RE: Sensational Alpina B12 (E38) for sale
Discussion
RedChimaeraTom said:
TyrannosauRoss Lex said:
No way.....I believe it was you who sold it to me! Would have been around 2011 I think? I sold it to another PHer and I believe it is still going. I'm pretty sure the seller of mine was Tom, lived near Bristol sort of way I think...?
That was me mate! I remember you turning up with your old man in an M3! Ha ha! I’m glad you enjoyed it, that it subsequently went to a good home, and that it’s still going strong! In slightly better nick than this one, lol - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KTgZeyw0wI
That is great little Alpina B12 restoration series if anyone's interested in that sort of thing.
That is great little Alpina B12 restoration series if anyone's interested in that sort of thing.
BSSBMW said:
Having worked on this car and driven it (being the aforementioned marque specialist), this particular E38 is one of the nicest condition examples I have seen since they were a few years old, not 25 years old. The underside of the car is completely free of corrosion but thats down to the life it has lead.
Interestingly its a UK spec car sold new by Sytner Nottingham before being exported straight away to Brunei.
The seller offered it to me and I would love to own this having owned a pair of E38 750iL's in the past but alas, other projects are taking up funds.
Cool.Interestingly its a UK spec car sold new by Sytner Nottingham before being exported straight away to Brunei.
The seller offered it to me and I would love to own this having owned a pair of E38 750iL's in the past but alas, other projects are taking up funds.
The car is just fabulous.
Absolute weapons grade car porn, only hairy chested aviator wearing slightly dodgy dudes need apply. Pointless in the UK, where are you going to drive it? London to where? Manchester, Birmingham, Bournemouth? Nowhere. You need to cross borders, traverse mountain passes, skirt fabulous lakes , have fabulous skirt, epic.
I absolutely love these.
That said, it’s hard to look past this from the same year at 85% less though:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211091...
Or even this - facelift later model at 70% less
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202042...
That said, it’s hard to look past this from the same year at 85% less though:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211091...
Or even this - facelift later model at 70% less
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202042...
McGee_22 said:
Bladedancer said:
Over a decade ago I've seen B12 6.0 in lovely green for sale, I think somewhere in Windsor.
I didn't have the balls (or budget) to buy (and run) something like that at the time but it went straight to no 1 spot on best BMWs ever list.
And those in the know would prefer the 5.7 engine over the 6.0 anyway.I didn't have the balls (or budget) to buy (and run) something like that at the time but it went straight to no 1 spot on best BMWs ever list.
The E38 Alpina B12 5.7 litre engine is based on the E38 750i 5.4 litre engine and is bored out to find the extra 300cc's and 61bhp extra.
The E38 B12 5.7 engine is hugely robust and one UK car has over 250k miles and some continental cars have 400k and 500k km's on them.
The E38 B12 6.0 engine is based on the B12 5.7 engine but stroked to find another 300cc's and 43 more bhp. This stroked design led to pistons with necessarily very short piston skirts, which when coupled to the 5/30w engine oil that Alpina originally specified means scored bores and sometimes damaged pistons, but always hugely increased oil consumption. From forums it is very easy to work out that nearly half of all the B12 6.0 cars have had hugely costly engine rebuilds, sometimes under warranty, sometimes not.
Add to this the increased torque from the 6.0 engine and the fact that owners have historically tended to try and 'show' all that power and torque for full bore take-offs and you also have a much increased incidence of gearbox rebuilds on the 6.0 cars, which is complicated by the fact the cars used two slightly different gearboxes so you or your mechanic won't know what to order to fix it until is completely in bits in front of you.
Alpina now recommend only 10/60w oil for all their V12 engines though it remains to be seen whether this will allow the 6.0 engines to continue into high mileages without any issues like the 5.7's.
The E31 B12 5.7 engine was based on the BMW 850CSi 5.6 litre engine and I believe is as similarly robust as the E38 5.7 engine - there are several very high mileage E31 B12 5.7 cars and I was lucky enough to chat to the owner of the very last one made a few years ago, number 57, which had over 350,000 km's on the original engine.
