Alpina D3
arriving at PHHQ today, a car we're rather keen to test. The petrol
B3
is a rather fine car, as was the last 214hp D3. Now it's toting 350hp. With an LSD too. A saloon rather than a Touring unfortunately, but you won't see us complaining.
Well it's as subtle as a 500hp E65 could be
The D3 is an Alpina of the new school though, one where mpg is boasted about as loudly as mph. It comes with the territory now of course but that does at least proffer an excuse to delve into the classifieds for something a little more, er, profligate.
How about this? The B7 is Alpina's take on the E65 Bangled 7 Series. Imposing, isn't it? It was never the most discreet of shapes so even Alpina's fairly mild additions (those gorgeous wheels and a couple of extra spoilers) give it a really malevolent look. One suspects it would clear Autobahn lane dawdlers rather swiftly.
Certainly if its appearance doesn't, the B7's performance should do the trick. The B7 was based on the 745i and its 338hp 4.4-litre V8; ample you'd imagine but hardly befitting of the Alpina flagship (actually an appropriate term here given the size of it). So a very clever supercharger was installed by the boys at Buchloe to yield 507hp and 516lb ft. Marvellous.
Hope you like the wood...
As is also the Alpina way, the standard BMW suspension set-up was thoroughly overhauled. In its place sit Eibach springs and Sachs dampers which probably contribute to its fabulous stance as well as sharpen things up dynamically
As super saloons go, it makes for a fairly seductive combination. Rare and fast, plus unique amongst in its contemporaries in not having a factory equivalent. This B7's five owners have clearly thought so as well, covering 122,000 miles over the past ten years. The fuel bills must have made those giant leather chairs all the more comforting...
Some context is probably required before any judgement on value is reached. For £40 less than the Alpina, there's all manner of V12 LWB luxury in this 760iL; quite a few less miles than the B7 too. And for even greater subtlety, how about a W12 Audi A8?
But if you're looking at the B7, something with a little extra athleticism is surely more appropriate. This
Jag XJR
undercuts the Alpina on price (and kerbweight) but lacks its outrageous power. Which of course leads us to AMG. Ideally an S Class would have been chosen but the PH Classifieds lack a suitable B7 rival right now. The
CLS55
is perhaps as close as its possible to get.
Those alternatives do make the Alpina look a little pricey, but it arguably offsets that with greater rarity. And there's one thing the B7 has (or in fact lacks) that makes it more tempting than all the above; no speed limiter. To the autobahn!
ALPINA B7
Engine: 4,398cc supercharged V8
Transmission: 6-speed auto, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 507@5,500rpm
Torque (lb ft): 516@4,250rpm
MPG: 22 (according tobmwheavenat least...)
CO2: Plenty
Year registered: 2004
Recorded miles: 122,000
Price new: N/A
Yours for: £15,990
See the original advert here.