---
title: "Alpina-Tuned BMW Z8 With 32 Miles Fetches $225K Bid Almost Immediately"
description: "The hammer doesn’t drop on this one for more than a week."
date: "2021-06-14"
modified: "2021-06-14"
authors:
  - name: "Peter Holderith"
    job_title: "Contributor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/peter-holderith"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/41082/alpina-tuned-bmw-z8-with-32-miles-fetches-225k-bid-almost-immediately"
categories:
  - "BMW News"
  - "News"
  - "News by Brand"
tags:
  - "BMW"
---

# Alpina-Tuned BMW Z8 With 32 Miles Fetches $225K Bid Almost Immediately

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2021/06/BMW-z8-lead.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

The [BMW Z8](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/15579/you-can-buy-steve-jobs-2000-bmw-z8-and-the-motorola-car-phone-he-hated>) was an instant classic when it was released with tremendous fanfare in the year 2000. A sleek V8 convertible styled after [the classic BMW 507,](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/37899/already-at-1-6m-this-1957-bmw-507-will-become-the-most-expensive-car-ever-on-bring-a-trailer>) it was a huge hit and values have never really gone south. Around a tenth of the 5,703 Z8s ever built got an extra boost in value, though, as 555 of the cars were sent to German tuner Alpina.

Today, the [Alpina-modified](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/39917/2022-bmw-alpina-b8-gran-coupe-a-torquier-four-door-m8-that-goes-201-mph>) cars are seen as the most premier, exclusive versions and prices reflect that. One with just 32 miles on the odometer is [currently for sale](<https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2003-bmw-z8-alpina-8/>) on *Bring a Trailer* and although there are still nine days left to place a bid, the price is already at $225,000 as of publishing.

![message-editor%2F1623695417907-inlinea.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1623695417907-inlinea.jpg>)
**Bring a Trailer**

The interesting part about the [Alpina](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/29337/buy-this-1985-alpina-c1-2-3-bmw-thats-lived-in-japan-since-1988>) Z8 in particular is its drivetrain. The regular BMW Z8 came with a 5.0-liter, 400-horsepower V8 taken from the E39 M5 built during the same era. The only available transmission was a six-speed stick; this gave the Z8 the character of a sports car, one which Alpina didn't seem to think was appropriate.

All 555 Alpina Z8s actually get a smaller, less powerful engine. It's based on the same basic architecture as the 5.0-liter, but the 4.8-liter V8 in Alpina's cars makes just 375 horsepower and sends its to the rear wheels through a five-speed automatic transmission. Along with softer suspension, the Alpina Z8s are transformed into something that's more comfortable cruising than racing between the lights.

![message-editor%2F1623697108700-a.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1623697108700-a.jpg>)
*Bring a Trailer*

![message-editor%2F1623697116477-b.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1623697116477-b.jpg>)
*Bring a Trailer*

![message-editor%2F1623697121390-c.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1623697121390-c.jpg>)
*Bring a Trailer*

![message-editor%2F1623697126465-d.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1623697126465-d.jpg>)
*Bring a Trailer*

This particular example is number 151 produced. It has 20-inch wheels which are original to the car, a black interior to match its black exterior, and a body-colored hardtop that comes with a stand to store it on. The listing reports that this Z8 has been in "several collections" before being offered for sale on this particular occasion.

A few quirks include a steering wheel mounted gear selection system that looks particularly dated, a center-mounted instrument cluster, and a cupholder mounted in a similar location to the one in my [Saturn Sky.](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/39895/i-bought-a-2008-saturn-sky-red-line-and-its-way-better-than-i-thought-it-would-be>) Actually, the center-mounted instrument cluster is rather similar to other Saturns as well. Nappa leather was unfortunately not offered in any [Saturn,](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/40934/old-saturn-prices-are-climbing-faster-than-any-other-used-car>) though, unlike this Z8. Missed opportunity.

![message-editor%2F1623697407171-e.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1623697407171-e.jpg>)
*Bring a Trailer*

![message-editor%2F1623697413762-f.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1623697413762-f.jpg>)
*Bring a Trailer*

![message-editor%2F1623697422209-g.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1623697422209-g.jpg>)
*Bring a Trailer*

![message-editor%2F1623697435908-h.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1623697435908-h.jpg>)
*Bring a Trailer*

This Z8 will doubtlessly go for lots of money, likely between $250,000 and $350,000. Z8 prices [never go below the six figure mark,](<https://bringatrailer.com/bmw/z8/?q=z8>) and the most expensive one ever sold on BaT went for $270,000. That one wasn't an Alpina, though, so this car might just be a record breaker.

*Got a tip or question for the author? You can reach them here**: peter@thedrive.com*

## Author
Peter Holderith is a former staff writer for The Drive. He enjoys covering the regular news cycle, writing reviews, and hunting down long features on obscure pieces of automotive history.

### Author social links  
[LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-h-5ba447192/>)  
[Twitter](<https://twitter.com/_baldtires>)