Discussion
Ray Singh said:
Any updates on this? I loved reading about your car.
I just bought number 032 B3 3.3 saloon.
Just enjoying the car at the moment - but i do have the constant worry of big bills.
Congratulations Ray, I hope you have fun with 32 and no big bills. Though that's a bit like saying I hope you don't use it, and I don't mean that. I seem to have had all of the E46 issues and a few more, but I am slowly working through them and I am persistent. Get a reader's cars thread up about your Alpina please!I just bought number 032 B3 3.3 saloon.
Just enjoying the car at the moment - but i do have the constant worry of big bills.
shalmaneser said:
Saw this car parked up in Dulwich a couple of months ago, looking very smart.
Thanks for that. You must have been a few metres away from it. Any closer and you can see all sorts of work to do. But as of today, the embarrassing droopy door seal is not one of them.I've mentioned before that I had some success with arboseal about 3-4 years ago, a very sticky black roll of tar stuff that did hold the door seal for a few years. But this year it's been ridiculous, the while damn thing dropping down, getting arboseal on the champagne leather and generally looking shagged. A new seal is now at least £343 PER SIDE, and I very nearly caved and bought them. But a few weeks back I found a 2005 driver's side seal for £50 and I've been putting off fitting it as it was bound to be the usual nightmare that shows up my lack of vehicular talent and attracts every neighbour at the half way point in the job just as my spare time runs out.
Today I had the pleasure of peeling the s
tty 18 year old failed seal and arboseal out. I started by disconnecting the battery, nothing blew up. I peeled off the seal and didn't get arboseal on the seats. I cut the wire attaching the seal to the A pillar airbag and it didn't go off. I then removed the A pillar cover, didn't break it and did have the right torx bit for the three (surprisingly long) screws. Think it was a T15. Unplugged the wire from its connection- and didn't break the BMW connector as I usually do.I don't want to brag but I've even fitted the new seal, plugged it into the airbag wiring, tucked it all properly in position and reconnected the battery. Mad that I let that job hang around for so long. And then, with no airbag warning lights, I started the car to run the pump that filled my flat tyre. The one that's done about 1000 miles and was new this year and repaired for the usual screw through the middle just a few weeks ago. Hopefully the new valve I have coming will fix it- I noticed the current one sticking on one of my refilling adventures (struggle to get key cover off of wheel centre, open wheel centre, unscrew valve cap, fart around with electric tyre pump then mess around putting the wheel back together- the Alpina wheel centres are smart but a proper faff and dirty mess to work with).
At least it had a very exciting run to Wales this year. We went over for the dragon ride (cycling thing not a rollercoaster) and it transported 3 of us in comfort and at some pace while the bikes went in our friend's van. It can still accelerate nicely, although a hot hatch has more power and maybe even more mid range acceleration now. Sadly I didn't get to thrash it around the evo triangle or anything. Too much time on the bike instead, but that meant it was the perfect car to come home in the next morning.
And to come back to today, some ugly pictures of the ugly and now banished door seal.
The Pistonheads E46 Coupe. Door seals matter.
Alpina is (virtually) fighting fit now. With the new door seal making entering the car easier than getting into an Elise with the roof on, only the insane hammering of the drivetrain vibration remained on my priority hit list.
The giubo (Giunto Boschi after the engineer Antonio Boschi) and centre bearing support were both changed for BMW parts earlier this year by a specialist and yet they didn’t solve the awful vibration. Then my local garage took it in (again) and identified that it was the CV joint at the rear of the prop shaft that was utterly and completely shagged.
This is supplied by our Bavarian friends as an assembly - complete with new prop shaft. Keen to avoid bending over too far again, the garage found a place in Wales that supplies CV joints and they had it on site in 3 days from Germany, probably from a chap in a shed who supplies BMW for their prop assemblies?
