Recall the era when James Bond was behind the wheel of a BMW. For many, that memory might be triggered by the sight of this radiant silver Z8—an almost exact replica of the one Pierce Brosnan’s Bond drove in the 1999 film “The World Is Not Enough.” Spoiler alert: The car didn’t have a happy ending.
Today’s spotlight on Bring a Trailer features an exceptionally low-mileage version of the robust BMW roadster. Even without the Bond connection, the Z8 stands out for various reasons, having garnered increasing critical acclaim over the years. Initially unveiled at the 1997 Tokyo Auto Show as the Z07 concept, drawing clear inspiration from the 1956 BMW 507, the Z8 puzzled some observers who questioned BMW’s decision to embrace retro styling for a flagship model built around a cutting-edge aluminum space-frame structure.
Despite its vintage appearance, the Z8 brought futuristic performance to the table. Sharing its powertrain with the E39-generation BMW M5, another standout from that era, it featured the same S62 4.9-liter naturally aspirated V-8, delivering 394 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, channeled to the rear axle through a standard six-speed manual gearbox. The only automatic Z8 came later with the Alpina version.
Clocking in at 500 pounds lighter than the M5, the Z8 boasted impressive speed, completing the zero-to-60-mph benchmark in just 4.5 seconds—a noteworthy feat during its time. In a three-way comparison in 2001, it even outperformed a Ferrari 360 Spider in acceleration, solidifying its superiority among exotic competitors.
Despite its $135,300 base price in 2000, more than double that of the M5, the Z8 found a devoted audience in the United States, with over 2500 units sold, nearly half of the total production of 5700 cars. Its status as a modern classic was secure, even without its role in one of the lesser-known Bond films.
The featured Z8 on Bring a Trailer has only covered 9000 miles since it was new and comes with the optional hard top. It retains the original audio system with a six-CD multi-changer and includes a vintage BMW-branded flip phone mounted in the center console. The seller notes minor issues, such as small scuffs on the underside of the front bumper and a slightly sagging hardtop headlining.
With seven days remaining, bidding has already surpassed $100,000. Given its low mileage and apparent condition, it’s anticipated that the final bid will climb considerably higher.