Alpina D3

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Discussion

Blue62

Original Poster:

8,746 posts

151 months

Tuesday 16th August 2016
quotequote all
Mrs Blue's SQ5 is coming up for a change in 6 months time, so I've started browsing and thought about the Alpina Touring, Sytner are happy to let me have one for a day which suggests they've a lot of confidence in the car. Be interested to hear the thoughts of any owners out there and if there's any chance of doing a deal, seems discount is next to nothing even on a stock car (of which there are a few).

smashy

3,030 posts

157 months

Tuesday 16th August 2016
quotequote all
Id head over here http://www.thealpinaregister.com/forums/viewforum.... discounts or/ and great finance deals id say forget it...remember also 2 year warranty not 3 ...what a motor by the way

smashy

3,030 posts

157 months

14-7

6,233 posts

190 months

Tuesday 16th August 2016
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smashy said:
Stop watching that after a few minutes of nearly every sentence having an, "errr," in it.

smashy

3,030 posts

157 months

Tuesday 16th August 2016
quotequote all
14-7 said:
Stop watching that after a few minutes of nearly every sentence having an, "errr," in it.
eeerrrrrrrrrrrr thanks for your eeerrrrr input

pvogue

628 posts

113 months

Tuesday 16th August 2016
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Blue62

Original Poster:

8,746 posts

151 months

Tuesday 16th August 2016
quotequote all
Thanks, didn't know about the warranty, maybe something I can haggle over, I've been offered around £1k discount, insane when compared to a 335d but there's just something about them. I will report back after the extended drive, might even put it on, erm, youtube, erm.

ZX10R NIN

27,494 posts

124 months

Tuesday 16th August 2016
quotequote all
They're nothing like a 335d in terms of ride/performance are in a different league, there was no discount when we bought ours but it was really well spec'd (check your spec sheet) with the LSD Extended Leather etc, the interior feels like a step above the standard interior.

The OH reluctantly came out of her C63 into the D3 & the only thing she still misses is the exhaust note, while the note from the Akrapovic is nice it's no 63 with a played with exhaust.

She's averaging 48-51mpg on her commute the best thing I can say about it is that I bonded with this car than I did my F80 M3 (which I no longer have because I didn't get on with it) the warranty didn't bother me because you can extend it.

The only thing we'll be replacing it within a few years is another one biggrin

Here's a decent road test of one showing it's performance & handling:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7yi6Ivgqh4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6vPPCbjLfM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoRAeL8qgSM

Burnham

3,668 posts

258 months

Wednesday 17th August 2016
quotequote all
pvogue said:
Have a look at this one also: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qq2vbS3KoEw

I recently ordered a D3 for delivery in December, off the back of a visit to Goodwood to speak with the guys from Nottingham, and then a test drive. Take them up on the offer of a drive, its lovely!



Edited by Burnham on Wednesday 17th August 23:40

Blue62

Original Poster:

8,746 posts

151 months

Thursday 18th August 2016
quotequote all
Burnham said:
Have a look at this one also: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qq2vbS3KoEw

I recently ordered a D3 for delivery in December, off the back of a visit to Goodwood to speak with the guys from Nottingham, and then a test drive. Take them up on the offer of a drive, its lovely!



Edited by Burnham on Wednesday 17th August 23:40
Thanks for that, but I think I have viewed pretty much everything on Youtube about the D3 by now. I have a lot of respect for Sutcliffe and on that basis I am sold on the car before I've even stepped into one!

This started out because my wife's SQ5 will be replaced next year and I've been thinking about what to get her, but the more I learn about this car the more I am tempted to go for one myself and put her in something else, which gives me a little more time (never a good thing). I'd be interested to know if you went for the LSD, I wouldn't be tracking this car so wondering if I'd really get £2k's worth of benefit in normal use. The spec I have been playing with gets me to £58k (including diff), a lot of money when there's negligible discount but I think it's probably worth it, especially as the residuals look strong (man maths).

Be interested to know your spec.

Burnham

3,668 posts

258 months

Thursday 18th August 2016
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Blue62 said:
Burnham said:
Have a look at this one also: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qq2vbS3KoEw

I recently ordered a D3 for delivery in December, off the back of a visit to Goodwood to speak with the guys from Nottingham, and then a test drive. Take them up on the offer of a drive, its lovely!



Edited by Burnham on Wednesday 17th August 23:40
Thanks for that, but I think I have viewed pretty much everything on Youtube about the D3 by now. I have a lot of respect for Sutcliffe and on that basis I am sold on the car before I've even stepped into one!

This started out because my wife's SQ5 will be replaced next year and I've been thinking about what to get her, but the more I learn about this car the more I am tempted to go for one myself and put her in something else, which gives me a little more time (never a good thing). I'd be interested to know if you went for the LSD, I wouldn't be tracking this car so wondering if I'd really get £2k's worth of benefit in normal use. The spec I have been playing with gets me to £58k (including diff), a lot of money when there's negligible discount but I think it's probably worth it, especially as the residuals look strong (man maths).

