2008 BMW Alpina B3 Biturbo Coupe

𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀

• Rare 360hp coupe with 500Nm of torque and a 177mph top speed

• Just three owners from new and still in lovely condition

• Very well maintained with comprehensive service history

𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄

Now that BMW has acquired its long-term partner Alpina, it will be fascinating to see where the brand goes. With a back catalogue bursting with quality takes on the BMW formula, they will have no shortage of inspiration.

The E92 B3 Biturbo is typical of their output; launched in 2007, it includes a variety of detail changes that enhance the performance and comfort of the 335i on which it is based and make for a very liveable alternative to the contemporary M3.

The most substantial changes were to the engine where an additional oil cooler, stronger Mahle pistons and Alpina’s own ECU combined to increase the output to 360hp (less than the V8 M3) and 368lbft of torque (a good deal more than the M3, which tells you something about their respective characters). This was mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox with Alpina’s Switchtronic system, allowing control of the gears via buttons on the steering wheel.

The uprated drivetrain combined with the interior refinements and exterior styling tweaks make for a comfortable, fast and discreet ground-coverer that will happily mooch around town too.

This example was bought five years ago by its current owner with a full main dealer history and he has entrusted the respected BMW specialist Munich Legends to look after it for him. The stack of invoices show that no expense has been spared in maintaining the car and the last service was in October 2023, when the bumpers were also resprayed.

With a great colour combination and in lovely condition, this is an opportunity to enjoy what is arguably the connoisseur’s take on the BMW coupe. In the absence of the full Alpina graphics, the general public might not give it a second look but those in the know will know.

𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗼𝗰𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

• Registered new 17 Dec 2008

• Full set of original manuals in leather wallet

• Main dealer stamps for the following services: Jun 2010 @11,482 miles (oil, cabin filter and brake fluid), Sep 2012 (oil, cabin filter and brake fluid), Oct 2014 @40720 miles (oil, cabin filter and brake fluid), Dec 2014 @41,713 miles (spark plugs and air filter), Jun 2016 @55,500 miles (oil and cabin filter), Nov 2016 @58,453 miles (brake fluid), Jul 2018 (oil and brake fluid), mileage not recorded

• Service book stamps from respected marque specialists Munich Legends for the following: Jun 2020 (oil cabin filter and brake fluid) @81,900 miles, Sep 2021 (spark plugs, also all 6 fuel injectors and coils replaced) @88,190 miles, Jun 2022 (oil, cabin filter, brake fluid and air filter) @92,918 miles

• Additional work includes: Oct 2018 @68,000 miles - both turbos replaced under warranty with upgraded version, May 2020 - front and rear springs replaced, Dec 2021 - battery replaced, Sep 2023 @96,000 miles - DME/CAS (Digital Motor Electronics/ Car Access System, BMW-speak for ECU and immobiliser) replaced, Oct 2023 – front and rear bumpers resprayed

• The last service was in Oct 2023 which was an oil and filter change

• Invoices for all the work carried out under current ownership

• The MOT is valid until 12 Sep 2024

• V5 present in the owner’s name

• Two keys

• HPI clear

• ULEZ compliant

𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿

• As soon as you open the door, the higher quality leather on the Alpina-badged seats together with the Alpina steering wheel and blue faced dials mark this out as a cut above your average BMW

• The leather is very well preserved and the cabin as a whole has aged very well

• There are all the mod cons: as well as BMW iDrive with sat nav, there are Alpina floor mats, heated electric sports seats (with memory on the driver’s side), a DAB radio, cruise control, park distance sensors front and rear and folding mirrors

• There is a capacious boot and the first aid kit is still present

• In all, the interior looks like the kind of place where you could cover big miles in comfort and has really stood the test of time

𝗘𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿

• The metallic blue exterior complements the interior beautifully and the Alpina styling tweaks add a little aggression but are less attention-grabbing than the changes made for the contemporary M3

• The Alpina front spoiler does carry the name at the bottom but the lack of the full Alpina graphics pack means that it should fly under the radar (though you could always add the decals if you wanted the attention!)

• With freshly resprayed bumpers front and rear, only a few stone chips to the bonnet and some fingernail scratches around the driver’s door handle detract from paintwork that is in otherwise great condition

• Characteristic 19 inch turbine wheels (with the tyre valve hidden behind the centre cap) look to be unmarked and still look fabulous to our eyes

• The wheels wear Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres with 5 and 8mm of tread at the front and 4mm across the rears

• Overall, it’s a very well presented example

𝗠𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹

• Twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre straight-six engine rated at 360hp

• Six-speed automatic transmission with Switchtronic

• Manufacturer performance figures: 0-62mph 4.8 seconds, top speed 177mph

• With a very comprehensive service history, this car has obviously been kept in tip-top condition

𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆

Rare, subtle, fast and luxurious, the Alpina B3 Biturbo is, despite its slightly unwieldy name, a very desirable machine. This particular car has been superbly maintained and should see its next owner through many more enjoyable miles.

To arrange a viewing, please request this in the Q&A section. You can click through to the seller's profile and use the 'Email Me' function to arrange a viewing privately. This seller is located near Haywards Heath, West Sussex.