Alpina B5 BiTurbo
Discussion
For what will be fairly expensive car I'm surprised they haven't had it prepped at all.
They haven't even pulled the mats out when they hoovered it for the pictures (if they even did).
That's enough for me to not be interested. You're buying the previous owner.
When does the damage on a wheel move from curb rash to a crash?
They haven't even pulled the mats out when they hoovered it for the pictures (if they even did).
That's enough for me to not be interested. You're buying the previous owner.
When does the damage on a wheel move from curb rash to a crash?
That's a bit harsh.
The guys at Piston heads moved faster than I was expecting. The plan was to get it professionally valeted before the auction itself but time went too fast with a rather busy job taking priority, and I'm still using the car to/from work in this rather dire weather so keeping it spotless is going to be impossible.
I have really loved driving this car and its my 3rd Alpina. I drive it with a smile and so it has been very well looked after.
The guys at Piston heads moved faster than I was expecting. The plan was to get it professionally valeted before the auction itself but time went too fast with a rather busy job taking priority, and I'm still using the car to/from work in this rather dire weather so keeping it spotless is going to be impossible.
I have really loved driving this car and its my 3rd Alpina. I drive it with a smile and so it has been very well looked after.
Hi Darren
Many thanks for your interest in this fabulous car. We do not display guide prices on our adverts. What I would say is that this example is reserved with a very competitive reserve as compared to the current market.
If you would like to make an offer you have the ability to click the make me an offer button, and we can share that with the seller.
Good luck with your bidding
Dave
PistonHeads Auctions
Many thanks for your interest in this fabulous car. We do not display guide prices on our adverts. What I would say is that this example is reserved with a very competitive reserve as compared to the current market.
If you would like to make an offer you have the ability to click the make me an offer button, and we can share that with the seller.
Good luck with your bidding
Dave
PistonHeads Auctions
Remaining tread on tyres (approx): Front: 3.5mm. Back 2 tyres are 2 months old so easily 4mm+.
I'll know the precise depth after the MOT which is scheduled for Tues 4th Feb.
No corrosion or rust. The car is kept in a garage overnight and in a lower desk car park during the day so doesn't really get exposed to hot / cold / wet weather. There are definitely no issues with the car, it is running very smoothly. Spark plugs last replaced Oct 24.
One wheel no marks, 2 wheels each have one minor scuff mark, 1 wheel has three minor scuff marks. Today the car is getting a 7 hour professional valeted service so I'll check whether I can post some close up pictures of the wheels to verify my descriptions of these .
I'll know the precise depth after the MOT which is scheduled for Tues 4th Feb.
No corrosion or rust. The car is kept in a garage overnight and in a lower desk car park during the day so doesn't really get exposed to hot / cold / wet weather. There are definitely no issues with the car, it is running very smoothly. Spark plugs last replaced Oct 24.
One wheel no marks, 2 wheels each have one minor scuff mark, 1 wheel has three minor scuff marks. Today the car is getting a 7 hour professional valeted service so I'll check whether I can post some close up pictures of the wheels to verify my descriptions of these .
Who wrote that advert? Lovely car, but the copy is a load of old nonsense. Ostellbau doesn't exist, Alpina is based in Buchloe, The cars don't get delivered as regular Saloons or Tourings, they are built on the same lines as BMWs with the alpina specific parts like engines and interiors being shipped to BMW to be fitted. The only finishing at the Alpina factory is adding spoilers, skirts and alloys, and the stripes if required. The wheels are 20" not 19, and the current owner seems to have touch parked the car, so they look shagged. PH auctions need to be better than this if they're going to compete with CC, this reads like it has been written by Honest John's Motors for a FB marketplace ad.
DanS said:
Who wrote that advert? Lovely car, but the copy is a load of old nonsense. Ostellbau doesn't exist, Alpina is based in Buchloe, The cars don't get delivered as regular Saloons or Tourings, they are built on the same lines as BMWs with the alpina specific parts like engines and interiors being shipped to BMW to be fitted. The only finishing at the Alpina factory is adding spoilers, skirts and alloys, and the stripes if required. The wheels are 20" not 19, and the current owner seems to have touch parked the car, so they look shagged. PH auctions need to be better than this if they're going to compete with CC, this reads like it has been written by Honest John's Motors for a FB marketplace ad.
Thank you for your feedback. We appreciate the time you’ve taken to highlight these points, and accuracy is something we take very seriously at PistonHeads Auctions.You are absolutely right about Alpina’s headquarters - Buchloe, in the Ostallgau region and not "Ostellbau" - this was a mistake and has been corrected. Likewise, Alpina models are not delivered as standard BMWs and then modified; they are indeed built on BMW’s production lines with Alpina-specific components integrated during assembly, with final finishing touches completed at Alpina’s facility. This distinction is important, and we have updated the description to reflect this correctly. We have updated the wheels to 20" too.
That said, while some details in the wording need adjusting, the car itself remains an excellent example of a rare and highly capable performance saloon. It has been well-maintained, has a full BMW main dealer service history, and has a fair priced reserve.
We always strive to balance engaging writing with factual accuracy, and while we aim to keep listings enjoyable to read, they must also be trustworthy and precise. Your feedback helps us improve, and we have reviewed this listing to make the necessary adjustments. Thanks again for your input, constructive feedback like this helps us refine our approach and maintain high standards.
riobard said:
Where is the under bonnet Sound Insulating part #51487352219?
I'm don't know - that is beyond me. I bought the car from new so everything in the engine area has been left in the original condition. All I know is that Alpina had to move things around in order to fit the two large ceramic turbos. I've had the car valeted now so you could eat your dinner off the engine block as it is so clean in there,
riobard said:
Where is the under bonnet Sound Insulating part #51487352219?
The B5 does not come with the sound proofing under the bonnet.ALPINA spend a lot of time and effort on optimising the cooling on these cars, they are designed to do huge speeds (unrestricted) for long stretches, so cooling is critical. A hot vee and sound absorption felt in close proximity is not a good combo I'd imagine.
RacingPete said:
Thank you for your feedback. We appreciate the time you’ve taken to highlight these points, and accuracy is something we take very seriously at PistonHeads Auctions.
You are absolutely right about Alpina’s headquarters - Buchloe, in the Ostallgau region and not "Ostellbau" - this was a mistake and has been corrected. Likewise, Alpina models are not delivered as standard BMWs and then modified; they are indeed built on BMW’s production lines with Alpina-specific components integrated during assembly, with final finishing touches completed at Alpina’s facility. This distinction is important, and we have updated the description to reflect this correctly. We have updated the wheels to 20" too.
That said, while some details in the wording need adjusting, the car itself remains an excellent example of a rare and highly capable performance saloon. It has been well-maintained, has a full BMW main dealer service history, and has a fair priced reserve.
We always strive to balance engaging writing with factual accuracy, and while we aim to keep listings enjoyable to read, they must also be trustworthy and precise. Your feedback helps us improve, and we have reviewed this listing to make the necessary adjustments. Thanks again for your input, constructive feedback like this helps us refine our approach and maintain high standards.
You are absolutely right about Alpina’s headquarters - Buchloe, in the Ostallgau region and not "Ostellbau" - this was a mistake and has been corrected. Likewise, Alpina models are not delivered as standard BMWs and then modified; they are indeed built on BMW’s production lines with Alpina-specific components integrated during assembly, with final finishing touches completed at Alpina’s facility. This distinction is important, and we have updated the description to reflect this correctly. We have updated the wheels to 20" too.
That said, while some details in the wording need adjusting, the car itself remains an excellent example of a rare and highly capable performance saloon. It has been well-maintained, has a full BMW main dealer service history, and has a fair priced reserve.
We always strive to balance engaging writing with factual accuracy, and while we aim to keep listings enjoyable to read, they must also be trustworthy and precise. Your feedback helps us improve, and we have reviewed this listing to make the necessary adjustments. Thanks again for your input, constructive feedback like this helps us refine our approach and maintain high standards.

If we're being very accurate though and I am taking the proverbial here... Alpina is not a tuner and BMW didn't buy the company, just the brand. I'll leave now before I get in trouble. .
plarmour said:
Remaining tread on tyres (approx): Front: 3.5mm. Back 2 tyres are 2 months old so easily 4mm+.
I'll know the precise depth after the MOT which is scheduled for Tues 4th Feb.
No corrosion or rust. The car is kept in a garage overnight and in a lower desk car park during the day so doesn't really get exposed to hot / cold / wet weather. There are definitely no issues with the car, it is running very smoothly. Spark plugs last replaced Oct 24.
One wheel no marks, 2 wheels each have one minor scuff mark, 1 wheel has three minor scuff marks. Today the car is getting a 7 hour professional valeted service so I'll check whether I can post some close up pictures of the wheels to verify my descriptions of these .
Are 'close up pictures of the wheels' available?I'll know the precise depth after the MOT which is scheduled for Tues 4th Feb.
No corrosion or rust. The car is kept in a garage overnight and in a lower desk car park during the day so doesn't really get exposed to hot / cold / wet weather. There are definitely no issues with the car, it is running very smoothly. Spark plugs last replaced Oct 24.
One wheel no marks, 2 wheels each have one minor scuff mark, 1 wheel has three minor scuff marks. Today the car is getting a 7 hour professional valeted service so I'll check whether I can post some close up pictures of the wheels to verify my descriptions of these .
DanS said:

If we're being very accurate though and I am taking the proverbial here... Alpina is not a tuner and BMW didn't buy the company, just the brand. I'll leave now before I get in trouble. .


PistonHappy said:
Are 'close up pictures of the wheels' available?
Just got the car back from MOT test.Front tyre treads are 4.7mm & 5mm
Rear tyre treads are 6mm and 6.7mm
Note that the tyres are ZR20s.
I'm sending the close up pictures to the guys at Piston heads now so they can upload them. 1 wheel is completely fine so no picture needed (?), and the other three have marks / scuffs. The pictures show this better.
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