550 Barchetta and BMW Z8 owner comparison?

not even possible for me to consider the BMW, I thing klunker

 

Z8s were BMWs first major foray into aluminum chassis. As a result, they have major frame and subframe issues (mainly warping and cracking).

Furthermore be extra careful with the Dinan Z8s....many (most?) 'incompetently' altered (read hack parts away) the frame to accommodate Dinan E39 M5 headers. Apparently on a number of cars these 'modifications' were so severe as to render the car illegal to drive/register.

Read this: Dinan Z8 bodywork alterations during S2 header installation - BMW M5 Forum and M6 Forums

and/or these:

BMW vs. DINAN over a BMW Z8

Dinan 461 BHP upgrade & frame alteration issues.

A VERY through PPI is necessary.

 

At Portland cars and coffee this morning. He said that his 2001 550 has a more responsive and direct feel and stiffer suspension and chassis than the z8. Knew all about the Dinan mod and didn't get the headers, just the chip. His wife will drive the z8 but is too intimidated by the 550. Although the Maranello looks bigger, the cars are, according to him, about the same size.
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ExZ

I have a 550, a 575M and a Z8 and I’ll keep them all until the end.
The Z8, and the 550/575M are such different cars that I would not try to compare them. I will say, the workmanship on the Z8 is DRAMATICALLY better than the 550 or 575M. I do not have any experience with the Barchetta. The Z8 is a convertible the Barchetta is not. The Z8 has a real - pretty much automatic - soft top and a detached hard top. Neither look that great when up but they are very well made.

Well preserved low mileage Z8s are appreciating. Barchettas are not.

The “known” problem with the Z8 is strut tower deformation. You must inspect for that. Any damage is irreparable within any reasonable budget. By now any Z8 should have the “performance package” which was an excuse to put bracing on the strut tower without admitting that they have a problem. Go to BMWZ8.US for more information.

On especially beautiful days I’m real quick to take the Z8 out.

Phil

 

I read through the Dinan issues, according to the site you posted only 10 cars had the frame modified and were subsequently either patched with a BMW approved fix or given a completely new tub (left to the owner's discretion which they chose). Any cars modified after those initial 10 got different headers that didn't need any modifications to the floor pans. I would be more concerned with the strut towers...

 

Don't forget the rarity difference - more than ten times as many Z8s were made and in US import terms the difference is even greater

 

ExZ, greyboxer,

Yes, there were something like 5000 Z8s and 450 550 Barchettas but I still feel that the Z8 is the more collectable car. Ferrari has always and still makes several thousand flagship cars a year, BMW really only did this once – the Z8. The Barchetta is just a coupe with the top sawed off not a “from the word go” convertible and it shows relative to the Z8. I like the look of the Barchetta but it is not as congruent as the 550 itself. The roof and rear window lines were an integral part of that design and they are missing on the Barchetta.

Side by side construction and mechanical design comparison between the Z8 and the 550/575M reveal the superior German design and engineering. The Z8 was really special to BMW itself and that shows in all aspects of the car.

Regards,

Phil

 

Hi, I don't mean to lecture you but i disagree. I have a 550 and a Z8 in my Garage - The Z8 belongs to my father, but then again... I have the keys ;-)

I love both cars but they are very different:

The Z8 is a fantastic car if you are looking for a very very tame version of an AC Cobra. Fantastic torque, plenty of power and a fantastic cruiser. If you have a heavy right foot and like corners it will not make you very happy. The breaks are terrible and the car is missing an LSD. If you like to cruise you will love it like nothing before...

The Maranello and I guess it can't be wrong to compare it to his convertible brother will give you more power, better Brakes (although also not record breaking) and a much sportier feel.

Overall the Z8 is probably the better Allrounder. The hood closes when you push a button and then you can hit the german Autobahn with 155 mph.. The Barchetta demands more time for this Task and with the hood on it only goes to about 60 mph or so....

Drive both and see what makes you happier...

 

Doppioexpresso,

I agree with everything you say about the difference between the 550 and the Z8. My statement “superior German design and engineering” referred to the “quality” of the design not the performance. Each equivalent part in the Z8 seems better thought out, better placed and better welded, molded, formed whatever. The bottom of the car is flat because each part fits like a puzzle and creates a smooth bottom when assembled. The 550 has to slap a pan across the bottom to achieve something like that. I could go on.

From the factory the Z8 is not really fast and it does not corner well that is for sure.

We did replace the brakes (for looks alone), added a Dinan chip, tuned the suspension and did a free flow cat and exhaust. Added 55 horsepower at the rear wheels -dynamometer tested.

I’m glad I have both.

Best regards,

Phil

 

Both are very special cars and both have a similar vibe when you drive them. Neither is about outright performance, its about the romance of driving. The Barchetta PF easily outhandles the stock Z8. But the Z8 has its charms too.

The Z8 is special because its very much a unique BMW and the Barchetta, due to its not having a roof, is a unique Ferrari.

Stating the Z8 has issues would be like stating that Ferrari has issues.

All cars have issues. It just takes time to find them.

Don't discount the Z8. Very few were hacked by Dinan.

And the Barchettas ARE appreciating, just not at the rate the Z8s are currently.

I would not sell either of mine.

Ever.



Between the two cars, I think the Barchettas have been slower to come around so they might be a better deal today. But I think its a better driving car when comparing stock to stock. Will the Z8s continue to appreciate? Hard to say. I suspect yes. My suggestion is get both.

 

I've owned a 550 Barchetta since 2007 and considered several BMW Z8 before settling on the Barchetta. I also did many miles in a couple of BMW Z8 press cars during my time running evo magazine.

Starting with the BMW Z8, it has that typical German engineered feel to it, the interior finish is a delight, as is the detailing throughout the car. Like they do at Rolls Royce, BMW is very good at using identical components across their range but subtly altering their appearance to 'fool' the driver into thinking things like instuments and control buttons are all bespoke items.

As others have said, look at the spec sheet of the Z8 and it looks like its got everything you could ever wish for, M-Power V8, aluminium construction, iconic looks, etc. Even so, I found the drive didn't quite match this promise because there's a degree of scuttle shake, the gearchange is long-winded, and there's a fair amount of 'float' when you really push the Z8 down a challenging piece of road. It's a great 8/10th car but doesn't do so well after that. I didn't know about the various mods now available, so I can't comment on the effect these have on the chassis.

The biggest reason I didn't buy the Z8, though, is because of the amount of buffeting you experience when driving the Z8 with the roof down. It was the same story with the BMW Z3 and makes fixing the Z8's net winder-stopper between the roll hoops essential before every drive, while in the 550 Barchetta, wind-buffeting with the roof down is amongst the calmest I've ever experienced in a car without any form of wind protection.

That and the fact there's a stonking Ferrari V12 up front makes the Barchetta the one for me but I can understand the appeal of the Z8 as well. As for future values, here in the UK, the Z8 was never available in RHD form, while the 550 Barchetta was, so I expect RHD Barchetta values to accelerate further. The Z8 is an iconic BMW and top quality too, so there's no chance of values falling any time soon, making both cars a great buy today.

HM

 

ExZ,

You may want to inquire at BMWZ8.US if any one knows the car you are looking at. Andrew (McFly - who owns the site) and others over there are very knowledgeable and helpful.

Have you wondered if all the modifications could be a negative to future resale? Are the "collectable" Z8s mostly stock? I do not know the answer but you would get some opinions over there.

Phil

 

Harry you put that very well. Thank you and know your work at Evo is also very much appreciated.