PDF files to download (manuals, reference & original press articles)

[macfly]

These are documents that may help you, or your mechanic keep the car in perfect order. If you have or find any other documents that you think should be here please do send them to me, and I'll post them. Most of these links should be viewable in your web browser, but you may want to right/click and save them to your desktop.

Full Owner's Manual 2000-2001 (nb: 2.4MB)
http://www.bmwz8.us/pdf/2001Manual.pdf

Full Owner's Manual 2002-2003 (nb: 2.1MB)
http://www.bmwz8.us/pdf/2003Manual.pdf

Full Technician's Training Manual 2003 (nb: 20MB - 190 pages)
http://www.bmwz8.us/pdf/Z8_Training_Manual_web.pdf
right/click to download, too big to view online

BMW NA Dealer Guide to Z8 customer care.
http://www.bmwz8.us/pdf/Z8_customer_care_web.pdf

BMW's Official Press Launch Brochure.
note the number of mentions in the 'Design' section....Bangle - 40, Fisker - 0 !!!
http://www.bmwz8.us/pdf/ET_Z8_GE.PDF

An interesting fact file on the car prepared by BMW NA.
http://www.bmwz8.us/pdf/BMWZ8_official_fact Book.pdf

Vanos Noise Identification Paper. S62 up till July 01.
http://www.bmwz8.us/pdf/Z8_VANOS_s62.pdf

Replacing the Vanos Unit.
http://www.bmwz8.us/pdf/Z8_replacing_Vanos.pdf

Engine Oil Check Procedure.
http://www.bmwz8.us/pdf/Z8_Engine_Oil_Check.pdf

Wheel Alignment.
http://www.bmwz8.us/pdf/Z8_alignment.pdf

Alarm problems.
http://www.bmwz8.us/pdf/alarm.pdf

Replacing the headlamp unit.
http://www.bmwz8.us/pdf/Z8_headlamp_replacement.pdf

German language technical overview of the Z8.
http://www.bmwz8.us/pdf/Z8_technical_in_German.pdf
English Translation by Ton can be downloaded here

This 20MB ZIP file is a copy of the Z8 section from a 2003 BMW Parts Book that shows all of the chassis components of our car. It is scanned at high resolution because the print is very small, and that is why the ZIP file is so large for just 15 pages of info. I've printed it here, and it prints and views fine at this resolution, but if you need better quality than this you can email me for the raw scans.
NB: I purchased this from EBay, and have no idea if the prices are dealer-trade or retail so I would caution against using them as a price guide.
http://www.bmwz8.us/pdf/Z8_parts.zip


This set of PDF's are from the Z8 Club, and can also be found on their site in German.

Notes on winter storage.
http://www.bmwz8.us/pdf/Z8Club_Winter_Storage.pdf

Soft top issues and fixes.
http://www.bmwz8.us/pdf/Z8Club_Softtop.pdf

Changes made during the production run.
http://www.bmwz8.us/pdf/Z8_changes_prod.pdf

Alarm issues and fixes.
http://www.bmwz8.us/pdf/Z8Club_Alarm.pdf

CD to DVD based navigation change.
http://www.bmwz8.us/pdf/Z8Club_DVD.pdf

Summary of the frame issue and Performance Package
http://www.bmwz8.us/pdf/Z8Club_Final_Frame.pdf

SES light and related exhaust system changes and issues.
http://www.bmwz8.us/pdf/Z8Club_Exhaust.pdf

Z8 Oil - use only Castrol TWS 10-60
http://www.bmwz8.us/pdf/Z8Club_Oil_TWS.pdf

Serious problems with the radiator getting gummed up.
http://www.bmwz8.us/pdf/Z8Club_Radiator.pdf

[macfly]

Click here to download.

[macfly]

Special thanks to Satch Carlson for letting us have a cover!!

(You can download the full article here.)

[macfly]

Here are some articles I've been collecting over the years. I'll keep adding to them as I find new pieces, and if you have any you think we should have here please send them in.

The very first 'spy-shot' images of the prototype coupe that became our Z8.
Car Magazine, UK, June 1996

The first look at the car as we know it. BMW Flexes it's Muscles
Auotcar, UK, Oct 1997

Automobile's look at the Z07 in 1999.
Automobile, USA, Jan, 1998

The first test car, I saw this car, or one camoflaged just like it, up on the Angles Crest Highway in 1999.
BMW Car, UK, Oct, 1998

BMW's own mag celebrates Bond and the Z8.
BMW, USA, Jun, 1999

Autocar's first look at the car, Bond's latest sportscar.
Autocar, UK, July 1999

Road & Track's first note on the Z8, including the still-born Coupe
Road & Track, USA, Nov 1999

Car's first in depth look at Bond's car, For Your Eyes Only.
Car, UK, Dec 1999

Top Gear's first story, Spy Shoots.
Top Gear, UK, Dec 1999

Autocar's first drive in the Z8. Bullz-eye
Autocar, UK, Feb 2000.

Autoweek's first drive in the Z8. Wow, I coulda' had a Z8!
Autoweek, USA, Mar 2000.

Autocar's first comparison test of the Z8 with an AM DB7 & a 911.
Autocar, UK, Mar 2000.

Roundel's first drive in the Z8, they raved about it!
Roundel, USA, Apr 2000

Car's first drive in the Z8, and they love it!
Car, UK, Apr 2000

Evo's first drive in the car, they loved it!
Evo, UK, Apr 2000

Automobile's first drive in the car, they loved it! A Singular Sportscar.
Automobile, USA, May 2000

Motor Trend's first drive, they record a 0-60 in 4.2 seconds!
Motor Trend, USA, May 2000

Road & Track's first drive, they loved it!
Road & Track, USA, May 2000

Bimmer's first look at the Z8 - they really like it!
Bimmer, USA, Dec 2000

Autocar's third look at the car, they didn't love it.
Autocar, UK, Oct 2000

Bimmer's second test of the Z8 - they get it!
Bimmer, USA, Dec 2000

Road & Tracks 'Princes of Performance' test.
Road & Track, USA, April 01

Car's Z8 vs 360 test, Along came a spider. (on a personal note this was the article that sealed the deal for me! I bought my first Z8 two days after reading this story.)
Car, UK, Aug 2001

Bimmer's test of the Alpina - they love it!
Bimmer, USA, Apr 2003

BMW CAR's Ultimate Guide to buying a Z8.
BMW CAR, UK, Jan 2007

Roundel's story on Dinan's 550hp Z8
Roundel, USA, Oct 2007

BMW World (in French) showcases a one owner car with 100,000 miles.
BMW World, France, Sept 2007

Roundel's story on Monterey 08
Roundel, USA, Nov 2008

Classic Car's cover story on Buying a Bond car.
Classic Car, UK, Dec 2008

Roundel's story on the Z8 Club's 10th Anniversary in Munich (featuring the cover we didn't get!)
Roundel, USA, Mar 2010

[macfly]

This time it features a unique 550hp Dinan prepared Daytona Prototype engined Z8! A PDF of the story and the cover is posted above as a PDF, and here for easy reading.