Be interested to know your spec.
Likewise, everything I saw and read pointed towards the car being a great all rounder. I had less than 2 hours in the car on the test drive, but that was enough for me to make a decision. Plenty fast enough and the ride is fantastic (even compared to my RangeRover Sport). I only have one car (apart from the wife's S3), and needed something that ticked all the boxes. If BMW made an M3 Touring then that could have been a consideration, but even then I like the idea of the exclusivity of the Alpina.

It is a lot of money when you take into account the discounts available on a standard 335d/340i, but its a different car - and the rarity of them means depreciation wont be as severe as on the donor car....so yeah, man maths for sure.

I reckon LSD is a must-have with a car like this, and I think its a shame its not included in the re-build by Alpina as standard. I wont be tracking mine either, but it was the first box I ticked!

The spec is as follows:

Limited slip differential
20" ALPINA CLASSIC
Deco-Set silver, frontspoiler only
Metallic Mineral Grey (with Black Radiator Grill as per the pre-facelift cars...I'm not keen on the latest silver version)
Dakota leather Saddle Brown with Brown highlight (including lower half of Dashboard)
Steering wheel in Alcantara, bespoke +2mm (Wwith Blue Stitching, and gearchange via Aluminium BMW paddles, not Alpina Buttons)
Adaptive LED Headlights
ALPINA piano black interior trim
Comfort Access
Folding/Dimming Exterior mirrors
Matt Aluminium Exterior trim and Roof rails
Head-up Display (and Speed limit Display)
Anthracite Headlining
High-beam Assistant
Harman/Kardon Speakers
Lumbar support for driver and front passenger
BMW Professional Media Package
Panorama glass roof
Park Distance Control (PDC), front and rear & Reversing Assist camera
Sun protection glass

Roll on December!

ROLFSSEN

96 posts

139 months

Thursday 18th August 2016
quotequote all
I've got one and I've done 66k miles in just over 2 years.

I like it. I don't know what I'd replace it with, other than another one.

The one thing I can't understand looking at everyone's comments is the ride.

I'm on 19s (to help the ride), but to my mind it's far too stiff for a lot of it's everyday work. Although I'm thinking maybe all cars are too stiff these days, and in comparison to its rivals maybe it's good?

Major pluses for the D3:

Image/rarity.
Discreet.
FAST.
Economy (given the performance).

Gary and his guys at Sytner are very good.

Tim


smashy

3,030 posts

157 months

Thursday 18th August 2016
quotequote all
ROLFSSEN said:
I've got one and I've done 66k miles in just over 2 years.

I like it. I don't know what I'd replace it with, other than another one.

The one thing I can't understand looking at everyone's comments is the ride.

I'm on 19s (to help the ride), but to my mind it's far too stiff for a lot of it's everyday work. Although I'm thinking maybe all cars are too stiff these days, and in comparison to its rivals maybe it's good?

Major pluses for the D3:

Image/rarity.
Discreet.
FAST.
Economy (given the performance).

Gary and his guys at Sytner are very good.

Tim
Rolfson intesting re ride youve saved me 50k buddy,I do 800 miles a week when my F30 30d has had it,Im going Mondeo driven a couple the ride for miles is perfect and a great seat as well smile and not silly BMW prices for a very nice car,

kith

562 posts

244 months

Thursday 18th August 2016
quotequote all
Burnham said:
Have a look at this one also: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qq2vbS3KoEw

I recently ordered a D3 for delivery in December, off the back of a visit to Goodwood to speak with the guys from Nottingham, and then a test drive. Take them up on the offer of a drive, its lovely!



Edited by Burnham on Wednesday 17th August 23:40
Congrats! What's the lead time on a new one?

Blue62

Original Poster:

8,746 posts

151 months

Thursday 18th August 2016
quotequote all
Burnham said:
Likewise, everything I saw and read pointed towards the car being a great all rounder. I had less than 2 hours in the car on the test drive, but that was enough for me to make a decision. Plenty fast enough and the ride is fantastic (even compared to my RangeRover Sport). I only have one car (apart from the wife's S3), and needed something that ticked all the boxes. If BMW made an M3 Touring then that could have been a consideration, but even then I like the idea of the exclusivity of the Alpina.

It is a lot of money when you take into account the discounts available on a standard 335d/340i, but its a different car - and the rarity of them means depreciation wont be as severe as on the donor car....so yeah, man maths for sure.

I reckon LSD is a must-have with a car like this, and I think its a shame its not included in the re-build by Alpina as standard. I wont be tracking mine either, but it was the first box I ticked!

