E46 Alpina B3S Touring or 335i Touring?
Discussion
I've always had a soft spot for E46 Tourings. My last few cars have been V8s and I fancy a straight 6 next. I also want an auto box and as much performance as I have now from my 540i, preferably more.
335i MSport Tourings aren't that much pricier than the E46 Alpina considering how much newer and lower mileage they are. My problem is that E46 Alpina B3S Tourings are rare. Only a handful made in RHD, and many are too well-used to be worth changing my car for. So I'd have to jump if I spot one for sale. For this reason I can't easily compare with an E91 335i. Anyone driven both and able to give me some guidance?
335i MSport Tourings aren't that much pricier than the E46 Alpina considering how much newer and lower mileage they are. My problem is that E46 Alpina B3S Tourings are rare. Only a handful made in RHD, and many are too well-used to be worth changing my car for. So I'd have to jump if I spot one for sale. For this reason I can't easily compare with an E91 335i. Anyone driven both and able to give me some guidance?
I've test driven both (the B3 was a saloon) and on balance preferred the B3. That said a 335 is quite a bit quicker and whilst the B3 gearbox is better than the 5 speeed auto in normal E46 autos I'd say the newer 6 spd auto in the 335i is better still. If you go for a 335i I'd advise ditching the awful run flat tyres. The other thing is that B3 3.4s are very rare in touring form- I think only around half a dozen touring were sold in the UK. alpina register uk is a good reference website
Simon
Have you also considered a 335d Touring M-Sport? A friend of mine had one until recently and we took it on a fishing trip to the Dordogne back in June.
It was a star car! Rapid (286 bhp out of the box; easily re-mappable I understand to 343 bhp), un-fussed, nice balance of ride, comfort and handling etc. 'Reasonable' economy for the performance too. We really enjoyed the car.
Worth also thinking about?
Have you also considered a 335d Touring M-Sport? A friend of mine had one until recently and we took it on a fishing trip to the Dordogne back in June.
It was a star car! Rapid (286 bhp out of the box; easily re-mappable I understand to 343 bhp), un-fussed, nice balance of ride, comfort and handling etc. 'Reasonable' economy for the performance too. We really enjoyed the car.
Worth also thinking about?
There were only 8 B3s tourings into the UK. I have one of the 20 B3s Saloons and can't rate it enough. 3.4l of fun!
I tried a couple of B3 tourings as I really wanted the extra space but resigned myself it was an impossible dream and couldn't wait. One B3s touring lives in Oxford and is well over 150k but still is a much loved car.
I tried a couple of B3 tourings as I really wanted the extra space but resigned myself it was an impossible dream and couldn't wait. One B3s touring lives in Oxford and is well over 150k but still is a much loved car.
Derin, I don't think I'd bother with the diesel. The fuel economy benefit isn't great enough, and I do love to use the full rev range every now and again. The 335i creeps in as an obvious (and much easier to find) alternative to the Alpina, but it's the Alpina which still tugs at the heart strings.
Eggle, the 150k+ miler must be Charles Lovibond's car. My 540i has now down 157k miles and while I could keep it forever, I don't want to spend ten grand more than its value on a car which is similarly well-used.
Eggle, the 150k+ miler must be Charles Lovibond's car. My 540i has now down 157k miles and while I could keep it forever, I don't want to spend ten grand more than its value on a car which is similarly well-used.
Edited by SJobson on Thursday 29th October 19:45
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