Alpina Roadster S | Spotted
It didn't take long for the BMW Z4 to fall off Alpina's radar - shame, the last one was a belter
With its official absorption into the BMW mothership well underway, Alpina has evidently long since given up on treating BMW’s more recent roadsters the sport-lux treatment. The E89 generation Z4 never received an Alpina variant, and all hope of the current-gen G29 car getting one is now long gone. That’s a massive shame given that BMW M hasn’t stepped up to the plate with its own two-seater offering since the Z4 M Roadster some 17 years ago.
It doesn’t look like that’s going to change under a new parent either. Burkard Bovensiepen, head of the German tuner, recently revealed on The Smoking Tire podcast that Alpina has no intention of including BMW’s ‘cheaper’ models, such as the 1 and 2 Series, under its umbrella, and will continue to focus on the firm’s more premium offerings. Presumably, the Z4 falls into the former category. Sure, there’s always the M40i variant which sort of covers the fast grand tourer that Alpina aims for with its creations, but that’s clutching at straws somewhat. For a proper two-seater Alpina experience, you’ll need to keep an eye out for an old Roadster S. Oh, fancy that. One’s popped up on the classifieds.
Alpina is, of course, the Yin to BMW M’s Yang. Fast for sure, but far better suited to Germany’s autobahn network than the Nurburgring’s north loop. The Roadster S, however, was a little bit different. It would essentially serve as a precursor to the BMW Z4 M Roadster, as the model was axed in 2006 having been on sale for just two years. During that time only 370 examples were produced, 167 of which were right hookers earmarked for the UK market – or roughly ten per cent of British Z4 Ms.
Fundamentally, the Roadster S isn’t all that different to M car. Obviously, it isn’t as powerful. Alpinas rarely are. However, the 300hp on offer through a 3.4-litre naturally aspirated straight six - a tweaked version of the 3.2-litre engine found in North American versions of the E36 M3 and Z3 M - isn’t all that far off the M equivalent. It’s around 130kg lighter, too, with a power-to-weight ratio that’s less than 10hp per tonne shy of the M car. But the real shocker here (in a good way) is that the tuner opted against its Switch-Tronic auto box and instead fitted a ZF-built six-speed manual.
Beyond that, it’s standard Alpina fare. The company fitted its own dampers with Eibach springs, though the upgrades are nowhere near as comprehensive as what you’ll find on the M version. What is significant, however, is the interior makeover the Roadster S received. Alpina reportedly made thousands of changes to the cabin, including new leather sports seats, signature blue dials and a smattering of company badges and logos dotted throughout. This car comes with the optional Luxury package, a chunky £4,850 option back in the day but it did bring Bluetooth connectivity, parking sensors, even more leather and much more besides.
By now, you’d think that this Roadster S must carry a brow-raising asking price, what with Alpinas being mostly immune to heavy depreciation. Yet despite the badge and exclusivity, number 137 is listed at £20,995 through Duke of London. By comparison, this Z4 M Roadster will set you back a further £18,000 – albeit with a fewer miles on the clock. We’ll take the rarer, slightly softer car and use the leftover change on a road trip down to the cols of Southern France, thanks.
SPECIFICATION | ALPINE ROADSTER S
Engine: 3,346cc straight-six
Transmission: 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 300@6,300rpm
Torque (lb ft): 267@4,800rpm
MPG: 28
CO2: N/A
Year registered: 2004
Recorded mileage: 50,000
Price new: £37,850 (before options)
Yours for: £20,995
We looked at one when we were buying the wife's M Coupe about 7 years ago, it was up for £16.5k I think, about the same as an MC, so not much different now either. Probabky have been a better daily than the M though, but she didn't want a drop top. Besides, the dog can go in the boot of a coupe.
Someone told me that even the seat cushion of the Alpina was re-sprung in order to better complement the ride. No idea if its true, but it makes sense given how thorough they are.
Do these suffer from the same 'sticky steering' as the standard cars?
Someone told me that even the seat cushion of the Alpina was re-sprung in order to better complement the ride. No idea if its true, but it makes sense given how thorough they are.
quote]
Andy Boviensepen spent hours hammering up and down the autobahns to try and find a comfortable driving/seat position, as the standard Z4 seats were naff.
The squab, bolsters and backrest were all changed, I spent many comfortable hours in mine thanks to Andy.
That M is insanely priced and from the advert 9 years between services is not a full service history (as claimed) with no mention of the running in service either
2 services in 17 years is not a FSH on a car that has a maximum two years between services regardless of mileage
Comedy priced M but the Alpina is lovely and commands a premium over the M
Reasonable looking z4m on the market. Less than 50k miles and expected at £15-20k
I would suggest £22-25k tops but then if you started using it you would lose money so bit of a hard one to value really. I've not even read the add in full as to me it is someone just trying their luck.
An M roadster cropped up for sale last week with 100k miles and looked pretty good value at £11.5k
Reasonable looking z4m on the market. Less than 50k miles and expected at £15-20k
Far far more sensible buy than the one in the article
Alpina fitted the S52 engine enlarged to 3.4 litres, fitted 19" wheels (that look a real PITA to clean) without run-flat tyres but kept the Electric PAS, an open Diff. and removed the 155mph limiter.
BMW put the later S54 in the M, fitted 18" wheels without run-flats, swapped to Hydraulic PAS and fitted an LSD. They didn't remove the 155 limiter but as it only operates in 6th by all accounts an M in 5th will get to a similar top speed on an Autobahn!
There are more Ms about but they aren't exactly common as it seems only 614 M Roadsters were registered in the UK.
But as my Z4 had to be a Coupe after a couple of 3 litre ones I had to buy an M.
As said that Z4MR definitely isn't cheap, and I feel like I got a bit of a bargain with mine when I paid £14.5k for it back in 2012 with 38k miles on it in comparison.
A nice lowish miles one today would be £15k-£20k and £14.5k in 2012 would be £22k today adjusted for inflation
My Z4M was that colour combo as well.
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