Alpina - talk to me.
Discussion
My wife hates BMWs. Can't stand the image and has some very prejudiced views about the people who drive them.
My boss has just got hold of a very nice 5 series diesel with Msport bits on it. He was showing it to her, and I have to say he was impressed.
She knows a bit about cars and after a sniff round the Beemer she shaid she was warming to them.
She's asked me about Alpina.
A know enough to tell her abotu theri performance upgrades etc etc.
She pitched a few questions at me that I couldn't answer.
Is the car called an Alpina - on the V5. Its not a Beemer but an Alpina? Are the BMW badges on the outside repalced by Alpina ones - Ie in place of the blue and whilte logo?
Then there are my questons.
I don't mind second hand (I'd prefer it) Up to £30k for either a 3 or a 5 series based car, has to be a touring, would like a diesel - but easlily persauded not to have an oil burner.
The minimum kit inside would be.
Leather, Xennons, Auto wipers, cruise. Would like Sat Nav and bluetooth.
If anyone could answer her questoins, and give me advice on mine so I can present her with a convincing argument for one, I would appreciate it.
It would be her car BTW - that she pays for.
Cheers
My boss has just got hold of a very nice 5 series diesel with Msport bits on it. He was showing it to her, and I have to say he was impressed.
She knows a bit about cars and after a sniff round the Beemer she shaid she was warming to them.
She's asked me about Alpina.
A know enough to tell her abotu theri performance upgrades etc etc.
She pitched a few questions at me that I couldn't answer.
Is the car called an Alpina - on the V5. Its not a Beemer but an Alpina? Are the BMW badges on the outside repalced by Alpina ones - Ie in place of the blue and whilte logo?
Then there are my questons.
I don't mind second hand (I'd prefer it) Up to £30k for either a 3 or a 5 series based car, has to be a touring, would like a diesel - but easlily persauded not to have an oil burner.
The minimum kit inside would be.
Leather, Xennons, Auto wipers, cruise. Would like Sat Nav and bluetooth.
If anyone could answer her questoins, and give me advice on mine so I can present her with a convincing argument for one, I would appreciate it.
It would be her car BTW - that she pays for.
Cheers
Alpina are a manufacturer in their own right and have been since the late 70's/early 80's. The BMW is really just a donor car but the BMW name is still on the V5 eg. BMW Alpina B3S etc. This is in reference to the strong relationship between the two companies.
The BMW roundels stay as BMW roundels when the car leaves the Alpina factory in Buchloe, any Alpina roundels you see on fleabay are s
te copies. The Alpina name should be on the left hand side of the boot lid, and the model name on the right (where the 330/540 would have been).
If you want a quick, luxurious auto then Alpina would be a good option. Personally I would go for an e46 or e39 variant as these were the last of the proper, hand built Alpina's. The e90/e60 runs do nothing for me despite having awesome power, the e6x B5/B5S also suffer from supercharger issues.
The kit you list should be on the majority of models, particularly in the budget you mention.
I sold my B3S a few months ago, sad to see it go but I fancied a change after a few years. It took me a long time to find the exact spec car I wanted, and almost as long to sell it. Not too many of the "proper" Alpinas out there.
The BMW roundels stay as BMW roundels when the car leaves the Alpina factory in Buchloe, any Alpina roundels you see on fleabay are s
te copies. The Alpina name should be on the left hand side of the boot lid, and the model name on the right (where the 330/540 would have been).If you want a quick, luxurious auto then Alpina would be a good option. Personally I would go for an e46 or e39 variant as these were the last of the proper, hand built Alpina's. The e90/e60 runs do nothing for me despite having awesome power, the e6x B5/B5S also suffer from supercharger issues.
The kit you list should be on the majority of models, particularly in the budget you mention.
I sold my B3S a few months ago, sad to see it go but I fancied a change after a few years. It took me a long time to find the exact spec car I wanted, and almost as long to sell it. Not too many of the "proper" Alpinas out there.
