E46 Alpina B3.3 or B3.4s

[Mc lovin]

Which is the one to go for? After having driven my friends E46 323ci cab, this weekend for all of 215 miles, i really liked it, it was fantastic.

I had looked at the E46 m3 but, the money i'm looking to spend would get me an early one and i have to be honest they are a bit two a penny for my liking.

Anyway, what are peoples views on the B3.3 and is the 3.4s really worth the extra cash?

I've managed to put some more cash in the kitty and i'm contemplating selling my Golf once i've finished it, so the purchace would be half cash half finance with a view to settling early half of next year.

EDIT: i'm not looking to buy one from Amari either.

Edited by Mc lovin on Monday 9th November 16:37

[belleair302]

Not that much difference in performance, I would be more interested in history, bills, bodywork and price than greater displacement.

Be warned running an Alpina can be expensive unless you have a decent specialist nearby who will explore parts availability from OEM suppliers not just Alpina GmbH.

[Mc lovin]

Per year what would you say the running costs where on average? how is the MPG on the 3.3? the more i see of them the more i'm tempted, ideally i'd want a convertible however there are some very nice tin tops up for sale!

[B3Svert]

The 3.3 for me was a very underwhelming drive, I was quite disappointed in it but could have driven a bad example. I then drove a 3.4 B3S and it more than met my expectations. A comfortable cruiser in auto, fantastic ride quality/damping especially when compared with anything else e46 (including M3). Knock it into manual and it's almost like driving another car.

Running costs:
Mine goes through a litre of oil every 6,000 miles, some do more than this, most end up 1L per 5k or so. The 3.3 is a notorious oil drinker.
Service schedule is BMW, 3.3 is based on the 328, 3.4 is based on 330. Service costs are 330 as opposed to M3. Having said that when I took it to my local dealer for a service a few years back they had no idea what an Alpina was and argued with me even when I showed them the car. Their response to the 2 VIN numbers was that it was obviously a stolen import! I took it to another dealer who knew what they were talking about and now have it serviced at Munich Legends.
Inspection II last week at ML = £320

Fuel consumption, anywhere from 24-29mpg, mine's a cab so heavier than other models. Not bad for a 305bhp auto rag top

Don't be scared of "Alpina parts", you can buy anything through your local BMW dealer, the Alpina fraternity is wide and knowledgable and part makes/numbers are freely avaialable. Perhaps more importantly, I've run many BMW's in the past, e30, e28, e36 and several e46. The Alpina is by far the most reliable of all of them.

I'm considering putting my B3S up for sale some time soon, so if you need any more info please PM.

Cheers.

[Mc lovin]

That sounds more like it, i was worried about £700 inspection 2's like on the M3!

How much would i be looking at for a B3s convertible?

[B3Svert]

Haven't looked for a few weeks but last time I did they ranged from 14-19k depending on pre/post-facelift. The B3S was introduced in late 2002 so managed to span both e46 generations. I was offered £16.5 for mine by a garage a few weeks back, sorely tempting... Mine is an 04 with 47k for reference.

Most B3S' are highly specced, DVD Nav, electric memory everything, PDC, auto everything. Guess it's just a case of finding one to match your ideal colour scheme and that you're happy with. Took me a long time to find mine, then missed out by minutes (I was on a test drive when someone else called in a deposit) on the one I wanted, luckily found mine a week or 2 later.

[bigandclever]

I got a B3 3.3 when they came out, because the M3 wasn't yet available in the UK. For my cash I got a 280bhp, fairly rapid cruiser, and I was very happy with that. A year or so later, I had a couple of weeks in a new M3 and, performance wise at least, the M3 beasted the B3, as it should since it had an extra 60odd bhp and a more sporty setup. Insurance would've been significantly more expensive on the M3 (Alpinas seem to pass under the insurer's radar), maintenance costs would've been more on the M3, but fuel economoy was about the same (low 20's on a run for the B3). Then I had a go in the 3.4s when that came out and the difference between the 3.3 was noticeable - apart from anything else the engine design is much more modern - but it's still set up as a rapid cruiser not a 'performance car'. I think the 3.4s is still 'only' about 300bhp so it still trails the M3.

Depends what you want really. So go for a 3.4s

[Mc lovin]

I really like this one http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...

But, now everyone is saying B3s i'm not so sure! what sort of money do the 3.4s range from? The 3.3 seems like a lot of car for the money?

[bigandclever]

All you need to know is at thealpinaregister.co.uk

That EBay one looks quite nice, about the right price. Looks like it sold a couple of years ago with 65k miles and now has 75k miles which kind of backs up the (shouty!) "I ONLY REALLY USE IT AT WEEKENDS" EBay comment. Doesn't have the telly/satnav, and no mention of a Harmon Kardonn system, but that's hardly a disaster. Personally, I like the champagne/wood combo.

[Mc lovin]

Just signed up there thanks for that!

I'm not sure on coupes, i think the cabs have a little more about them for some reason?

I'm sure i saw an Ac schnitzer E46 with a supercharger for not alot of money are these genuine Ac versions and where can i find one?

How do these compare to the alpina B3/s