2009 Alpina B3 Convertible

Highlights

• 3-litre twin-turbo straight-six engine
• Current owner for 15 years
• One previous owner
• Hardtop convertible
• High-spec interior 

Overview

The catchily named ‘Alpina Burkard Bovensiepen GmbH & Co. KG’ — better known simply as Alpina — has a long history of association with BMW, although they would be the first to let you know that Alpina is officially recognised by the German authorities as being a stand-alone manufacturer of automobiles.

Not many Alpinas have made it to these shores, and even fewer of them are cabriolet examples, so here we have a particularly rare chance for you to bid on a fabulous example of this hand-built model. The straight-six engine produces 350 bhp, which is enough to get you to 62 mph in just 5 seconds. But it does so in a refined manner, befitting the car’s handcrafted pedigree.

This particular example was first registered in 2009 as a company car, then one year later it was sold to the current owner, who has kept it for the past 15 years. In that time it has covered only a few thousand miles per year and is described by the seller as having been treated with responsible love and care. It is still showing under 50,000 miles on the clock, which is backed up by the MOT records.

With the roof lowered, you can enjoy the best of the summer sunshine, safe in the knowledge that you’ve got a hardtop folded away, ready to be deployed whenever the weather turns a bit British. And it comes with the additional benefit of having had the roof mechanism serviced.

With a brace of turbochargers under the bonnet, feeding a well-tuned straight-six, this Alpina is certainly one for the connoisseur of mechanical engineering. And with its beautifully sculpted body and high-quality interior, it’ll please the aesthetes, too.

History and documentation

• Registered 27 July 2009
• Stamped service book with services as follows: Jul 2012 @ 25,531 miles, Aug 2014 @ 35,077 miles, Mar 2015 @ 37,516 miles, Aug 2016 @ 41,615 miles, Apr 2024 @ 46,470 miles
• Original document pack
• Large pile of invoices and most of the car’s MOT certificates
• Two keys
• Current MOT with no advisories expires 5 Jun 2026
• V5 present in owner’s name
• Low recent mileage
• Only one former keeper
• Purchased by the current owner in Jul 2010
• HPI clear
• Private plate W666ALP included in sale
• London ULEZ compliant

Interior

• The beige leather upholster remains smart and well-presented throughout
• Only a little discolouration to the driver’s seat
• No rips, scuffs or damage that we could see
• Burr walnut veneered trim pieces add to the sense of luxury
• Electric seat adjusters
• Variable heated seats
• Matching beige carpets with black footwell mats
• The leather continues onto the door cards and centre console
• Leather-trimmed, multi-function steering wheel
• Cruise control
• Climate control
• The air conditioning system was re-gassed in Apr 2024
• Push-button start
• Onboard navigation
• Analogue instruments, including oil temperature gauge
• There is an Alpina plaque above the rear-view mirror
• Wind deflector
• Original sound system with CD changer and DVD player
• Rear seating for two, with few signs of use
• Headlining clean and tidy
• Fully carpeted boot to the rear
• Tyre compressor stowed under the boot floor

Exterior

• Not just any BMW, this car proudly displays its Alpina badges front and rear
• Finished in a fetching shade of metallic blue paint
• Chrome trim and badges
• The paint remains in excellent condition, with only a few very small stone chips present
• Body panels look well preserved, with no obvious dents or corrosion
• The seller notes that there have been two bodywork repairs to the lower edge of the front bumper, with work costing around £2,000
• 19-inch Alpina alloy wheels
• Two new Continental front tyres were fitted in Jul 2024 and two near rears in Jun 2025
• The wheels are beautifully presented, with no scuffs or damage that we could see
• Headlights clear and bright
• Folding hardtop roof
• The roof mechanism was serviced in May 2024
• The underside looks very clean
• Quad exhaust tips

Mechanical

• 2,976 cc straight-six engine
• Twin turbochargers
• Produces 350 bhp, and 369 lb ft
• Top speed 173 mph, 0-62 mph in 5.0 seconds
• Eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox
• Rear-wheel drive
• Engine bay in clean condition
• Underneath, there is a little surface corrosion on some of the suspension components
• In Jul 2024 the crankshaft sensor, camshaft sensor, and inlet solenoid were replaced, along with two fuel injectors and two ignition coils
• In Apr 2024 the engine oil, oil filter, air filter, cabin filter, brake fluid, and spark plugs were all replaced
• The seller tells us that the car has been meticulously maintained, starts like new, and runs smoothly
• No warning lights reported

Summary

A rare beast to be seen on the road, this Alpina B3 offers a beguiling mix of hand-built craftsmanship and mechanical excellence. It is a car for those who need to get places quickly, but refuse to compromise on their appearance as they do so. And its rarity only serves to add to its appeal. We can completely understand why the seller has held onto it for the past 15 years.

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. This seller is located in Oxshott, Surrey.