Hitch78 said:
It is so unfortunate that you can't change titles. Only a mod can save you now...
a quick google actually brings you to realise he is after this chap... not a car.google said:
Alphina (anime/manga character)- Anime Vice
Alphina is a devil, referred to by the angels as the "White Devil" and he spends most of his time in Hell
not someone i'd be wanting to 'talk to' Alphina is a devil, referred to by the angels as the "White Devil" and he spends most of his time in Hell
I thought it was a knocking shop in Sheffield.
Back on topic - I've heard only good things about the modern Alpinas, especially (though unfortunately) the diesel ones. At your budget you're unlikely to be looking for an E36/E39 enthusiast special - though these are my personal favourites.
Back on topic - I've heard only good things about the modern Alpinas, especially (though unfortunately) the diesel ones. At your budget you're unlikely to be looking for an E36/E39 enthusiast special - though these are my personal favourites.
wildcat45 said:
I don't mind second hand (I'd prefer it) Up to £30k for either a 3 or a 5 series based car, has to be a touring, would like a diesel - but easlily persauded not to have an oil burner.
Unfortunately for your budget the best option is an oil burner. You'd be amazed what Alpina have done with the bi-turbo diesel engine.http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/BMW/...
I'll add my 2p to this thread as the wife is also wanting a new car and the Alpina D3 Bi-Turbo was on the list of possibles...
Personally I think they are great value for money and actually work out cheaper than the equivalent M Sport BMW. Note that a D3 BT should be compared to a 325d M Sport for similar power/price etc.
They are also widley regarded as having a much better ride than M Sport BMW's due to them using normal tyres rather than the run-flat jobbies BMW love so much.
The downside for me was adding options, as far as I know Alpina buy in a certain amount of base E9x donar cars and Alpinafy them in their factory. All these cars are all the same spec and so if you want to add Sat Nav, leather or anything else you will incure a £1500 option surcharge price... not good if all
you want is Sat Nav and it ends up costing nearly £3500! Hence why if you look on autotrader at D3's 99% of them are all identical in spec, only the colour differs.
I had heard though that Alpina had released an options pack that wavers this £1500 kick in the nuts... I dont know the exact details of it but I'd would suggest calling your local Synter dealer for more info.
Another plus point is that residuals are generally stronger than the BMW conterparts... on the downside... they are very few and far between. I think it was on Alpina Register that I read that only 7 D3 BT Tourings were imported to the UK in 2009, a very rare beasty indeed, but that is part of its appeal IMO.
In the end for us the Alpina has taken a back seat to the Audi S4 Avant, it is just a more complete package if not directly compareable.
Good luck with your search.
Personally I think they are great value for money and actually work out cheaper than the equivalent M Sport BMW. Note that a D3 BT should be compared to a 325d M Sport for similar power/price etc.
They are also widley regarded as having a much better ride than M Sport BMW's due to them using normal tyres rather than the run-flat jobbies BMW love so much.
The downside for me was adding options, as far as I know Alpina buy in a certain amount of base E9x donar cars and Alpinafy them in their factory. All these cars are all the same spec and so if you want to add Sat Nav, leather or anything else you will incure a £1500 option surcharge price... not good if all
you want is Sat Nav and it ends up costing nearly £3500! Hence why if you look on autotrader at D3's 99% of them are all identical in spec, only the colour differs.
I had heard though that Alpina had released an options pack that wavers this £1500 kick in the nuts... I dont know the exact details of it but I'd would suggest calling your local Synter dealer for more info.
Another plus point is that residuals are generally stronger than the BMW conterparts... on the downside... they are very few and far between. I think it was on Alpina Register that I read that only 7 D3 BT Tourings were imported to the UK in 2009, a very rare beasty indeed, but that is part of its appeal IMO.
In the end for us the Alpina has taken a back seat to the Audi S4 Avant, it is just a more complete package if not directly compareable.
Good luck with your search.
kambites said:
Not really, "M-sport" are to BMW what AMG are to Mercedes. Alpina are an independent company as far as I know?
ALPINA Burkard Bovensiepen GmbH + Co.KG
I'm on my second, one of the 15 RHD B10 V8 Tourings.
One of the others is for sale, and a very nice car it is too.
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