ODIN'S WARHORSE.

Odin, the warrior God of ancient Germany, rode into battle on an eight legged horse called Sleipnir. This fearsome creature would outrun, trample and crush Odin's enemies, or victims, before they even knew they were under attack. Sleipnir has arisen again in central California, I know, for I have ridden the beast.

This car may look like James Bond's svelte and stylish steed, but make no mistake, Steve Dinan has transformed it into a wild warhorse. The war that forged the heart of this beast has been fought and won on the racetracks of America over the last three years in the Daytona Prototype series.

Those of you addicted to the Speed Channel will be no stranger to the blue and yellow Sigalsport BMW team. The V8 that powers their car is the same Dinan unit that beats in the heart of this Z8. The 'DP' S62 is built up on the castings, casings and crankshaft of the S62 motor by Steve Dinan and his seventy strong team in California. The original S62 motor came from BMW's M Division, and was used for both the e39 M5 and the Z8, so transplanting a 'DP' S62 into a Z8 isn't at all the sacrilege some purists might suppose.

However this was no easy or a cheap upgrade. It took over eighteen months to blend these two very different creatures into a single unified whole. In real man hours it should have cost in excess of a hundred and sixty thousand dollars, but the lucky owner will get away with paying less than half that for this unique ultimate Z8. Despite having about twenty DP motors out in the field with different teams over the last three years, turning one into a street legal and streetable package was a huge challenge, especially electronically.

Steve Dinan started his working life in the USAF where he maintained and mastered the electrical systems that controlled the delivery of nuclear warheads in a fleet of B52's, so opening up a BMW DME and dancing with the 16 bit hexdecimal language it speaks is second nature to him. Taking well over a year to test, adjust and retest its commands so that it harmonizes perfectly with the mechanicals is just part of his way. He won't let anything out of his shop until he is absolutely satisfied it is as good as it can be.

The result is a DME that has total control of each and every part of the motor's management, redefining the S62's throttle response all the way to the new electronically limited red line at 7,900 rpm. The motor responds with a crispness more precise than anything I've ever experienced in a road car, it is more akin to the telepathic warp speed response of a super-sport motorcycle. All this is achieved by recoding the stock Z8 electrics, but the final spark is delivered to the heads through lightweight coils adapted from the e46 race motor

The mechanicals are an interesting hybrid of a road going S62 and the DP motor. This engine uses the road car's wet sump lubrication to maintain the AC system's heat exchanger. It also has the roadster's VANOS (variable valve timing) system, which broadens and flattens the torque curve a bit, but at the expense of peak power. The crank is 'stock' but the bearings, pistons, rods, valves, mechanical lifters, guides, alternator, pumps, pulleys, and radiators are all designed in house, and then specially made by, or for Dinan. The final drive starts with a lightened flywheel and strengthened clutch and ends with a specially made Quaife LSD and a set of proprietary final drive gears, running at 3:91-1.

Sleipnir breathes though a carbon fiber cool air intake system that skips the pesky Mass Air Flow meters. The plenium chamber is full of specially formed spun aluminum trumpets that gulp in the cool freshness. They seem to splay out in a ramshackle chaos within it, but the exact position of each one has been defined by hours of flow and dyno testing. The beast exhales through a pair of exquisite hand crafted equal length stainless steel headers that look like they belong in an art gallery. These sweep the fires back past either side of the gearbox and flow them into matched pair of specially fabricated exhausts, cats and mufflers that run the length of the car.

So, whats it like? Well, as the owner of a stock Z8 it is simply mind warping. Now don't get me wrong, this isn't the first 8,000 rpm 500+hp Z8 I've driven. I have had the great pleasure of some seat time in Nowack of Germany's wonderfully tuned Z8, with an S62 that equals this car in power, and thus likely in numbers on a drag strip, but the two have totally different natures. The Nowack car drives with the civility and push of a Hoover Dam dynamo. If it were music it would be a Wagnerian concert played exquisitely by a symphony orchestra at full volume, while the Dinan car is the Sex Pistols louder and badder than you've ever heard them before.

What makes this car sound so different is the engine's blood curdling battle cry. The unique and distinctive note is a result of Dinan's very precise exhaust system calibration. The pulses are controlled by the equal length headers, and then pumped at a carefully crafted resonance into the collector boxes, giving a constant flow and back pressure to maximize power and efficiency. The result is extraordinary, a banshee wail of a wild war horse bringing the wrath of Odin down on you rather than the softly rounded rumble and growl you expect of a V8. On full song this motor sounds like the mighty Cosworth DFV engines that ruled Formula 1 from 1967 to 1985.

At tickover the mechanical lifters sound wickedly metallic and sharp, like a sword constantly rattling in its saber. Put it in first gear, let out the very civil clutch, and apply a dab of gas. The torque grabs you by the scruff of the neck, hurling you from 2,000 rpm to 5,500 rpm, when the baton is passed to the power curve, which catapults you to the 7,900 rpm redline. The forward thrust is so brutal that you don't have time to take your hand off the shifter, and each of the first four shifts have the wide rear tires skipping and squealing for mercy. In fifth the speedo's needle is quickly impaled on the stop-pin at the 155mph mark, while the tach swings hard and fast to the redline, at a true 170 mph. Top speed should be just a shade under 200mph, not bad for an open car with the drag co-efficient of a Panzer tank. Odin would have been very happy!

Steve Dinan has picked a stunning area to base both his home and business. Set in the rolling hills about twenty five miles south of San Jose and thirty miles inland from Santa Cruz on the coast, it looks like the land of promise that filled railroad posters of the last century. Laguna Seca is no more than forty miles away, and set in the same rolling coastal terrain, so if you have been there you know what his area is like.

