Is there a more unloved BMW in recent memory than the 6 Series? Possibly, and feel free to put forward a better candidate in the comments, but ever since the 6er name was revived in 2003 with the E63, it’s always played second fiddle to the 5 Series it shares its underpinnings with. Obviously, a four-door saloon is going to find more buyers than a two-door GT, but when M shoved a screaming V10 in the both of them, people flocked to the M5 while largely turning a blind eye to the M6.
So deep was the 6 Series in no-man's land that it was eventually poshed up and rebranded as the 8 Series, pushing it deeper into the luxury market. But that doesn’t mean the old 6 didn’t make a decent GT. While the original M6 was a touch more focused than the rivals such as the Aston Martin V8 Vantage and Jaguar XKR, the softer 650i made for a superb cruiser while the straight-six-powered 630i paired with a manual served as a delightfully old-school sports coupe. Then, of course, there were the Alpina cars, this B6 being one of hardly any produced.
Pinning down a production number is easier said than done, especially as this particular car is a Japanese import, but the Alpina Register has just 13 cars (seven B6 and six B6S) down for the UK market. Hard to imagine that number’s significantly higher in other markets, so it’s a mighty, mighty rare thing indeed.
Now, when faced with the choice between a V10 coupe with an M badge on the back, or a V8 with slightly more restrained looks, it’s understandable why buyers at the time would have leaned towards the former. But the B6 might just be the ultimate version of the E63 (well, there was an even more punchy B6S, but they're even rarer). The 4.4-litre N62 V8 was carried over from the 650i it’s based on, only heavily reworked with a bespoke block by Steyr, Mahle pistons, an upgraded crankshaft and an ASA supercharger, while an Akrapovic exhaust supplied the backing vocals. That all saw power rise to 500hp, which was bang on what the M6’s V10 could muster, though the Alpina’s 516lb ft of torque was a sizeable jump over the M car.
Then there’s the Alpina’s better fuel economy, the slicker six-speed automatic gearbox rather than the M6’s clunky SMG, and a bespoke suspension setup that’s said to be far more cosseting than the M’s. And the looks? The E63’s ‘Bangle bum’ was divisive from the get-go, up there with the Z3 M Coupe and G80 M3/G82 M4, and sticking deeper skirts, a faux splitter and bigger boot spoiler does little to lessen 6’s visual impact. But finished in Alpina Blue with a silver Deco pack and those wheels, it really does look the business.
It’s in great condition, too. The import sheet says it’s a Grade 4.5B, which in the world of Japanese car auctions means it’s mint, and there are no modifications in sight behold the Alpina touches. The interior, which is surprisingly restrained for a Japanese Alpina, is in just as tidy a condition as the exterior, the seats seemingly still plump with no visible wear on the bolsters. No surprise given it’s only covered 47k miles, and the asking price of £28,940 seems very reasonable given how rare it is. For instance, this slightly newer D5 BiTurbo isn’t nearly as powerful and is just £4k cheaper. You could always try to grab a nice deal on this B5 that’s currently for auction, but you can bet it’ll go for a good chunk more than this B6. The pair would make a brilliant two-car garage, mind.
SPECIFICATION | ALPINA B6 (E63)
Engine: 4,398cc V8, supercharged
Transmission: six-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 500@5,500rpm
Torque (lb ft): 516@4,250
MPG: 23
CO2: N/A
Year registered: 2007
Recorded mileage: 47,000
Price new: N/A (Japan)
Yours for: £28,940
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