The E38 B12 5.7 engine is hugely robust and one UK car has over 250k miles and some continental cars have 400k and 500k km's on them.
The E38 B12 6.0 engine is based on the B12 5.7 engine but stroked to find another 300cc's and 43 more bhp. This stroked design led to pistons with necessarily very short piston skirts, which when coupled to the 5/30w engine oil that Alpina originally specified means scored bores and sometimes damaged pistons, but always hugely increased oil consumption. From forums it is very easy to work out that nearly half of all the B12 6.0 cars have had hugely costly engine rebuilds, sometimes under warranty, sometimes not.
Add to this the increased torque from the 6.0 engine and the fact that owners have historically tended to try and 'show' all that power and torque for full bore take-offs and you also have a much increased incidence of gearbox rebuilds on the 6.0 cars, which is complicated by the fact the cars used two slightly different gearboxes so you or your mechanic won't know what to order to fix it until is completely in bits in front of you.
Alpina now recommend only 10/60w oil for all their V12 engines though it remains to be seen whether this will allow the 6.0 engines to continue into high mileages without any issues like the 5.7's.
The E31 B12 5.7 engine was based on the BMW 850CSi 5.6 litre engine and I believe is as similarly robust as the E38 5.7 engine - there are several very high mileage E31 B12 5.7 cars and I was lucky enough to chat to the owner of the very last one made a few years ago, number 57, which had over 350,000 km's on the original engine.
McGee_22 said:
The E38 Alpina B12 5.7 litre engine is based on the E38 750i 5.4 litre engine and is bored out to find the extra 300cc's and 61bhp extra.
The E38 B12 5.7 engine is hugely robust and one UK car has over 250k miles and some continental cars have 400k and 500k km's on them.
The E38 B12 6.0 engine is based on the B12 5.7 engine but stroked to find another 300cc's and 43 more bhp. This stroked design led to pistons with necessarily very short piston skirts, which when coupled to the 5/30w engine oil that Alpina originally specified means scored bores and sometimes damaged pistons, but always hugely increased oil consumption. From forums it is very easy to work out that nearly half of all the B12 6.0 cars have had hugely costly engine rebuilds, sometimes under warranty, sometimes not.
Add to this the increased torque from the 6.0 engine and the fact that owners have historically tended to try and 'show' all that power and torque for full bore take-offs and you also have a much increased incidence of gearbox rebuilds on the 6.0 cars, which is complicated by the fact the cars used two slightly different gearboxes so you or your mechanic won't know what to order to fix it until is completely in bits in front of you.
Alpina now recommend only 10/60w oil for all their V12 engines though it remains to be seen whether this will allow the 6.0 engines to continue into high mileages without any issues like the 5.7's.
The E31 B12 5.7 engine was based on the BMW 850CSi 5.6 litre engine and I believe is as similarly robust as the E38 5.7 engine - there are several very high mileage E31 B12 5.7 cars and I was lucky enough to chat to the owner of the very last one made a few years ago, number 57, which had over 350,000 km's on the original engine.
The E38 B12 5.7 engine is hugely robust and one UK car has over 250k miles and some continental cars have 400k and 500k km's on them.
The E38 B12 6.0 engine is based on the B12 5.7 engine but stroked to find another 300cc's and 43 more bhp. This stroked design led to pistons with necessarily very short piston skirts, which when coupled to the 5/30w engine oil that Alpina originally specified means scored bores and sometimes damaged pistons, but always hugely increased oil consumption. From forums it is very easy to work out that nearly half of all the B12 6.0 cars have had hugely costly engine rebuilds, sometimes under warranty, sometimes not.
Add to this the increased torque from the 6.0 engine and the fact that owners have historically tended to try and 'show' all that power and torque for full bore take-offs and you also have a much increased incidence of gearbox rebuilds on the 6.0 cars, which is complicated by the fact the cars used two slightly different gearboxes so you or your mechanic won't know what to order to fix it until is completely in bits in front of you.
