Convertibles are great. At the press of a button, you can turn even the most mundane drive into a mini holiday. Add a V8 powerplant, and you get an awesome backing soundtrack. Find a car like this with a manual transmission, and it gets even better. But a manual shifting V8 convertible tends to be a pricey and rare thing. The Ford Mustang, Chevy Camaro, and Corvette are the most common local offerings, but if you want a European model, then things can get expensive very quickly.Where research meets the right dealBrowse This ModelAston Martin and Jaguar have some great options, but they aren't always the cheapest to buy and run, while Mercedes-Benz has used automatics in all its V8s for decades. Porsche doesn't offer this combo, and Ferrari built a tiny handful of 360 and F430 Spiders, as well as just three Californias with a stick shift. As you might imagine, prices have gone wild for these rare variants. That leaves us with BMW. Over the past 25 years, it has produced 29 different convertibles, but only six have been manual V8s. We examined each one and found that they all had something unique to offer.All vehicle pricing and data are from reputable sources. This list focuses purely on manual transmission V8 convertible BMWs available for sale between 2000 and 2025. The list is arranged chronologically. Average pricing figures are based on cars sold over the past year. BMW Z8 E52 1998–2003 2000 - 2003 BMW Z8 - front 3/4 angleWe kick off with the priciest car of the lot. Prices for the BMW Z8 have not always been this strong, but with just 5,703 produced, and every one featuring the E39 M5's awesome 4.9-liter V8, it has become a particularly desirable collector car. The retro looks were designed to pay homage to the 1956 BMW 507, another V8 manual convertible that sold just 252 units and nearly put BMW into bankruptcy.The Z8 was a modern machine underneath its aluminum body panels, and while it was not quite as sharp to drive as some fans had expected, it looked and sounded great at any speed. BMW 645Ci E64 2003–2005 2004 BMW 645Ci Cab From the most expensive car to the most affordable. The 2003 BMW 645Ci technically replaced the E24 6 Series, which had ceased production in 1989, but it was similar only in name and the fact that it had two doors. The 4.4-liter V8 engine was a torquey and smooth power unit, and bore the distinction of being the first production engine to have a continuously variable inlet manifold.It certainly gave the heavy 645Ci convertible impressive performance, and while those looks may have caused some robust debate among BMW fans, the car itself was a superb grand tourer. Prices today are affordable, but be careful of poorly maintained examples. Manuals are extremely rare, and most owners will be asking a bit more for them. BMW 650i E64 2005–2010 2008-2010 BMW 6 Series Convertible Rear Angle ViewThe E64 650i convertible was what BMW calls a Life Cycle Impulse (LCI) update, and what everyone else calls a facelift. Visually, not much changed from the 645Ci, but it received an even more powerful 4.8-liter engine, detail updates to the iDrive infotainment system, and a much-improved eight-speed automatic transmission. The six-speed manual remained a rarely chosen option, and you may end up paying a few thousand more than that $14,009 average value figure if you find a good one.Where research meets the right dealBrowse This Model BMW M3 E93 2007–2013 2007-2010 BMW M3 Convertible E93 Top Down White Rear Angled ViewThe only V8-powered M3 ever has received a lot of attention in recent years, and values have been rising as a result. Especially for low-mileage manual coupes. The DCT dual-clutch cars are great, too, but the purity of the manuals pushes up their desirability. Due to their extra weight and slightly less sporty nature, the convertibles are the most affordable of the lot.If you aren't planning to attend track days every weekend, they are a great option, and that folding metal hard top makes them a practical choice, rain or shine. The star of the show, though, is that 4.0-liter V8. With an 8,400 rpm red line and a great exhaust note, it is equally enjoyable to cruise around the suburbs or blast down an empty stretch of road. There are a few preventative maintenance items to take care of on these cars, but the driving experience is worth it. BMW 650i F12 2011–2018 2012-2014 BMW 6 Series Front ViewThe F12 generation 650i was one of the first BMWs to be fitted with the marque's new twin-turbo V8. It also signaled the end of the manual transmission in most markets, although US customers could still spec theirs with a six-speed manual. Few did, and while there are plenty of decent 650i convertibles out there, you will struggle to find one that isn't fitted with the ubiquitous eight-speed automatic.Average values for all F12 650i variants are around the $21,812 mark, but you can expect to pay a hefty premium for a manual shift car in good condition. That twin-turbo V8 offers a level of performance that the previous naturally aspirated engine can't match, yet it still retains a characterful V8 exhaust note. An update in 2013 saw a 42-hp and 36 lb-ft power and torque bump, but you'd be hard-pressed to notice the difference between the two. BMW M6 F12 2012–2018 2012 BMW M6 Convertible - side angleAside from a few exceptions, BMW M cars tend to suffer from steep initial depreciation. They eventually end up becoming desirable collector cars, and you can benefit from this trend if you find one in that depreciation sweet spot. The F12 generation M6 is currently in that zone, and it offers superb value at just over $30,000. While it also features a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8, which may seem similar to the regular 650i, it is a proper M engine with several upgrades that significantly increase its power.The US was the only market to get the F12 M6 with a manual transmission option, while the rest of the world got a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox as standard. That makes the US-spec F12 M6 manual a very special car, and if you can find one with the power-boosting Competition Package, you would own one of the rarest M cars ever built. The convertible body style was less popular than the coupe and four-door Gran Coupe, but that just makes it even more rare as it moves into modern classic status.
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