It is through these cascading coastal hills that we set off in search of good photo spots with Steve at the helm, which was immensely entertaining. Steve only knows one way to drive, flat out. He raced himself for many years, and now gets his speed fix on the back roads of Central California on a 168hp MV Agusta. He knows every inch of the roads we're skimming and is able to drive this beast at it's maximum possible velocity on the tight and twisty country byways. Again and again the wail of the motor makes me burst out laughing, it's noise and thrust are both delightful and addictive.

When he has to come off the gas for bits of annoying slow traffic the motor is silent, with no over-rich missing or over-run spluttering. This is achieved by a total gas cut off at the injectors, which comes from the racetrack, developed to save fuel and keep cars out for another lap or two between pitstops. Getting on the gas as the mobile chicane is dispensed with instantly flings the car forward from anywhere in the rev range. There is no need to go hunting through the gears with this motor.

As we spend the late afternoon taking pictures of the beast an endless stream of curious folks are drawn to the Z8's beautiful lines. It always makes me smile to see how loved the Z8 is by people who know nothing about cars, but when car enthusiasts hear this exhaust and recognize the saber rattle of the mechanical lifters they beam a huge smile of approval.

This car is truly a double masterpiece; firstly Henrik Fisker's, the Z8's original designer, and secondly Steve Dinan's for giving it the wild heart of a streetable race car. This motor elevates the Z8 onto a plateau of performance that brings some of the chassis' shortcomings into focus. This was the first time that Steve had really got to drive and ride in his creation for an extended period, and ever the perfectionist he was already calculating how to harmonize the chassis with it's monster motor.

The owner had previously fitted AC Schnitzer's Z8 suspension kit, which is both more harshly sprung and sits the car an inch or so lower. The crisper ride is well suited to well surfaced fast roads in Montana that are this car's stomping ground, but is pretty unforgiving on California's roughly paved little back roads, and had the car skittering, thumping and slithering about in a rather unsettled way. Our drive showed that the attention to perfection that went into the motor now needed to be focused on harnessing all that power, and getting the beast to handle as well as it it goes.

Steve called the owner, reported on the handling discoveries of our drive, and then set to work doing a host of modifications to tame the monster. He changed out the tires for a set of 275/35-19 front and 285/35-19 rear to help reduce the car's inherent understeer. He added a degree of negative camber up front, for a total of 1.5?, and adapted a Dinan Monoball set from an E39 to crispening up the turn in. The owner flew to California to pick the car up once these final chassis tweaks were done, and drove it all the way home to Montana. Needless to say he is over the moon!

When I called Steve a few weeks later to do a final fact check he told me another round of upgrades is already on the cards for next year! These will include taking the motor up to around 570hp, building a complete custom suspension set, and doing an in depth analysis of the benefit of adapting a faster turning M3 steering rack to crispen up the Z8's leisurely steering.

Is it reasonable to spend this much time and effort transforming the most beautiful of all modern BMW's into a wild warhorse? I my humble opinion it is beyond reason, it is art. This machine is a pinnacle of inspiration and engineering that is nothing short of pure genius. It is the most exciting and daring road going BMW I have ever seen, driven and been driven in.

How, you might ask, can I sanely justify throwing eighty grand at a car that already cost over one thirty? Simple, there is nothing you can buy for that amount that is anywhere near as amazing, unique and special as this, period. I've already bought my first lotto ticket, and if you happen to see me sitting quietly in a corner somewhere with my head in my hands, don't worry, I'll just be uttering an occasional quiet prayer to Odin in hope that he'll send me his warhorse once again!

-----

My favorite six of the car in action in the Gallery.

-----

[Dogsbreath]

Great article Andrew - she sounds like a beast. The headers are cool enough to just put on display !

Dave P

[macfly]

The text for the Roundel Monterey '08 issue.

Run, Otter, Run!
The biggest gathering of Z8's in America.

Monterey is well known for its otters, funny creatures that are harder than cats to herd - not unlike Z8 owners. It is also the home of the most celebrated 'cargasm' in the world, a week full of historics, festorics, concours's and rallies. An otter has to keep up a good pace to take it all in!

The idea of a Z8 assault on car week hatched during the Z8 Club's Mille Miglia trip in May 2006. A whisper circulating Munich said that 2008 was to be 'our year', BMW would be the honored marque, and there was talk of all sorts of special events, so the Z8 Club planned to bring over fifty cars!

Alas the realities of this recession pulled that rug from under us, and there was no honored marque this year. The European owners bailed, but our US Z8 posse wanted in regardless, Z008 would be our year. Somehow I became the organizer. I could write a book on event planning now, but that isn't the fun stuff, the wonderful days of Monterey is what I want to share with you here.

Z8's came from all over the states, and one from Canada, but the biggest group was from Texas, where Classic BMW of Plano put on a splendid event to send off the 'Texas 8'. Eight Z8's left for Monterey on 08.08.08 at 8.08pm! Seeing the pictures on our forum Saturday morning suddenly made it real and immediate, we were leaving in two days!

Monday 6am, my wife and I jump into the already packed car, there are still many t's to cross and i's to dot in Monterey before everyone arrives. Dawn breaks high on the Grapevine, and the five is clear. We turn west at Buttonwillow, dropping the top for the gorgeous 58, one of my favorite roads. The early sun behind us paints perfect light on the high desert plains and rolling oak dotted hills for the sprint to Paso Rables. There we pick up the 46 west in the bright blue sky morning. Just south of Cambria we crest the final ridge before the ocean, and there it is, the fog. The thick leaden blanket hiding the rugged coast is colder than usual this year, and sweeps a mile or more inland. As we glide down into, then below it, the Pacific appears a cold slate floor vanishing into the grey just offshore.

The early start and the cold fog give us a clear road and a blissfully fast drive north from Cambria. The swirling gray ceiling sits half way up the massive bluffs, again and again we rise up into it, then drop below it as the engineering masterpiece of Highway 1 climbs, curves, dips and dives up and down the breathtaking coastline. This road really deserves its status as a national treasure.

