Selling a damaged or non-running BMW Z8
BMW built 5,703 Z8s, and 2,543 of them went to North America. With so few cars out there, NHTSA's file is small too: seven owner complaints, counted as of October 10, 2026, and two recall campaigns, both for the engine cooling fan.
- Model years (EPA)
- 2000-2003
- Built
- 5,703 total, 2,543 for North America
- Engine
- 4.9 L S62 V8, 6-speed manual
- Designer
- Henrik Fisker
- Complaints to NHTSA
- 7
- Recall campaigns
- 2, both for the cooling fan
A Z8 that burned, was crashed or has sat for years is still a car someone wants. You can sell the whole car as it sits. We buy whole non-running and junk cars, with free pickup anywhere in the US.
What the Z8 is
Henrik Fisker designed it. Power comes from a 4.9-liter S62 V8 through a 6-speed manual, mounted front-mid with rear-wheel drive. Wikipedia says the spaceframe was made at the Dingolfing plant and each car was hand-finished in Munich. Production was done by November 2002. The Alpina Roadster V8 replaced it in 2003, with 555 built and 450 sent to the U.S.
Known problems, 2000-2003
There is one generation. The data sits on two years.
The cooling fan recalls, 2001
Both campaigns cover the electronically controlled engine cooling fan. If the fan motor fails, the notice says, it can overload the circuitry in the fan control unit. Dealers replace the fan. Campaign 01V206000 counts 76,469 vehicles, a total that covers other BMW passenger cars, not just Z8s. Campaign 02V138000 is a supplement, with 1,550 vehicles. One 2001 complaint names engine cooling. If a Z8 has been running hot, our overheating guide explains what that can lead to.
Lights and structure, 2001-2002
Exterior lighting is the most-named component, in 3 of the 7 complaints. Structure comes next with 2. One 2001 complaint reports a fire. If yours burned, see fire damage.
Complaints and recalls by model year
| Model year | Complaints | Fires | Recall campaigns | Components named |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | None on file |
| 2001 | 4 | 1 | 2 | Engine cooling 1, structure 1, exterior lighting 1 |
| 2002 | 3 | 0 | 0 | Exterior lighting 2, structure 1 |
| 2003 | 0 | 0 | 0 | None on file |
No crashes, injuries or deaths appear in the file. Complaints pile up over time, so counts this low on a car this old mostly reflect how few were sold.
Restore it or sell it?
- Check the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup for the fan campaigns.
- Stored for years? Read sitting for years and our project car guide before you buy parts.
- Ask for the estimate in writing and hold it up against recent sale prices for running Z8s.
Selling your Z8 whole
- Find the VIN, mileage and title.
- Request an offer, or call (877) 421-6008.
- Tell us where it's stored, in a garage, a barn or a shop, and whether it rolls.
- Leave it complete, wheels and all.
- At pickup, have the title, keys and photo ID. Plates: after you sell.
Questions people ask
- How many Z8 complaints are on file with NHTSA?
- Seven as of October 10, 2026: four on the 2001 and three on the 2002. Exterior lighting is named three times. One 2001 complaint reports a fire.
- Was the Z8 cooling fan recall only for Z8s?
- No. Campaign 01V206000 counts 76,469 vehicles and describes them as passenger vehicles, so it covers other BMWs too. 02V138000 is a supplement to it, with 1,550 vehicles.
- Will you buy a Z8 that has been sitting and won't start?
- Yes. We buy whole non-running and junk cars, with free pickup anywhere in the US. Mention the storage spot and if the car can be pushed.
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from one of these. Checked October 11, 2026.
- NHTSA complaints flat file (FLAT_CMPL.zip), downloaded October 10, 2026 nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA: Check for recalls by VIN nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 01V206000: engine cooling fan nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 02V138000: engine cooling fan (supplement) nhtsa.gov
- EPA fuel economy data (model years and variants) fueleconomy.gov
- Wikipedia: BMW Z8 en.wikipedia.org