Alpina now recommend only 10/60w oil for all their V12 engines though it remains to be seen whether this will allow the 6.0 engines to continue into high mileages without any issues like the 5.7's.
The E31 B12 5.7 engine was based on the BMW 850CSi 5.6 litre engine and I believe is as similarly robust as the E38 5.7 engine - there are several very high mileage E31 B12 5.7 cars and I was lucky enough to chat to the owner of the very last one made a few years ago, number 57, which had over 350,000 km's on the original engine.
McGee_22 said:
The E38 Alpina B12 5.7 litre engine is based on the E38 750i 5.4 litre engine and is bored out to find the extra 300cc's and 61bhp extra.
The E38 B12 5.7 engine is hugely robust and one UK car has over 250k miles and some continental cars have 400k and 500k km's on them.
The E38 B12 6.0 engine is based on the B12 5.7 engine but stroked to find another 300cc's and 43 more bhp. This stroked design led to pistons with necessarily very short piston skirts, which when coupled to the 5/30w engine oil that Alpina originally specified means scored bores and sometimes damaged pistons, but always hugely increased oil consumption. From forums it is very easy to work out that nearly half of all the B12 6.0 cars have had hugely costly engine rebuilds, sometimes under warranty, sometimes not.
Add to this the increased torque from the 6.0 engine and the fact that owners have historically tended to try and 'show' all that power and torque for full bore take-offs and you also have a much increased incidence of gearbox rebuilds on the 6.0 cars, which is complicated by the fact the cars used two slightly different gearboxes so you or your mechanic won't know what to order to fix it until is completely in bits in front of you.
Alpina now recommend only 10/60w oil for all their V12 engines though it remains to be seen whether this will allow the 6.0 engines to continue into high mileages without any issues like the 5.7's.
The E31 B12 5.7 engine was based on the BMW 850CSi 5.6 litre engine and I believe is as similarly robust as the E38 5.7 engine - there are several very high mileage E31 B12 5.7 cars and I was lucky enough to chat to the owner of the very last one made a few years ago, number 57, which had over 350,000 km's on the original engine.
Great detail. Appreciate you taking the time to respond in so much detail.The E38 B12 5.7 engine is hugely robust and one UK car has over 250k miles and some continental cars have 400k and 500k km's on them.
The E38 B12 6.0 engine is based on the B12 5.7 engine but stroked to find another 300cc's and 43 more bhp. This stroked design led to pistons with necessarily very short piston skirts, which when coupled to the 5/30w engine oil that Alpina originally specified means scored bores and sometimes damaged pistons, but always hugely increased oil consumption. From forums it is very easy to work out that nearly half of all the B12 6.0 cars have had hugely costly engine rebuilds, sometimes under warranty, sometimes not.
Add to this the increased torque from the 6.0 engine and the fact that owners have historically tended to try and 'show' all that power and torque for full bore take-offs and you also have a much increased incidence of gearbox rebuilds on the 6.0 cars, which is complicated by the fact the cars used two slightly different gearboxes so you or your mechanic won't know what to order to fix it until is completely in bits in front of you.
Alpina now recommend only 10/60w oil for all their V12 engines though it remains to be seen whether this will allow the 6.0 engines to continue into high mileages without any issues like the 5.7's.
The E31 B12 5.7 engine was based on the BMW 850CSi 5.6 litre engine and I believe is as similarly robust as the E38 5.7 engine - there are several very high mileage E31 B12 5.7 cars and I was lucky enough to chat to the owner of the very last one made a few years ago, number 57, which had over 350,000 km's on the original engine.
I see from your profile that you have one. How has your ownership experience been?
Lambo FirstBlood said:
Great detail. Appreciate you taking the time to respond in so much detail.
I see from your profile that you have one. How has your ownership experience been?