Cresting the ridge into Big Sur we finally climb back into the blue. Our first stop is the Ventana Inn, perched high above the fogs, where we're having lunch on our Thursday drive. My heart sinks seeing fire trucks line the driveway. The inn survived the fires that ravaged Big Sur this summer, but the previous night an electrical fault burnt the kitchen and restaurant to the ground! Scouring the coast for a lunch spot for sixty people while out of cell range is isn't the ideal start to our trip, but by mid-afternoon the Highlands Inn saves our day.

Tuesday morning is spent tying up loose ends, making sure our magic carpet is airworthy. With the planning locked down, we drift through the ever present fog to Carmel for lunch with two other early arrivals. One is the famous Shadowman Special, this 750hp twin supercharged monster is the most powerful Z8 in the world. The other is one of only four Midnight Blue Metallic's made worldwide from Toronto.

After lunch we walk Carmel's lovely Ocean Avenue enjoying an eclectic mix of cars from tiny Isettas and Messerschmidts to vast winged Cadillacs and Pontiac's. After the show we drive Seventeen Mile Drive, but the view is gone in the every present fog.

Arriving back at the Monterey Marriott, Z8's are everywhere! Like otters at play, owners are scampering from car to car saying their hellos, talking tires, wheels, brakes or colors while the bewildered valets desperately try herd them off the street, onto the driveway and down into our own special self parking area below. It's thrilling driving into the basement to see over twenty other Z8's lined up after all that planning.

Dinner is in a private room of one of the best restaurants in town. After a delicious first meal together everyone is presented with gift boxes that include maps, tee shirts, hats, badges and grille emblems. These beautiful packages were created by fellow owner, and co-planner Ian McLean. As each owner is presented their box they introduce themselves, allowing us put faces to those mysterious internet names we've chatted with for years.

Wednesday is the Automobilia Monterey event, a huge ballroom full of car art of all kinds, vintage posters, photographs, rally plates, models, badges and more. We get a special early opening because Tony Singer, who runs it, is also a Z8 owner. BMW made more than a car with the Z8, they created a brotherhood. Tony's event is full of wonderful things that eat up the morning and the wallet.

Afterwards we meander back into Monterey for lunch. Everyone heads in different directions as the afternoon was left free for the long distance owners to catch their breaths, clean their cars and relax a little.

We've rented the Monterey Aquarium for dinner, and a bus to get us there and back through the fog. Clambering off the bus we first head into the downstairs bar for drinks in the All About Otters display, and boy are they cute! After that we're guided up the grand stairs past huge tanks of jelly fish, under the ceiling of circling sardines and on into the huge deep water aquarium where our tables are set in front of the wall of glass that stretches from the floor to the ceiling with sharks, rays, giant tuna and other open water creatures circling past us. Dinner at the Aquarium is delicious, and its certainly one the most memorable settings anywhere in world.

Thursday is the big Z8 drive. Getting all those cars out of the hotel and the narrow street of Monterey takes some doing, so we've planned to reconvene out of town at the bottom of Carmel Valley Road. Once all twenty eight of he day's cars are assembled we head inland along Carmel Valley, breaking free of the cold gray marine layer in a few miles. Now the road sparkles in the low morning sun, and I know this is going to be a beautiful drive.

Climbing out of the Carmel Valley spectacular views and panoramas open up before us as the road cavorts through the rolling hills and valleys of the Coastal Range. An hour into the roller coaster ride of the G16 we pull our caravan over on a long straight apply sunscreen and take pictures. This is the biggest single group of Z8's assembled in the US so far, and the owners are in heaven. Their smiles are as bright as the baking sun, and they're asking to do this again tomorrow!

Its not yet 10am, but at eighty five degrees its a full thirty hotter than at the coast. After water and sunscreen we jump back in the cars, and follow the road along a narrow valley that gradually opens out to the endless agricultural expanse of the Salinas Valley, where we arc to the south. Six miles on we pick up Jolon Road, it's broad sweepers beckon a brisk pace as it climbs west towards the mountains, racing us to the entrance of the Hunter Ligget Military Base.

We stop to take a group photo of our cars infront of a large tank right by the base's entrance, causing much hooting and cheering from the military traffic entering and leaving the base, and we cheer them back. By the time our photo is done the soldiers brush aside formalities, waving us through the gates onto one of the loveliest high valleys in all of California.

There are some signs of the terrible early summer fires, but happily the beauty this road meanders through has been spared the worst of it. A wall of mountains separates us from the cold coast, so crossing the high valley the temperature hits a hundred, and stays there until the road starts to zigzag its way up the side of the coastal range like a drunken snake. Cresting the pass the fog far below us spreads out to the horizon like clouds seen from a plane. As we wind down to the coast the temperature plummets, making this is the only drive most of us have done going from full AC to full heat in less than ten miles. Back on Highway One for the sprint north to lunch it is forty five degrees colder than the other side of the pass, but we're all reveling in the luxurious joy of an open car with hot seats and a blasting heater.

After lunch our magic carpet rolls back into Monterey, and the otters scatter till dinner. The night is full of happy chatter about the drive and the joys of the car we all share such a passion for. All is good in the planners world!

Friday is the day of the Concorso Italiano, but we're headed to the Quail instead. I'd heard its the best event of week, but that its very hard to get tickets. The Z8 cast it's spell again, it happens to be the organizer's favorite modern car, so we all got in with our own parking area right by the main entrance! We were able to return the favor by bringing thirty Z8's, the largest group assembled in one place in the USA.

The tickets are pricey at two fifty a head, but they only sell three thousand of them, and in the days before the event they're over two grand on Ebay. I've been to many car shows and this is one of the best in the world, along with the Villa D'Este. Once you're inside everything is included in your entrance fee, unlimited oysters, caviar, champagne, freshly prepared food from five on site restaurants, wonderful stands of car art, jewelry, private jet time shares, and of course exquisite cars and bikes. The Quail is set just far up Carmel Valley to be out of the fogs in brilliant sunshine, but with the cooling ocean air, making it the perfect temperature.

The fog returns as the sun drops, and this evening our magic carpet takes us to the BMW CCA dinner at the Rancho Canada. There we're treated to a huge banquet with around three hundred owners from all over the country. After dinner there are several presentations, including an M Division movie and a talk from Karl Balmer, the head of BMW's new Classic division in Munich.

Saturday is the big day at Laguna Seca, and the Festorics. The team at the CCA had arranged the impossible for us, parking on the tarmac, though really we rode on the coat tails of the Vintage Club as we were sharing their parking. Seeing the thirty Z8's line up opposite the vintage cars from all over the world was a special sight. Of course we all gravitated to the one 507 in their midst as it is our spiritual forefather. The day at the track started out cold and foggy, but by mid morning the vintage racers were screaming around in bright sunlight.

I love the Historics, it really is one of the best racing events in the calendar, seeing all those stunning cars up close, being able to talk to the owners, drivers and mechanics, then watching them go hammer and thongs out on the track. Mario Andretti and Jay Leno walk the paddock chatting openly to everyone. Mario then puts in a set of flying laps in his championship winning Lotus. I remember him racing that car as kid, so seeing him tear through the Corkscrew, and hearing him circle the entire track is the highlight of my day.

The BMW CCA has it's usual tent by the bridge between turns four and five where members can eat, drink and take some welcome shade from the roasting midday sun. They also have some lovely rare models on display, much to everyones delight.

Saturday night is our own Z8 banquet in the penthouse of the Marriott, where we had a brisk dinner so folks could enjoy the auctions. Our guest of honor was Bill Stuart from BMW NA who has done a huge amount helping Z8 owners deal with the oddities of a small production run car. After dinner he gave a heartfelt talk to us Z8'ers, then Larry Koch from BMW NA had us in hysterics with a tale of his trials and tribulations with the first show car at the Detroit Auto Show. Then it was out into the town square where both RM and Russo & Steele's auctions were in full swing doing record business - what recession?

Sunday is the fifty eighth Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, and we've arranged a bus to pick us up at the hotel and take us right into the heart of the action. It takes almost twenty minutes to wind our way into the center of the event it is so vast. As we finally pull up to the shuttle stop there is no denying this is the one! The grand old golf resort is festooned with sponsor's banners, and hospitality suites are everywhere, this is where the big money is.

First we pass a small green crammed with concept cars, then on down to the main lawns which are surrounded by more hospitality tents, and private functions. It is so grand that the fashion bible Vogue even throws a party here!

There are so many amazing cars that trying to describe them is impossible, and the crescent bay of the eighteenth green of Pebble Beach they're laid out on is a picture postcard perfect spot. Many of the two hundred or so masterpieces on this hallowed lawn are worth over ten million. I pull out my phone and tap in the numbers, the combined value of these cars is greater than the value of all the five thousand seven hundred and two Z8's made!

Its impossible not to be impressed by the sheer splendor, history and grandure of Pebble Beach, but if I had to pick one event, it would be the Quail. At Pebble you feel like the hired help getting a glimpse of how the really rich live, while at the Quail you get to be one of them for a day.

After getting our fill of vintage steeds we otters pile into the bus and head back to the hotel to prepare for a very special birthday bash. One of our long time owners and frequent posters turns the big five-oh today. There is no better way to spend the final night of car week, but it wasn't our farewell. Many of us continued on to Napa for a few days of lazy meals, fine wines and beautiful country roads to decompress after the manic magic carpet ride of Monterey, and that really was a truly splendid way to end the best ten days of Z8-ing I've ever had!


I love the cover that Roundel picked too!

[Scott Pettit]

Wow, great write-up. It must be the photographers eye that allows you to be so descriptive.


Scott Pettit

[hayvenhurstkid]

I love the cover photo. How do you get a copy of this issue?

[Obie Wan]

I think we need to move to Ca. Thirty Z8's in one place! I have only seen two Z8's and we own one of them.

[macfly]

Marty, I'll bring you a copy on our next drive.

Obie Wan, I doubt you'll see ever that many in one spot again in the US, it took trucking 8 cars from Texas, 1 from Canada, 1 from NY, 3 from AZ and 1 from WA to make up our numbers. It really was the greatest Z8 gathering you could have in the US, but it was so much work to plan that I know won't attempt to undertake such a thing again! Besides which I'm a great believer in the old saying "Never repeat your successes." However if you want to see over one hundred Z8's, and many of the rare pre-production prototypes and the Z07 then join the Z8 Club and come to Munich next September for the Z8's 10th birthday celebrations!

[pandaman]

Andrew I may have missed it but I believe we also had a Z8 shipped in from Florida.
Thanks for the great write up and the memorys.
Pandaman

[macfly]

Yes we did!! I keep saying to my self no typing before coffee, but then I forget I said that the next morning, and launch right into it all over again!

[FWK-Z8]

One small correction - the area where we picked up 101 is not the Central Valley, but the Salinas Valley. I-5 runs through the Central Valley. We were one mountian range west of the Central Valley

[Scott Pettit]

Fred,

Did you see your mug on the table of contents page?

Scott

[macfly]

Indeed Fred made it onto the ToC. Fred sorry about removing your plate, but I just hate front plates on a Z8! Thanks for the valley correction, I made it to the text here, but obviously its too late for the mag!

[FWK-Z8]

Indeed Fred made it onto the ToC. Fred sorry about removing your plate, but I just hate front plates on a Z8! Thanks for the valley correction, I made it to the text here, but obviously its too late for the mag!

Surprisingly two people have already recognized me/my Z8 -- in fact I had to autograph one Roundel already.

It is interesting, growing up in upstate NY, one of my boyhood dreams was to drive my own sportscars up Highway One. Thanks to you, I now have tangible proof of two dreams that have come true.

[macfly]

Very happy to provide the proof! I think for all of us the Z8 is a dream car, and Monterey really was a dream event.

I've driven Highway 1 many times, on two wheels and four, but seeing that line of Z8's snaking along it during car week, and knowing it was the largest rolling train of Z8's ever likely to be seen in the US was a real thrill, but being a photographer I just wish we'd had sunshine on the coast that day!

[macfly]

This time the wonderful 2010 Orgeon Trip made the cover, and here is the original unedited version of the story.

Volcano Skies.

We all love to drive, and nothing cements our enthusiasm more than an incredible road trip. This summer a small group of us embarked on one of those drives, the kind you always intend to do when your dream car is just a shiny brochure of future promise on your kitchen counter.

It was really two drives combined in one. Firstly we'd start out from Portland, heading east along the Columbia River then head south along the Cascades, finally swinging west over to the coast by Brookings on a seven day tour of Oregon's volcanos with fourteen cars. At Brooking most of the cars would return home to the north, but five of us would head south to California's volcanos at Shasta and Lassen, then on to Napa and finally Monterey's Car Week.

