Photo: Luc106, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: M 93, Attribution, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: nakhon100, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: nakhon100, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Verdict
Roadster de collection à structure en aluminium, 5 703 exemplaires fabriqués entre 2000 et 2003 (BMW Group Classic, cité par Plethore Cars), avec le V8 de 400 ch de la M5. Les retours publiés sur ses pannes sont rares : Plethore Cars parle d'une voiture qui peut être fiable si elle est suivie par un spécialiste, et insiste sur le contrôle de la structure, du refroidissement, de la capote et du VANOS. Aucune note Euro NCAP trouvée, et pas assez d'annonces pour établir une cote.
- Reliability
- 5.0/5
- Price
- Unknown
- Euro NCAP
- Rating not found
Which version to choose
Versions to favour: V8 400.
V8 400
✓ RecommendedPetrol · Manual · 400 hp · 14.5 L/100 km · Crit'Air 3
V8 atmosphérique S62 de 4 941 cm3 et 400 ch, boîte manuelle à 6 rapports, propulsion, 14,5 l/100 km en mixte (fiche Caradisiac). Seule version vendue.
Market prices
Price unknown: not enough online listings for a reliable estimate. Compare several listings before negotiating.
Importing this model
Prices abroad
Yearly medians of each country's listings (AutoScout24, in euros; United Kingdom: cinch dealer, in pounds), over years with at least 3 listings. Useful to judge an import (add transport, inspection and registration).
| Country | Range | Median | Gap vs France | Listings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | €204,250 – €234,990 (2000 to 2002) | €224,444 | — | 14 |
Median gap shown only when the country's estimate covers the same years as the French one. Add transport, roadworthiness test and registration.
You are importing the car to:
Import penalty (malus) in France
- The CO₂ malus follows the scale of the year the vehicle was first registered, in France or abroad (WLTP or NEDC scale depending on its registration certificate).
- For an imported used car, it is reduced by a flat-rate discount based on its age in months (scheme in force since 1 March 2025). The weight malus also applies on first registration in France.
- Production ended in 2003: a car first registered before 1 January 2015 has no malus.
Source: BOFiP (French tax doctrine), CO₂ and weight malus · CO2 malus and weight malus: imported used car in France
Paperwork and procedures
- Importing a used car from another EU country: the step-by-step process
- Importing a car from an EU country: all the documents to gather
- Carte grise for an imported car: cost, taxes and the official simulator
- CO2 malus and weight malus: imported used car in France
- Importing a used car from outside the European Union: the steps
- Buying a used car in Germany and bringing it back to France
Importing and registering in Belgium: paperwork and procedures
The French malus does not apply: registration taxes, roadworthiness test and documents depend on the country. Our guide details them, with official sources.
Importing and registering in Switzerland: paperwork and procedures
The French malus does not apply: registration taxes, roadworthiness test and documents depend on the country. Our guide details them, with official sources.
Importing a car into Switzerland: customs, tax and registration
Importing and registering in Luxembourg: paperwork and procedures
The French malus does not apply: registration taxes, roadworthiness test and documents depend on the country. Our guide details them, with official sources.
Importing and registering in the United Kingdom: paperwork and procedures
The French malus does not apply: registration taxes, roadworthiness test and documents depend on the country. Our guide details them, with official sources.
Check an imported car's history
HistoVec only covers the vehicle's life in France. For a car coming from abroad, a VIN-based report helps spot inconsistent mileage or a reported accident.
Check the car's history: 20% off → (new tab)Partner link
Known faults
Note: some faults below are cited by a single source only. They are still to be confirmed and the reliability score is only indicative.
VANOS et fuites aux couvre-culasses du V8 S62
Severity 2/3 · CostlyPlethore Cars rappelle que les guides spécialisés signalent, comme sur la M5 E39 qui partage le moteur S62, des soucis de solénoïdes ou de fonctionnement du VANOS, de capteurs d'arbres à cames, de fuites aux couvre-culasses et d'usure des guides de chaîne sur les exemplaires les plus kilométrés. Le site précise que toutes les Z8 ne sont pas concernées et recommande un diagnostic électronique et un essai à froid puis à chaud.
Single source so far: to be confirmed.
- Versions
- V8 400
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Manufacturer recalls
See the official list on RappelConso (new tab) (French government recall site: category “Automobiles et moyens de déplacement”, search “BMW Z8”). A dealer for the brand can also check, using the vehicle identification number (VIN), that recalls have been carried out.
Inspection checklist
BMW Z8 E52 — inspection checklist
Things to check
- Faire inspecter la structure en aluminium par un spécialiste de la Z8 : alignements, points d'ancrage, dessous de caisse, passages de roue (priorité de Plethore Cars).
- Écouter le V8 à froid, chercher les fuites aux couvre-culasses et lire les défauts mémorisés (VANOS, capteurs d'arbres à cames).
- Contrôler le refroidissement : radiateur, durites, vase d'expansion, pompe à eau, traces de liquide séché.
- Manœuvrer plusieurs fois la capote électrique et vérifier la présence du hard-top, de son support et des accessoires d'origine.
- Sur une voiture peu roulée, rechercher les effets d'une longue immobilisation : fluides anciens, joints desséchés, batterie, pneus.
Questions to ask the seller
- Quel est l'historique complet (propriétaires, entretiens, kilométrage) et la voiture a-t-elle subi un choc ou une réparation d'aluminium ?
- Quand le VANOS, le refroidissement et les fluides ont-ils été révisés, et par quel spécialiste ?
- Le hard-top, son support, les clés, le carnet et la trousse à outils sont-ils présents ?
Test-drive tip: read the fault codes
A warning light that is off proves nothing: a fault may have been cleared just before the viewing. A Bluetooth OBD2 scanner, plugged in under the steering wheel and read on your phone, shows stored codes and whether all emissions readiness tests have run since the last reset.
Electric or hybrid equivalent
No direct electric or hybrid equivalent in our guides. Simulate combustion vs electric cost
Alternatives
Photo: Calreyn88, CC BY-SA 4.0
Jaguar F-Type
I · 2013–2024
- Price
- €39,500 – €73,900
- Reliability
- 4.5/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol
Photo: Calreyn88, CC BY-SA 4.0
Jaguar XK
II · 2006–2014
- Price
- €20,000 – €34,900
- Reliability
- 4/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol
Before you buy: check and equip
Check the history
Before paying, check the administrative status (lien, objection, declared claims) and the mileage recorded at the roadworthiness test.
Read fault codes
An OBD scanner plugged in under the steering wheel shows stored fault codes, even with warning lights off: useful during the test drive.
Parts and maintenance
Compare prices of parts for the BMW Z8 E52 (timing, brakes, filters) to estimate the repairs to plan for.
Insure the car
Insurance prices vary widely from one model to another: get a quote before signing.
Frequently asked questions
Combien de BMW Z8 ont été produites ?
5 703 exemplaires entre 2000 et 2003 selon BMW Group Classic, cité par Plethore Cars.
Quel moteur équipe la BMW Z8 ?
Un V8 atmosphérique S62 de 4 941 cm3 et 400 ch, associé à une boîte manuelle à 6 rapports (fiche Caradisiac), proche du moteur de la M5 E39.
Quel est le volume du coffre de la BMW Z8 ?
203 litres selon la fiche technique Caradisiac, pour 2 places.
Found a listing?
Soon, we will analyse your BMW Z8 listing: price, mileage, watch points.
Get notified at launch