Any Alpina experts?

[birdcage]

I was browsing the classifieds looking for a family smoker and this caught my eye.

I have had a couple of BMW's (CSL's) and love them but know little about Alpina's

This looks good value, are they ruinous to run and is it good for a few more miles?

Any tips welcome, thanks

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1512247.htm

[J888SXY]

That engine can use about a litre of oil every 600 miles.

You need to use manual mode to get the full performance as it can sit in high gear at low speed and not easy to kick down.

Cheaper to run than an M as this is based on the 328 but some Alpina only parts can be pricey.

Prices are all over the place but should be cheaper than an M car of the same age and mileage.

However, I regret selling mine and will have another one day.

[liquidken]

600 miles is a little excessive in my experience. Between 800 and 1000 is typical of what I've seen.

Other than that, I concur with the above. They're lovely motors which, for the most part, use standard BWM parts which inevitably means a better daily proposition than that of an M Power car.

[J888SXY]

600 miles is the Alpina acceptability criterion.

Mine tended to do about that as I didn't really use it for long journeys (or very much at all!).

Changing to thicker oil and replacing the crankcase vent valve helps as well.

Again, top cars.

[Mr Green]

Is it a genuine Alpina? They should all be numbered.

[MarkwG]

^number question^ yep, it's this one - http://www.alpina-archive.com/?p=7922 - it's certainly worth a look. I'd check it's had the rear floor inspected & fixed, as e46s are prone to issues in that area: Alpina's are not immune & not neccesarily supported by BMW without a fight.

[gizlaroc]

Why don't car dealers spend £12 on a set of new plates, it makes the car look so much better......

[MarkwG]

^reg plates^ - leaving the original ones in place demonstrates the car hasn't had a significant front or rear shunt, so gives the consumer added confidence. Useful if the bonnets had stone chip paint repairs. They won't make or break the deal, either way.

[Eggle]

Do it, you wont regret it. I have the B3s and love it. Oil usage is approx 1l to 2000 miles. As cheap to run as a 330, but better fun, a better build and exclusivity.
That is a nice car, reasonably priced, but as said, check the rear subframe mountings. A guy on the alpina forums has just fallen out with BMW over his, and it is expensive to sort.

[Mr Green]

Please excuse my ignorance, but why are these Alpinas using so much oil? I own an E34 and 3xE36s and very rarely need to top the oil up.

[PetrolTed]

Oooh.... fond memories. Mine was obviously from a similar source (mine was W447 PRR).

As above, you need to use the switchtronic, they use oil but they are fabulous. Dead smooth cars to drive and quite luxurious in a medium sized car way (bit too much walnut veneer, but hey).

I miss mine. It's almost tempting

[ARAF]

Only 14 months later, but I've just bought that car. Where was it previously advertised? I bought from a dealer in Norbury.

As to the state of the plates, they match much of the car - original, but looking very secondhand.

[mikial]

Good choice Araf, have you had a look in www.thealpinaregister.com ?

How is Norbury these days, I lived in Thornton Heath back in the eighties .

[ARAF]

mikial said:

Good choice Araf, have you had a look in www.thealpinaregister.com ?

How is Norbury these days, I lived in Thornton Heath back in the eighties .

Thanks. I left Norbury still standing, honest.

Thanks for the link. I've been posting on the register forum already.