2003 BMW Roadster For Sale, But Which One Is It?Bring a TrailerCan't swing a big-ticket roadster like a BMW Z8? Here's a lookalike alternative.A 2003 Z4 is an ideal basis for a Z8 clone, as it has nearly the same wheelbase.This replica should also be easier on the wallet for fuel and maintenance.Built from 1998 to 2003, the BMW Z8 is a gorgeous roadster that pairs the classic looks of the 1950s 507 with M5-derived V-8 power. Unfortunately, finding a nice one will cost you anywhere up to $180,000. And if you want the convenience of an automatic transmission, that was only available on the Alpina version, for which you can tack on another $100K or so.Bring a TrailerHappily, this budget-friendly solution just turned up at Bring A Trailer (which, like Car and Driver, is part of Hearst Autos). It's a 2003 BMW Z4 roadster, but one that's been deftly restyled to look like a Z8. Split the difference and call it a Z6? Either way, it's a great way to have your vintage-inspired BMW roadster thrills without breaking the bank.Bring a TrailerOriginally silver, before it was damaged in a collision, this Z4 was brought back from the wreckage with an entirely new personality. Ordinarily, building a lookalike out of a different car results in something that falls into the uncanny valley, but the Z4's wheelbase is only 0.4 inches shorter than that of the slightly larger Z8. It's very convincing-looking.Bring a TrailerThe original Z4 is cool enough to have its only little following, especially the Z4M coupe and roadster with their high-revving inline-six engines. Here, though, a car that might have gone to the scrapheap was resurrected as something handsome-looking and fun to drive.AdvertisementAdvertisementNo, it won't be quite as swift as an actual Z8, as this car is equipped with a 2.5-liter inline-six good for 184 horsepower, paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. Still, any BMW with an inline-six is usually great fun to drive at morereasonable speeds, and as a backroads top-down cruiser for the coming fall months, this Z8-wannabe should be immensely satisfying.Bring a TrailerNoted issues include a top that requires manual operation, but beyond that, the car appears mechanically well-sorted. Maintenance and insurance on this should be far less than for a real Z8, so it should be both far less expensive to buy and also run.If the 400 Z8s that BMW brought to the U.S. were always a dream car just slightly out of reach, then here you go. The Z4 this car is based on might be only half the model designation of a Z8, but it offers far more than 50 percent of the enjoyment.The auction ends on September 8.You Might Also LikeGift Guide: Best Ride-On Electric Cars for KidsFuture Cars Worth Waiting For: 2025–2029
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