Spotted special: an Alpina extravaganza

[TheEnd]

For a B10 spotters guide for nerds -

B10 6cyls - regular front spoiler
B10 V8s - front spoiler with airducts at each corner for brakes
B10 Biturbo - the section around the Alpina text is cut out for more cooling, but no brake ducts.

[fluffnik]

Here's a gratuitous ALPINA in the Alps.

[RichTBiscuit]

That V12 B12 (7 series) looks like a massive potential money pit!!

A complex v12 engined car that's not been run for a year and has no service history?

You may well save money throwing £50 notes on the fire :-)

[E24man]

fluffnik said:

fake7 said:

This one lives near me. It hasn't moved for ages, and looks a bit sorry for itself.



But is it real? it's got the "look" and the right wheels (and an interesting reg), but no badges to give it away.
What model do you think it is?

I believe it's a real B10 3.5.

It shows up for sale from time to time...

I'm not saying Fluffnik is wrong but IMHO it is a genuine BiTurbo; the front spoiler is the BiTurbo item rather than the 3.5, the lhd helps but the next time you are passing stop and have a look for the additional digital instruments set just below the dash clocks (not the vents) and at the centre console just in front of the gear lever for a little adjustable knob where the ASC switch might normally be found.

[PPPPPP]

fluffnik said:

Here's a gratuitous ALPINA

& another the E12 based Alpina B7S 250 to 330ps, dependent on how much turbo boost, adjustable from the cockpit.

[fluffnik]

Luca Brasi said:

Lovely stuff, proper BMWs. Shame most of them are $$$$$ when it comes to running costs.

There's no ///Mtax on ALPINAs.

Most general service costs are the same as the base BMW.

[TheEnd]

fluffnik said:

There's no ///Mtax on ALPINAs.

Most general service costs are the same as the base BMW.

You pay it as part of insurance in a "can't-find-it-on-the-system-tax"

[fluffnik]

TheEnd said:

fluffnik said:

There's no ///Mtax on ALPINAs.

Most general service costs are the same as the base BMW.

You pay it as part of insurance in a "can't-find-it-on-the-system-tax"

I paid slightly less to insure my first B10 V8 than the 740i that preceded it.

You do have to shop around a little but there's no need to get shafted.

[only1ian]

I'm an e39 b10 4.6 owner. It's the same as the ind in the ph Morgan and it an absolute peach! Bought my 2002 model for £4995 and haven't looked back! Luxury, performance, exclusivity and fun.

Anyone wanting to know more about these cars should check out the http://www.thealpinaregister.com

[Munich]

fake7 said:

This one lives near me. It hasn't moved for ages, and looks a bit sorry for itself.



But is it real? it's got the "look" and the right wheels (and an interesting reg), but no badges to give it away.
What model do you think it is?

LHD?

[E24man]

TheEnd said:

For a B10 spotters guide for nerds -

B10 6cyls - regular front spoiler
B10 V8s - front spoiler with airducts at each corner for brakes
B10 Biturbo - the section around the Alpina text is cut out for more cooling, but no brake ducts.

As if by magic...

[fluffnik]

Once more in its natural habitat...

[FunBusMk2]

simonigrale said:

I worked at Sytner Nottm for many years.

You may well have known Andy Oliver? He was a tech there for 20+ years and very highly regarded within Sytner and BMW GB. I remember once he diagnosed a fault with a McLaren F1 in Dubai by listening to it on tickover over the phone. I'm good friends with his Son.

Sytner have been the sole Alpina concessionaire since 1983 (previously held by TWR) and being a Nottingham lad I'd love to look round the outside of the showroom at what was about when I was 'in town'. In the early days, the cars were converted in Nottingham with engines being sent back to Buchloe. Frank Sytner was a bit of a hero of mine and seeing his car with the plate 'FS 1' used to be quite exciting I seem to recall. The showroom now is on the edge of the city centre and the old site, pictured below, is a Lidl, Gym and student digs.



When I was 15 I did work experience there (1993) and remember it was when Alpina had launched the 20" wheel for the E38 - 20" wheels were unheard of back then.

Superb cars and I still love seeing them more than I do an M-car. The D5 Bi-turbo arrived at the Nottingham showroom recently but had to be sent back to Alpina for investigation after it ate it's rear diff - seem 700Nm of torque is maybe a bit much!

[mat205125]

That E39 is fantastic. What a wonmderful piece of machinery

See you in the classifieds!!

[carinaman]

I'm a bit disappointed by this thread, reminds me of some of the SP&tL 'discussions'.

Agreed the E34 still looks great! but surely the only E39 B10 to get excited about are the straight 6 3.2 and 3.3s? The straight sixes handle better, have the straight six noise and were available with manual boxes. I'm yet to get autos, so if it was a V8 I'd lean more towards the M5.

Wasn't there an article in CAR a few years ago that said that anyone that turns up at the factory in an Alpina can have a factory tour?

[fake7]

E24man said:

I'm not saying Fluffnik is wrong but IMHO it is a genuine BiTurbo; the front spoiler is the BiTurbo item rather than the 3.5, the lhd helps but the next time you are passing stop and have a look for the additional digital instruments set just below the dash clocks (not the vents) and at the centre console just in front of the gear lever for a little adjustable knob where the ASC switch might normally be found.

I'll go and have a look this afternoon and report back (didn't occur to me to check LHD)

[Tango13]

Who ever designed to Alpina wheel with the air valve in the hub and the blanking plate to cover the bolts needs to be awarded several medals IMHO.

I had a set on an e36 328 and they were great for confusing tyre fitters, they hated having to ask how to deflate the tyre as they could never find the valve

[carinaman]

Further confirmation, as if any was needed, that the current five is by far the least attractive.

[dev635]

Seen the cars at avantgarde, they are absolutely mint, run by a top bloke, proper enthusiast

[Essex Exile]

PPPPPP said:

& another the E12 based Alpina B7S 250 to 330ps, dependent on how much turbo boost, adjustable from the cockpit.

OOOHH!!! I want that!!!