Spotted special: an Alpina extravaganza

[carinaman]

http://wheelmen.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/alpina...

That road sign on the right looks apt.

[FunBusMk2]

I've just remembered a version of the E36 3-series Alpinas I don't think we've mentioned - the B8 4.6. Available in coupe, touring and saloon. The picture of the Alpina blue B3 above reminded me of it's existance. Left hand drive only and I'd love a go in one!

[Rouleur]

FunBusMk2 said:

I've just remembered a version of the E36 3-series Alpinas I don't think we've mentioned - the B8 4.6. Available in coupe, touring and saloon. The picture of the Alpina blue B3 above reminded me of it's existance. Left hand drive only and I'd love a go in one!

That's exactly what I posted!

[FunBusMk2]

I thought it might have been. Can't tell you why though!

[simonigrale]

FunBusMk2 said:

I've just remembered a version of the E36 3-series Alpinas I don't think we've mentioned - the B8 4.6. Available in coupe, touring and saloon. The picture of the Alpina blue B3 above reminded me of it's existance. Left hand drive only and I'd love a go in one!

There was a bloke that ran a company in Mansfield that had one. I remember the techs used to say it was tricky changing from 2nd to 3rd without getting 1st by mistake and locking the back end up. I don't know if that was the fact the box was tricky or the fact that it was Lhd.

I had an integrale evo with over 300hp when I last drove a B8 4.6 and thought the integrale was much quicker out the blocks. The B8 was not really any quicker than an M3 evo but it had loads of torque.

[I WISH]

Always LOVED those steam train wheels

[jamesghwilson]

RichTBiscuit said:

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 :-)

Haha...agreed, this would definitely be a heart over head decision - a labour of love, rather than an economical financial one.

Awesome car though, it's a shame that if you bought it, when you thrashed it you'd always be slightly distracted listening for dubious mechanical noises rather than enjoying it.

"Oooh, a new noise."
"That'll be 1 billion pounds for a full head rebuild and a new diff."

Bye bye house, family, friends and any other things that you would then refer to as luxuries...like food.

If I had the money and the patience, I'd have them all though!

[FunBusMk2]

jamesghwilson said:

"Oooh, a new noise."
"That'll be 1 billion pounds for a full head rebuild and a new diff."

Bye bye house, family, friends and any other things that you would then refer to as luxuries...like food.

If I had the money and the patience, I'd have them all though!

So true though!

[FunBusMk2]

I'm loving these at the moment - the B7:



It's got the sort of front end that says: "Out. The. fking. Way."

[carinaman]

Meh, the kidneys are that big I'd be worried that one was about to rupture.

You know how 'universities' like to get their brands in the press with some really odd research:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-1701...

I was looking at the head on pic. of that LHD E34 earlier thinking there must be some ratio or formula for working out the most aethetically pleasing frontal styling using measurements like area of grille, headlamps, windscreen and A pillars.

It's a real shame BMW exited F1, if they'd been in this year they could have had a broken nosed horror that matched the grimness of most of their current road offerings.

How did the 5 series evolve to give us such a foul looking beast?

Edited by carinaman on Friday 17th February 02:56

[VCat]

Such great cars. My 1997 B10 V8 is on classic car insurance and has an LPG conversion so is a practical family V8. The wheels are delicious but a bugger to check the pressure.

Love the stripes on the 80s cars.

[carinaman]

I didn't know about the secret tyre valves.

[Mermaid]

carinaman said:

I didn't know about the secret tyre valves.

The valves are not secret, their location is not so obvious.

[A S P]

fluffnik said:

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.

That's what they said via email, but when I got there I was given a tour (including the bonkers wine cellar) by the Production Manager. Despite much of the mechanical fettling being done in-factory at BMW, it was good to see the trim and finishing still done at Buchloe.

The back yard had some proper treats in, rare Alpina's, test mules and dubious trim specification awaiting shake-down drives.

[mickthebus]

Hello carinaman,have just been out to my cold garage and took these pics,the flash on my camera has made the seats come out a lighter grey than what they are.I can post better pics at the weekend if the suns out! I should be at the Bmw show at gaydon this year,if you go let me know and you are very welcome to have a sit in the B10,as long as you dont get snotty nose marks on my windows

[mickthebus]

I goto other car shows through the year so keep me informed if you go to any.Cheers matey

[fluffnik]

A S P said:

fluffnik said:

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.

That's what they said via email, but when I got there I was given a tour (including the bonkers wine cellar) by the Production Manager. Despite much of the mechanical fettling being done in-factory at BMW, it was good to see the trim and finishing still done at Buchloe.

The back yard had some proper treats in, rare Alpina's, test mules and dubious trim specification awaiting shake-down drives.

They were mostly away at Goodwood(!) launching the new B5 while I was there so very much skeleton staff.

I was shown some places where "we usually have something nice"...

I plan to drop by again with better timing.

[Zyp]

FunBusMk2 said:

I'm loving these at the moment - the B7:



It's got the sort of front end that says: "Out. The. fking. Way."

I saw that yesterday on the Sytner test drive route in Notts - pretty damn sure it was that, with the same plates on.

Although mine's only a D3 bi-turbo, it's an absolute peach of a car and IMO so much better than a 320d.
My first Alpina and hopefully not the last - I'd love to own one of these oldies in this thread!

[Digger]

Cactussed said:

I have to say however that they are a right fecker to check the tyre pressures on

you can buy official Alpina valve extensions to solve this.


Aah yes you're referring to the plates i guess - quite often found it tricky to re-align them when refitting as well.

Edited by Digger on Friday 17th February 20:36

[FunBusMk2]

Zyp said:

FunBusMk2 said:

I'm loving these at the moment - the B7:



It's got the sort of front end that says: "Out. The. fking. Way."

I saw that yesterday on the Sytner test drive route in Notts - pretty damn sure it was that, with the same plates on.

Thanks for that - I'll be dropping by tomorrow to see if it was a B7. Not seen one in the flesh yet.

As for the tyre valves - it's a good way of checking if Alpina Alloys are the real deal or not I do believe.