Many of us shipped our cars directly to Pacific Motorsport in Portland, where owner Mark Dikeos kindly agreed to be our drop off and meeting point. I was scheduled to arrive at Portland Airport early on the frist morning, where I'd meet two other drivers arriving from a different cities at the same time, and share a cab to Pacific. Final approach was not promising, the plane sank into Portland through layers of thick gray clouds that had me more than a little worried, nothing is more of a buzz kill than rain in an open car.

Our flights arrive on time, and we pile into the cab with just our hand luggage, as the cars were all shipped fully packed for the tour, and minutes later we're at Pacific where we meet up with our trip organizers, Erik and Edy Schlossstein and Steve Bledsoe.

The truck from Texas rolled in a couple of days earlier, and most of those drivers were already out exploring the area, but our truck is still about an hour out, so Mark shows us his amazing collection of beautifully prepared BMW's. Before long the sound of the big rig pulling up signals our cars arrival. They are unloaded with military precision, and before long we are bidding Mark farewell and heading into downtown Portland over the Columbia River Gorge. We wind through the heart of the city before heading out into the lush rolling countryside to the north, and our first nights destination, The Allinson Hotel.

There we meet up with all the other drivers, some are old faces from previous events, and some are new faces. Everyone is buzzing in anticipation of the adventure ahead. The Allinson was built by a motoring enthusiast with a fascinating collection of vintage cars, trucks and tractors, and before dinner our first scheduled event of the trip is a private viewing.

As we assemble infront of a large barn Mr Austin appears with a beaming smile. Well into his seventies he sparkles with joy as he tells us great tales of each machine, and why it was part of his collection. Once we have seen, and photographed everything, we jump back into our cars, and head back to the hotel for dinner. There Erik, Edy and Steve give us a detailed slide presentation of the trip ahead, filling the room with excitement.

Morning arrives blanketed by a thick marine layer, and the finest of drizzles, but that doesn't dampen our spirits as the train of Z8's pulls out onto the small country lanes. We make a wide arc to the south around Portland's congestion, heading to the Columbia River Gorge. I bring up the back partly so I can take pictures, but also because seeing the Z8's winding through the countryside is such a gorgeous sight.

We join the Columbia River at Crown Point, a lookout high above the almost vertical cliffs that contain the wide river below. The marine layer starts to break as we wind down the narrow road scored deep into the granite walls of the gorge. On the valley floor we glimpse beautiful waterfalls tumbling off the cliffs above through the tall pine trees. We pull over to take a closer look at Multnomah Falls, said to be the forth highest in the world. Its frothy white water cascades into the gorge hundreds of feet above us, and is pulled into whispy cotton candy patterns by the wind as it tumbles down the sheer granite walls, picture postcard perfect for sure!

The low clouds finally burn off as we get back to the cars, skimming sunlight along the the high walls of the gorge. We head cross the Columbia River on the Bridge of the Gods to have lunch in Washington State, and after lunch it's right back into Oregon for a fast blast along the south bank Columbia River to White Salmon. There we climb the walls of the gorge, cresting the incline at Panorama Point. Mount Hood bursts into view from the green lined climb, our first volcano, and tonights destination.

We make a bee line towards it, flashing past country stores and farm entrances as we race across the wide, open agricultural plain. After thirty miles we enter endless pine forests and start the climb up to the huge single white peak of Mount Hood, and the Timberline Lodge. The massive wooden hotel was built during the last depression, and is perfectly perched high on the south flank of the volcano with breathtaking views. Above and behind it the last of winters snows reach to the clear blue sky where the intrepid and enthusiastic are still flying down the few open ski runs.

We are all surprised to find another Z8 at the lodge, and not just any Z8, one of only two ?Shadowman Special? supercharged 750hp monsters. Steve, its owner, is making his own way to Monterey from his home in BC, and just happens to be there! He delights the assembled crowd with some serious burnouts in the parking lot before dinner.

From the sixth floor vantage point of the Crows Nest room the late sun paints the distant peaks pink as we enjoy our dinner. After dinner a few of us try our hand at night time photography as there is talk of a big aurora tonight. We wait up till past midnight, but the high altitude chill and tomorrow's early start sends us to bed auroraless. Apparently it did light up the sky for twenty spectacular minutes at 4am, when we were all fast asleep!

We breakfast at seven, ready for along day in the saddle. Todays route loops us out of the endless forests that cling to the backbone of the Cascades, and into the arid semi-desert to the east. This will be the fastest part of the drive, so at breakfast we take a show of hands for those who want to run their cars hard, and those who wish to progress at a more leisurely pace. The Rabbits and Otters split into their two informal teams, today I'm running with the Rabbits.

Gorgeous vistas flash through the tall trees as we all glide down the volcano together, and into the forests below. Twenty miles later we turn east, and pull over to separate into the two groups. I follow the Rabbits as we zip along the tree lined country lane at a good clip, but nothing too manic in this land of sudden deer. After a few miles we crest a low hill, and suddenly infront of us there is nothing but open land and an arrow straight road, this is what we were waiting for!

The Z8 is very happy at 175mph, and it comes up quickly a thousand rpm below the red line. The car will hold that speed all day long, but the buffeting and wind noise makes it a very occasional visit for those in the cabin. Fifteen miles and five minutes later we stop at a tiny farming village to wait for the Otters to catch up. It is amazing how joyfully invigorating exploring the performance potential of our cars is, we're all still giggling like school children when they arrive a good six or seven minutes later.

The next stretch of road takes us around thirty miles to the Deschuttes River Gorge, where we gather for another photo op. The fire drill of aligning the cars and people takes a good amount of time, but just as we are ready to take our picture the local Sheriff arrives. Apparently some of the locals have reported a group of Porsches racing through the countryside, and he is out looking for them.

Quick thinking Ken says he saw them heading north at the junction fifteen miles ago, they were in silver Boxsters. He then points to the BMW logos on our cars, letting him know we aren't Porsches. The officer then says it must be a bunch of kids, it couldn't possibly be good citizens like us. Ken raises he eyebrow and asks if he means that because we're senior citizens? The officer sheepishly then tells him we should drive on carefully because the Sheriffs in the next five counties are all looking for those crazy Porsches!

