Wednesday 26th October 2016

£100K Garage: Tom Bausor

Alpina, Evo and Mini cover off rear-, four- and front-wheel drive, with a superbike thrown in for good measure

---

Name: Tom Bausor
Previously owned: Renault Clio 1.2 16v, Ford Transit Connect (sort of, it was a company van... good riddance!)
Currently owned: Renaultsport Clio 200 EDC Cup
On the shortlist: Land Rover Defender, Renaultsport Clio RS16 (if only!), Subaru Impreza WRX STI, Renault Megane 275 Trophy-R, Ford Focus RS Mk1, BMW E46 M3, Audi RS6 Avant to name just a few.

Alpina D3 Bi-Turbo Touring
Cost: £42,500
Balance: £57,500
Why I chose it: "I had no idea what an Alpina was until I tried to overtake a D3 in my first Clio on a section of dual carriageway. Needless to say, the driver took great amusement in burying his right foot and promptly disappearing. Since then I've been hooked and even come close to pulling the trigger once or twice. I love the subtle changes to styling, adding a bit of needed aggression without being too over the top. Well, maybe the quad exhausts aren't that subtle, but I think along with those wheels they are superb. Not much choice in the ads but this looks like a very clean and tidy example and really suits the colour. The spec would be perfect for munching the motorway miles, whilst still being a hoot down the occasional back road."

Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI TME RS Lightweight
Cost: £17,995
Balance: £39,505
Why I chose it: "Being of the PlayStation - and particularly Gran Turismo - generation, I absolutely had to include something Japanese, turbocharged and four-wheel drive. The Evo 6 is very well regarded as one of the best driver's cars ever made, particularly in Tommi Makkinen Edition form. This RS Lightweight looks like a particularly good example, adding a couple of extras to the standard TME factory upgrades including RS diffs, RS quick shift gearbox and RS steering rack. In fact it even made it onto Spotted/YKYWT earlier this year! The Lightweight modifications include lighter glass, no electric windows or central locking. Simply put this would be an incredibly raw and involved driving experience.

"This example also seems refreshingly unmolested and reassuringly low mileage for its age. I'd also argue it's something of a bargain when compared to similar, special edition Subarus of the era and although I wouldn't buy it as an investment, I'd be surprised if it didn't at least hold its value. I'd spend any remaining budget doing anything that needed doing to this; I imagine it would benefit from a good refresh of the suspension and some oily bits."

Mini Cooper Sport
Cost: £17,995
Balance: £21,510
Why I chose it: "First things first, the price! Apparently classic Mini prices have gone a bit mad. However I've always wanted one and, as it's not actually my money, I might as well make it a decent one. I love the look of this one, the blue and white stripes are perfect with the rally lights and interesting interior. It also has the perfect arch flare/wheel combination, enough of a flare without looking too aftermarket and the 13-inch wheels fill them nicely. It should also mean I can get half decent tyres for it. I'd run this as a daily car, perfect for nipping around city streets in whilst still being fun and engaging enough at those speeds. It would also be the perfect platform to practice my spanner skills - although it looks sorted, I'm sure I wouldn't be able to resist adding a couple of parts from the multitude available."

Ducati 1198 Panigale S Tricolore
Cost: £17,500
Balance: £4,010 (to put towards getting the Evo completely sorted)
Why I chose it: "I decided to bend the rules of 100k garage slightly by adding a one wheel drive addition (suppose it's still rear-wheel drive... MB). Ever since seeing one of these at the bike show and then being around race prepped ones at World Superbike events, I've wanted one of these. I love the design with the very interesting suspension arrangement, particularly in this colour scheme. In fact, the more time you spend looking at one of these, the more incredible design and engineering details you notice. I would probably spend at least twice as much time looking at it as riding it, even just at the way the exhaust is routed, trying to figure it all out. Of course, the absolutely mind-bending performance would probably make even the Evo seem tame and take a lot of getting used to, but would be a rush like absolutely nothing else. Just hope I hang onto my licence...

[j90gta]

That Mini is stupid money; didn't realise they were so expensive.

[Aaron_W]

42k for an Alpina D3? Can't help but think that a 335d would be a much better use of the money, along with a remap of course.

[smilo996]

Nothing wrong with 2 wheels. More needed on PH.

The 1199 Tric is beautiful. Not ridden one yet. Still hoping for an analogue 1098 at some point first. Even seem the pistons in one. Like catering sized cans!

The Mitsub - cannot fault that.

Alpine - a choice from left field and a personal choice. Would likely have gone a bit older and put the rest below

That Mini is not cheap! Given your current car you could for 22k get an old school Clio Williams or V6. But again, a personal choice.

Nice eclectic garage.

[capttrousers]

That mini is crazy money! Youd be better off buying one for a third that and tweaking the bits yourself. Evo always a winner in my book, as is the interestig choice of a diesel estate ! For me, the icing on the cake has to be the Ducati. Twisting the throttle on that bike is like engagng some kind of warp drive ! Apply with caution. Good garage!

[Aaron_W]

capttrousers said:

That mini is crazy money! Youd be better off buying one for a third that and tweaking the bits yourself. Evo always a winner in my book, as is the interestig choice of a diesel estate ! For me, the icing on the cake has to be the Ducati. Twisting the throttle on that bike is like engagng some kind of warp drive ! Apply with caution. Good garage!

