BMW Alpina B5 Biturbo Touring
Discussion
I ran an E63S estate for a couple of years and got shot of it in the end as the brittle ride really compromised it's appeal as a daily family wagon.
Now running a LCI '22 M5 which has a better resolved ride, surprisingly plush, plus a much nicer cabin with superior quality fixtures and leather. The B5 will be even better i would imagine. I initially looked for a B5 touring as an estate fits my life better, but they are very thin on the ground and i couldn't find a suitable car without spending more than i wanted.
Good luck in your search, they are very cool cars.
Now running a LCI '22 M5 which has a better resolved ride, surprisingly plush, plus a much nicer cabin with superior quality fixtures and leather. The B5 will be even better i would imagine. I initially looked for a B5 touring as an estate fits my life better, but they are very thin on the ground and i couldn't find a suitable car without spending more than i wanted.
Good luck in your search, they are very cool cars.
RK22 said:
Many thanks. Very helpful. I sourced and tested a B5 Biturbo touring this week . Deal done. E63S was clearly tuned for Nurburgring lap teams and not real world brisk driving. B5 is serene, seems just as fast but far more usable every day….
Well done! Pre-LCI or LCI? Photos always most welcome of this unicornI have a pre LCI (nicer round dials) and absolutely adore it. I live surrounded by some of the best alpine passes and it is fun on those but also smooth and super-comfortable on the motorway. Fuel economy is good as long as you're not in town driving. The girl gets car sickness a lot less than she did in the 340i that preceded it.
Last summer I did a 22 hour journey with the family (not planned) from South Switzerland to North Cumbria and got out feeling far fresher than I had any right to.
My preferred style of driving is smooth and quick. I'm past noisy cars (the Alpina has a muted V8 rumble but is much quieter than most sporty hatches). I almost never take it out of auto (it has a weird ability to always be in the right gear, much much better than any other auto I've driven). Most of the time it's in a comfort plus or an eco-pro individual (eco pro with comfort plus suspension) but on the passes I put it into adaptive. The rear steer is brilliant on the hairpins and my experience is that Alpinas understeer a lot less than BMWs.
I love it because it's not all buldging wheel arches and fake grills. Mine is debadged as are most that I see. Very few people notice it, which is just what I want.
It's absolutely rock solid on the autobahn even up and a bit above 300 kmh. Even at really high speeds it's easy to have a conversation with passengers whilst not feeling you need to raise your voice. It's the sort of car you can drive very quickly without your passengers being aware of the speed you're doing.
The only reason I'd ever sell it is to order a new one (going full out with a custom interior). Most likely is that I will keep it for ever. The closest thing I've ever driven to it is a RR Wraith Black Badge.
Last summer I did a 22 hour journey with the family (not planned) from South Switzerland to North Cumbria and got out feeling far fresher than I had any right to.
My preferred style of driving is smooth and quick. I'm past noisy cars (the Alpina has a muted V8 rumble but is much quieter than most sporty hatches). I almost never take it out of auto (it has a weird ability to always be in the right gear, much much better than any other auto I've driven). Most of the time it's in a comfort plus or an eco-pro individual (eco pro with comfort plus suspension) but on the passes I put it into adaptive. The rear steer is brilliant on the hairpins and my experience is that Alpinas understeer a lot less than BMWs.
I love it because it's not all buldging wheel arches and fake grills. Mine is debadged as are most that I see. Very few people notice it, which is just what I want.
It's absolutely rock solid on the autobahn even up and a bit above 300 kmh. Even at really high speeds it's easy to have a conversation with passengers whilst not feeling you need to raise your voice. It's the sort of car you can drive very quickly without your passengers being aware of the speed you're doing.
The only reason I'd ever sell it is to order a new one (going full out with a custom interior). Most likely is that I will keep it for ever. The closest thing I've ever driven to it is a RR Wraith Black Badge.
chandrew said:
I have a pre LCI (nicer round dials) and absolutely adore it. I live surrounded by some of the best alpine passes and it is fun on those but also smooth and super-comfortable on the motorway. Fuel economy is good as long as you're not in town driving. The girl gets car sickness a lot less than she did in the 340i that preceded it.