Climbing out of the Deschuttes River Gorge onto the high desert plateau to the east we're greeted by an endless flat horizon melting into the building heat haze. We sprint towards the historic ghost town Shaniko, and fun quick stop on the route, then a very invigorating high speed run across the wide open land to lunch at the well named hamlet of Fossil.

After lunch the temperature climbs to triple digits as we put our tops up and put the AC on for the drive over to the Bend-Redmond area a hundred miles to the south west, across the empty high desert. An hour later we start to descend into Redmond Valley, but the drifting smoke of a forest fire wipes out the views, and we make our way to hotel through a thick pall of wildfire smog.

Once we are showered and cleaned it's into a minibus for both a tour and dinner at the Deschuttes Brewery. Honestly I wasn't expecting much, a beer or two and maybe a cheese sandwich, but as so often happens when you have no expectations, you get greatest surprises.

If ever there is a shinning example of the power of pride, it is Deschuttes Brewery. Our tour guide was a consummate entertainer and enthralled us with his tales and jests. The brewery was immaculate, the beers delicious, and most incredible of all, the meal was by far and away the best meal of the trip. The free range beef they served is fed on the hop sludge left over from the brewing, and is the best beef I've eaten in years. Everyone we met there was so proud of the brewery, and their place in it. The result is both inspiring and delicious, so should you ever plan a trip in this area, as a group or alone, add Deschuttes to your to-do list.

The morning sun is nowhere to be seen as thick smoke from the forest fires to the north swirl around the hotel. As our line of cars winds its way out into the forests I wonder what kind of views we'll have today, but twenty minutes later we burst out from under the thick pall into blue skies. The tall treelined road turns us north, and there right in front of us is a massive snow capped volcano.

Mount Bachelor stands nine thousand feet tall, and towers over the road as we skirt it. Minutes later and we're flashing past the Sisters, a pair of volcanos just to the north west of the unmarried one. Volcanos are magic mountains, and seeing so many in quick succession is magical, but our next volcano was seriously different.

It takes an hour to scale the massively broad granite dome in what feels like an endless climb into the sky. There is no huge snow capped peak and the vistas are wide, but low and rolling. Pretty, but not take your breath away pretty, until you crest a final low ridge, and WOW! There it is, Crater Lake, the collapsed volcano.

In my half century I've traveled all over the world, and I haven't seen anything that took my breath away like this before. We pull our cars up into a line, and stare in awe at the color of the blue water almost a thousand feet below. It is so impossibly blue and clear that it looks like it has been Photoshopped. We some take tons pictures in the midday sun before slowly cruising around the rim, and checking into the historic Crater Lake Lodge.

It was also built during the last recession, and is truly a splendid place which is always booked at least a year in advance, and now I understand why! We spend all afternoon enjoying the spectacular views until its time to tumble into the wooden dinning hall. The early dinner gets us back outside for a sunset drive along the rim, and to take the pictures you see here. After watching the sun drop below the horizon we drift back to the Lodge for a heavenly evening of star gazing and Deschuttes beer.

The photo enthused half of our group gets up well before sunrise to do a dawn circuit of the lake, and we're rewarded by the most stunning vistas. The suns first rays dance yellow gold though the trees and ridges of the east side of the massive collapsed volcano, and paint the massive west wall in a dreamy terracotta glow. We stop at several points around the lake to take pictures, but it is not a place to stand still for long, mosquitos the size of house flies own this lake! Despite the attack of the not so little blood suckers, it is one of the most memorable scenic drives I've ever taken.

We arrive back at the hotel in good time for breakfast, and meet up with the full crew to continue our journey south. The only problem with Crater Lake's magnificence is that when you leave it everything else is downhill, both figuratively and literally!

Winding down the south side of the volcano we're back in the forest with that familiar big 'V' of trees framing the sky in front of us. It takes us an hour to get out into the open farmland, and once we do we're flying along empty deserted back roads at triple digit speeds, but the highlight of the day comes an hour after our quick lunch stop.

The last ten miles of a little back road with a big name, the 66 from Klamath Falls down to Ashland, has to be driven to be believed. You come out of forest to see a huge agricultural valley spread out below you. The road cavorts down into it like a drunken snake, in endless series of of twists and turns reminiscent of moguls on a ski slope. I have never driven a more engaging, hard left-hard right, super banked road anywhere!

In the valley the speeds dial back to legal but the temperature hits the triple digits, and the mid afternoon roast sears us as we cruise into Medford, where the local BMW dealer has kindly agreed to lend us their car washing facility. It sounds grand, but it's a just Toyota pick up with a big water tank in the flatbed, and a compressor with a nozzle gun! Our team becomes the cleaning crew, finishing all fourteen Z8's, and the one Ferrari Daytona that came all the way with us, in under ninety minutes!

From Medford BMW it is just a short hop, skip and jump in our fresh polished beasts to the quaintly historic town of Jacksonville, our days destination. There we clean ourselves up to spend the evening relaxing in the old world charm of this beautifully preserved village.

The final leg of the Oregon Tour takes us from there over to the coast in Brookings, with a detour to the Oregon Caves. The drive sweeps us through lush green farm valleys, but this is one of very few roads to the coast, and is densely packed with holiday traffic, so our day is more about doing the distance than the joy of the drive.

Long before you see the ocean you can feel it. Five miles from the coast the temperature starts dropping quickly, and by the time you see the surf it is thirty degrees colder. We turn north at the coast, and within a few minutes we're checking into our hotel in Brookings, enjoying it's splending views of the wild log strewn beach.

We have an early dinner of fresh caught fish to celebrate our arrival at the ocean, then take a short spin to the beach for our final sunset together. We line the cars up for a final photo as the orange orb of the suns slips into the wall of fog blanketing the ocean a mile off shore, bringing the first part of this wonderful adventure to a close.

By morning the fog has taken coast. We wave our northern friends farewell as they head back up to Portland and Seattle, and prepare for our own departure. By coincidence the southern team are also the Rabbits, the hard bitten drivers. We all agree, no lunch, today we're going to drive over four hundred back road miles. The only stops today will be for pictures, we'll snack at the gas stops.

