RE: Alpina D3 Touring: PH Carpool

[mnx42]

Great write up... I love the alloys, so Alpina!

[Barchettaman]

Lovely car, seems to tick a lot of real-world boxes.

My daily is a cheap and tatty 07 320d, with a second-hand tuning box from eBay it pulls pretty well.

A lack of CC would put me off massively though.

[Evoman]

I own one of these, a silver D3 Touring - had it now for I think getting on 4 plus years. I usually change cars more often but I just struggle to see what could match up to the all round ability of this machine - real world driving ability it has in spades, for an estate it has no right to feel so nimble with such an instant and precise turn in. It's not hard to understand the origins of Alpina as a race team when driving this car, they know how to set up a car to aplomb. It handles beautifully, rides smoothly, even on bumpy B roads which in fact is where it really shines, of course it is also a very capable motorway mile muncher. It has the ability to turn from limo-esque smoothness to B road weapon and still retain a great average mpg, actually sounds not bad on full chat (although for sure has an agricultural diesel four pot idle) and just feels really rather special. With Alpina decals (anthracite grey on a silver car for my Touring) it also looks subtle yet carries a certain presence. It continues to impress.

[ZesPak]

Wait... Comfortable, many miles... No cruise control on a "luxury" car build this century?

Oh, and am I the only one who cringes when he heard "BMW interior quality" as a selling point?

[Dannbodge]

There's nothing wrong with BMW interiors imo.

[griffdude]

Evoman said:

I own one of these, a silver D3 Touring - had it now for I think getting on 4 plus years. I usually change cars more often but I just struggle to see what could match up to the all round ability of this machine - real world driving ability it has in spades, for an estate it has no right to feel so nimble with such an instant and precise turn in. It's not hard to understand the origins of Alpina as a race team when driving this car, they know how to set up a car to aplomb. It handles beautifully, rides smoothly, even on bumpy B roads which in fact is where it really shines, of course it is also a very capable motorway mile muncher. It has the ability to turn from limo-esque smoothness to B road weapon and still retain a great average mpg, actually sounds not bad on full chat (although for sure has an agricultural diesel four pot idle) and just feels really rather special. With Alpina decals (anthracite grey on a silver car for my Touring) it also looks subtle yet carries a certain presence. It continues to impress.

Ditto all the above. Had mine since March 2010, now on 150k & have no plans to move it on.

[subzero]

griffdude said:

Evoman said:

I own one of these, a silver D3 Touring - had it now for I think getting on 4 plus years. I usually change cars more often but I just struggle to see what could match up to the all round ability of this machine - real world driving ability it has in spades, for an estate it has no right to feel so nimble with such an instant and precise turn in. It's not hard to understand the origins of Alpina as a race team when driving this car, they know how to set up a car to aplomb. It handles beautifully, rides smoothly, even on bumpy B roads which in fact is where it really shines, of course it is also a very capable motorway mile muncher. It has the ability to turn from limo-esque smoothness to B road weapon and still retain a great average mpg, actually sounds not bad on full chat (although for sure has an agricultural diesel four pot idle) and just feels really rather special. With Alpina decals (anthracite grey on a silver car for my Touring) it also looks subtle yet carries a certain presence. It continues to impress.

Ditto all the above. Had mine since March 2010, now on 150k & have no plans to move it on.

I'm glad there are others out there following my thought process on this. Gives me confidence in my decision, thank you.

[Hoofty]

Good call. I ummed and ahhed about this very car for weeks last year; glad you're enjoying it. Have even spotted you near the M40 recently - not that I'm a stalker or anything...

[AlpinaB5s]

without shadow of a doubt the original D3 is one of the finest all rounders of the last 20 years.

The combination of performance, flexibility and economy is rarely matched with this model.

The D3BT is also very nice, the two turbos ensures smoother power delivery but it shares the dreaded 123d motor that has the timinig chain issues. so beware.

[unpc]

I have one of these too and agree that it's much better than the donor vehicle. Mine's coming up to 100k miles and I've had no issues but the whole dieselness of the thing is starting to get to me. I do a lot of miles and I have no idea what to replace it with.

[scherzkeks]

AlpinaB5s said:

without shadow of a doubt the original D3 is one of the finest all rounders of the last 20 years.

The combination of performance, flexibility and economy is rarely matched with this model.

It's an interesting car, but I fail to see how it does any of that significantly (or even at all) better than a C250 CDI w/AMG or BMW 330d M-sport. Certainly looks nicer than the standard 3er touring though.

[unpc]

scherzkeks said:

AlpinaB5s said:

without shadow of a doubt the original D3 is one of the finest all rounders of the last 20 years.

The combination of performance, flexibility and economy is rarely matched with this model.

It's an interesting car, but I fail to see how it does any of that significantly (or even at all) better than a C250 CDI w/AMG or BMW 330d M-sport. Certainly looks nicer than the standard 3er touring though.

It's a better steer than both those models quoted and is a good allrounder but not the best thing since sliced bread as others would have you believe. The engine might be effective (non linear delivery aside) but it's the worst aspect of the car IMO.

[smithersjones]

The LCI D3Biturbo is a far superior car to the single turbo D3 than the extra 14hp itself would suggest, and if possible a prospective purchaser should head in the Biturbo's direction. Better steering, improved low-end response and a higher rev limit to start....plus all the LCI refinements.

I owned a D3Biturbo for 2 years and it's petrol 'better' the B3SBiturbo for a similar period. The D3Biturbo is class in every way, and other than outright speed (of which I tired quickly in the B3S), the derv car pee'd all over the petrol brother with it's beter balance and more-nimble handling. Only car I'd ever have again.

[anonymous-user]

scherzkeks said:

It's an interesting car, but I fail to see how it does any of that significantly (or even at all) better than a C250 CDI w/AMG or BMW 330d M-sport. Certainly looks nicer than the standard 3er touring though.

You have to drive one to appreciate it, I've tried all three as saloons and the D3 (at least in biturbo form, I've not had a go in the earlier car) is a nicer drive than either of them. If your priority is straight line speed and/or high standard specification then I agree the D3 has a hard time against them as a used purchase.

[Stedman]

I wonder if the turbo lag is down to a poor map?

No cruise control would be a show stopper for me personally.

[EddieFelson]

Just bought a D3 on Friday. Really enjoying it so far too.

[AlpinaB5s]

unpc said:

It's a better steer than both those models quoted and is a good allrounder but not the best thing since sliced bread as others would have you believe. The engine might be effective (non linear delivery aside) but it's the worst aspect of the car IMO.

As you say handling is miles better than the other 2 cars quoted. The 6 pot in the 330 add a lot more weight over the front wheels and the car suffers as a consequence, plus the spring/damper set up isn't as tight. The CDI AMG is just a blancmange with more gadgets.