2004 Alpina B3 S Convertible

Highlights

• 305bhp from its hand-built straight six
• Completely original
• Impeccably presented
• Full service history
• Incredibly rare

Overview

What do you do if you want a bit more je ne sais quoi from your BMW? Perhaps you're after a tad more juice from the engine, or maybe a more bespoke aesthetic in order to distance yourself a little further from the crowd. Well you turn to Alpina of course.

Beginning life as a small endeavour in 1965, limited to modifying BMW carburettors, cylinder heads and crankshafts out of a tiny factory near Munich, Alpina has since expanded into the powerhouse tuning company we all know and love today, culminating in becoming part of the very company whose inspiration was its raison d'être in the first place.

From the all-conquering 3.0 CSL Coupé racer of the '70s to more modern yet still unabashedly evocative models such as this rather spectacular B3 S, Alpina has left an indelible mark on the grand automotive tapestry and continues to consummately crank out cracking cars.

Based upon BMW's E46 3 Series, the B3 S was Alpina's alternative to the M3 but not quite as overtly shouty. Here was a performance 3 Series that possessed a touch more decorum, a tad more restraint for the more discerning, comfort-seeking Bavarian buff, not to mention that all-important exclusivity.

With just 161 UK cabrios produced you're unlikely to see another and with the official Alpina certificate confirming this as build number 158, it's also one of the last to roll out of the factory. Combine that with the car's full service history and we're well into “pretty special” territory here.

Featuring a hand-built 3.4-litre version of BMW's S52 in-line six-cylinder, the car produces an incredibly respectable 305bhp, all fed to the rear wheels via a five-speed Switch-Tronic automatic gearbox, which as any Alpina aficionado will tell you is the correct combination, perfectly complimenting the B3's more composed attitude.

That's not to say this isn't an incredibly exciting way to get from A to B, however. Far from it. 0-60mph happens in around five-and-a-half seconds and you'll be cruising at a top speed of almost 170mph before you know it.

In absolutely magnificent condition inside and out this Alpina B3 S is a peach. Yes there's plenty of tech to play with (cruise control, air conditioning, dynamic stability control, etc.), but this is still very much an analogue experience, allowing you to fully connect with the car on a physical (and indeed emotional) level.

History and documentation

• Full service history
• Original service book showing inspections at the following intervals: pre-delivery check (2004 - main dealer), oil service and micro-filter at 11,702 miles (2005 – main dealer), inspection I and micro-filter at 35,820 miles (2010 – main dealer), inspection II at 49,978 miles (2012), oil service at 49,966 miles (2012), inspection I and micro-filter at 51,779 miles (2013), oil service (2014), inspection II and micro-filter at 54,965 miles (2015), oil service at 58,437 miles (2016), coolant and brake fluid at 59,908 miles (2019 – main dealer), inspection II and micro-filter at 60,820 miles (2017 – main dealer), oil service and micro-filter at 65,728 miles (2019 – main dealer), coolant and brake fluid at 68,702 miles (2020 – main dealer), inspection I and micro-filter at 70,228 miles (2021 – main dealer), oil service, micro-filter, coolant and brake fluid at 72,409 miles (2022 – main dealer)
• Comprehensive paperwork
• Original Alpina book pack
• Original build sheet and Alpina factory certificate
• HPI Clear
• Will be serviced prior to sale and come with a fresh MOT
• Four previous owners
• 80,917 miles

Interior

• Black leather with wood trim
• Beautifully presented with little sign of wear and tear
• Standard BMW comforts options including A/C, cruise control and electric memory heated seats
• All Alpina branding present and correct, including seats, carpets and kick panels
• Alpina dashboard plaque showing correct production number
• No apparent issues with dashboard pixels
• First aid kit present
• Toolkit present (minus screwdriver)

Exterior

• Factory paintwork in excellent condition
• Just a few marks to note:  a small scratch on nearside rear quarter, a small mark on nearside bumper corner and a small crack on the offside front lower bumper, all pictured
• Iconic 18” Alpina alloy wheels present well
• Michelin Pilot Sport tyres all round
• Front chin spoiler
• Rear boot spoiler
• Reversing sensors
• Both hard top and soft top in great shape
• All glasswork appears in good order
• Body and shut lines are straight and true
• No obvious signs of corrosion

Mechanical

• 305bhp, 3.4-litre in-line six-cylinder engine
• Five speed Switch-Tronic automatic gearbox
• 330i brake discs and calipers
• ABS
• Traction control
• Alpina specific dampers
• Eibach springs
• Clean and tidy engine bay
• No mechanical issues to report

Summary

There's just something inherently special about an Alpina and this stunning B3 S is no different. With looks to die for and enough refined power to satisfy all but the most die hard of speed freaks it certainly hits the spot, and with a level of exclusivity that is seldom matched nowadays it really is something truly special.

With full service history and a year's MOT your peace of mind is assured, so before you take the plunge on a BMW and resign yourself to a life of anonymity, why not consider dancing to a jazzier tune and bid on this Bavarian beauty instead?

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. This seller is located in Taunton, Somerset.