We had unusually warm weather in NYC yesterday, so I called the car club on a whim to see if anything was available. A last minute cancellation won me the opportunity to drive this blue Bavarian beauty. But I didn't jump at the chance. While I'd always admired its design, the Z8 struck me more as a cruiser for wealthy retirees. And I've never been a big fan of convertibles for some reason. But the unseasonably warm weather made a roadster seem very appealing.
When I arrived at the car club, most of the toys had already been taken out and there was plenty of room to soak up the Z8's design. Though I'd prefer mine in silver, no color can hide its well executed details. You can tell that little was compromised to bring Henrik Fisker's Z07 concept car to life.
Every curve is perfect, and the proportions and stance are spot-on. Even the front-end that some complain about strikes the right balance between menace and beauty. It is no surprise that Fisker went on to design the beautiful Aston Martin DB9. I think it even surpasses its inspiration, the cold-war era BMW 507.
So as a sculpture, I'd be happy to have one in my living room. But with 98k miles showing on the odometer, I was skeptical as to how well it would drive. Derek started out by explaining some of this particular car's quirks. The electrical system was not quite up to snuff and been left on a trickle charger overnight. And the once fully automatic top needed a gentle assist to fully open or retract. But the controls were very straight-forward because there aren't many. Just the basics. No screens, or adjustable suspensions here. A sport button that controls the throttle opening is the extent of the electronic customization available. The seats don't even have the adjustable bolsters or lumbar support you'd find in a 7 series of similar vintage.
After listening to the orientation, I was able to get behind the wheel. At first, the centrally mounted gauges and body colored interior trim reminded me of a Mini. I wonder if the two design teams swapped notes in Munich. But even after 10 years, the controls themselves work with a solid, precise feel unmatched by a new Mini or even BMW. And like the best BMWs, the driving position and pedal placement is perfect. After turning the key and holding down the leather-covered start button, I knew I was going to really like this car.
Though there were some scuffs and scratches on the interior, the car's drivetrain had clearly been well maintained. The clutch and shifter felt better to me than other manual BMWs I have driven. The engagement point was easy to find, and the shifter slid easily into each gear. I'd take this setup over Ferrari's or Mercedes' automated manuals any day.
Heading out onto Hudson street, I started thinking that this car might be perfect for Manahttan driving. With 360 degree visibility, lots of power and a surprisingly supple suspension, driving amidst homicidal taxis proved surprisingly easy. Even New York's 19th century roads barely upset the ride despite its run-flat, low-profile tires. BMW should hire these engineers back to fix their current suspensions.
Even the many red lights lights on the West Side highway weren't so bad. I revved the throttle like a Camaro or Mustang owner just to hear the low pitched, satisfying burble. At one light, a guy in a newer Dodge Charger rolled down his window and told me that he loved my car. I blipped the gas, and he started laughing and took off. A guy in a blue m5 chased me down and gave me the thumbs up. Though most people don't give it a second look, it attracts a lot of attention from car guys.
I stopped by the upper west side to show the car to a friend and his wife. His first reaction was a bland "nice car". But after taking a closer look and getting a spin around the block, he was much more excited. This car does not scream at you like other exotics. It's more like a well done "resto-mod", where a classic car is updated with a modern engine, suspension and brakes.
Heading out of the city onto the Saw Mill Parkway gave me the chance to experience the car at highway speeds. Even with the windows down, there was little buffeting, and the car felt incredibly solid. The car's 7 series derived suspension becomes apparent. But unlike other V8 powered BMWs of its era, the z8 has a proper rack and pinion steering system. Despite the traditional on-center vagueness, it has enough feel and weight to make the driver feel confident in knowing exactly what the car is doing.
With Manhattan behind me, the smells of a warm winter day and the clouds reflecting off the blue interior panels put me into a very relaxed mood. Cruising along at 65 was perfectly enjoyable. And the wind noise from going any faster drowned out the V8 burble. If I owned this car, I'd look into putting a tasteful exhaust system on it to turn up the volume a few notches.
While driving at autobahn speeds is unnecessary to fully enjoy car, exploring the upper limits of the tachometer is a must. Above 4k RPM you can feel the engine throughout your whole body almost like a distance earthquake. The 7k redline comes quckly and unexpectedly as the car seems to be making more and more power as the revs climb.
I decided to exit the parkway near Mount Kisco to find some curvier roads. After getting stuck behind some slow SUVs, I was happy to see a purple Porsche 993 in the distance. Sure enough, the road cleared up and I got to experience some nice sweeping tarmac near the Croton reservoir. While the handling was predictably well-balanced, I enjoyed the opportunity to do some rev-matched downshifts even more. The blat from the exhaust and the precise feel of the gear lever snicking into place are addictive.
Unlike some other cars I've driven recently, my bladder could not outlast the fuel tank. While it was drinking some of Sunoco's finest, I checked out some more details on the car. The engine bay is nicely presented, but a bit boring. Given how special the rest of the car is, I was surprised that BMW didn't add any flourishes here. There are no crackle coated intake runners or intricate exhaust headers to see.
It was hard to resist walking around and admiring the car. And with such a fetching subject, I had visions of becoming the next Tim Wallace. But without a good location in mind and just an iphone in my pocket, my attempts to capture the z8 in all its glory were foiled. I ended up taking about 50 pictures but wasn't happy with the results. I'll stick with the excuse that Chris Bangle once gave for why his "flame surfacing" was disliked by so many people: it is hard to capture all of the nuances of a 3D sculpture in 2D. I have an even greater appreciation for the work of professional automotive photographers now.
Heading back into the city at dusk watching the sunset over the Hudson was a perfect way to end the day. The traffic was light and I managed to get back to the car club just under the gun. After stepping out, I felt completely serene.
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