Friday 30th March 2012

PH Blog: Who needs an M550d anyway?

You certainly don't if you've got an Alpina D5 Biturbo on your drive, reckons Riggers

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As a fellow generally predisposed to liking a fast BMW, I was pretty darn upset to learn that BMW would not be bringing its crushingly capable M550d xDrive to the UK.

Okay, so I understand the reasoning behind it - namely that engineering a right-hook car specifically for the UK, effectively the only RHD market where performance diesels find owners, isn't feasible. But that doesn't mean I'm not, as the Americans might put it, p*ssed at BMW right now.

Fortunately, as I type this there's a vehicle sitting in the PH HQ parking spaces that's been busy appeasing my anger. Like the M550d xDrive, it's got a blown straight-six diesel, it's based on an F10 5 Series and it's gosh-darned fast. Unlike the M550d and, thanks to the folks in Buchloe and at Sytner (in less-exotic Nottingham), you can buy it in right-hand drive.

If you haven't already worked it out, I am talking here about the Alpina D5 Biturbo. We'll be doing a proper full-fat review of the car on PH soon, so I shan't go into too much detail, but I don't think I'm giving the game away too much when I say that it's an absolute cracker.

Alpina's development engineers regularly work wonders with already-more-than-decent base vehicles, and the D5 is absolutely no exception. The re-tuned electronic dampers and the non run-flat Michelin Pilot Super Sports give the 535d-based D5 a fluidity that even an F10 M5 could only dream of. Yes, it's big, but even the gnarliest of roads leave it unruffled enough for you not to mind.

And that engine. Oh, that engine. It's revvy in a way big diesels rarely achieve, has low-down torque coming out of its ears and achieves the same official (not to be trusted, we know, but they are a common denominator) mpg and emissions as a 530d - 47.9mpg and 155g/km if you're interested.

Granted, the 350hp, 516lb ft 3.0-litre diesel doesn't quite have the firepower or triple-turbo trickery of the new M550d xDrive, but it's still a fine motor and is more than enough to trouble - if not actually overwhelm - those chunky rear tyres.

[dave stew]

It shows what can be achieved without the overly complex triple turbo technology. When I read 'D5 Biturbo' I reckoned they'd stuffed Volvo 5 pot oil burner in there.

Honestly.

[Zod]

There is an odd degree of respect for Alpina here. It was justified twenty years ago, but they are not that special these days and depreciate horribly.

[TomTVR500]

Zod said:

There is an odd degree of respect for Alpina here. It was justified twenty years ago, but they are not that special these days and depreciate horribly.

Depreciation is good news for me in 3 years time

[rb5er]

That shape really is quite hideous. But then the outgoing model has grown on me massively since it was launched.

[StevieB]

Rather strangely, this is my favourite quick german saloon of the moment. I love it.! If i wasnt paying for the fuel, a Jag XF-R would still be my pick in the super saloon market. New M5 doesnt do it for me. all this of course is academic as I will never drive or own any of them!!

[Wafflesmk2]

I hate Alpina wheels so much.

They just look like big dinnerplates.

[TheOrangePeril]

TomTVR500 said:

Zod said:

There is an odd degree of respect for Alpina here. It was justified twenty years ago, but they are not that special these days and depreciate horribly.

Depreciation is good news for me in 3 years time

And bad news for you in 10...

[DanS]

Zod said:

There is an odd degree of respect for Alpina here. It was justified twenty years ago, but they are not that special these days and depreciate horribly.

I've owned three of them, they retain their value in a way standard BMs can't hope to do (I paid 28K new for my D3 touring, and sold it 2 years and 30K miles later for 23.5K so I basically lost the VAT..) and provide levels of ride and comfort people with M-sport cars and consequential sciatica can only dream of.

[adz13091982]

Forgive me - but isn't this just a remap on the 35d engine?

[Dave Hedgehog]

no matter how much power its still satans fuel

the longer i have an oil burner the more i hate it ...


man up and buy an M6

[wigsworld]

Not my cup of tea, don't understand all the fuss about the 550d on here either.

[0a]

rb5er said:

That shape really is quite hideous. But then the outgoing model has grown on me massively since it was launched.

I'm the same. I am always one model behind for the 5 series, but two for the Porsche 911 (the 996 is just starting to look nice to me but the 997 and new one look nasty).

[loudlashadjuster]

Wafflesmk2 said:

I hate Alpina wheels so much.

They just look like big dinnerplates.

Came on to post much the same sentiment. C'mon Alpina, it's not 1987 any more...you can retain brand values without slavishly copying models of yesteryear.

[Wills2]

Loving that car and I really have a soft spot for Alpina's, but they get expensive when specced up.

[Gorbyrev]

Respect to Alpina - real world fast saloons and, one imagines, an estate. We know the D3 is on the wish list for some serious motoring hacks, can't wait to hear the full D5 review. Also, respect to the people at Quandt world for letting Alpina selectively and creatively rake through the parts bin.

[drchris]

I have so much want.
Amazing.

[wiliferus]

loudlashadjuster said:

Wafflesmk2 said:

I hate Alpina wheels so much.

They just look like big dinnerplates.

Came on to post much the same sentiment. C'mon Alpina, it's not 1987 any more...you can retain brand values without slavishly copying models of yesteryear.

See i disagree, those wheels are iconic of Alpina, almost their signiture. I like them

[tommy vercetti]

Always loved Alpinas, and this is no exception.

[M@1975]

Works for me, always liked what Alpina have been doing, a lot of cash when speccd up though.

[Spoof]

adz13091982 said:

Forgive me - but isn't this just a remap on the 35d engine?

Simple answer - No.