Spotted special: an Alpina extravaganza

[g3org3y]

Bacchus said:

TheEnd said:

Yep, it looks like someone went to cash converters and swapped the iconic 20 spoke 18s for these super rare 3 spoke wheels.

are they rare?

For a reason.

[M666 EVO]

Never quite understood these Alpina models. I agree subtlety is a good thing but change of wheels and a badge is too little. Always looks to me like some Barry has got a Halfords Alpina sticker and some different wheels. Nothing special in that.

Each to their own I guess. I prefer the M series.

[johnpeat]

That B12 probably has the greatest potential BORK of any car I've seen on here yet.

and I'd love it...

[Cactussed]

I can't comment on all models but in terms of my B10 V8, the gearbox setup (maybe just electronics) is bespoke, the engine is bespoke, springs and shocks are bespoke, exhaust is bespoke.

Brakes are standard 540 as are most of the major body panels.

And it has stripes

[FunBusMk2]

The stripes have never done it for me - too fussy.

[fluffnik]

Mermaid said:

TheEnd said:

BTW, what colour is that?

Alpina Green?

aka: Dunkelgrün

[Cactussed]

I'd have it wrapped in white and go for some retro green and blue numbers (except she'd murder me)... :P

[fluffnik]

M666 EVO said:

Never quite understood these Alpina models.

...

Nothing special in that.

...except, in the case of the B10 V8, the:

• engine
• gearbox
• dampers
• progressive rate springs
• geometry
• exhaust
• (optional)trim
• VIN

[sider]

Noooo! Should've sold the Ibiza Cupra TDI and replaced it with a D3 - fairly affordable now.

Damn you company car Avensis and damn you also Cupra money all spent on house stuff!

[Chris944_S2]

fluffnik said:

M666 EVO said:

Never quite understood these Alpina models.

...

Nothing special in that.

...except, in the case of the B10 V8, the:

• engine
• gearbox
• dampers
• progressive rate springs
• geometry
• exhaust
• (optional)trim
• VIN

And with the V8S

• Front discs and pads

They alays get compared to the M cars, but I think that's why some don't get them. As a pure performance car the M will be better, but that's not what ALPINA are aiming for. It's an improved 540, and compared to that its a huge step up without losing any of the comfort. I think it was in EVO that I read a quote that summed them up pretty well, its for people who specifically don't want an M car

[e30s50b30]

dev635 said:

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

I am fortunate enough to know the owner and can vouch for that 100%

[jfbrin]

Excellent timing for this article. It appears for the first time in my life, I might actually be buying the right car at the right time!

Subject to a BMW Inspection report tomorrow, I hope to be picking up a mint 2000 e39 B10 V8 on Saturday. Can't bloody wait!

JB

[fluffnik]

carinaman said:

I'm yet to get autos

Try an ALPINA SwitchTronic.

carinaman said:

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?

Sadly, now that they're doing so much development work for BMW you're unlikely to get into the factory without being vetted by Munich and signing an NDA.

They're still very friendly though.

[BlitzE34]

There was a time when Alpina's were much more extreme then M cars. E12 B7S turbo in 1981 had 330BHP and 500NM. They had sorts of trick bits on them.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gB7Xnzh_K4&fea...

[mickthebus]

When i had my B10 resprayed i debated whether to have stripes on it or not,but this was built in the 80's which was a time that taste forgot! I like the look,i know its not to everyones taste but hey we are all different.My E28 B10 is not a traffic light screamer,it has an automatic gearbox,but the fun is overtaking at speed!! If you floor it at mid range speeds it goes like a bullet.Thats what the cars all about,in the real world trying to get past a caravan on B roads these cars are brill.I love it to bits.

[FunBusMk2]

simonigrale said:

The plates we had at the time were S17NER, V8 ALP, B10 ALP, A7PNA I think and FS1 or Air Force One as we called it.

ALP 117A was another wasn't it.

[Rouleur]

I've always had a thing about these dating back to reading a Motor magazine test of a B6 3.5S. I'd love one of those or a B8 4.6 Touring

[Mermaid]

Rouleur said:

I've always had a thing about these dating back to reading a Motor magazine test of a B6 3.5S.



]

Lpvely cars, but not as chuckable as the E30 M3 - too nose heavy.

[slopes]

I so want an e39 M5 right now for my next car

[carinaman]

mickthebus, any chance of a few interior pics?

A garage near where I lived in the mid to late 90s had an E28 Alpina for sale and I got as far as wandering up the forecourt and pressing my nose up against the glass. I think that was an Auto one too.

Regarding the Alpina straight six E30 M3 they did, I am pretty sure LJKS did the piece in CAR on those.