The car is transformed, driving properly for the first time in too long. They also confirmed that the slow leak on my recent Michelin rear tyre isn’t the tyre, but the valve. That valve cost £32, but mainly because I had the first one sent to the wrong address and it disappeared- Alpina wheel valves are a bargain at £16. At least it was the updated part sent with a little rubber o-ring, so hopefully that is fixed too.
^that’s a wheel valve not a Giubo or CV joint :-)
The giubo (Giunto Boschi after the engineer Antonio Boschi) and centre bearing support were both changed for BMW parts earlier this year by a specialist and yet they didn’t solve the awful vibration. Then my local garage took it in (again) and identified that it was the CV joint at the rear of the prop shaft that was utterly and completely shagged.
This is supplied by our Bavarian friends as an assembly - complete with new prop shaft. Keen to avoid bending over too far again, the garage found a place in Wales that supplies CV joints and they had it on site in 3 days from Germany, probably from a chap in a shed who supplies BMW for their prop assemblies?
The car is transformed, driving properly for the first time in too long. They also confirmed that the slow leak on my recent Michelin rear tyre isn’t the tyre, but the valve. That valve cost £32, but mainly because I had the first one sent to the wrong address and it disappeared- Alpina wheel valves are a bargain at £16. At least it was the updated part sent with a little rubber o-ring, so hopefully that is fixed too.
^that’s a wheel valve not a Giubo or CV joint :-)
Edited by anonymous-user on Friday 19th October 16:45
You can see how flattened 18 years of service (I imagine it’s original) had left the failed valve:
[url]
As for driving it, it’s just a joy now. All four Michelins are holding air and the Giubo, centre bearing, prop CV and all the other drivetrain gubbins are working smoothly and letting me enjoy the sound of that big straight six. It’s even been windows down weather today. It really makes a lovely noise.
Next up is replacing the passenger door seal, as covered recently for the drover’s side, and some interior trim bits that are looking worse for wear. Then attending to some of the long standing niggles... and driving it!
[url]
As for driving it, it’s just a joy now. All four Michelins are holding air and the Giubo, centre bearing, prop CV and all the other drivetrain gubbins are working smoothly and letting me enjoy the sound of that big straight six. It’s even been windows down weather today. It really makes a lovely noise.
Next up is replacing the passenger door seal, as covered recently for the drover’s side, and some interior trim bits that are looking worse for wear. Then attending to some of the long standing niggles... and driving it!
Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 25th October 17:32
Today I had some help from my “man”. He’s been complaining about the knackered 18 year old Harmon Kardon set up in his door, so we finally (i did the driver’s door 1.5 years ago!) swapped over the Gladen set up.
Job done nicely, but unfortunately the Gladen One set up, while clear and massively improved, has no sound coming from the tweeter. And that after I bought the CSL tweeter inners and cut in the tweeters so carefully. I’ve followed the straightforward wiring set up of tweeter and mid bass plugged into the BMW loom and the plug for the HK tweeter left hanging. So the wire goes to the Gladen crossover and from there to both speakers. Anyone have any ideas? It’s the same on both doors.
After that, being on a wave of success, we tackled the passenger door seal, which has been aspiring to drop in the way of the driver’s door at its worst. Anyway, A pilar out, airbag wire unclipped and it’s changed over. Amazing how much a door seal weighs.
And that’s it for today. Two more small jobs done and a mystery with the Gladen tweeters.
Job done nicely, but unfortunately the Gladen One set up, while clear and massively improved, has no sound coming from the tweeter. And that after I bought the CSL tweeter inners and cut in the tweeters so carefully. I’ve followed the straightforward wiring set up of tweeter and mid bass plugged into the BMW loom and the plug for the HK tweeter left hanging. So the wire goes to the Gladen crossover and from there to both speakers. Anyone have any ideas? It’s the same on both doors.
After that, being on a wave of success, we tackled the passenger door seal, which has been aspiring to drop in the way of the driver’s door at its worst. Anyway, A pilar out, airbag wire unclipped and it’s changed over. Amazing how much a door seal weighs.
And that’s it for today. Two more small jobs done and a mystery with the Gladen tweeters.
Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 29th November 12:49
Ive also worked out the mystery of the Gladen one plug and play front speakers for HK... they aren’t plug and play! You have to wire the crossover and Gladen tweeter to the BMW tweeter wire, cutting the wires and using new connectors. Then wire the BMW midbass wire to the Gladen Mid using new connectors.
Sounds obvious but when it’s called plug and play, and the new plug does indeed plug into the BMW wiring, I think it’s understandable that you would want to just plug it in! So I have wiring to do...
Sounds obvious but when it’s called plug and play, and the new plug does indeed plug into the BMW wiring, I think it’s understandable that you would want to just plug it in! So I have wiring to do...
Well after a lot of consideration, the Alpina is for sale. I’ll be selling the big brake kit separately, and imagine it going to someone who can bring the bodywork back up to scratch, or who might break it to use all of the mechanical goodies that have been refreshed. I’ve spent twice the purchase price on the car refurbing, replacing, upgrading and tweaking! I’ll get a pistonheads and eBay ads up shortly...
Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 24th April 15:13
Pistonheads won’t let me list my for sale ad as they believe there’s a swear word, or html, or an @ or something in the text. Can you find it? I can’t...
Alpina B3 3.3
My kids cried when I told them it was time to sell Alpina. We’re like that about our cars.
Jet Black
Champagne extended walknappa leather
Recent Koni FSD, eibach springs, H&R 27mm AR bar, valve gasket cover, all belts and pulleys, driveline components, ZF pressure plate, ABS sensors, refurbished injectors, new interior trims, etc, etc, etc... properly aligned after every suspension change.
Facelift LED rear lights (we didn’t call it lci back then)
2 keys
Massive history- does not fit in a box file. I also track expenditure on an excel sheet I can share.
166k, 23k in last 6 years- my ownership. 7k + spent on maintenance, servicing and upgrades in this period. (Full cooling system, PCV, brakes, bushes, suspension, interior refurb, every kind of upgrade and tweak I could find that wouldn’t spoil the Alpina handling/ride balance.
Sunroof
Rear parking sensors
Rear electric sunblind
Electric seats with memory
Heated seats
Rare BMW professional head unit - no antiquated 4:3 screen, has a module with BT and an iPhone cable
High gloss shadow line
Anthracite headlining
4 Michelin PS3 tyres. Has a spare Alpina alloy (they’re BBS with the concealed valve and hollow spoke)
Beautifully functioning doorseals. Rare on an E46 coupe (both replaces by me)
Alpina mats
Refurbed purple tag steering rack
Produced 6th April 2000
Registered 9th November 2000
I’m pricing the car to account for its condition. It’s had massive amounts spent in the last 6 years, mostly at ETA and Birds, as well as my local garage. It’s had nearly everything replaceable, replaced. But, it’s an E46, it has some rust. There’s some (treated with bilt hamber but unsightly) under the door, and of course under the bootlid. It could be repaired, or the Alpina special bits could be transferred into a BMW of your choice.
It has 12 months MOT. Tax is £267/year by dd.
I’m not selling because of the rust- that’s fixable. But I’m in the ULEZ zone and it’s prompted me to go for a V8, somewhere between 4.8 and 5.4 litres, while I still can. ULEZ compliant :-)
I change the oil every year- approx 3000 mile intervals. I usually do this in April- and have the oil and filter with the car so you can have me do it or diy, your preference.
I also have a bespoke big brake kit that I’ve had on the car. Porsche brembos completely rebuilt, painted and Alpina decaled, with proper 2 piece ECS 345mm discs, brackets, hoses, the lot. I’m selling that separately but could keep it with the car. They are still fitted but require serious spacers (23mm) and there’s some rubbing under extreme manoeuvres. The BBK is available for £900 including the brackets, braided line, discs etc. I had replaced the 328ci brakes with 330ci ones which were fully refurbished and will be refitted. For the asking price, it comes with 330ci brakes. The BBK is a separate extra.
