2003 BMW Z8 Alpina

ALPINA has transformed the Z8 through a variety of refinements, some dramatic and some subtle. Most dramatically, the BMW ALPINA ROADSTER V8 replaces the Z8's BMW M engine (5.0 liters, 394 horsepower, elaborate individual throttles for each of the eight cylinders and many other racecar-like engineering characteristics) with a performance-developed version of BMW's "regular" V-8 engine. Remarkably, the 4.8-liter ALPINA engine comes to within 19 hp of the BMW M unit (375 hp, vs. 394), does so at lower rpm levels, and is thus suited to teaming with an automatic transmission. Its power peak comes at 5800
rpm, vs. 6600; its torque peak occurs at the same 3800 rpm but is actually higher: 383 lb-ft. (vs. 368 lb-ft). In another significant departure from the original Z8, and in harmony with the new engine, the 6-speed manual transmission is replaced by a special BMW ALPINA automatic transmission. Based on the 5-speed ZF automatic employed in V8-powered 5 and X5 Series, the ALPINA version features SWITCH-TRONIC.

In addition to up- and downshifting by "tipping" the shift lever rearward or forward, the driver can also shift by pressing "+" and "-" buttons near the steering-wheel rim. Directly in front of the driver, a transmission display instrument indicates the range (P, R, N, D), mode (Automatic or Manual) and the gear currently engaged.

Modifications to the beautiful exterior of the Z8 have been kept to a minimum. Special BMW ALPINA 20-inch wheels, with five clusters of four spokes each are 9.0 inches wide at the front and 10.0 at the rear. They carry Y-rated performance tires of dimensions 255/35R-20 at the front and 285/30R-20 at the rear.

Retaining the Z8's power telescopic adjustment, the BMW ALPINA ROADSTER V8 adopts a different steering wheel, with three leather-and-metal-finished spokes in place of the Z8's "banjo" spokes. An ALPINA logo replaces the BMW emblem on the steering wheel's center hub. The cockpit is upholstered in Soft Nappa (distinctive from the Z8's Nappa), with special piping and ALPINA logos in the upper seatback. Three color schemes are offered: Black/Black, Black/Crema and Black/Sport Red.

ALPINA built only 555 BMW ALPINA ROADSTER V8s. Of those approximately 450 were sold in the US

- 4,837 cc 4.8 liters V 8 front engine with 93 mm bore, 89 mm stroke, 10.5
compression ratio, double overhead cam, variable valve timing/camshaft and four valves per cylinder
- Premium unleaded fuel
- Fuel economy EPA highway (mpg): 21 and EPA city (mpg): 14
- Multi-point injection fuel system
- 19.3 gallon main premium unleaded fuel tank
- Power: 280 kW , 375 HP SAE @ 5,800 rpm; 383 ft lb , 519 Nm @ 3,800 rpm
- 0-60 mph 5.0 seconds
- Top speed 162 MPH ( Electronically limited )

Puntiki:.. This car is very rare. I put 800 miles on one last year and I enjoyed my time in it. The quality is great and the performance is more than adequate for this roadster. The Z8 and Alpina were designed off the 1957 BMW 507. It is a retro roadster and there is only 1 in Australasia.... It also happens to be the one I did 800 miles in. The turning circle is not the best if you want to do a quick U turn, and the hard top lifts on or off, A LA 450SL, which allows for a nice canvas electric top in case it rains. It comes equipped with navigation, telephone, and a great stereo system. It is a car that grows on you, I think it is beautiful. This car will appreciate.

Pablo: The real question is why? Why would you want a BMW Z8 Alpina when you could have a Mercedes SL500 or a 911. I know the BMW is a good looking car (one of the few good looking cars that Chris Bangle has designed) but it's not good looking enough to make me look at it twice if it was parked next to a 911 or SL. Sure, it's rare, which means that you don't look like every other person with a sports car out there in places like Beverly Hills, but 375hp is not much chop when BMW make great cars like the M3 and the M5.

This is supposed to be a flagship car - something exciting, something special. It should have had an M badge and none of this Alpina nonsense. Sorry, but for the dollars involved I would have looked elsewhere.