Last summer I did a 22 hour journey with the family (not planned) from South Switzerland to North Cumbria and got out feeling far fresher than I had any right to.
My preferred style of driving is smooth and quick. I'm past noisy cars (the Alpina has a muted V8 rumble but is much quieter than most sporty hatches). I almost never take it out of auto (it has a weird ability to always be in the right gear, much much better than any other auto I've driven). Most of the time it's in a comfort plus or an eco-pro individual (eco pro with comfort plus suspension) but on the passes I put it into adaptive. The rear steer is brilliant on the hairpins and my experience is that Alpinas understeer a lot less than BMWs.
I love it because it's not all buldging wheel arches and fake grills. Mine is debadged as are most that I see. Very few people notice it, which is just what I want.
It's absolutely rock solid on the autobahn even up and a bit above 300 kmh. Even at really high speeds it's easy to have a conversation with passengers whilst not feeling you need to raise your voice. It's the sort of car you can drive very quickly without your passengers being aware of the speed you're doing.
The only reason I'd ever sell it is to order a new one (going full out with a custom interior). Most likely is that I will keep it for ever. The closest thing I've ever driven to it is a RR Wraith Black Badge.
Ahh, it’s not debadged when it’s got Alpina on the front splitter, is it? I love the awful reverse snobbery of telling everyone that your car is debadged.Last summer I did a 22 hour journey with the family (not planned) from South Switzerland to North Cumbria and got out feeling far fresher than I had any right to.
My preferred style of driving is smooth and quick. I'm past noisy cars (the Alpina has a muted V8 rumble but is much quieter than most sporty hatches). I almost never take it out of auto (it has a weird ability to always be in the right gear, much much better than any other auto I've driven). Most of the time it's in a comfort plus or an eco-pro individual (eco pro with comfort plus suspension) but on the passes I put it into adaptive. The rear steer is brilliant on the hairpins and my experience is that Alpinas understeer a lot less than BMWs.
I love it because it's not all buldging wheel arches and fake grills. Mine is debadged as are most that I see. Very few people notice it, which is just what I want.
It's absolutely rock solid on the autobahn even up and a bit above 300 kmh. Even at really high speeds it's easy to have a conversation with passengers whilst not feeling you need to raise your voice. It's the sort of car you can drive very quickly without your passengers being aware of the speed you're doing.
The only reason I'd ever sell it is to order a new one (going full out with a custom interior). Most likely is that I will keep it for ever. The closest thing I've ever driven to it is a RR Wraith Black Badge.
VeeTenM said:
maybe debadged rear but I would have left them on there, not like its an M with M badges and stickers all over it. Alpina have a bit of class about them.
You can be 100% sure that not one Alpina owner would change the signs that would make their car identifiable as an expensive motor car (Alpina wheels, “subtle” Alpina stickers, etc.). They want people “who know” to acknowledge that they got money AND taste. That’s exactly what the poster above wants us to know or he wouldn’t have posted a photo.By all means be proud of your car on Pistonheads but the snobbery around debadging needs to be called out.
steakandchips said:
VeeTenM said:
maybe debadged rear but I would have left them on there, not like its an M with M badges and stickers all over it. Alpina have a bit of class about them.
You can be 100% sure that not one Alpina owner would change the signs that would make their car identifiable as an expensive motor car (Alpina wheels, “subtle” Alpina stickers, etc.). They want people “who know” to acknowledge that they got money AND taste. That’s exactly what the poster above wants us to know or he wouldn’t have posted a photo.By all means be proud of your car on Pistonheads but the snobbery around debadging needs to be called out.
steakandchips said:
You can be 100% sure that not one Alpina owner would change the signs that would make their car identifiable as an expensive motor car (Alpina wheels, “subtle” Alpina stickers, etc.). They want people “who know” to acknowledge that they got money AND taste. That’s exactly what the poster above wants us to know or he wouldn’t have posted a photo.
By all means be proud of your car on Pistonheads but the snobbery around debadging needs to be called out.
You've mistaken your opinion as 100% correct, and then gone on to call a random stranger who is being informative and helpful a snob, based on your opinion. Incredible really!By all means be proud of your car on Pistonheads but the snobbery around debadging needs to be called out.
steakandchips said:
VeeTenM said:
maybe debadged rear but I would have left them on there, not like its an M with M badges and stickers all over it. Alpina have a bit of class about them.