I will throw in the repair kit for the bootlid wiring, the upgrade speakers I’m part way through fitting, the spare sensors and bits I’ve accumulated. Oh, also the rear deck speaker upgrade I bought. And a spare alpine steering wheel with the leather centre. Would need a retrim on the rim. And a rear spoiler...
The less salubrious
Alpina lettering removed when I replaced the rusty bootlid. I have it with the car but not on the boot. Bootlid spoiler also missing- I have a copy that needs painting and the original one that is snapped in two...
Terrible paint on the bonnet, with some scratches starting to rust- caused by the car wash at the BP Hammersmith flyover, I curse you.
Driver’s door glass needs better aligning, sometimes catches on the frame.
Light on for Bootlid wiring- all functions but in need of the repair where wires been. I have the German repair kit (was £75 or so)
One fog light ist kaput. Hasn’t affected my enjoyment in 6 years...
I think the secondary air pump is retired.
My upgraded speakers are in the doors, but need a quick rewire to involve the tweeters.
Rubbish paint on front bumper
Replacement wing fitted by me (you may wish to complete this task fully)
Sport model rear bumper (jet black is rare and my bootlid donor gave this too)
Wheels need a refurb unless you’re also in a city
Probably 5-10 other things anyone unrealistic will find. Nothing big. Nothing that isn’t accounted for in the asking price.
I’m looking for that rare thing, a straightforward sale to a decent human being, ideally someone who’s looking to restore the car further or transplant the running gear into something fun. I will not entertain groups for test drives, or any of the other bizarre second hand car stuff. I am asking a very reasonable price- you don’t have to buy it, and if you don’t wish to, please don’t waste both of our time.
It’s a proper Alpina, with huge mechanical investment and upkeep, for an unrepeatable price. Never written off, stolen, no finance on it, just a lovely old car with a lot still to give.
If you’re a fair, Alpina literate, no hassle buyer, it’s £2650. If you’re a dreamer, haven’t checked insurance, are a time waster, are unsure you want an E46 B3, the special price is £4650. Oh, it’s not as fast as an M3- go buy one if you want that!
The registration will come up as a write off, which I believe it was on a Jaguar. This car has never been written off, though I suspect it had a bumper knock at some point as the bumper paint is terrible. Was originally X828JRD the vin is JM23030, and it has ownership threads on Pistonheads and Alpina Forum.
Alpina B3 3.3
My kids cried when I told them it was time to sell Alpina. We’re like that about our cars.
Jet Black
Champagne extended walknappa leather
Recent Koni FSD, eibach springs, H&R 27mm AR bar, valve gasket cover, all belts and pulleys, driveline components, ZF pressure plate, ABS sensors, refurbished injectors, new interior trims, etc, etc, etc... properly aligned after every suspension change.
Facelift LED rear lights (we didn’t call it lci back then)
2 keys
Massive history- does not fit in a box file. I also track expenditure on an excel sheet I can share.
166k, 23k in last 6 years- my ownership. 7k + spent on maintenance, servicing and upgrades in this period. (Full cooling system, PCV, brakes, bushes, suspension, interior refurb, every kind of upgrade and tweak I could find that wouldn’t spoil the Alpina handling/ride balance.
Sunroof
Rear parking sensors
Rear electric sunblind
Electric seats with memory
Heated seats
Rare BMW professional head unit - no antiquated 4:3 screen, has a module with BT and an iPhone cable
High gloss shadow line
Anthracite headlining
4 Michelin PS3 tyres. Has a spare Alpina alloy (they’re BBS with the concealed valve and hollow spoke)
Beautifully functioning doorseals. Rare on an E46 coupe (both replaces by me)
Alpina mats
Refurbed purple tag steering rack
Produced 6th April 2000
Registered 9th November 2000
I’m pricing the car to account for its condition. It’s had massive amounts spent in the last 6 years, mostly at ETA and Birds, as well as my local garage. It’s had nearly everything replaceable, replaced. But, it’s an E46, it has some rust. There’s some (treated with bilt hamber but unsightly) under the door, and of course under the bootlid. It could be repaired, or the Alpina special bits could be transferred into a BMW of your choice.
It has 12 months MOT. Tax is £267/year by dd.
I’m not selling because of the rust- that’s fixable. But I’m in the ULEZ zone and it’s prompted me to go for a V8, somewhere between 4.8 and 5.4 litres, while I still can. ULEZ compliant :-)
I change the oil every year- approx 3000 mile intervals. I usually do this in April- and have the oil and filter with the car so you can have me do it or diy, your preference.
I also have a bespoke big brake kit that I’ve had on the car. Porsche brembos completely rebuilt, painted and Alpina decaled, with proper 2 piece ECS 345mm discs, brackets, hoses, the lot. I’m selling that separately but could keep it with the car. They are still fitted but require serious spacers (23mm) and there’s some rubbing under extreme manoeuvres. The BBK is available for £900 including the brackets, braided line, discs etc. I had replaced the 328ci brakes with 330ci ones which were fully refurbished and will be refitted. For the asking price, it comes with 330ci brakes. The BBK is a separate extra.
I will throw in the repair kit for the bootlid wiring, the upgrade speakers I’m part way through fitting, the spare sensors and bits I’ve accumulated. Oh, also the rear deck speaker upgrade I bought. And a spare alpine steering wheel with the leather centre. Would need a retrim on the rim. And a rear spoiler...
The less salubrious
Alpina lettering removed when I replaced the rusty bootlid. I have it with the car but not on the boot. Bootlid spoiler also missing- I have a copy that needs painting and the original one that is snapped in two...
Terrible paint on the bonnet, with some scratches starting to rust- caused by the car wash at the BP Hammersmith flyover, I curse you.
Driver’s door glass needs better aligning, sometimes catches on the frame.
Light on for Bootlid wiring- all functions but in need of the repair where wires been. I have the German repair kit (was £75 or so)
One fog light ist kaput. Hasn’t affected my enjoyment in 6 years...
I think the secondary air pump is retired.
My upgraded speakers are in the doors, but need a quick rewire to involve the tweeters.
Rubbish paint on front bumper
Replacement wing fitted by me (you may wish to complete this task fully)
Sport model rear bumper (jet black is rare and my bootlid donor gave this too)
Wheels need a refurb unless you’re also in a city
Probably 5-10 other things anyone unrealistic will find. Nothing big. Nothing that isn’t accounted for in the asking price.
I’m looking for that rare thing, a straightforward sale to a decent human being, ideally someone who’s looking to restore the car further or transplant the running gear into something fun. I will not entertain groups for test drives, or any of the other bizarre second hand car stuff. I am asking a very reasonable price- you don’t have to buy it, and if you don’t wish to, please don’t waste both of our time.
It’s a proper Alpina, with huge mechanical investment and upkeep, for an unrepeatable price. Never written off, stolen, no finance on it, just a lovely old car with a lot still to give.
If you’re a fair, Alpina literate, no hassle buyer, it’s £2650. If you’re a dreamer, haven’t checked insurance, are a time waster, are unsure you want an E46 B3, the special price is £4650. Oh, it’s not as fast as an M3- go buy one if you want that!
The registration will come up as a write off, which I believe it was on a Jaguar. This car has never been written off, though I suspect it had a bumper knock at some point as the bumper paint is terrible. Was originally X828JRD the vin is JM23030, and it has ownership threads on Pistonheads and Alpina Forum.
Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 29th April 23:01
helix402 said:
The only swears words I can see are from your future self 10 years down the line!
Tell me about it... I’ve already used up my storage possibilities and yes, imagine a larger engines NA RWD Alpina in 2029... it’ll be a rare thing. Hope it goes to a good home/good transplant.One update from me- the Brembo and ECS 345mm dice combo is up for sale in the pistonheads parts and plates BMW classifieds:
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/parts-and-...
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/parts-and-...
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff