What is the BMW Z8 really like? Driving the quirky 90s Bond car

Is the Z8 BMW's most collectable car? Driving the rare 90s Bond car 20 years after production ended. In this video Jonny Smith gets to finally drive a Z8 Roadster for the first time, 20 years after its three year production run (with over 5700 made) came to an end. When new the Z8 was fairly misunderstood, cost over £86,000 in the UK and was LHD only. It also shared almost nothing with the Z3, or any other BMW in the range. Yet now this E39 M5 engined, all-alloy retro homage to the 1950s 507 model has become a car connoisseur's vehicle. Is the Z8 BMW's best sports car? Jonny tries to understand what the collector's fuss is all about this 90s James Bond car 20 years after production ended. Thanks for stopping by The Late Brake Show. If you haven't yet watched the Car Cave episode from which this Z8 was part of, here is a link to that previous film (which we urge you to watch): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKaZiVJhtso If you appreciate eclectic automotive taste and a car collection that has been assembled entirely around one man's lifelong bucket list, then this episode should be right up your alley. Remember, you can watch these videos earlier than most of you join our Patreon gang: https://patreon.com/TheLateBrakeShow DO YOU OWN A GARAGE OR BARN FULL OF INTERESTING CARS THAT MIGHT BE INTERESTING ENOUGH FOR A VISIT FROM JONNY? Why not let us know, by emailing a few pics and details to: contact@thelatebrakeshow.com *********** Merch shop: https://thelatebrakeshow.com/shop ****** Become a Patreon supporter: https://patreon.com/TheLateBrakeShow ****** Website: http://www.thelatebrakeshow.com ****** SUBSCRIBE for a broad-church of automotive appreciation spanning EV, classic, modified and future tech. ******** Filmed and edited by: Phil Pritchard https://www.philvfilms.com/ Thumbnail by: Matt Tarrant https://www.matttarantdesign.com Was the BMW Z8 their quirkiest car? Driving the rare James Bond car 20 years after production ended. **************** Jonny Smith Creative content maker, car presenter & car pervert for hire since '98 Website: http://www.carpervert.com Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/jonnycarpervert Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/carpervert CHAPTERS 0:00 Intro 1:35 Why did Tony buy it? 2:18 Production numbers 3:35 Alpina extras 4:45 BMW 507 5:10 Predates BMW Mini 5:35 Fisker Karma 5:59 DRIVING 6:40 Performance stats 6:59 SOUND 9:00 Quirky interior 10:15 Dimensions 11:05 Famous owners 11:20 Michael Flatley spec 11:48 More DRIVING 14:32 Weight 15:13 Rear end design 18:15 DRIVING contd #bestbmw #bmwz8 #quirkiestbmw #z8review #thelatebrakeshow

Added 3 May 2026