You can be 100% sure that not one Alpina owner would change the signs that would make their car identifiable as an expensive motor car (Alpina wheels, “subtle” Alpina stickers, etc.). They want people “who know” to acknowledge that they got money AND taste. That’s exactly what the poster above wants us to know or he wouldn’t have posted a photo.By all means be proud of your car on Pistonheads but the snobbery around debadging needs to be called out.
My point was that one of the best things about Alpinas is they go under the radar, especially if you live in a place full of expensive and probably more powerful SUVs and luxury cars. Here the default choice of estate is an RS6, bought probably not because they're keen on driving but because that is all that the local Audi dealer stocks. For those people I suspect the comfortable, quiet Alpina would probably suit them better.
chandrew - Many thanks for the helpful and informative ownership summary.
I took the plunge and bought one last week. My first Alpina although I have had E39 and E60 M5s and own a E92 M3 Competition Pack manual so have some experience of performance BMWs.
The B5 is a Touring - 2021 pre LCI, Alpina special blue with white leather, factory rear windows tint and side decals and rear badges in place.
It looks awesome (at least to my eyes). In the UK the overt styling clues work, and do not seem to attract attention. Even with badging and retro side delays (which I love) it still present a far more subtle appearance than anything else I can think of that does 200 mph plus.
The B5 arrival follows over a decade of new Range Rovers and a W12 Bentayga. My E63 S ownership was short lived because whilst a fantastic drivers cat , the ride was simply too hard for everyday city use (even in “Comfort” setting).
I drove the Alpina 120 miles home last weekend from the dealer with a mix of country roads, motorways and city driving. It performs impeccably in each and averaged 28 mpg which is highly efficient for 600 bhp. My previous Bentayga on the same run would have struggled to return 18mpg.
The ride and handling balance on the B5 are superb. The ride in comfort plus is close to the Bentley whilst the handling is in a different league to the SUVs I have owned.
As someone who changes cars yearly I already consider the B5 a “keeper”. I cannot imagine what I would replace it.
I took the plunge and bought one last week. My first Alpina although I have had E39 and E60 M5s and own a E92 M3 Competition Pack manual so have some experience of performance BMWs.
The B5 is a Touring - 2021 pre LCI, Alpina special blue with white leather, factory rear windows tint and side decals and rear badges in place.
It looks awesome (at least to my eyes). In the UK the overt styling clues work, and do not seem to attract attention. Even with badging and retro side delays (which I love) it still present a far more subtle appearance than anything else I can think of that does 200 mph plus.
The B5 arrival follows over a decade of new Range Rovers and a W12 Bentayga. My E63 S ownership was short lived because whilst a fantastic drivers cat , the ride was simply too hard for everyday city use (even in “Comfort” setting).
I drove the Alpina 120 miles home last weekend from the dealer with a mix of country roads, motorways and city driving. It performs impeccably in each and averaged 28 mpg which is highly efficient for 600 bhp. My previous Bentayga on the same run would have struggled to return 18mpg.
The ride and handling balance on the B5 are superb. The ride in comfort plus is close to the Bentley whilst the handling is in a different league to the SUVs I have owned.
As someone who changes cars yearly I already consider the B5 a “keeper”. I cannot imagine what I would replace it.
RK22 said:
chandrew - Many thanks for the helpful and informative ownership summary.
I took the plunge and bought one last week. My first Alpina although I have had E39 and E60 M5s and own a E92 M3 Competition Pack manual so have some experience of performance BMWs.
The B5 is a Touring - 2021 pre LCI, Alpina special blue with white leather, factory rear windows tint and side decals and rear badges in place.
It looks awesome (at least to my eyes). In the UK the overt styling clues work, and do not seem to attract attention. Even with badging and retro side delays (which I love) it still present a far more subtle appearance than anything else I can think of that does 200 mph plus.
The B5 arrival follows over a decade of new Range Rovers and a W12 Bentayga. My E63 S ownership was short lived because whilst a fantastic drivers cat , the ride was simply too hard for everyday city use (even in “Comfort” setting).
