2001 BMW Z8, as new with under 5,000 miles, priced under market!!!

Up for sale is my beloved 2001 BMW Z8 E52, VIN 60916, with less than 4,600 miles from new. Yes, you read that right…below 5K miles since new. This is a new car, investment-grade, completely original except for the battery. You know how people say “smells new”? Well, this one actually does. I am the second owner, having bought the car in 2010. The car was originally delivered in Pennsylvania. It’s never spent a night outdoors, or been in the rain in its entire life. No excuses; you won't be disappointed.

Color scheme here is the always-classic Titansilbur (Titanium silver, in English), with black Nappa leather interior. The paint is flawless, and still has the original texture (I won’t call it orange peel, as the paint is far too nice for that), but it hasn’t been polished to death. It looks new. The body panels are aluminum, and all are completely unmarked and perfectly fit from the factory. The interior is unmarked, other than the slight stretching of the driver’s seat bottom leather common to German cars after somebody sits in it once. The carpets, mats, and leather door panels are all as-new.

This car was one of the first to have a 6-speed manual transmission (built by Getrag); this one is not fully broken-in, and still shows the stiffness of a new gearbox, especially when cold. There are no leaks of any kind from the drivetrain.

Speaking of cool, the A/C is still factory ice-cold. All hvac controls work properly.

The sale includes all the factory extras originally included with the car:

• Factory color-matched aluminum hardtop, with glass rear window and electric defroster.

• Hardtop stand for storing the hardtop vertically.

• Cloth cover for hardtop on the stand.

• Wrench for installing the hardtop.

• Clip on cloth cover for protecting the rear shelf when the hardtop is being changed.

• Cover for the car, with “BMW Z8” emblazoned on it and a clear window over the rear license plate, complete with cloth storage bag. Cover has some minor smudges on it from tire dressing over the years, but is otherwise perfect, with no rips or tears.

• Padded leather tonneau cover to dress out the folded convertible top. Includes cloth storage bag.

• Between-the-headrests wind deflector. Includes cloth storage bag.

• Owner’s manual in leather case.

• Removable metal console-mounted cupholder.

• (2) keys with integral remote control fob built into the key body. Both of the keys have been used, one more worn than the other, likely from being carried in the pocket of the original owner. These were specific to the Z8; if you really want another one, they are available from BMW.

• Emergency key to be carried in your wallet, unused.

• Motorola StarTac cellphone, branded BMW, still in the box and unused, with all cords, adapters, manuals, etc.

• Navigation CDs for the standard factory nav system, still in the factory jewel box, unopened. Region 5, Ohio Valley U.S. These are still available out there if you need a different region for another part of the country.

• Audio system demo CD, still in jewel case, unopened.

• Factory tool wrap, complete with all tools, in the trunk.

• Factory first aid kit, complete as new, in the trunk.

• Front license plate holder, unused, with mounting hardware.

• Most importantly, the coffee table book that was sent to every new owner, with a copy of the VIN plate on the cover that matches this car, wrapped in the same black Nappa leather as the interior. Includes a picture of the car on the assembly line. Book is in the factory BMW box as delivered, including the note to the original owner explaining the book and asking that it be given to the next owner with the car if sold.

The only factory extra I don’t have is the diecast model of this car that I have heard was sent to original owners while they were waiting for delivery of their cars. I did not receive this from the original owner; indeed, I don’t know if they actually sent them to everyone, or just some owners. Sorry. You can buy one on ebay.

What’s wrong with the car?

• The inside rearview mirror is the autodimming type; the LCD fluid internal seals have failed, causing brown liquid to be visible through the glass. This was a known issue with these cars, starting when they were about 5 years old…this one started failingseveral years ago. These can actually be repaired; this is being repaired now.

• There are some hairline scratches (barely visible) on the stainless kick plates in the door jambs of both sides. The car has been driven, after all, and the original owner was less careful about this stuff than I have been. These could be polished, or could simply be replaced, if you’re really bothered about it…as you can see, nothing even shows up in the pics.

• There are some tiny nicks at the wheel bolt locations on several of the wheels, as if the previous owner was a little careless with the wrench when rotating tires. You really have to look to see it, and they could be fixed easily enough if needs be.

• The gas springs on the trunk lid are getting a little weak with age. They still hold the lid up, but it can sag in cold weather or in a stiff wind. I have left them alone because they are original.

That’s about it. The car is as perfect as a carefully-maintained (but driven, rarely) 15-year-old car of this mileage can be. It has never required service; I change the fluids annually, and drive it a short distance every couple of weeks to keep the seals moist. The car passes an emission test every year as required here in Atlanta; if that applies to you, you or your BMW dealer will have to re-teach the emission profile (by driving in a specific pattern) that gets lost whenever the battery is unhooked (it received a new battery since the last test).

The car is expensive, because of rarity in this condition, but it ispricedmore than 10% below market fora quick sale (I need the space where it's parked for something new).These are rising invalue rapidly.This one can be kept as a collectible (hold it for a year, flip it and make some money), or used as the ultimate daily driver, if you want, a brand-new exotic sports car that was the very best BMW knew how to make at that time. I bought it originally to drive, but it was so nice, I felt like I’d be destroying an artifact, as it had such low mileage, and so I fought temptation and tried to preserve the car.

Car is subject to prior sale, as it is listed in multiple venues. It is available for personal inspection by appointment, in the Atlanta, Georgia area; I can be reached at 770.495.4029. No dealers, please. The buyer is responsible for transportation/shipping (of course, I'll cooperate). It comes with no warranty, as it is now 15 years old...