A look at "The Book"

[macfly]

This exquisitely designed, printed, boxed and bound book was never for sale, it came as a gift from BMW AG to the original purchaser of each Z8.

If you're an original owner, and didn't get your book, you should call Bill Stayer @ 201-573 2186 or Seema Kumar @ 201-573-7867 (both at BMW NA) right away!

If you bought your car second hand and it didn't come with the book it may well be because the original owner never got it, as surprisingly few people within BMW and their sales team are even aware of it, or that he chose to keep it, so sadly there isn't much you can do about it. I know many have tried, and none have succeeded. I tried to match my old Euro Z8 with it's book, but despite two years of trying was never able to.

In the end I bought this one below from EBay. The seller wouldn't let it go for less than $750, it never reached it's reserve in that sale, he emailed me as highest bidder, and named his price! So if you want one, keep an eye on EBay and be prepared to pay for it. This book was for a European spec Stratus car made in final year of production.

As a collector of rare photographic books I think it is actually a reasonable price for this unique piece. It is one of the very most beautifully made books in my very considerable book collection. Every part of it is sensational, and I expect it to become as collectable as the car itself. I'm confident if you have to buy yours it will a great investment, just like the car itself.

[Klint]

Wow!

What a truely amazing book! Just like the Z8 itself.

At least BMW didn't do what Mclaren did with the 'Driving Ambition' book and that was to sell it openly to the public but missing the luxury touches that came with the owner's editions. I'm glad I got the chance to purchase one though.

I like the cut out drawing that's in the Z8 book. (3rd picture down) :cool:

Season's greetings.

[macfly]

I have made up my own collection of these books simply because I enjoy collecting things. The reason I post this here is that should you become the owner of one of these cars, and have the pink slip to show you are the owner, I will make the book for your car available to you for what I paid for it on EBay. (My EBay average cost for these books is US$800.00 each.)

These are the serial numbers I have in my collection:
60942
61640
61707
62121
78407

Please note that this is not a "for sale" post - these books are not for sale - they are part of my private collection, so unless you become the owner of one of these cars, please don't ask about the books.

[carkingz8]

I bought my 2002 from the original owner through his agent and never got the book. Anyone have any information on car # 61357 book?? Let me know kingkev@fuse.net

[metzger]

Original owner of my car had the book, but when traded the car in (for a Gallardo) to Fox Valley Motorsports, he gave it to them. they sold the car to a local BMW dealer in Indy, who didn't have the book (or much else - got most of the stuff from Fox Valley later). Assume the book was sold. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks!

Mike

[Edythe Schlossstein]

We bought our Z8 from a dealer in CA (we are now second owner), minus "the book". Our number is 61906. If anyone comes across info/book for this number, please let me know.:driving:

[robz82001]

......I have 61221. Any chance you transposed a 1 and 2 in 62121 in your earlier post. Thanks regardless!

[macfly]

No, I checked, I had it right the first time, but keep an eye on EBay, they do come up every now and then.

[Grease Monkey]

eBay item #120200951903. Red leather cover.

[KenZ8]

This is the response when I asked for the Vin:
"the car in the photo is black with a red interior (obviously the same as my car was)
vin is AH61375
If you know who owns the car now, I'd love to know as this book should go to them.
Cheers,
Paul"

[macfly]

I checked the admin database, and that isn't a VIN that has passed thru here.

[hayvenhurstkid]

I bought "The Book." I spoke with the owner. He bought his car new but had problems with it and ended up having BMW buy the car back. He has had the book for years but he recently moved and found it while unpacking at his new place. It wasn't cheap and I know the VIN doesn't match my car, but it was the only item my car was missing and my previous Z8 had it, so I was on a quest to get another one.

[macfly]

Congratulations, they are really wonderful books, and every owner should have one, even if it means going to EBay.

[hayvenhurstkid]

I received "The Book" on Monday. It was exactly as represented and in perfect condition. It is for car number 61375, which is a black car with a red interior. Hopefully, BMW NA will eventually come up with a book for my car number 60496, but I figured a bird in the hand was worth buying this book. If the owner of this car wants to buy this book if and when I receive my book from BMW NA, I would be happy to do so. Otherwise, if I do get my book, I will first post this book on the forum for sale and then, if it does not sell, put it back on eBay.

[macfly]

Ken, four years later, and that car AH61375 has just arrived on the site, looking for its book! Do you happen to know what happened to it?

[KenZ8]

It looks like Marty purchased it...

[macfly]

So it did, opps, I just did a search, and found your post! I expect that the cars new owner, who is hear in LA, can contact Marty via the board.

[steadyfredy]

Hello Z8 owners,

I just bought an '02 Z8 silver and I would love to get the book to it.
My VIN number is H61357.
Any support is very much appreciated.

Thanks,
Steadyfredy
310 666-0989

[macfly]

Oppps, my dyslexia strikes again, I mixed up the 57 and the 75!

In April Bill Stuart will be back from his yearly sabbatical, and he has been incredibly helpful at getting owners books, though you will have to order a VIN plate for it separately, that is an easy part to get from your dealer. Here is Bill's email - William.Stuart@bmwna.com

[AHolzmann]

Bill got me a book last October so as of then they were still available. How do I go about ordering the plate for the cover?

[macfly]

It is the exact same plate that is in your car, thus it is also a spare part you can order it from your BMW dealer. It takes a little while for it to come, and when it does it is a metal peel-off sticker. You just take off the backing, and stick it onto your book.

[swiftruss]

Does anyone know the part number for the VIN plate. I cant find it on the realoem.com website. I would like to make sure the dealer orders the correct part.

[thegunguy]

The term "plate" is a bit ambitious. It's just the standard VIN sticker, but it has thickness to it.

Any BMW dealer should have the form to order a new VIN sticker. The form is to prove you own the car, etc. It's a little more than ordering a standard part, but it's pretty simple from what I've seen.