Z8 Luggage Set from Roadsterbag.com

[Z8doc]

Nearly a 18 months ago, in preparation for our wonderful Z8 Monterey Meeting, I contacted the folks at Roadsterbag regarding the possibility of manufacturing a Z8 specific set of luggage. At the time, they said they would investigate it. I received word from them last spring, that preparations were indeed underway to design and manufacture a set of luggage specifically to fit the Z8, but alas, would not be ready in time for our Monterey trip. At about that same time, our BMW Z8 Club of Germany, also began their own plans to make the high quality leather set for the Club members only [which btw, is nearly complete and should be shipping soon]. However, since the custom luggage was only a one time offer through the Z8 Club and for members only, there still was a need for a high quality reasonably priced set of Z8 Specific luggage and Roadsterbag has responded with what I think is a great set of luggage.:thumbsup:

I continued to collaborate with René at Roadsterbag during this process and offered some help from a owner's perspective. When René offered to provide me with a set to evaluate, I jumped at the chance and here is that evaluation.

If any of you have seen Roadsterbags before, they are known for manufacturing high quality, strong, durable and LIGHTWEIGHT [less than 10 kg total] luggage made of ballistic grade nylon and high quality leather accents, ribbing and handles as well as embossed metal name plates. They are fully lined and each set is vehicle specific. I can tell you alot of thought has gone into the Z8 set and as you will see from the pictures below, I think it will suit the needs of most owners quite well. I am sure there are things that some would want different but quite honestly, this set provides the maximum storage needed while still allowing room for "incidentals" such as cleaning supplies, other odds and ends you may need and there is still room behind the seats for the leather top cover. These bags are manufactured in Germany.

The Z8 Luggage includes a set of 7 bags. 2 for the lower trunk compartment, 2 upper trunk compartment, a garment bag with one hanger, and 2 leather behind the seat bags that mount to the head rest to keep them in place. The lower cases, while seemingly small, actually hold a large number sock and undergarments, the upper cases hold a large number of shirts, shorts or pants, while the garment bag is big enough to hold a couple nicer items such as ladies dresses, sport coat and the like. The behind the seat bags are full leather and lined and interestingly feature a single hanger as well and are big enough to hold a shirt and a folded pair of pants or what ever else you would like. Each of the 4 main bags comes with it's own non-TSA combo lock.

Now for the best thing -- Roadsterbag is offering ALL Z8 owners a large 20% group discount off of MSRP and is open to ALL Z8 owners worldwide. Better yet, there is NO time frame or minimum numbers, the only requirement is that you have to own a Z8 (or more like some folks I know;)):thumbsup::thumbsup::D

Pricing without shipping is as follows:

MSRP: 698 Euros including 19% VAT, 596,55 Euros without 19% VAT

Z8 Owners - -20% discount = 469,24 Euros [as of today's exchange = 624.46 USD]

Shipping is via DHL only and will cost approximately 135 Euros to most areas of the USA and is what I paid for the set I have.

I personally think this is an excellent deal for the money and is something any Z8 owner would utilize over and over again.

Anyone interested can go contact René direct at the following information:

info@roadsterbag.info
Roadsterbag (http://www.roadsterbag.co.uk/BMW-Roadsterbag-luggage.html)
Roadsterbag.info
René Schmitz
Lehnengasse 23
50354 Hürth
Germany
Tel: ++49 02233/613553
Mobil: ++49 0151/56606650
M-F 09:30am - 18:00pm.

[Scott Pettit]

At a thousand bucks, duffel bags are looking pretty good.

All that aside, I will contact RB and get them to produce a flyer in US prices so that I can send it to the ZSCCA membership.

Scott

[macfly]

Jeff, thanks for helping make this set happen, it certainly looks nice, my only concern is that there is nowhere to put the toneau cover, so it looks like when all your luggage is full and on board you have to keep the top down, or leave the tonneau cover at home?

Scot, how many Z8 owners (apart from you & Fred) are in the ZSCCA?

[Z8doc]

Mac, although the Tonneau cover will not fit in the trunk, the Tonneau cover will tuck behind one of the seats still, just under the bags, depending on how far back each of the seats are. Since most of the passengers are our spouses or sometimes, children, the passenger seat can be placed a bit more forward and there is plenty of room for the Tonneau cover behind the seat below the hanging bag. When the top is up, the Tonneau cover fits in the well behind the seats that the top folds down into too [that is where I put it for Monterey and the MITM], and when the top is down, heck no problem storing the canvas cover as it folds up and can be placed just about anywhere. Your problem is where to put all that camera equipment!!:D

I like the Z8 set and is good alternative to the custom type luggage that was offered through the Club (which I purchased too and am waiting for as well). Certainly as Scott has said, still not "cheap luggage" but considering how much quality lightweight luggage is these days (e.g., Delsey, a 7 piece set can easily cost similar money).... for those owners who want the advantages of vehicle specific custom fit luggage without the price, this is a good option and from a price point, is a good deal even when compared to other Roadsterbags, given the significantly less numbers of Z8s produced compared to other cabrios from BMW or other brand.

