Running an '02 3.3 B10 Alpina Touring.
Discussion
Need the space of an estate car for practical reasons and currently run a'98 523i touring and am seriously looking for an X5 but just come across one of these and am so tempted.
How are they to run? Apart from the hugh hike in performance, I assume, are there many downsides? Are they very juicy? This is the straight 6 not the v8 so I am guessing the lesser of the two evils.
I really need to be persuaded NOT to buy it but....! Mid life crisis car for a sensible person I am thinking!
How are they to run? Apart from the hugh hike in performance, I assume, are there many downsides? Are they very juicy? This is the straight 6 not the v8 so I am guessing the lesser of the two evils.
I really need to be persuaded NOT to buy it but....! Mid life crisis car for a sensible person I am thinking!
I've owned my 1999 B10 3.3 Touring for nearly 5 years and it's done 137,000 miles now and I would be hard pressed to find a better car, which is perhaps why I still have it.
Good points:
All the usual E39 positives (driving dynamics, ergonomics & comfort, well built) plus a glorious Alpina engine that is powerful, quiet, economical - I get 26 mpg in very mixed driving - and bespoke to the B10. The Alpina bodykit and 18 inch wheels make it look much more modern than it is and they usually have a good level of kit. The 6 cylinder B10's retain the very sharp rack & pinion steering (while the V8 has recirculating ball) and the upgraded springs/dampers make for great handling. Facelift cars have smaller steering wheels and angel lights, the former doesn't bother me the latter I upgraded.
Negative
All the usual E39 negatives (rubbish lights, cooling, rust, air suspension) which incur costs but these are largely common to all E39's and are not Alpina specific. The one Alpina specific issue is that of oil consumption. Some year 2000 models, mine incuded, like to have a drink of oil and are quite fussy about the stuff. When I bought it from Munich Legends it came with Castrol GTX and it used a litre by the time of the first full fill up. Alpina recommend 0W-30 Castrol Edge and you should get 3-5,000 miles from a litre but mine uses a litre of fully synthethic Castrol Edge 10W-60 (or similiar) about every 1,000km. I've got used to this and the performance feels the same now as it did in 2006. Discs and pads are from larged engined/heavier BMW models, pads £75 fr / £43 rr ea + VAT
General service items are reasonable, spark plug £9, oil filter £7.80, brake master £78, abs sensor £62, air spring £152 ea., + VAT
The rear tyres are 265/35 ZR 18 (Goodyear F1: £180 each) so you have to buy winter tyres and 16J or 17J alloys. Mines runs 16" alloys and Avon Ice Tourings in 225/55 x 16 all round from early December to early March. If not be prepared to carry a shovel to dig it out. LSD's weren't available on the B10 so I've had an excellent Quaife diff fitted by Birds (I love the car too much).
I paid £13,000 for it back in 2006, it was a £48,000 car new in 1999 and I like to think that Chris Harris liked it too as it was his wife's new.
It is worth having a look at the Alpina register for information & advice http://www.thealpinaregister.com/
Here's a gratitious picture of mine on one of those rare occasions when its clean
Good points:
All the usual E39 positives (driving dynamics, ergonomics & comfort, well built) plus a glorious Alpina engine that is powerful, quiet, economical - I get 26 mpg in very mixed driving - and bespoke to the B10. The Alpina bodykit and 18 inch wheels make it look much more modern than it is and they usually have a good level of kit. The 6 cylinder B10's retain the very sharp rack & pinion steering (while the V8 has recirculating ball) and the upgraded springs/dampers make for great handling. Facelift cars have smaller steering wheels and angel lights, the former doesn't bother me the latter I upgraded.
Negative
All the usual E39 negatives (rubbish lights, cooling, rust, air suspension) which incur costs but these are largely common to all E39's and are not Alpina specific. The one Alpina specific issue is that of oil consumption. Some year 2000 models, mine incuded, like to have a drink of oil and are quite fussy about the stuff. When I bought it from Munich Legends it came with Castrol GTX and it used a litre by the time of the first full fill up. Alpina recommend 0W-30 Castrol Edge and you should get 3-5,000 miles from a litre but mine uses a litre of fully synthethic Castrol Edge 10W-60 (or similiar) about every 1,000km. I've got used to this and the performance feels the same now as it did in 2006. Discs and pads are from larged engined/heavier BMW models, pads £75 fr / £43 rr ea + VAT
General service items are reasonable, spark plug £9, oil filter £7.80, brake master £78, abs sensor £62, air spring £152 ea., + VAT
The rear tyres are 265/35 ZR 18 (Goodyear F1: £180 each) so you have to buy winter tyres and 16J or 17J alloys. Mines runs 16" alloys and Avon Ice Tourings in 225/55 x 16 all round from early December to early March. If not be prepared to carry a shovel to dig it out. LSD's weren't available on the B10 so I've had an excellent Quaife diff fitted by Birds (I love the car too much).
I paid £13,000 for it back in 2006, it was a £48,000 car new in 1999 and I like to think that Chris Harris liked it too as it was his wife's new.
It is worth having a look at the Alpina register for information & advice http://www.thealpinaregister.com/
Here's a gratitious picture of mine on one of those rare occasions when its clean
Edited by Simon1397 on Saturday 10th September 14:51
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