2004 Alpina Roadster S (E85) Manual

Highlights

• Striking gloss black over red Alpina leather

• One of just 167 UK right-hand drive examples built

• Numbered Alpina overhead build plaque (074)

• 296 bhp naturally aspirated straight-six with six-speed manual

• Comprehensively recommissioned by Sytner BMW in April 2026

Overview

The Alpina Roadster S remains one of the more intriguing ways to enjoy the E85 Z4's wonderful chassis. Hand-built in Buchloe, Germany, it paired Alpina's enlarged 3.4-litre straight-six with a close-ratio ZF gearbox and subtle visual upgrades, resulting in a car that felt properly bespoke. Just 370 were produced for Europe across 2004 and 2005, with only 167 of those in right-hand drive for the UK. That makes any survivor worth paying attention to.

This example, number 074, wears a dramatic specification: gloss black over red Alpina leather with black Alcantara and contrast stitching throughout. It's a colour combination that suits the car's character perfectly, lending a sense of occasion without the attention a lighter shade might attract. The naturally aspirated straight-six delivers 296 bhp and 266 lb ft, revving to a 7,200rpm redline with that distinctive six-cylinder wail.

Registered new in July 2004 through Sytner Nottingham, this Roadster S has covered a modest 54,769 miles. Following around six years in storage, it was comprehensively recommissioned by Sytner Luton BMW in April 2026 with a full Inspection II service, new brake discs and pads all round, fresh Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres and an air conditioning service. Fresh from that work, it's ready to be driven and enjoyed.

In an age of turbocharged everything, a car like this feels increasingly special. The combination of a high-revving naturally aspirated six, a proper manual gearbox and an open top is something that deserves to be driven, not merely admired.

History and Documentation

• First registered 8 July 2004, supplied new by Sytner Nottingham

• Stamped Alpina service booklet with entries at Sep 2004 @ 1,453 miles, Jun 2006 @ 14,811 miles, Sep 2010 @ 31,490 miles, Jun 2017 @ 46,453 miles, Jul 2017 @ 47,102 miles, Jun 2018 @ 48,205 miles, Feb 2021 @ 53,071 miles, Jul 2022 @ 53,678 miles, Jun 2026

• Comprehensively recommissioned by Sytner Luton BMW in April 2026 at 54,352 miles with a full Inspection II service, new front and rear brake discs and pads, Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres, brake fluid change, bank-two oxygen sensor and air conditioning service

• Original BMW and Alpina book packs, BMW Alpina 2004 pricelist, and a collection of invoices

• Two keys

• Current MOT valid until 6 April 2027

Interior

• Red Alpina leather with black Alcantara inserts and red contrast stitching throughout

• Alpina blue instrument dials and Alpina leather gear knob

• Illuminated "BMW ALPINA ROADSTER S" door sill plates

• Heated electric sports seats; automatic air conditioning blows cold

• One front seat has a scuff and the driver's bolster shows light wear with some surface cracking to the leather

• The nearside-front passenger door currently opens only from the inside

Exterior

• Gloss black paintwork presents well overall

• Multi-spoke silver Alpina Dynamic alloy wheels with Alpina centre caps in good order; the nearside-rear alloy was found to be buckled and has been repaired

• Alpina front spoiler with lettering, three-piece rear lip spoiler, "3.4 S" wing badges and "ALPINA" bootlid script

• Twin polished tailpipes and black soft top

• The driver's door has had a paint repair (the vendor tells us this was done under insurance some time ago, and while tidy it is not perfect)

• Boot lid shows a few small paint blisters

• The vendor tells us the front bumper has been resprayed for stone chips at some point

• As with any black car there are a few minor marks and small dings that are difficult to photograph

Mechanical

• Hand-built 3.4-litre E5/2 naturally aspirated straight-six producing 296 bhp at 6,300rpm and 266 lb ft at 4,800rpm; close-ratio six-speed ZF manual gearbox

• Recent maintenance at Group 1 Bedford BMW in June 2026 included replacement of the drive belt and all six ignition coils, as verified on a dealer invoice for this car (FH04NEU)

• The vendor tells us a new battery and alternator have been fitted

• Largely original, tidy engine bay with the Alpina-cast intake plenum; underside is solid with normal age-related surface patina

• From cold the engine idles a little high and hunts for around 60 seconds before settling (the vendor attributes this to its spell in storage and BMW has replaced the bank-two oxygen sensor as the first step)

• A slight weep from the nearside-front shock absorber was noted at the April 2026 health check

• No warning lights present

Summary

This Alpina Roadster S presents as a well-specified, honest example of a genuinely rare car. The black-over-red colour scheme suits it perfectly, and with the recent Sytner recommissioning covering brakes, tyres and a thorough service, it's ready to be driven and enjoyed. For anyone seeking an increasingly rare combination of naturally aspirated performance and proper driver involvement in an open-top package, this is a car well worth considering.

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 Bedfordshire.