P.S. At one time (fall 2002 just after buying my Z8) I believe I was the only or certainly only one of a couple Z8 members of the then "Z3CCA" and inquired when I joined if there were any other Z8 owners who were members. At that time, they told me there were no other Z8 owners they new of as it was a club for Z3 owners. Subsequently, the club expanded with the release of the Z4 and eventually, to include Z8 owners and changed the name to "Z Series CCA" as a special interest group of BMW CCA, of which our friend Scott Petit, is now el presidente. I maintained my membership for 2 years and let it lapse due to no other Z8 owners joining and with finding everyone here, found a home and folks to relate too. The ZSCCA is a well respected club, but just not active in my part of the country, heck, we have a hard enough time getting just the BMWCCA members together, let alone a Z Series Club.

[Scott Pettit]

I think that it is only a few but I will ask our membership guru to pull up their names and I will forward the info. The way I see it is that the ZSCCA is a very active / drive like your days are numbered organization and most Z8 owners don't want to put the miles on their cars (I am one of them) so as to maintain the value of the car.

As far as the bags go, I have a set of RB's for my Z3 and they are very well made and great looking but the main drawback is:

The front is soft but the top, bottom and sides are rigid thus when the bag is not full, it doesn't collapse when you want to put something across the top. I admit that most Z3 and Z4 drivers use travel boots rather than the rigid ones that came with the car but in the case of the Z8, that is not possible.

I have them because I got a great deal but I have never used them.

Scott

[macfly]

Jeff, I never thought of trying to stow the tonneau cover on the shelf behind the seats, I didn't think it would even fit back there, so it is a great tip to know it does!

Scott I only ask because if you have more you should link to us. The Z8 Club e.V is also supposed to be a Special Interest Group of the CCA, but despite countless phone calls and reminders they have never added us to the official SIG listing! I may end up replacing my aging SL with the new Z4 if they make an M version, so may yet become a ZSCCA member. I certainly enjoying driving more than preserving, the whole point of having a car is to enjoy it. At the moment I get very few chances to use any car for fun because of work, life, dogs etc, so the Z8 is fine for a few weekends a year, but if I win the lotto I'll be doing 100,000 miles a year just driving around the country taking pictures and enjoying the roads!

[Scott Pettit]

The ZSCCA is a SIG of the CCA and it is not an easy thing to become.

We have also discussed with the CCA, a joint membership but the question becomes who collects the dues and who keeps what. I can imagine that the CCA board would have lots of questions about the yearly dues of the Z8 club considering that the CCA charges 40 a year and sends out a monthly magazine. They may want a take on the clubs income. Don't misunderstand me, I am not rehashing my old concerns-just pointing out a possible fact.

As far as I am concerned, the ZSCCA would be happy to include a link on our website if the Z8 club will do the same. In the mean time, I will try and get some #'s for you in the next few days.

Scott

[Z8doc]

stow the tonneau cover on the shelf behind the seats,

when the top is up, and you are loaded with gear, you just look anywhere you can to stow stuff. The space back there is far from perfect or even easy to access with the top up but works well enough.

[macfly]

Scott, it is a much harder thing to become a BMW AG approved and accredited club, which we are! You also obviously haven't kept an eye on our links page (http://www.bmwz8.us/htmlL/links.shtml), there has been a link to your club since you joined our site.

[Lisa]

We just never bother with the Tonneau cover :) Problem solved for us :)

One question, does the luggage come in other colors? If we decided to go with it we would probably rather have it in red.

[Scott Pettit]

I just sent a note to our webmaster, asking him to add the link.

Has anyone developed a soft / travel boot cover for the Z8? Is anyone interested in having one?

By the way, I have a custom made, zippered tonneau cover for my Z3 and love it. Reminds me of the glory days in my MG.

Scott

[Z8doc]

... does the luggage come in other colors?

No, it only comes as pictured, which is the standard color for ALL sets of Roadsterbags for all makes and models. I too would want Red with black accent but no such luck.

[Scott Pettit]

Find a good embroiderer and have your name done in script. If you want to keep them generic, have them done with "Z8" or (your year) Z8 and do it in your cars color.

Just an idea.

Scott

[hayvenhurstkid]

I just ordered a set for my car. With the exchange rate as of today, it came in at around $811, including shipping. Hey, for a seven piece set of luggage, how can you go wrong? Rene was a delight to deal with. I will report my impressions once I receive my set.

[hayvenhurstkid]

I received my luggage yesterday and I am very pleased with it. It has excellent build quality and looks great in the car. Currently, I have just put the four pieces in the trunk; the garment bag is hanging up in my closet. As I am taking a weekend trip on Friday, I am looking forward to actually using it.

[Z8doc]

Glad you like it.... I think it is very good quality for a custom fit set of luggage and only 10kg weight for the whole set. Curious though if you are able to put a hang up clothing in the behind the seat bags as they have a hanger in them.

[hayvenhurstkid]

Not sure as I have not tried yet. Since I am a jeans and T shirt kind of guy, I really do not think I will be using the pieces for behind the seats or the garment bag. I currently have those three pieces stored and the other four are in the trunk of my car. I am going out of town this coming weekend in the Z8 so I will get to use the luggage right away.