Anyone else here got an Alpina BMW?

[Robertb]

I recently bought an Alpina BMW B3S Cabrio... just wondering if anyone else here owns an Alpina BMW?

[raceboy]

Errr well theres the big man himself...Ted

And my old mans got a E36 B3 3.2 Switchtronic

[Iceboy]

I have been wondering about Alpina's for the last couple of days:

1. Why go for an Alpina over the M series ?
2. Are parts and servicing harder?
3. Can they be serviced by BMW stealer/independent ?

IceBoy

[Ashok]

Lots of excellent information here:

www.fastsaloons.com/forums/index.php?c=8&sid=e0326e01b56f2c00d857c28e313c0026

and here:

www.m5board.com/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=11

[raceboy]

Iceboy said:

I have been wondering about Alpina's for the last couple of days:

1. Why go for an Alpina over the M series ?

Number of reasons really....
Exclusivity, how many M3's do you see compared to B3's?
Subtlety, a lot less in your face than the 'M' version
Only remeber the figures for the E36 but the B3 is faster than the M3 (no limiter)
You can have an Auto, with switchtronic flappy paddle (buttons actually) gearbox.
You can have any body style you like, M3 is coupe or cab, B3 is coupe, cab, saloon, or touring.

Iceboy said:

2. Are parts and servicing harder?
3. Can they be serviced by BMW stealer/independent ?

Again can only quote E36 B3 issues but serviced at BMW main dealer (non-Alpina franchise) with no problems for 6 years, the engine is a modded version of the top of the range (non-M) unit so any main dealer or specialist should be able to find his way around it, my old mans has had no Alpina specific issues, just general BMW wear and tear.

It's a shame that Alpina copy wheels are all over the market place now but you see a lot less 316 Alpinas, than M318i's

[Iceboy]

Thanks for the info all !

I always fancied a touring M series....I guess the Alpina is the way to go then..

IceBoy

[raceboy]

Iceboy said:

I always fancied a touring M series....I guess the Alpina is the way to go then..

I think this is just great...........
www.pistonheads.com/sales/85982.htm

[ICSD]

I've been looking at Alpinas but I'm struggling to justify paying the horrendous insurance premiums over a standard Sport version i.e. B3 over 330i Sport. Just doesn't make enough sense to go the Alpina route in my opinion, however desirable they may be.

[Monster26]

Hi, I own a e39 B10 3.3 Alpina. Only seen 1 other in Bristol, although seen others (one B12, 2 e39 B10 V8's, and 2 B3's).

I love driving it as it's not a standard BMW, something that little bit speciall.

Insurance is high, insured under my wifes name £740 full comp with her and I on the policy both 27 with no accidents on driveway. For a group 20 (I think) 280bhp motor I don't think thats too bad.

www.thealpinaregister.com as posted above is very good some nice people post there.

Good luck and get one.
Mark

[Robertb]

ICSD said:

I've been looking at Alpinas but I'm struggling to justify paying the horrendous insurance premiums over a standard Sport version i.e. B3 over 330i Sport. Just doesn't make enough sense to go the Alpina route in my opinion, however desirable they may be.

I replaced a 330Ci Sport with the B3S- I did not actually realise the extent of the extra insurance costs when I committed to buy, but ringing around resulted in a more reasonable quote not that far north of an M3 premium. I would agree though that this is a problem, one that the mods over at alpinaregister.com are addressing by trying to educate insurers and maybe get a register members' scheme going.

Otherwise, there is no reason for an Alpina to cost more to service than a standard equivalent BMW- indeed, I reckon a B3S will be much cheaper to service than an M3. Some of the more bespoke parts will cost more though.

They are sufficiently different to drive compared to the 330 to make it well worth doing IMO- the engine is hand-built, each one by one engine builder from start to finish, and produces over 300bhp. The suspension is softer riding than a 330 Sport, yet more composed, and understeers less. And it sounds lovely... It is not a high-revving road-racer like the M3, more of a GT, but more than happy to be hustled when required.

[Gimlet]

I've an Alpina Roadster S that I bought new in 2004 having previously had a Chimaera and 2 Tuscans.
By far the best Toy I've ever had.
The service given by both Sytners and the Factory at Buchloe was/is superb.
I visited the Factory last year and was introduced to the Technician who hand-built my engine .. Now this is Aston territory.
I do not use it as a first car but still cover over 10k miles per year. Insurance is cheaper than the TVR's and servicing is a snip by comparison at £188.00 for the Oil Service and £250.00 for the 1st Inspection. Fuel consumption and comfort are better and it is far more driveable than any TVR therefore just as quick unless just steaming down a runway for top-end.
Then there is the exclusivity ... mine is number 035 of just 361 in total, and only 167 RHD of which just 5 are Maldives Blue.

A great car ... as you can tell I'm very enthusiastic about it.

www.thealpinaregister.com/photos.php?alpinaid=35&carid=466&type=9

[stefan1]

I've had a B5 for about 6 months and can't speak too highly of the car and the experience. It's quite hilariously fast as well!

Previously had an E39 M5 and E60 535d. Decided against the new M5, fabulous thought it is, because it is much less comfortable than the B5 and I don't like flappy paddle gearboxes.

I'm looking forward to my first visit to Buchloe later this summer.

Kind regards

Steve

[castex]

raceboy said:

It's nice, but I'd rather have this:

[GuyR]

Yep, I've got a B10 3.2 Touring as runabout, it's great............. and it's spent 5 days on the 'ring so far

Edited by GuyR on Tuesday 18th July 17:12