My 355 is sold. I'm looking for something a bit less exotic now. The Vantage would be newer and would have warranty. The Z8 would hold its value better. What are some of the factors I should consider.
exclusivity? the Z8 is relatively rare, and a pretty unique design (IMO). plus, since it uses the E39 M5's engine, I would think service / maintenance is relatively cheaper and easier to come by. not sure how valid of a point the service / maintenance would be, as I realize the AM would still be under warranty. but more from the perspective of how long you intend to keep the car..
Z8's had (have) a problem with front subframe deformation. It is detected by measuring deflection from the normal position at the top of the shock towers (IIRC). Some cars did have issues, other didn't. It is unclear if it ever really mattered, or was something minor that gained momentum from internet buzz. I have a close friend with a Z8. I believe there was a non-warranty BMW "kit" that could be installed to fix the issue, Dinan may have also developed something. If you into that sort of thing, Dinan has staged modifications for the Z8. I love the Z8, but have no experience with the AM so I did not vote. Some research on either a Z8 or general BMW board would be a good idea. Scott
I voted for the Vantage for the simple reason that.......you'd be driving an Aston Martin and not a BMW. The opportunity to own and drive an Aston trumps the Z8, nice-looking as it is. Now, if your choice was Vantage vs. a late 70s M1, the question becomes a bit more challenging. My $0.02, Neil
I think it depends how often you want to use it. The Z8 is a collector car, and you mentioned it holding its values better, so I assumed residuals is of importance to you, which means you probably can't drive it as much because a collector car with a lot of miles wont worth as much and you might have trouble selling it. An aston, on the other hand, depreciates anyway so you can use it more often. Also the looks and the badge is so much better than the BMW. You also have warranty, which can also be extended thru an Aston dealer before your original warranty expires if your car passes the inspection. But if you are a collector and have another exotics or sports car, I say get the Z8, you can use it on weekends. If you can only get one, get the aston.
Z8 then...If you only drive that little and you keep the Aston, the price will still plummet. Not the case with the Z8.
Z8 by a long shot. True it doesn't have the AM name, but then again, every recent AM looks exactly alike. Yuo won't have to worry about seeing a bunch of similar cars when going to shows or on drives with the Z8.
There were three Z8s at Perillo BMW in Chicago last week. All CPO, well one was the Alpina version. I'd get the BMW.
+1 I think the AM will be a better deal in a couple of years as a CPO vehicle, with the usual cliff-drop British car depreciation out of the way. Also, I was reading today that AM have shipped over 10,000 of these cars since launch in 2005. I wouldn't say it's as exclusive as AM once was.
I spent some time in the Vantage vert down at Miller Motorcars--completely different than the coupe. I did not like it as much.The BMW was designed to be a roadster. It will not depreciate and the fun to drive factor will certainly be there. Please drive it more than 2000 miles a year.
Interesting choices My business partner has the V8 Vantage and our business manager has a Z8. I have driven both extensively and while upkeep would be more on the Z8 I would take that ca in a heartbeat over the Vantage.
True. You wont see the Z8 as often. But I still stand by my opinion that the aston is still the prettier. The Z8 is a classic and will always be one. I don't know how the Aston will look in another 5-10 years. But consider this, for both the facelift (db9 and vantage), no visible major exterior changes. So that look still works. But as of now. Even though all the astons looks like one another, they are all very very good looking, so it's like complaining there's too much pretty girl in your area . I won't complain seeing more of them on the road, and they will still be an exclusive car. someone said they sold 10,000 car since 2005. If that is true, then they sell approx 3000/year. That number is very low. I suppose US get 1/3 which means 1000 car/year and IMO, that is good in a way that that number will make aston profitable but still make aston exclusive. I thought Aston produced more, to be honest. Ferrari produced more car, no? Either way, they will always be exclusive. Not as exclusive as a Z8, of course. But ,I think, for a man on the street, an Aston will look more exclusive,simply because of the badge.
Practicality says Z8. But the fun and cool side screams Vantage. What a cool car. True, Z8 is the better car, especially at this point in time. But the Aston, oh what a sexy sexy vehicle. If you do go with the Z8, which any reasonable person would do (including myself), please get a Dinan or Alpina package for it. I think that either of these really make the car that much better looking. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Both are wonderful; I would be a little worried about the aluminum frame issues of the Z8 but they have been astonishingly resilient in price for the last 5 years - they dropped to $90-105k within a year or two and have stayed there it seems. For short term holding that would be the way to go.
love the vantage, but the z8 i think will be more exclusive and retain value better in the long term. for looks there's not many cars out there that can touch the aston
I love the Vantage, but if it were me, I'd go Z8. It's simply beautiful, and the rarity, as others have said, will make it a good investment. Aren't they selling now for about what they sold new? Simply beautiful. The best BMW in the last 20 years. Darrell.
Yes...I'd opt for the Z8 as well...just like this one: http://www.ambassadorautosales.com/scott/BMW/2003-BMW-Z8-ALPINA-SILVER-2241/2003-BMW-Z8-Alpina-Silver-2241--.htm
Watch the Top Gear on Youtube for the Vantage and Z8. Jeremy Clarkson said he hated the Z8 and loved the Aston but wish it had more power. I'd say go for the new AM Vantage 4.7.
Might be a liitle biased here since I have an Alpina Z8. Solid car, extremely dependable, low maintenance... I opted for the Alpina version (only 555 made) since I thought it would be more exclusive than the "regular" Z8. Great car around town, a monster on the road. If you're leaning toward a Z8, there is an owner forum here... http://bmwz8.us/ Image Unavailable, Please Login
tough choice, both are way cool I'd probably go w the Z8 bcus its got more power but if they build the Vantage RS V12 then I'd go w that btw I have an 02 M5 and that engine is awesome
I have an 07 v8 coupe. Its an awesome car, one of the best looking cars on the road. I understand the volante is a great chasis, very rigid. I just picked up my new Z8 and promptly took an 1800 mile road trip through N. Michigan. What a wonderful experience. My car is a dinan car with quaife diff upgrade, brembos and eisenmann exhaust. The sound of both cars is heavenly. The z8 is a long term keeper, imo, and just a very special car that will never be dated. The AM is also a wonderful car and one I have enjoyed very much over the last year. Will never be as special as the Z8 but also a great choice. I dont think you can go wrong with those two choices.
Very good point Ryan, and one Nick should consider when looking. Due to owner pressure, BMW NA came up with a fix for that issue.There is a lot of good info on the issue on the Z8 board, http://www.bmwz8.us/vbb/index.php but basically, IF the car is true, the dealer can install a frame reinforcement that includes a front strut tower/frame brace etc. If there are issues already, they will not do the install. If the car does not have it, pay close attention the hood shutlines, check out the shock towers for any domeing, and read the sticky on the issue at the board. Very important but fixable. My car already had the fix done when I bought it. Otherwise, the cars are very well built, parts readily available and they are appreciating 3-5% per year currently with a great likelihood that number will increase. Lots of cars going back to europe right now and strong demand worldwide.
