E46 M3 v Alpina B3.
Discussion
Hi everybody i'm a newcomer to the site, i'm presently running an E39 530D sports and am thinking of px for either an E46 M3 or to be different an Alpina B3. What i'd like to hear is members views on the advantages or disadvantages of the M3 over the B3 or vice versa. Any opinions greatly appreciated.
Happy New Year and welcome to PH!
I've had a B3 for 18months now and love it. To me it feels like neither a regular BMW (Sport suspension'd equivalent) or an M rival in the strictest sense. If I was forced to compare it to something it'd be as if AMG prepared a car using BMW's as a base. Still feels like it's own thing though.
To compete with the M3 you need to look at a B3s, the B3 feels a bit short I imagine against an e46 M3, the B3 is still not a slow car but 280hp through an albeit vastly improved auto won't really keep up with a hard driven M3. As a day to day driver though I wouldn't have the M3 over this though. Most people who haven't driven an Alpina assess them by looking at the figures, but it's how totally different they ride and drive that makes them so appealing, it's like having the ultimate journey destroyer that happens to also be a rapid car! It's very smooth which results in being able to travel significantly quicker over many roads that stiffer sprung cars can't cope with. The torque is strong from very low down, and the Switchtronic, whilst ageing now, is brilliant for 95% of driving conditions - in reality it's quicker changing than most people would change gear most of the time.
The bonus for me is that the e46 M3 was only available as a coupe or convertible, and I love having a touring. It's been the perfect car for European drives, for daily use the only issue is an average of 22-25MPG. Servicing and running costs otherwise are standard 330 prices.
I've had a B3 for 18months now and love it. To me it feels like neither a regular BMW (Sport suspension'd equivalent) or an M rival in the strictest sense. If I was forced to compare it to something it'd be as if AMG prepared a car using BMW's as a base. Still feels like it's own thing though.
To compete with the M3 you need to look at a B3s, the B3 feels a bit short I imagine against an e46 M3, the B3 is still not a slow car but 280hp through an albeit vastly improved auto won't really keep up with a hard driven M3. As a day to day driver though I wouldn't have the M3 over this though. Most people who haven't driven an Alpina assess them by looking at the figures, but it's how totally different they ride and drive that makes them so appealing, it's like having the ultimate journey destroyer that happens to also be a rapid car! It's very smooth which results in being able to travel significantly quicker over many roads that stiffer sprung cars can't cope with. The torque is strong from very low down, and the Switchtronic, whilst ageing now, is brilliant for 95% of driving conditions - in reality it's quicker changing than most people would change gear most of the time.
The bonus for me is that the e46 M3 was only available as a coupe or convertible, and I love having a touring. It's been the perfect car for European drives, for daily use the only issue is an average of 22-25MPG. Servicing and running costs otherwise are standard 330 prices.
We looked at E46 M3 cab's a few years go and couldn't actually find one on the correct 18's to test drive, subsequently we found the ride far too hard considering it was replacing her Griffith 500. There were other considerations and we ended up an Audi S4 cab on 18's. If I was buying now I would consider an Alpina B3 but the onsiderations have changed again.
I realise this is all specific cabriolet talk but I would recommend trying the M3 ride on 18's and 19's before making any decisions.
I realise this is all specific cabriolet talk but I would recommend trying the M3 ride on 18's and 19's before making any decisions.
I test drove three or four B3s about 15 months ago when I was looking for a new daily driver. Like you I was attracted by the idea that they have an element of exclusivity and also that they have a performance hike over their equivalent BMW model. I got as far as phoning a garage to put a deposit down on one but it had sold a few hours earlier.
At this point I got a bit fed up of looking as I'd seen a few ropey examples and there usually isn't a massive selection for sale. I widened my search to see how much M3s were available for and was pleasantly surprised to find they had dropped to the same level as some of the B3s I had looked at. Long story short, I test drove an M3 and the B3 was instantly forgotten. Whilst the B3 felt like an accomplished, fairly quick cruiser, the M3 felt like the uber coupe that it is. No comparison in my book.
I use my M3 (on 18s BTW) every day and I think it is a PH'ers perfect daily driver; Comfortable, practical and easy to drive but a proper sports car when you want it to be. Of course, comfort is subjective and my friends (new 5 series, new A4, three year old Golf) say that the ride is very firm. I don't feel that myself but then maybe I've become accustomed to it.
I will qualify all this by saying that I did like the B3, after all I nearly bought one, but I only ever drove them on 30 minute test drives, so never got the full experience. If there was one thing I wish my M3 had, it would be the exclusivity and "badge" of the Alpina. That feeling that other proper car lovers would know you knew a bit about cars.
At this point I got a bit fed up of looking as I'd seen a few ropey examples and there usually isn't a massive selection for sale. I widened my search to see how much M3s were available for and was pleasantly surprised to find they had dropped to the same level as some of the B3s I had looked at. Long story short, I test drove an M3 and the B3 was instantly forgotten. Whilst the B3 felt like an accomplished, fairly quick cruiser, the M3 felt like the uber coupe that it is. No comparison in my book.
I use my M3 (on 18s BTW) every day and I think it is a PH'ers perfect daily driver; Comfortable, practical and easy to drive but a proper sports car when you want it to be. Of course, comfort is subjective and my friends (new 5 series, new A4, three year old Golf) say that the ride is very firm. I don't feel that myself but then maybe I've become accustomed to it.
I will qualify all this by saying that I did like the B3, after all I nearly bought one, but I only ever drove them on 30 minute test drives, so never got the full experience. If there was one thing I wish my M3 had, it would be the exclusivity and "badge" of the Alpina. That feeling that other proper car lovers would know you knew a bit about cars.
Gassing Station | M Power | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff