Z8 LISTS
This can be helpful in knowing the car, and in buying a car.
WHAT’S DIFFERENT ABOUT THE Z07 SHOWN IN TOKYO in 1997
No Ragtop Version
Windshield Wipers Fit Closer to Hood
Smaller Cockpit Opening - no convertible top storage bin
Removable Hardtop with “Gurney” Bubbles in Roof
Different Rear Deck with Fairing For Open Cockpit Config
Toneau Cover Snap Posts for Open Cockpit Config
Single Bolt Wheel Mounts with Cotter Pins
Exposed Latching Gas Cap
Chrome Trunk Opening Handle
Front Turn Signals Integrated into Headlight Assembly
One-Piece Front Bumper Cover With Smaller Lower Grill
One-Piece Rear Bumper Cover
Fog Light & Reverse Light Not Made to Look Similar
Larger Steering Wheel with Thinner Rim & Smaller Hub
Four Sets of Spokes for Steering Wheel
Inside Mirror Mounted on Center Rod
Inside Door Handles Integrated Into Door Panel
Five Point Racing Harnesses
Different Seat Design
Different V8 Motor - Not M62
Different Instrument/Gauge Design
COMMON PROBLEMS TO Z8s & APLINA ROADSTERS
Noisy VANOS Valve Train (Z8 Only)
Fogged Headlights
Detached Seat back
Blackening of inside mirror
Domed Strut Towers*
Hood vs Fender Alignment (possible Frame Damage)*
Presence (or absence) of Performance Package Upgrade
Neon Tail Lights (Incl. Brake Lights/Turn Signals)*
Neon Front Turn Signal Lights
LED Side Marker (Gill Vent) Lights
Stuck Glove Box Door
Condition of Hardtop (Esp. Rear Corners, Glass)
Convertible Top Retraction Fold Strings
Multi-Information Display Operation (AM/FM/CD/GPS)
Delamitation of leather on upper dashboard*
Pitting (or cracks) in Windshield
Air conditioner condensation leaks from console area*
Seat heaters inoperable
Inoperable butterfly on Heater/AC Vent Directors
Failed gas struts for trunk lid
Clogged radiator/AC condenser
Broken oil filler cap
Z8 ACCESSORIES (for cars Delivered by BMW NA Dealers)
Hardtop
Hardtop Stand
Hardtop Cover
Special Wrench for Locking Hardtop to Body
Plastic Covers for Hardtop Interior Mounts
Leather Key Case
Four Keys
2 Remote Control Keys
1 Valet Key
1 Wallet Key
Boot/Cover for Convertible Top When Retracted
Windscreen (Goes between Roll Hoops)
Windscreen Carrying Bag
Front License Plate Frame
Motorola “Flip” Cell phone (with operating manual, obsolete)
Tool Kit
Glove Compartment Flashlight
First Aid Kit
Cup holder (outer and inner piece, US cars only)
Owner's Manual & Warranty Book
Battery Trickle Charger (shipped separately)
Coffee Table Book (shipped separately, with VIN Plate)
2 Racing Helmets (from complimentary driving school)
Helmet Bag (from complimentary driving school)
2 3/4 Length Coats (from complimentary driving school)
Mobility Kit (shipped separately, 12v compressor, tire sealant)
1:18 Scale Kyosho Z8 Model (given by some dealerships)
THINGS THAT ARE DIFFERENT ON A EURO Z8
No miles per hour on speedometer (only kilometers)
No "Unleaded Fuel Only” marking on fuel gauge
Has convex side mirrors with guidelines
No rear side marker lights
Different rear license plate recess area
Different Air Bag calibration (US Congress Idiot law)
Amber signal lights above the red brake lights (more to that story)
No trickle charger nor mobility package (gifts from BMW NA)
No driving school nor related goodies (gifts from BMW NA)
VIN starts with "AF..." (not "AH...")
Reflective Hazard Triangle (illegal in US)
No emergency release for luggage compartment (?)
No Cupholder! (Wasser trinken während der Fahrt ist verboten!)
THINGS THAT ARE DIFFERENT ON AN ALPINA ROADSTER
20” Alpina Wheels
Different Tires (not run flats)
Different Suspension Tuning
Different Motor (Alpina-tuned version of X5 V-8)
Automatic (Torque Converter) Transmission
Transmission gear indicator on dashboard
Different steering wheel, with shift buttons
Different interior leather and trim pieces
Blue background on dashboard instruments
Side mirrors match body paint (not chrome)
Alpina badge on upper rear bumper
Serialized xxx/555 Alpina badge between seats
MODIFICATIONS DONE TO MY Z8
Performance Package (Chromed)
Painted Brake Calipers Silver
Short-shift kit from UUC
Bent Windshield Arms to be Closer to Hood
Reversed positions of Speedo & Tach
Elimination of Clutch Engage Delay Valve
Installation of Switched Power Socket in Cabin
Installation of Switched Power for Radar Detector
Installation of Un-switched Power Socket in Trunk
LED Running Lamps in Front Headlight Assemblies
iPod Nano Installed in Passenger-side Ashtray
Euro Convex Rear View Mirrors with Guidelines
PEOPLE I’VE LET DRIVE MY Z8
Mike Dietel - Instructor at Nurburgring and holder of their best BMW CCE driving school score
Reed Davis - My coach at 'Ring, and Attendee of 34 Three-day Schools
Alex Scroppo - 'Ring Veteran who’s so fast that it’s scary
Nerces Mavelian - 'Ring veteran who I used to coach, now he coaches me
Bahman Moghadam - 'Ring veteran, and my driving partner for 5 three-day 'Ring schools
Monica Moghadam - Car gal, drove 1 lap of 'Ring, track school veteran, and Bahman’s wife
Pat Arnold - Classic BMW Z8 service advisor and expert on all things Z8
Mark Shrayber - My Daughter's First College Boyfriend, now a limo company owner
Christian Schmidt - Fellow Z8 owner, former International Z8 Club board member, and aficionado/restorer of fine vehicles
Randy Eisenbach - BMW M 5/6 driving school partner, neighbor and longest-known friend
Betty Peck - Car gal, drove 1 Lap of 'Ring, winner of "Bootleggers Turnaround" contest at BMW track school, and, oh, by the way, my wife.
If you have any additions, corrections or contradictions, let me know (updated 4/12/14 18:10 CDT)