SLK 55 AMG or Alpina B3 Bi-turbo?!

[wadsy]

With reference to my previous thread...

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=154...

Where my question was the AMG or a 135i M sport (coupe)... the overwhelming choice there was the AMG

Now, when reading articles about the AMG in Evo I stumbled across a review of the Alpina which could be a far more interesting option for me than the 135i!

Any thoughts on this please chaps and anyone with ownership experience or indeed info on the B3BT as I'm finding it difficult to come up with much even on the Alpina register!

Many thanks

Cheers

[clarki]

No idea in relation to the BMW, but i'm shopping for an SLK 55AMG now to replace my recently sold mx5.

Thought i'd have a mk4 mx-5 tbh but since a test drive, there's things about it I really couldn't live with. So started looking at alternatives. Tried the slk by mistake really, but wow, just got to have one. Nothing else gave me the same "fizz" as James May would say.

[anonymous-user]

It may well be Hobson's choice, the B3 BT is extremely rare. Only just over 100 cars were ever registered in the UK.

It depends what you want really, you're not comparing like with like. The SLK is a miniature hot-rod where the Alpina is a bigger, heavier car. I'd have to take the SLK just for the engine - I'll take the noise from a sodding great V8 over a turbo straight six any day.

[RobM77]

I've driven a few SLK55s and am a big fan (more than the UK press were anyway!), the only downside being that it's automatic only. You can feel the weight of the folding roof mounted so high up when on B roads (top up or top down), but the chassis is very tidy, the driving position the best I've ever experienced in a road car and the engine is glorious, so that all makes up for it.

I've not driven the Alpina, but being a 3 series owner (I'm on my 4th) I suspect it's the right choice if you need four seats, a boot, tow bar, roof bars etc.

The Z4M might be worth a look?

[popeyewhite]

Get in a normally aspirated AMG while you still can.

[JockySteer]

Although I own one, I'd much rather have the SLK over a turbo BM. The noise is intoxicating. That alone makes it better than many other cars

[Leins]

OP, what about the Alpina Roadster S?

[wadsy]

Thanks for all the replies chaps

I'm coming from a 996 C2 manual and whereas I liked the handing etc, I have to concede that I could do with something a bit more comfortable and with a nice auto/semi-auto 'box. So, I'm looking for something 'interesting' that fits the bill

Cheers

[edc]

wadsy said:

Thanks for all the replies chaps

I'm coming from a 996 C2 manual and whereas I liked the handing etc, I have to concede that I could do with something a bit more comfortable and with a nice auto/semi-auto 'box. So, I'm looking for something 'interesting' that fits the bill

Cheers

If you like the Merc SLK and the less hard-edged approach of an Alpina and need the saloon capability then a C55 AMG seems to fit quite nicely. I also have a Porsche 986 rather than 996 so kind of understand where you are coming from. You'll find the C55 much faster in a straight line but positively cosseting by comparison. Auto box a bit slow witted but a gearbox remap gives it a good Jekyll and hyde character in both modes.

[MattyB_]

Wadsy, if you're interested I'll be (very, very) reluctantly putting my SLK55 up for sale very soon. A shi**y set of circumstances but hey, that's life I suppose. I've only just spent £2500 rebuilding the gearbox too

Let me know if interested. Or, if you're up in the West Mids any time, you're more than welcome to have a look to see if ticks your boxes.

[wadsy]

edc said:

wadsy said:

Thanks for all the replies chaps

I'm coming from a 996 C2 manual and whereas I liked the handing etc, I have to concede that I could do with something a bit more comfortable and with a nice auto/semi-auto 'box. So, I'm looking for something 'interesting' that fits the bill

Cheers

If you like the Merc SLK and the less hard-edged approach of an Alpina and need the saloon capability then a C55 AMG seems to fit quite nicely. I also have a Porsche 986 rather than 996 so kind of understand where you are coming from. You'll find the C55 much faster in a straight line but positively cosseting by comparison. Auto box a bit slow witted but a gearbox remap gives it a good Jekyll and hyde character in both modes.

Thanks, I'll have a look

[wadsy]

MattyB_ said:

Wadsy, if you're interested I'll be (very, very) reluctantly putting my SLK55 up for sale very soon. A shi**y set of circumstances but hey, that's life I suppose. I've only just spent £2500 rebuilding the gearbox too

Let me know if interested. Or, if you're up in the West Mids any time, you're more than welcome to have a look to see if ticks your boxes.

I've sent you an email

[deltashad]

Think you need to test drive them all. All three. Don't commit until you've driven them, sat down and had a good think about it.

[edc]

wadsy said:

Thanks, I'll have a look

Depending on whereabouts in Berks you are you're welcome to have a look at mine. I'm just the other side of the border in Hants.

[wadsy]

deltashad said:

Think you need to test drive them all. All three. Don't commit until you've driven them, sat down and had a good think about it.

Yes, you're quite right; maybe more than 3 as well, as I keep adding to the list of possibles now!

[wadsy]

edc said:

wadsy said:

Thanks, I'll have a look

Depending on whereabouts in Berks you are you're welcome to have a look at mine. I'm just the other side of the border in Hants.

That would be good

I'm in Aldermaston. Where are you?

[RobM77]

wadsy said:

edc said:

wadsy said:

Thanks, I'll have a look

Depending on whereabouts in Berks you are you're welcome to have a look at mine. I'm just the other side of the border in Hants.

That would be good

I'm in Aldermaston. Where are you?

Sorry for the off topic, but I'm just down the road and used to work in Aldermaston.

[MattyB_]

wadsy said:

MattyB_ said:

Wadsy, if you're interested I'll be (very, very) reluctantly putting my SLK55 up for sale very soon. A shi**y set of circumstances but hey, that's life I suppose. I've only just spent £2500 rebuilding the gearbox too

Let me know if interested. Or, if you're up in the West Mids any time, you're more than welcome to have a look to see if ticks your boxes.

I've sent you an email

I've not received anything...

[wadsy]

MattyB_ said:

I've not received anything...

Sent through the PH email system, so may not have worked!...just asking if you could email me some details, spec, photos of your car if possible please?...to [e-mail]

Many thanks

[RobM77]

PH mail normally goes straight to junk in gmail, Hotmail etc - have a look there.