E39 M5, Alpina took a different path replacing it with the E39 540i-sourced V8 engine found in its B10 V8 S sedan. The V8 was bored to 4.6 4.8-liters producing a lower output of 376hp but higher torque at 383 lb-ft, while the only available transmission was the five-speed Steptronic automatic.
According to Alpina, the Roadster V8 could hit 62mph in 5.3 seconds and top out at 162 mph.
Alpina also gave its Roadster a softer suspension set up, 20-inch wheels on conventional (instead of Run Flat) tires, bespoke upholstery, blue instrument panel gauges, and a re-trimmed steering wheel.
Out of a total production of 5,307 BMW Z8 models from 1999 through 2003, Alpina put their badge on 555, with 444 of those landing in the States. Notably, the Roadster V8 was the very first Alpina model to be officially sold in the USA.
Due respect to Prestige BMW who at least took the time to look up the Alpina information on the car, you still called it by the wrong name. On top of that, you’re expected to apparently pay a premium for more miles – a strong $5,000 asking price more than the Marshall examples but with over double the mileage. For that, you get much better staged photographs admittedly but little else. Credit to the previous owner(s) who at least drove this example some, but I fail to see how that represents a premium.
Which is the one to buy? Well, that most of them have been hanging around for sale for a while suggests that the price fixing has stalled the market on them, and they’re all overpriced. If it wasn’t my money and I didn’t care, I think the red interior car looks a bit more special than the others. Otherwise, you say “Potato”….
-Carter
Please someone explain to me why one would place higher value on Alpina’s Z8.
I’ve always been confused what made it a “premium” to a standard Z8, because to me it seems a downgraded version of the real thing. Could the explanation be merely the lower production number?
Alpina Z8 lacks the fantastic e39 M5 drivetrain with stodgy 6 speed manual and ripper 400 hp S62 and instead trades down to X5 running gear with Alpina badges and nothing else special, anywhere. No turbos or bore & stroke, no fancy brakes or custom interior, not even green & blue decals.. blah, you can have it!!
Exclusivity is probably the best explanation, Kurt. The engine also offered greater torque than the Z8 and at a lower (more usable) revolution. Alpina also softened the ride, and made more of a Grand Touring roadster – probably more in keeping with who the car was aimed at than what BMW had produced.
Thanks, Carter- I suppose you’re right that these cars appealed more to the country club set. As a humble enthusiast, I’d never soften a chassis optimized for other efforts like the sweet aluminum body and much better engine – a real head scratcher.
What would 007 do?