Well said, however it would have to be a rebuilt Type R Impreza over that Evo.

[howardhughes]

Aaron_W said:

42k for an Alpina D3? Can't help but think that a 335d would be a much better use of the money, along with a remap of course.

Comparing an Alpina to a 335D is like Comparing an AMG to a C Class. Worlds apart.

[Loyly]

That Ducati is very nice. Single sided swing arms are just so right.

[Aaron_W]

howardhughes said:

Comparing an Alpina to a 335D is like Comparing an AMG to a C Class. Worlds apart.

How is it? A Bi turbo diesel Alpina isn't exactly an M3

[Evoman]

Aaron_W said:

How is it? A Bi turbo diesel Alpina isn't exactly an M3

Erm have you seen this review?

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-video/video-petrol-bm...

Alpina's history is racing, they aren't simply an engine tuner but a manufacturer in their own right. Alpina's are sold with their own chassis number which reflects this recognition. Hugely capable cars because the set up is just so with all that engineering know how.

[Aaron_W]

Evoman said:

Erm have you seen this review?

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-video/video-petrol-bm...

Alpina's history is racing, they aren't simply an engine tuner but a manufacturer in their own right. Alpina's are sold with their own chassis number which reflects this recognition. Hugely capable cars because the set up is just so with all that engineering know how.

So their history makes them better than a 335d? These days they're the comfortable fast BMW, if they were meant to be faster all round than their BMW counterparts then they wouldn't be sold with a godawful switchtronic gearbox and SE steering wheels.

[Evoman]

Aaron_W said:

So their history makes them better than a 335d? These days they're the comfortable fast BMW, if they were meant to be faster all round than their BMW counterparts then they wouldn't be sold with a godawful switchtronic gearbox and SE steering wheels.

I was making a comment in response to the ''you can hardly compare an M3 with an Alpina D3" statements or words to that effect. They have been compared by Steve Sutcliffe in an interesting review that shows the two cars are not worlds apart in terms of performance. Quite different characteristics as expected given the nature of the two power units but there are perhaps more subtle differences in the way the cars feel and the driving dynamics. It doesn't mean an M3 buyer would be tempted into a D3 and vice versa. But in terms of real world performance I can see the comparison is relevant. If you look into the history of Alpina you can see they have developed BMW engines that are then used by BMW in subsequent models. Each to their own, I get it, plenty don't, it would be a boring place if we all liked the same thing!

[MrHooky]

Aaron_W said:

42k for an Alpina D3? Can't help but think that a 335d would be a much better use of the money, along with a remap of course.

I've been in the BMW garage this morning and sat in the D3 saloon. Brand new, £48k list with £11k of options taking it up to £60k. For a 3 series. Power wise it has 350bhp. The leather was nice, and it had a trimmed leather dash board which did lift the cabin above that of the M3 that was parked next to it.

However it was a £60k 3 series which for me feels far too much. I guess that's the price of individuality but it didn't 'feel' like £60k of car.

I drive a re-mapped E61 535d which has the same c.350bhp and was a higher spec than the £60k Alpina (admittedly I don't have embossed seats and a leather dash). My car cost me only a few £s more than the options of the factory Alpina.

Oh and the buttons on the rear of the (SE) steering wheel to change gear were ridiculous...

[Aaron_I_W]

MrHooky said:

I've been in the BMW garage this morning and sat in the D3 saloon. Brand new, £48k list with £11k of options taking it up to £60k. For a 3 series. Power wise it has 350bhp. The leather was nice, and it had a trimmed leather dash board which did lift the cabin above that of the M3 that was parked next to it.

However it was a £60k 3 series which for me feels far too much. I guess that's the price of individuality but it didn't 'feel' like £60k of car.

I drive a re-mapped E61 535d which has the same c.350bhp and was a higher spec than the £60k Alpina (admittedly I don't have embossed seats and a leather dash). My car cost me only a few £s more than the options of the factory Alpina.

Oh and the buttons on the rear of the (SE) steering wheel to change gear were ridiculous...

Alpinas are more the car to drive across Europe in at a good pace than anything else, I do hate that switchtronic box though, that's what stopped me getting a B7 :P

[Wills2]

MrHooky said:

I've been in the BMW garage this morning and sat in the D3 saloon. Brand new, £48k list with £11k of options taking it up to £60k. For a 3 series. Power wise it has 350bhp. The leather was nice, and it had a trimmed leather dash board which did lift the cabin above that of the M3 that was parked next to it.

Thing is that leather dash is an option on the M3 as it is on a 320d and the Alpina, so any 3 series can be lifted.

Another point on the leather the M3 gets merino nappa as standard the Alpina gets cheap looking and feeling elephant hide dakota as standard just like a 320d.

[Aaron_I_W]

Wills2 said:

Thing is that leather dash is an option on the M3 as it is on a 320d and the Alpina, so any 3 series can be lifted.

Another point on the leather the M3 gets merino nappa as standard the Alpina gets cheap looking and feeling elephant hide dakota as standard just like a 320d.

I actually really like Dakota leather, only car I ever had it in was my godawful XC90 back in 2002, wears a lot less than Nappa leather.