The spec is as follows:

Limited slip differential
20" ALPINA CLASSIC
Deco-Set silver, frontspoiler only
Metallic Mineral Grey (with Black Radiator Grill as per the pre-facelift cars...I'm not keen on the latest silver version)
Dakota leather Saddle Brown with Brown highlight (including lower half of Dashboard)
Steering wheel in Alcantara, bespoke +2mm (Wwith Blue Stitching, and gearchange via Aluminium BMW paddles, not Alpina Buttons)
Adaptive LED Headlights
ALPINA piano black interior trim
Comfort Access
Folding/Dimming Exterior mirrors
Matt Aluminium Exterior trim and Roof rails
Head-up Display (and Speed limit Display)
Anthracite Headlining
High-beam Assistant
Harman/Kardon Speakers
Lumbar support for driver and front passenger
BMW Professional Media Package
Panorama glass roof
Park Distance Control (PDC), front and rear & Reversing Assist camera
Sun protection glass

Roll on December!
That's a tasty spec and very similar to what I have in mind, though I like the blind spot monitoring in my current car, it's one of those things you get used to and I would probably have it again. I like Tansanite and would probably mix it with beige dakota/piano black trim, I'd also de-badge with no side stripes but maybe leave the Alpina wording on the front lip.

Did you consider the 4WD?

20 wheels
LDS
Pan roof
Media Pro
HUD
Driving Assistant
Lavalina wheel with leather panel
Reverse camera
Lumbar
Folding mirrors
Sun protection glass
Aluminium trim

I have a car for the day next week, they have no diff cars for me to try and I'm still torn about the need to have it on a car I won't be throwing sideways, but then I guess I can always wait to see what you think come Xmas!

Burnham

3,668 posts

258 months

Thursday 18th August 2016
quotequote all
ROLFSSEN said:
The one thing I can't understand looking at everyone's comments is the ride.
Hi Tim, I've always found BMWs to be a hard ride and quite crashy compared to other cars of a similar type (though Ive had limited experience, only driving friends/family cars...never had a BMW of my own). However, I reckon in 'Comfort' is was a comfortable as my RR Sport (admittedly that's nearly 10 years old though).

Otherwise, glad to hear you like yours. Anything you don't particularly like, and what kind of real world MPG are you getting?


kith said:
Congrats! What's the lead time on a new one?
Thanks smile Its about 6 months. I'm treating that as part of the 'New Car Experience', that I've never had before. laugh


Blue62 said:
Did you consider the 4WD?
Thanks Blue62, I'm not sure that 4WD is available on the D3, but even if it was it wouldn't have been my choice. I've had a run of 4WD cars and fancy something a bit more engaging again, hence the LSD.

That's a real shame that they don't have a demo car with a LSD though. Let us know how you get on anyway.

Worth noting that in most of the reviews I've seen, they do tend to bang on about the LSD being a must have. While I was looking for a used D3 I could not find a Touring with the LSD fitted, and wouldn't even consider one without...so worth thinking about for resale, as well as the fact the car deserves it.

That's a nice spec too. I was in two minds about debadging also, but went for keeping it.

If you are going for the HUD, then the Speed Limit Display is quite a good feature - it reads the road signs ahead and keeps that information on the HUD next to your current speed (I think)..so quite useful.

The wheels (just because they are awesome), Pan Roof and LSD were the three must-haves for me...everything else was added because Its probably going to be the only brand new car I buy, so I thought why not.

Blue62

Original Poster:

8,746 posts

151 months

Thursday 18th August 2016
quotequote all
I dropped you a response Burnham, hope you got it. Can't disagree with your reasoning on any of your points and thanks for the suggestion on HUD, I am getting carried away a bit, but I can't believe that the car will be anything but stunning based on what I have read and watched. I will post my impressions, thanks again.

Burnham

3,668 posts

258 months

Thursday 18th August 2016
quotequote all
beer

ROLFSSEN

96 posts

139 months

Friday 19th August 2016
quotequote all
Burnham said:
ROLFSSEN said:
The one thing I can't understand looking at everyone's comments is the ride.
Hi Tim, I've always found BMWs to be a hard ride and quite crashy compared to other cars of a similar type (though Ive had limited experience, only driving friends/family cars...never had a BMW of my own). However, I reckon in 'Comfort' is was a comfortable as my RR Sport (admittedly that's nearly 10 years old though).

Otherwise, glad to hear you like yours. Anything you don't particularly like, and what kind of real world MPG are you getting?


I'm getting 40-42mpg.

I'm very picky on cars and there are a few minor things, but it'd be unfair to mention them really as a) I still think there's nothing I'd replace it with other than another one, b) what I don't mention, won't bother you.

I think that because I spend so much time in it (30k per year) that I just get used driving it. In fairness, when I work away and then get back to the airport and get in it, I love it again!

Tim

Bebs

2,913 posts

280 months