The coast is embalmed in the thick fog as we head south on the legendary Highway 1 into California. Waves of drizzle mist the screen from the swirling marine layer that blots out what should be spectacular ocean views until we get to the forest, that forest. The magnificent redwoods loom over us, giant silent sentinels on a different time line, their tops hidden in the mists. The size of them is truly wondrous, and somehow they seem even more eternal in the swirling fog. This is a place of hobbits and goblins, a land to fire the imagination.

A hundred miles to the south we turn inland on the 299, and within a couple of miles we're above the fogs, climbing the coastal range towards a crystal blue early afternoon sky. In a fast forty minutes we're at Willow Creek, where the legendary 96 winds its way north along the Klamath River in the Trinity Forest. Oh what a road! It's open, rolling curves of perfect, empty pavement hug the granite walls of the steep valley. Below cascades the powerful blue river, and above tree lined mountains reach to the crystal sky, this road is truly a drivers dream.

A couple of magnificent hours later we crest the coastal range on the aptly named Gazelle Pass Road. The days heat has built up a wall black thunderheads infront of us, and a powerful smell lightening hangs in the air. As we drop down into the Shasta Valley huge double rainbows arc over the hills to the south, and up ahead lightening flickers against the black clouds. Rain is never a joy in an open car, but we press on as the first drops pepper our screens. The freshly soaked road sparkles like a million black diamonds, and in the rooster tails of spray thrown up by each of the cars infront of me is a tiny rainbow.

Mercifully Gazelle Road skirts us around the heavy rain, and drops us out onto the old Route 99 South in the wide open agricultural valley to the east. Leaving the coastal range behind we turn south on 99, and face Mount Shasta, our next volcano. It fills the screen like something from a Wagner's Ring, its head hidden in the black clouds.

We race towards it through the light sprinkling of rain, when suddenly a ray of sunlight streaks through the clouds, and paints a rainbow right in front of us. It almost touches Christian's car ahead of me. I reach over, grab my camera, and snap a frame. The sight is so marvelous that we all pull over to enjoy it. After seven hours of almost non stop driving, and within sight of our destination on the southern flank of Mt Shasta, this is one of those ultimate road moments, the kind you always hope you'll have when you buy your dream car.

Our dinner at the McCloud Inn on Shasta's southern slope is wonderful, as is the next days drive on to our final volcano, Mount Lassen. It has a very special and different beauty from all the other volcanoes, and we spend most of the day there enjoying the park. As the sun starts to sink low in the west we take off for a fantastic high speed cross country dash along a narrow twisty river valley to an odd place called Paradise, which doesn't live up to its name, but anyway it's where we spend the night.

The next morning our route takes us right past Thunderhill Raceway, so we roll in to see if there is anything interesting going on there. Can you imagine turning up at a racetrack, unannounced, and striking a deal to buy a few hours of track time? Well, that's exactly what we did! The Z8 may not be a track car, but it is an absolute hoot to drive at the track, and I say that as someone who has had an a series of track day cars, including an M3, a GT3 and two Lotus's, before this wretched recession.

Thunderhill was hot, and tracking squeezed the last of the juice out of us, but what a grand finale to ten days of incredibly spirited driving across some of the most beautiful land on the planet. As we rolled out of the gates I wished I could have hit a magic ?home now? button, because I knew this really marked the end of the dream drive of a lifetime.

From Thunderhill we headed south to Napa for a final farewell dinner. The next morning the group dispersed as only two of us were going on to Monterey for car week. It turned out to be the coldest and foggiest one I remember, and after the high of such an incredible drive, a real pinnacle life experience, standing around looking at other peoples cars seemed painfully dull. Sure, I like looking at cars, but I love driving them a whole lot more!

[thegunguy]

Another great account of what sounds like the best drive yet. Thanks for these, Andrew. Here's hoping the CCA's printer doesn't murder the cover again. It seems like every cover photo of Roundel is a stop underexposed.

[zeta]

Andrew

Thanks for pursuing this and congratulations on getting the cover. It is a great bonus to a wonderful drive.

[KenZ8]

Great write up and photos! Thanks again to all who helped make it such a wonderful adventure, and to Andrew for documenting it with such passion. But who edited out my name?? Damn Porsche drivers.

[Z8Mania]

fantastic writeup!!!

[Norcal]

Thank you Andrew, you are not only our official photographer, but glorious historian! Great pics, great article. As time passes and my memories grow dimmer, I will only need to read this, and remember what an amazing trip it was. What the readers who were not on the tip will never understand, is how great our impromptu Beer and Pizza party was, or how great it was to drive a 365GTB around crater and down from the caves, how fun the crowd was in my suite in Brookings while we poured over ads for a topaz Z8 for Mike! So many great moments, with such an amazing and facinating group of unique people... all so different, yet all so kind spirited and delightful! Truly a trip of a lifetime... may there be many more. Thank you.

[macfly]

For those of you who aren't members of the CCA here is our cover and below it the PDF of full Napa drive story.

[macfly]

Ton kindly translated the original Technical Specs which was only ever available in German, so here it is now in English.

[EDEZ8]

Thank you Ton for the translation!

[macfly]

A wonderful ownership experience story by our very own Satch :-)

Download full story here -

[Musta10000]

Andrew, I'm not sure the link is functioning.

Works on my desktop PC...

Andrew - I read the article in Roundel when I received it and it is sad that Satch had that many issues during the trip. I did a 2,500 trip this summer in Mid-West/West and had no issues except one intermittent warning light which was fixed after the trip with replacement of faulty throttle potentiometer. I also crossed the 100,000 mile mark on my trip so there were some parallels with our trips. And on a side note (not wanting to sound morbid), Bill leaving this world this week, should remind all of us to live our lives and to enjoy our lives (and cars) as one never knows when the time comes. What good does a Z8 do in the sitting in the garage with one being afraid to put any miles on it due to declining value?

[boomster]

Working now, thanks Andrew. Satch, I'm glad you were able to maintain your affection for Nancy Drew after the trip from Hell.

[Satch]

The Boomster say: Satch, I'm glad you were able to maintain your affection for Nancy Drew after the trip from Hell.

If anything, my affection was deepened. Replacing the fuel pump—and then adding an Alpina suspension and replacing everything in the cooling system and generally updating everything we could reach—made my subsequent run from New Jersey to California a true joy, especially since I was past most of the physical discomfort.

But the true bonding came from replacing the driveshaft (and tinkering in the interior). There is nothing like hauling oats and mucking out the stalls to make you appreciate the ride!