Mine is one of the two UK 5.7 long wheelbase cars - once I'd figured out I wanted an Alpina B12 I decided to try and buy the one with all the toys - rear heated reclining seats, rear AC, full sun blinds, double glazing, tray tables, vanity mirrors, footrests, TV and DVD, two working telephone handsets, the lighting package, and of course the rear armrest of delights. It has proven to be the perfect family automobile with a magic carpet ride even on the 20" wheels. My wife gets car-sick reading in any other car except this one - she can quite happily work all day in the rear office suite - it has been described by previous owners and keepers as the nearest thing to a LearJet for the road.I see from your profile that you have one. How has your ownership experience been?
It has also delivered some big bills, especially the complete replacement of all the fuel, brake and hydraulic lines closely followed by a replacement fuel tank - but as soon as it was fixed we all decided it was staying for those days when you need the perfect family car.
I was always in awe of the TVR Griffith 500 starting - it has been described as Thor clearing his throat - but starting the B12 is akin to starting the main gas turbines of a private jet - a steady, slowly increasing electric whine as the starter gathers pace and then the instant smooth almost silent idle as the engine fires and set itself ready for work.
My friend has a W12 Bentley saloon and his wife says the Alpina is far more comfortable and a nicer place to lounge and be transported.
McGee_22 said:
Lambo FirstBlood said:
Great detail. Appreciate you taking the time to respond in so much detail.
I see from your profile that you have one. How has your ownership experience been?
Mine is one of the two UK 5.7 long wheelbase cars - once I'd figured out I wanted an Alpina B12 I decided to try and buy the one with all the toys - rear heated reclining seats, rear AC, full sun blinds, double glazing, tray tables, vanity mirrors, footrests, TV and DVD, two working telephone handsets, the lighting package, and of course the rear armrest of delights. It has proven to be the perfect family automobile with a magic carpet ride even on the 20" wheels. My wife gets car-sick reading in any other car except this one - she can quite happily work all day in the rear office suite - it has been described by previous owners and keepers as the nearest thing to a LearJet for the road.I see from your profile that you have one. How has your ownership experience been?
It has also delivered some big bills, especially the complete replacement of all the fuel, brake and hydraulic lines closely followed by a replacement fuel tank - but as soon as it was fixed we all decided it was staying for those days when you need the perfect family car.
I was always in awe of the TVR Griffith 500 starting - it has been described as Thor clearing his throat - but starting the B12 is akin to starting the main gas turbines of a private jet - a steady, slowly increasing electric whine as the starter gathers pace and then the instant smooth almost silent idle as the engine fires and set itself ready for work.
My friend has a W12 Bentley saloon and his wife says the Alpina is far more comfortable and a nicer place to lounge and be transported.
In general though I'd be intrigued to know how the ride is compared to my Lexus LS460 =which obviously isn't remotely cool
), which on 18s and air suspension it is probably the most comfortable car I've ever been in. TyrannosauRoss Lex said:
At £70k, it'd be interesting to compare its ride to a gen 1 Phantom..... Although I suspect the latter may cost a BIT more to run
In general though I'd be intrigued to know how the ride is compared to my Lexus LS460 =which obviously isn't remotely cool ), which on 18s and air suspension it is probably the most comfortable car I've ever been in.
I’d have to insist on like-for-like and fit the spare set of 18” Alpina softlines to the B12 - it is silky smooth on 20’s so I can only imagine it would be soporific on 18’s In general though I'd be intrigued to know how the ride is compared to my Lexus LS460 =which obviously isn't remotely cool
), which on 18s and air suspension it is probably the most comfortable car I've ever been in. 
As for a Phantom - awesome presence but does shout it a bit. They’ve never plunged to affordable barge prices unlike Silver Shadows did - I might have had one otherwise.
McGee_22 said:
I was always in awe of the TVR Griffith 500 starting - it has been described as Thor clearing his throat - but starting the B12 is akin to starting the main gas turbines of a private jet - a steady, slowly increasing electric whine as the starter gathers pace and then the instant smooth almost silent idle as the engine fires and set itself ready for work.
ah, many years ago at the BMW dealer there was one outside, I had the Hartge Z3 at the time and when I walked out they started that V12, it was indeed a very nice sound, you could hear the power, the calm before 'storm' ala turbine's.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff