Alpina B3 - wheels question

[Roma101]

Hi

I am placing an order for a new Alpina B3 and am trying to decide on 19” wheels or the classic 20”. I initially stuck with the 19s as I quite like the design and smaller wheels are obviously “better”

However, I then read that the 20s are actually lighter than the 19s as the 20s are forged, not cast (I think it was actually a PH review of the car that said this).

Also, all the reviews are based on cars with 20s, so you know what you are getting with the 20s. But they cost 2k more!

Has anyone driven a car with 19s? Would there be any material difference between the two wheels dynamically? I can’t find any reviews, comments etc on this subject on the internet.

TIA.

[Roma101]

Cheers. Yes, I agree the 19s look nicer in my eyes and the 20s look fractionally too big.

Our roads aren’t great, but they are more bumpy with broken surfaces than full of deep pot holes.

I’ve had 20s with rubber bands on before (Cayman) and it was ok.

If the car handles as well with 19s as it does 20s, then it is a no-brainier. I would go with 19s.

I will join Alpina Register as you say - thanks.

[Roma101]

Cheers. Very helpful. Have you got the performance brakes? I’ve ticked that box, but I probably don’t need them…

[Roma101]

Hawmaws said:

No, I haven’t. I’ve never felt short of braking power, though. If you’re going to be tracking it, may be worth it, but the std brakes are good.
The best option for me is the HUD. First time I’ve had it and I really miss it when driving another car. Particularly satnav in cities.

This is the danger of coming on a forum! I’m now tempted to change my spec - your car looks lovely in the blue with the 19”s! (I’ve gone for green…for now).

Thanks for the comments on the brakes. I don't plan on going on track, so should really ditch the brakes and try and save some money.

I’ve gone for HUD and HK already.

[Roma101]

Hawmaws said:

The option that gets most comments is the heated rear seats.
My mother never wants to get out of the car

That isn’t available on the LCI unfortunately. That would be a definite box ticked if it was though.

[Roma101]

Thanks for the recent posts. And sorry to hear about your woes Tin Hat. That doesn’t sound like fun.

I need to decide today.

I had a go in the demo with 20”s recently and it was just OK. Not as comfortable as I was expecting, but it handled tidily and I only had one wince inducing run in with a pot hole.

Comfortable enough for a daily on our crappy roads? Probably not. So I am now leaning back towards 19”s.

[Roma101]

Sorry to hear that. As someone who had two nails in two tyres within a couple weeks of each other over the festive period, I understand some of your pain. Luckily, I was able to drive home. But it was a real faff trying to sort out getting new tyres.

I have gone for the 19”s. Your posts on this chat were a big influence, so thank you.

[Roma101]

I’ve gone for the Alpina green. Chiefly because the dealer had a D3S in the showroom in green and I thought it looked mega. I like the Alpina blue as well and would have been happy with that, but my current car is blue, so I fancied a change.

I didn’t really consider any of the standard BMW colours. There is nothing wrong with them, but I thought if you are going for an Alpina, you might as well get one of the Alpina specific colours.

On the inside I have gone with Tartufo merino leather.