Alpina B3 touring or 330i touring

[Eggle]

OK. I now am looking at a E46 touring. What is the general consensus about this pair...
2001 Alpina B3 touring 106k
2003 330i touring 50k
Basicly the same price, which would be a better buy and why?
The Alpina would be pre facelift. What does that mean in terms of what I would be missing if I went that route?
Thanks guys

[fluffnik]

B3, because it's an ALPINA.












































...and ALPINAs have more power, better suspension and plusher interiors.

[rjm8282]

Hi Mate,

Not sure which, but I am looking at B3 S Alpine e46 coupes, just want to know if its worth £16,000 with 40 miles.

Thought I would add this to your thread!

[rjm8282]

Also, anyone know the insurance group for this vehicle??

[Eggle]

Anyone else, other than thread crashers? I wanted a balanced view really. Heart says Alpina, head doesn't know..

[tom g]

Aren't all the B3s autos? (yes with paddles but still auto)

That would put me right off.

[fluffnik]

tom g said:

Aren't all the B3s autos? (yes with paddles but still auto)

That would put me right off.

There are a few manuals, but Switchtronic is better in every way.

Switchtronic locks the torque converter in every gear in manual mode so you can balance the car on the throttle just like a manual but you don't have to faff about with a clutch in traffic.

H-gate synchromesh gearboxes are sooooo 20th century.

[Lost soul]

the 330 its much younger and lower miles , no brainer realy

[fluffnik]

Eggle said:

Anyone else, other than thread crashers? I wanted a balanced view really. Heart says Alpina, head doesn't know..

The B3 will cost the same as a 330i for routine servicing although ALPINA specific parts - springs, shocks, engine internals, ECU, etc. - are more expensive and may take slightly longer to source.

The only real downside of an ALPINA (all caps, always...) is its addictive nature...

Buy the B3!

Oh. What number is it?

[fluffnik]

Lost soul said:

the 330 its much younger and lower miles , no brainer realy

You have indeed lost your soul.

[fluffnik]

rjm8282 said:

Not sure which, but I am looking at B3 S Alpine e46 coupes, just want to know if its worth £16,000 with 40 miles.

Don't know about Alpines but there are at most 27 UK spec RHD ALPINA B3s coupés.

[900T-R]

Lost soul said:

the 330 its much younger and lower miles

And will depreciate to council estate status in the next couple of years.

[B3Svert]

900T-R said:

Lost soul said:

the 330 its much younger and lower miles

And will depreciate to council estate status in the next couple of years.

Very true, although during my search for a B3S there were a few "council" examples knocking about.

To answer the insurance group question - my B3S Cabrio is group 20.

And to the bloke looking for a coupe, buy a cabrio instead, you only need to stretch your budget a bit and you can have mine 40k on the clock, 04, mystic blue with grey leather, NAV/TV and all the toys...

[carlovers]

check your insurance buddy ALL Alpinas are group 20

[Eggle]

Great guys, this is what I wanted. Constructive comments.
I am still torn. I don't know what to think of 106k. The age isn't a problem to me

[tom g]

the difference in mileage is nothing. I'd far rather 106k motorway miles than 30k city miles, with the constant short stop-start journeys.
You need to look at the condition, history, and test drive, checking suspension/gear box etc.

[Crombers]

2001 Alpina B3 touring 106k - Special
2003 330i touring 50k - Run of the mill

You'll appreciate the difference quite quickly if you go down the Alpina route.

I had two standard E39 5's before the B10 Touring and I certainly have no regrets.

[Eggle]

Well, still looking towards the Alpina. Insurance with Privilege £478 with full no claims, wife with 3 points for speeding. Me 35, her 36. Not bad I thought.

[fluffnik]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Heel 'n toe if fluff on top, ALPINA chassis tuning is core.

Switchtronic is better in every way.

[dave_s13]

Mmmmmmmmm

They are sexual


http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/906983.htm

When the time comes to chop in the Saab I'm gonna seriously look at one of those.