Steve Jobs’ 2000 BMW Z8 to go under hammer, may fetch up to $400,000

A BMW Z8 luxury convertible once owned by Apple's late co-founder Steve Jobs is being auctioned at Sotheby's in New York next month, where it's expected to fetch between $300,000 and $400,000 or possibly more.

Jobs, who died six years ago, had a "penchant for German automobiles and design", the auction listing claims, noting that he also owned BMW motorcycles and Mercedes-Benz SLs.

"According to legend," it continues, Jobs was persuaded to buy the Z8 in 2000 by Oracle CEO Larry Ellison, who suggested it was not just a high-quality car but matched Apple products and Jobs's psyche. A popular quote from Jobs goes, "Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works."

Jobs is said to have kept the car for just three years, selling it to a person in Los Angeles who in turn sold it a year later to a "Bay Area tech executive". The Los Angeles owner had remorse over that decision, and contacted the tech executive some 18 months later to buy the car back.

Although the car has actually been driven regularly for 17 years, it has just 15,200 miles on it, and has undergone service and maintenance to keep it in good condition.

According to the listing, Jobs' ownership of this car is documented through several service invoices accompanying the car, as well as a copy of a California registration or so-called ''pink slip'' in his name and at his personal residence.

One notable inclusion is a BMW-branded Motorola cellphone, which Jobs not surprisingly hated. The Apple CEO eventually partnered with Motorola on a few iTunes phones before launching the iPhone in 2007.

The Z8 originally cost $128,000 before add-ons. Used models are potentially worth more, but the auction price is well above average.

The car sports a minimalist style, finished in titanium over a black leather interior. The tech genius bought the car in October 2000, keeping it until 2003 before it was sold to the Los Angeles-based current owner.

The Z8 has a plethora of accessories, including its proper hardtop and hardtop stand, car cover, owner's and service manuals, service records, two keys, navigation CDs, and its original BMW-branded Motorola flip-phone.

Jobs's vehicle will go on sale 6 December as part of a "New York -Icons" event.

Recently, a Newsweek magazine from 1988 signed by Steve Jobs was sold for $50,587, as reported by CNET. Jobs signed the magazine writing, ''I love manufacturing'', with love underlined for stress. This was the issue covering the unveiling of Jobs' NeXT computer.