I drove the Alpina 120 miles home last weekend from the dealer with a mix of country roads, motorways and city driving. It performs impeccably in each and averaged 28 mpg which is highly efficient for 600 bhp. My previous Bentayga on the same run would have struggled to return 18mpg.
The ride and handling balance on the B5 are superb. The ride in comfort plus is close to the Bentley whilst the handling is in a different league to the SUVs I have owned.
As someone who changes cars yearly I already consider the B5 a “keeper”. I cannot imagine what I would replace it.
That sounds a lovely car. Alpina Blue would be the colour I'd probably order one in if I did ever go that route. I'm not sure white would work so well with the dog (or the children) but I bet it looks stuning. I agree, we need to see photos!I took the plunge and bought one last week. My first Alpina although I have had E39 and E60 M5s and own a E92 M3 Competition Pack manual so have some experience of performance BMWs.
The B5 is a Touring - 2021 pre LCI, Alpina special blue with white leather, factory rear windows tint and side decals and rear badges in place.
It looks awesome (at least to my eyes). In the UK the overt styling clues work, and do not seem to attract attention. Even with badging and retro side delays (which I love) it still present a far more subtle appearance than anything else I can think of that does 200 mph plus.
The B5 arrival follows over a decade of new Range Rovers and a W12 Bentayga. My E63 S ownership was short lived because whilst a fantastic drivers cat , the ride was simply too hard for everyday city use (even in “Comfort” setting).
I drove the Alpina 120 miles home last weekend from the dealer with a mix of country roads, motorways and city driving. It performs impeccably in each and averaged 28 mpg which is highly efficient for 600 bhp. My previous Bentayga on the same run would have struggled to return 18mpg.
The ride and handling balance on the B5 are superb. The ride in comfort plus is close to the Bentley whilst the handling is in a different league to the SUVs I have owned.
As someone who changes cars yearly I already consider the B5 a “keeper”. I cannot imagine what I would replace it.
Interesting that you've had Range Rovers and a Bentley. Both were on the long-list when we got the Alpina, though I was looking at a Flying Spur rather than a Bentayga. The Alpina dealer where we got ours had a nice Flying Spur which they'd taken in for an Alpina but in the end we all preferred the Alpina and a Touring much better fits the use-case. Mine is a 2017 car - B5 Touring #19.
Ultimately I needed to make a quick change and I'd wanted an Alpina since reading about them in car magazines in the late 80s and had come close to getting one a couple of times before. I personally would have preferred not grey / black but unless you can be patient there's usually not much choice. The Alpina book notes that a large number of owners keep their cars for a very long time.
The only warning that I'd give you is make sure the BMW dealer you take it for service knows what they're doing. Too many seem to only want to do what it says on the key, and the key says it's a 540i.
steakandchips said:
You can be 100% sure that not one Alpina owner would change the signs that would make their car identifiable as an expensive motor car (Alpina wheels, “subtle” Alpina stickers, etc.). They want people “who know” to acknowledge that they got money AND taste. That’s exactly what the poster above wants us to know or he wouldn’t have posted a photo.
By all means be proud of your car on Pistonheads but the snobbery around debadging needs to be called out.
I didn't know posting a picture of your car you just bought made you a snob....By all means be proud of your car on Pistonheads but the snobbery around debadging needs to be called out.
Oi chandrew get some more pictures up, specially the back end so I can see your debadging skills you snob.....
Edited by VeeTenM on Monday 6th March 17:30
Awesome cars, this advert says it all..........
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=alpina+b5+tou...
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=alpina+b5+tou...
VeeTenM said:
steakandchips said:
You can be 100% sure that not one Alpina owner would change the signs that would make their car identifiable as an expensive motor car (Alpina wheels, “subtle” Alpina stickers, etc.). They want people “who know” to acknowledge that they got money AND taste. That’s exactly what the poster above wants us to know or he wouldn’t have posted a photo.
By all means be proud of your car on Pistonheads but the snobbery around debadging needs to be called out.
I didn't know posting a picture of your car you just bought made you a snob....By all means be proud of your car on Pistonheads but the snobbery around debadging needs to be called out.
Oi chandrew get some more pictures up, specially the back end so I can see your debadging skills you snob.....
Edited by VeeTenM on Monday 6th March 17:30
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