2016 Alpina B3 Biturbo

2016 Alpina B3 Biturbo

Author
Discussion

ajcj

Original Poster:

798 posts

211 months

Sunday 5th November 2023
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Good morning everyone.

Well, it’s time to buy a car. I’m looking for something I can have fun with, that will also eat a 4-hour motorway slog without noticing, and practical enough to take 4 people and plenty of kit. Naturally enough, it comes down to an Alpina. I have a bit of form here, having owned two 2010-ish B5s in the past, so I know why I want one, and not a C63, for example.

I have my eye on a 2016 B3 x-drive touring switchtronic with 90k miles. I would appreciate any hard-gained advice about what to look for and what to do if and when I do buy it. For those who have instantly spotted that the x-drive wasn’t available in the UK, well played - I’m in Switzerland. That is also why I haven’t posted the ad, as it’s in German….

Many thanks!


smashy

3,076 posts

164 months

Sunday 5th November 2023
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Thriving community here for more help https://thealpinaregister.com/forums/viewforum.php...

AbeFroman

328 posts

243 months

Sunday 5th November 2023
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Selling my 2016 B3 at the moment on PH classifieds.

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/15834554

No help to you as it's in UK, but highly recommend. Toe-to-toe with M3 with everything turned up, beautiful cruiser with in comfort mode. Mine has been incredibly robust, warranty is less than £900pa with main dealer, gets a lot of attention at car meets. Now i'm wondering if i should just keep it!



Edited by AbeFroman on Sunday 5th November 15:44

ajcj

Original Poster:

798 posts

211 months

Sunday 5th November 2023
quotequote all
AbeFroman said:
Selling my 2016 B3 at the moment on PH classifieds.

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/15834554

No help to you as it's in UK, but highly recommend. Toe-to-toe with M3 with everything turned up, beautiful cruiser with in comfort mode. Mine has been incredibly robust, warranty is less than £900pa with main dealer, gets a lot of attention at car meets. Now i'm wondering if i should just keep it!



Edited by AbeFroman on Sunday 5th November 15:44
Looks beautiful. Why are you selling, may I ask? And anything you would advise me to keep on top of in ownership?

AbeFroman

328 posts

243 months

Sunday 5th November 2023
quotequote all
ajcj said:
Looks beautiful. Why are you selling, may I ask? And anything you would advise me to keep on top of in ownership?
Just moving on, life too short own cars for too long when there's so much to try. On the look out for a bigger B5 touring at some point, and kids getting bigger so can start to think about stuff they can climb in and out of on their own.

Things to keep on top of - not really. Standard BMW service intervals. All the F30s have a weird failure of a bush in the steering that gives it a tiny wobble around dead centre, but an easy fix. Turbos wear eventually so i'd avoid mega milers unless they've been refurbed. The cars ride very well but alloys can be susceptible to pothole damage so check they're all still round. Mine had sheered the lip of locating point for strut on front passenger side, needed a new hub. Again really not a big difficulty to sort. Honestly can't think of anything else. None of the usual nonsense with M engines of bearing trouble etc. They're pretty robust.

ajcj

Original Poster:

798 posts

211 months

Sunday 5th November 2023
quotequote all
AbeFroman said:
Just moving on, life too short own cars for too long when there's so much to try. On the look out for a bigger B5 touring at some point, and kids getting bigger so can start to think about stuff they can climb in and out of on their own.

Things to keep on top of - not really. Standard BMW service intervals. All the F30s have a weird failure of a bush in the steering that gives it a tiny wobble around dead centre, but an easy fix. Turbos wear eventually so i'd avoid mega milers unless they've been refurbed. The cars ride very well but alloys can be susceptible to pothole damage so check they're all still round. Mine had sheered the lip of locating point for strut on front passenger side, needed a new hub. Again really not a big difficulty to sort. Honestly can't think of anything else. None of the usual nonsense with M engines of bearing trouble etc. They're pretty robust.
Very helpful, thank you. And you’ll love the B5!