Alpina B3 (E46) | Spotted
Too much BMW on PH lately? No problem, because this isn't one...
It's incredible what a rabbit hole the PH classifieds can be. Take today's Spotted. While perusing the listings in search of something intriguing, I happened upon this rather handsome E39 525i. Not only is it fully-specced and low mileage - having only seen 56,000 miles in its 18 years - but, as an example originally sold on the Japanese market, it's in immaculate condition too. A handsome car in anyone's book, then, but the sight of its 16-inch Radial Spoke 48 rims immediately had my mind wandering somewhere else.
Right into the path of the Alpina B10. An example from the same E39 era, of course, a generation of BMWs which I've always thought seemed particularly suited to the Alpina treatment. The car in question was a V8 S, one of forty-two such machines delivered to the UK, and boasting a 370hp 4.8-litre petrol V8, the most powerful engine available in a range which included a choice of 335hp 4.6-litre V8, 280hp six-cylinder petrol and - in a sign of things to come - 255hp 3.0-litre twin-turbo diesel motors. It was perfect.
Or it was, until I saw this. Would you just look at it? £14,980 may seem like quite a lot of money, but it's a decent chunk less than you'd pay for an equivalent M3 with similar miles. Sure, you don't get quite the same kind of power, performance or - beyond those in the know - prestige as you would with an M car, but an E46 in that colour on those wheels? You couldn't put a price on the joy of seeing it on your drive every morning.
The same 3.3-litre petrol inline-six that looked a little tight-fisted in the B10 seems a better fit here and, although its 280hp falls short of the 305hp put out by the 3.4-litre B3S - the model aficionados would say you really want - its 247lb ft of torque puts it in the same ballpark as the M3's 269lb ft. That's enough to see to the 0-62 sprint in 5.5 seconds which, while admittedly half a second slower than the M3, is still pretty zippy. Besides, with a five-speed auto 'box in lieu of the available manual, this car perhaps better embodies Alpina's tradition of high-speed Autobahn cruisers over high-strung B-road bruisers.
And there's more to a car purchase than outright speed, after all. Value, condition, reliability - a certain je ne sais quoi - these things all matter too. With only one former owner, a detailed history and an inspection less than 1,000 miles ago, they all seem to be present here. Our Spotted's 43,000 miles (just over 2,000 a year since it was built) are reflected in what looks to be its incredible state, with its Alpina Green Metallic paint apparently as spotless as its Montana leather interior - two options that would have combined for an additional £5,600 when new, or £10k after inflation.
Speaking of money, the ad claims the original bill of sale to still be on file, a document which displays a £75,000 RRP. What does the Bank of England's inflation calculator make of that sum 21 years on? £131,000, that's what. Yep, it's easy to get distracted by the incredible array of precious metal in the PH classifieds, but when it comes to today's Spotted, I may well have found something that could finally hold my attention. Until tomorrow, at least...
SPECIFICATION - ALPINA B3 (E46)
Engine: 3,300cc, straight-six
Transmission: five-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 280hp@6,200rpm
Torque (lb ft): 247lb ft@4,500rpm
MPG: N/A
CO2: N/A
Recorded mileage: 43,000
First registered: 1999
Price new: £75,000 (£131,000 after inflation)
Yours for: £14,980
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
I seriously considered an E39 with the 3.3 motor back in 2010 - even then the choices were limited and many had starship mileages. The 3.3 seems to have the potential for throwing engine issues if it hasn't been properly maintained - there's also not a lot of space between the bores so headgasket faults and cracks can be an issue. The one I nearly bought had had the wrong oil used in the latest service, which stopped me going ahead.
Amazed the V8S is that price - doesn't strike me as bad value
The V8's were generally much, much higher spec than any of the 3.3's. Not uncommon to find a 3.3 with next to no options, whereas the V8 would've had several k thrown at it3.3 is not that fast, certainly by modern standards, and certainly not as a convertible. I think they were 5 speeds ( my manual B10 was ) and it really missed the 6th gear on the motorway. Was reving at 3500 plus which wasn't in keeping with its more relaxed character. The engine drinks oil - a litre every 1000 miles. Needs 98 Ron.
V8S was a lovely big beast. Not a sports car ( very different character to my e39 M5 ) but to some extent modern diesels do it's thing a lot better these days.
And these cars do rust.....
£70k new? Not correct. They were £43k-ish, but of course you could go mental with the options list (and many did).
The Alpina Register is a good go-to guide: https://www.thealpinaregister.com/B3/3.3/saloon
Car 236 (the one for sale here) isn't on there, but cars 235 and 237 are. Car 222 was £44850 new, Car 116 was £42650 new.
3.3 is not that fast, certainly by modern standards, and certainly not as a convertible. I think they were 5 speeds ( my manual B10 was ) and it really missed the 6th gear on the motorway. Was reving at 3500 plus which wasn't in keeping with its more relaxed character. The engine drinks oil - a litre every 1000 miles. Needs 98 Ron.
V8S was a lovely big beast. Not a sports car ( very different character to my e39 M5 ) but to some extent modern diesels do it's thing a lot better these days.
And these cars do rust.....
3.3 is not that fast, certainly by modern standards, and certainly not as a convertible. I think they were 5 speeds ( my manual B10 was ) and it really missed the 6th gear on the motorway. Was reving at 3500 plus which wasn't in keeping with its more relaxed character. The engine drinks oil - a litre every 1000 miles. Needs 98 Ron.
V8S was a lovely big beast. Not a sports car ( very different character to my e39 M5 ) but to some extent modern diesels do it's thing a lot better these days.
And these cars do rust.....
From t'web:
OEM will be Castrol Edge 0W-30 FST
However, if it is using oil at a fast rate then consider 5W-40.
If oil consumption is less than 750 miles per litre, then 10W-60 is recommended.
Either way, make sure you choose a fully synthetic oil with BMW LL01 or BMW LL04 rating.
3.3 is not that fast, certainly by modern standards, and certainly not as a convertible. I think they were 5 speeds ( my manual B10 was ) and it really missed the 6th gear on the motorway. Was reving at 3500 plus which wasn't in keeping with its more relaxed character. The engine drinks oil - a litre every 1000 miles. Needs 98 Ron.
V8S was a lovely big beast. Not a sports car ( very different character to my e39 M5 ) but to some extent modern diesels do it's thing a lot better these days.
And these cars do rust.....
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