Car: NO Beast: YES (BMW Z8)

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Product:	BMW Z8
Date:	21/12/00 (159 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Quick, lots of gadgets, good looking, German build quality.

Disadvantages: Poor economy, ride quality unimpressive, expensive.

The BMW Z8 is a brilliant sports car for the price........£80,000! Well, then again maybe not!

The Z8 started out as a concept car in 1997. It is based on the BMW 508, the elegant 50's sports car. The Z8 is very similar to its 50's predessesor yet it is engineered for the new Millenium. The Z8 is also similar to the 2000 Porsche 911.

The car is a classic roadster shape. From the moment you step into the car, and gaze at the long bonnet, you know that you are in a quality sports car. Just looking at the dashboard makes your mounth water, glaring at the many knobs and dials.

Despite having many knobs and dials, simplicity is a key asset for this German built car. All of the knobs and dials are clear and easy to use.

What about driving this beast? Well, as you would expect the 5-litre V8 is no slow coach! The engine roar is very menacing and you are bound to have fellow car drivers turning green with envy. The Z8 is fiercely fast! Five clear gear changes and you would have reached the the BMW's top speed of 155 miles per hour! Along the way, you also would have reached 0-60 in just 4.0 seconds.

The engine is the same as that in the M5, delivering 400 BHP. The speed will give you thrills, yet the ride will probably not. Sports cars are not known to have an uncomfortable bumby ride....but this car does that! That is a big disadvantage and not something that you expect from an £80,000 car!

The Z8 is stuffed full of gadgets such as a satnav system built into the standard radio slot. There are other thigs like a neon brake and indicator lighting which means the light responds to the brake pedal ten times quicker than a normal bulb.

So, the BMW certainly is clever, as well as damn good looking. James Bond liked his, so why shouldn't you?

Spec:

Type: Two seater roadster
Engine: 5-litre 32-valve V8
Price: £80,000
On sale (UK): Now

Summary: