RE: 2021 Alpina DS 3 Touring | PH Review

[cerb4.5lee]

MagicMonkey said:

As much as I admire Steve Sutcliffe I really wish he hadn’t have made that video (unfairly) comparing an M3 to a D3 it's planted a seed into every boy racers head to to challenge ALPINA owners both on the road and in online forums like this when, in reality, it’s like comparing an apple to a chicken salad.

They are aimed at completely different buyers I agree. They shouldn't get compared for me, however I do remember the banter on the Z4 forum between the Z4M owners and the Alpina Roadster owners, so I guess that it is just something that seems to happen.

[jason61c]

Sulphur Man said:

Mercedes E400d estate is virtually the same price, much more spacious and practical, and comparable on performance and economy.

Its a twin test that has to happen.

I’ve an e400d. It’s quite a bit bigger than a 3 series, quite a bit nicer inside also.

I doubt there’s anything in the performance on the road.

[TyrannosauRoss Lex]

jason61c said:

Sulphur Man said:

Mercedes E400d estate is virtually the same price, much more spacious and practical, and comparable on performance and economy.

Its a twin test that has to happen.

I’ve an e400d. It’s quite a bit bigger than a 3 series, quite a bit nicer inside also.

I doubt there’s anything in the performance on the road.

Likewise, a 5 series is also quite a bit bigger and has a nicer interior than a 3 series.....

[bigandclever]

TyrannosauRoss Lex said:

It I s also not seemingly possible to spec it without the Alpina lettering on the front spoiler.

It’s a free option, no? 172, Deco set omission. Perhaps you’re right, it’s odd you can’t seemingly delete the lettering from the boot (“ A loose delivery is not possible!”)

Edited by bigandclever on Tuesday 9th March 22:24

[Marc H]

Sorry Cackett, it's pock-marked.... a nasty term for acne, not pot-marked as in pot-holes.

[Slippydiff]

TyrannosauRoss Lex said:

I've just checked, the smallest diameter wheels you can get with the Alpina are 19 inches, BMW offer 18s for the M340d. It is also not seemingly possible to spec it without the Alpina lettering on the front spoiler.

The OP was referring to the somewhat garish optional stripes that adorn the flanks of the cars.
The lettering you're referring to used to be molded into the Alpina front bumper/spoilers, it actually looks more like a badge now (and a removable one at that) so one would assume it could be discarded.

BMW offer 19" wheels on the M340D, whilst Alpina offer 19" wheels or the option of the 20" cotton reels, ergo they do provide the option of smaller wheels. My post stands.

PH pedantry matters

Edited by Slippydiff on Wednesday 10th March 00:14

[Wills2]

Strider said:

Alpinas are for people who can't appreciate the subtly and superb engineering. It's a very different market and doesn't need the chips and spoilers brigade.

Even though it has both those, the ECU will have been changed or "chipped" during the development process, after all it's just a word to describe the uprating/changing of the engine's performance and the car has a massive front air dam, rear spoiler and diffusor.

[churchie2856]

For a while I considered the M340i, but I was not keen on the chintzy styling and the ride; to me, Alpina get the asthetics and chassis just right.

I haven't driven a D3 S, but I have driven the B3 - it was epic. The B3 is a wonderful machine, but the D3 is a fair chunk less cash (though still expensive relative to every other 3 series) and, based upon this and other reviews, stands near shoulder to shoulder with its petrol twin brother.

To that end, I now have a D3 S Touring on order, in Alpina green with the full deco-set in silver, but with 19" alloys; it's a few quid short of £60K. The only downside (besides the cost) is the long wait between placing the order and delivery.

Edited by churchie2856 on Wednesday 10th March 00:46

[TyrannosauRoss Lex]

Slippydiff said:

TyrannosauRoss Lex said:

I've just checked, the smallest diameter wheels you can get with the Alpina are 19 inches, BMW offer 18s for the M340d. It is also not seemingly possible to spec it without the Alpina lettering on the front spoiler.

The OP was referring to the somewhat garish optional stripes that adorn the flanks of the cars.
The lettering you're referring to used to be molded into the Alpina front bumper/spoilers, it actually looks more like a badge now (and a removable one at that) so one would assume it could be discarded.

BMW offer 19" wheels on the M340D, whilst Alpina offer 19" wheels or the option of the 20" cotton reels, ergo they do provide the option of smaller wheels. My post stands.

PH pedantry matters

Edited by Slippydiff on Wednesday 10th March 00:14

So they don't offer 18s then, like BMW?

[Slippydiff]

TyrannosauRoss Lex said:

So they don't offer 18s then, like BMW?

Being deliberately obtuse ? Or just being contrary for the sake of it ?

[TyrannosauRoss Lex]

Slippydiff said:

TyrannosauRoss Lex said:

So they don't offer 18s then, like BMW?

Being deliberately obtuse ? Or just being contrary for the sake of it ?

Someone asked if they do small wheels, but they don't offer wheels below 19s. I wouldn't say that's being obtuse, it's up to you or others to decide whether 19 is "small" or not, but either way it is not as small as 18.

[Slippydiff]

TyrannosauRoss Lex said:

Someone asked if they do small wheels, but they don't offer wheels below 19s. I wouldn't say that's being obtuse, it's up to you or others to decide whether 19 is "small" or not, but either way it is not as small as 18.

cerb4.5lee said:

Alpina have always made me smile with this too. They go to the trouble of sorting the ride/handling out(making it soft/compliant) in comparison to a BMW, and also offer them as auto only so they suit the more discerning driver/owner...then they stick massive wheels on them and daft stickers! It doesn't make any sense to me.

I responded to the above post. Which you'll note at no point asks if smaller wheels are available ...

I'm not really sure what you're trying to achieve with your posts ? But either way, it's of no consequence, because my post was a direct response to cerb4.5lee's, not some mythical post you're imagined or otherwise.

So ...

For the sake of clarification, the last time I looked at a tape measure, 19" was smaller than 20". Yes ?

With regards to the 20" cotton reels the OP's comments referred too, I chose to respond by suggesting the stripes were optional, and that Alpina offered an optional smaller wheel. Still with me ?

Thinking you were being smart, you tried to obfuscate matters by introducing the pointless fact that the car could be supplied by the manufacturer on 18" wheels.

You're a smart cookie, so you'll appreciate my use of the words optional and specifically smaller in relation to Alpina's wheel offerings

Now I'm not sure about you, but with that now cleared up, I've got better things to do with my time than address any further erroneous responses.

[PH User]

If the 19s are standard and the 20s are extra cost, then smaller wheels aren't available as an option, but bigger are.

[waynecyclist]

Really nice looking car, always had a soft spot for Alpina's

[TyrannosauRoss Lex]

Slippydiff said:

TyrannosauRoss Lex said:

Someone asked if they do small wheels, but they don't offer wheels below 19s. I wouldn't say that's being obtuse, it's up to you or others to decide whether 19 is "small" or not, but either way it is not as small as 18.

cerb4.5lee said:

Alpina have always made me smile with this too. They go to the trouble of sorting the ride/handling out(making it soft/compliant) in comparison to a BMW, and also offer them as auto only so they suit the more discerning driver/owner...then they stick massive wheels on them and daft stickers! It doesn't make any sense to me.

I responded to the above post. Which you'll note at no point asks if smaller wheels are available ...

I'm not really sure what you're trying to achieve with your posts ? But either way, it's of no consequence, because my post was a direct response to cerb4.5lee's, not some mythical post you're imagined or otherwise.

So ...

For the sake of clarification, the last time I looked at a tape measure, 19" was smaller than 20". Yes ?

With regards to the 20" cotton reels the OP's comments referred too, I chose to respond by suggesting the stripes were optional, and that Alpina offered an optional smaller wheel. Still with me ?

Thinking you were being smart, you tried to obfuscate matters by introducing the pointless fact that the car could be supplied by the manufacturer on 18" wheels.

You're a smart cookie, so you'll appreciate my use of the words optional and specifically smaller in relation to Alpina's wheel offerings

Now I'm not sure about you, but with that now cleared up, I've got better things to do with my time than address any further erroneous responses.

I guess it depends on whether you deem 19 inch wheels as massive or not

[Burnham]

Luckily these ride really well on the 20” wheels, which is handy as they look awesome.

[PF64]

Hi everyone

I have had about 5 or 6 new 30d M-sport BMW's, 3 & 5 series but never driven or owned an Alpina other than a brief test drive in the new B3.

I now have a D3s on order due in August/September, approx 65k with options, so will be able to finally decide for myself if the differences justify the difference in cost.

I am confident they will and if so will look forward to staying with the brand in the future.

[GrumpyJohn1957]

As usual I’ve come late to the thread. I can only say.....
Unless you’ve lived with an Alpina you will never understand the completeness of the package.

My daily is a G31 B5, it is unsurpassed in almost every respect. I suspect the D/B3 reviewed here is probably an improvement upon it.
Many other cars will fall into the categories of; fun, brilliant, entertaining, relaxing, great, comfortable, phenomenal etc, etc.

However, to live with day in day out, good weather, bad weather, motorway, B road, city, town, track day or Tesco’s with the family?
I’ve only found one manufacturer that consistently ticks every box.

As for chipping a Bimmer? You will eventually break it; (I know, I’ve done it twice) and no matter what, it ain’t ever going be an Alpina.

[cidered77]

PF64 said:

Hi everyone

I have had about 5 or 6 new 30d M-sport BMW's, 3 & 5 series but never driven or owned an Alpina other than a brief test drive in the new B3.

I now have a D3s on order due in August/September, approx 65k with options, so will be able to finally decide for myself if the differences justify the difference in cost.

I am confident they will and if so will look forward to staying with the brand in the future.

Posting on the offchance you have thread notifications switched on!

May shortly be in a position where my daily commute shifts from 15 mins to the station to 70 mins mostly motorway, and the GR Yaris isn't for that.

Keep coming back to the D3 as - i think - the best 15k miles a year all round car, which also happens to be (in my subjective view) absolutely ice cold cool.

So - how has it gone for you so far? I got to a similar price with the configurator (68k in fact - a fair chunk of change!), plus assume there is a long wait for one... but also can see on howmanyleft there are only 12 sold D3 Ss last time they took data, so look quite rare used also....

Would you make the same call again now you've spent the money and had the car for a bit?

[Jonny Wishbone]

Minor point, but I question the accuracy of How Many Left in general. The Alpina Archive is the best bet for information on Alpina production, though in this case they’re not far off, with 15 U.K. D3s produced thus far.

Mine is a B rather than D, but it’s by miles the best all-round car I’ve ever owned.