RE: 2021 Alpina DS 3 Touring | PH Review

[ZX10R NIN]

The OH has had her D3 for a while now & it's a superb car running costs have been very reasonable & the performance is immense, the only thing she misses from her C63 is the theatre & noise. The D3's ride is a clear step above the C63.

[cidered77]

Jonny Wishbone said:

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.

ZX10R NIN said:

The OH has had her D3 for a while now & it's a superb car running costs have been very reasonable & the performance is immense, the only thing she misses from her C63 is the theatre & noise. The D3's ride is a clear step above the C63.

Thanks both...

This is the thing i can't shake with the D3 - as well as being so cool, you never hear a bad word said by anyone who has owned one. I get very fussy on ride as well, and like how this car isn't setup for a fictitious ring time you don't tend to see much of on the M25.

You also rarely see them for sale, despite nearly 400 of the last version plus the D3 S out there. My pride and joy - 1993 NSX - echos this, plenty around, but not often seen on sale because owners seem to keep hold of them for a very long time.

alternatives are just save money and get the most comfortable and economical car (to avoid going to the bloody petrol station, rather than kid myself 5mpg saves huge amounts of money) - a used Volvo V90 fully loaded is a contender .But - it's not an Alpina, is it? Even if it will save 30k cash......

[Jonny Wishbone]

One word to the wise - and I think this will apply to the D as the suspension set up is similar to the B, though it’s a bit heavier. Mine can be slightly unsettled by rough surfaces and it hates potholes. Mines on 20” Classics. I haven’t driven on 19’s but I gather the ride is, as expected, that much better. They’ll also be less of a magnet for damage.

[ZX10R NIN]

cidered77 said:

Thanks both...

This is the thing i can't shake with the D3 - as well as being so cool, you never hear a bad word said by anyone who has owned one. I get very fussy on ride as well, and like how this car isn't setup for a fictitious ring time you don't tend to see much of on the M25.

You also rarely see them for sale, despite nearly 400 of the last version plus the D3 S out there. My pride and joy - 1993 NSX - echos this, plenty around, but not often seen on sale because owners seem to keep hold of them for a very long time.

alternatives are just save money and get the most comfortable and economical car (to avoid going to the bloody petrol station, rather than kid myself 5mpg saves huge amounts of money) - a used Volvo V90 fully loaded is a contender .But - it's not an Alpina, is it? Even if it will save 30k cash......

Here's a review or three:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRiciQQezG0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoRAeL8qgSM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aULcdQYZJ_A

[cidered77]

Jonny Wishbone said:

One word to the wise - and I think this will apply to the D as the suspension set up is similar to the B, though it’s a bit heavier. Mine can be slightly unsettled by rough surfaces and it hates potholes. Mines on 20” Classics. I haven’t driven on 19’s but I gather the ride is, as expected, that much better. They’ll also be less of a magnet for damage.

Yep - generally like to spec a smaller wheel if available, as ride matters more to me than instagram... but.... i just looked at the configurator again, and tried the 19s.... and just couldn't do it !

at the moment, first need to confirm if job circumstances change - and then it's a lot of spreadsheeting of whether go new D3S and wait, go nearly new D3S (there is one on sale...), or just get a stop gap commuter and wait for the right spec D3 Biturbo touring to appear used, which may be a while.

Whilst head says 19s all the way, i've surprised myself and realise just couldn't turn down the classic Alpina wheel design in 20"....

[Jonny Wishbone]

cidered77 said:

Yep - generally like to spec a smaller wheel if available, as ride matters more to me than instagram... but.... i just looked at the configurator again, and tried the 19s.... and just couldn't do it !

at the moment, first need to confirm if job circumstances change - and then it's a lot of spreadsheeting of whether go new D3S and wait, go nearly new D3S (there is one on sale...), or just get a stop gap commuter and wait for the right spec D3 Biturbo touring to appear used, which may be a while.

Whilst head says 19s all the way, i've surprised myself and realise just couldn't turn down the classic Alpina wheel design in 20"....

Tell me about it! The Classics demonstrably make a great car slightly worse, they’re anxiety inducing because of how easily they can be superficially damaged, exacerbated by the OEM Pirellis offering zero rim protection and they’re a massive ballache to clean.

Yet, despite knowing all that, I’d still spec them again, because they are, well, so classic and they look great.

Of course Alpina knew what they were doing not offering the Classics in 19” standard size.

I occasionally try to kid myself that the 14kg (I think) unsprung mass reduction with the forged items makes a difference on such a heavy car.

[cidered77]

Jonny Wishbone said:

cidered77 said:

Yep - generally like to spec a smaller wheel if available, as ride matters more to me than instagram... but.... i just looked at the configurator again, and tried the 19s.... and just couldn't do it !

at the moment, first need to confirm if job circumstances change - and then it's a lot of spreadsheeting of whether go new D3S and wait, go nearly new D3S (there is one on sale...), or just get a stop gap commuter and wait for the right spec D3 Biturbo touring to appear used, which may be a while.

Whilst head says 19s all the way, i've surprised myself and realise just couldn't turn down the classic Alpina wheel design in 20"....

Tell me about it! The Classics demonstrably make a great car slightly worse, they’re anxiety inducing because of how easily they can be superficially damaged, exacerbated by the OEM Pirellis offering zero rim protection and they’re a massive ballache to clean.

Yet, despite knowing all that, I’d still spec them again, because they are, well, so classic and they look great.

Of course Alpina knew what they were doing not offering the Classics in 19” standard size.

I occasionally try to kid myself that the 14kg (I think) unsprung mass reduction with the forged items makes a difference on such a heavy car.

well i'm glad you've said that, as I too will justify this choice by my unprung mass reduction on a 2 ton estate that will live on the motorway

I guess there is always the aftermarket 19" classic wheel option... more man maths tells me the 20" if stuck in a shed can be put back on when the car is sold on, and the 19s put out on eBay.....

[sxmwht]

I've got to say, I do really like Alpinas, there is just something about the way they look.

There's a lovely green 2015 B3 BiTurbo on Autotrader at the moment, I thought that would be snaffled up PDQ, but it's been up at least a week. I wish I could afford it

[Collectingbrass]

cidered77 said:

Jonny Wishbone said:

cidered77 said:

Yep - generally like to spec a smaller wheel if available, as ride matters more to me than instagram... but.... i just looked at the configurator again, and tried the 19s.... and just couldn't do it !

at the moment, first need to confirm if job circumstances change - and then it's a lot of spreadsheeting of whether go new D3S and wait, go nearly new D3S (there is one on sale...), or just get a stop gap commuter and wait for the right spec D3 Biturbo touring to appear used, which may be a while.

Whilst head says 19s all the way, i've surprised myself and realise just couldn't turn down the classic Alpina wheel design in 20"....

Tell me about it! The Classics demonstrably make a great car slightly worse, they’re anxiety inducing because of how easily they can be superficially damaged, exacerbated by the OEM Pirellis offering zero rim protection and they’re a massive ballache to clean.

Yet, despite knowing all that, I’d still spec them again, because they are, well, so classic and they look great.

Of course Alpina knew what they were doing not offering the Classics in 19” standard size.

I occasionally try to kid myself that the 14kg (I think) unsprung mass reduction with the forged items makes a difference on such a heavy car.

well i'm glad you've said that, as I too will justify this choice by my unprung mass reduction on a 2 ton estate that will live on the motorway

I guess there is always the aftermarket 19" classic wheel option... more man maths tells me the 20" if stuck in a shed can be put back on when the car is sold on, and the 19s put out on eBay.....

Tyre Insurance is almost a necessity, but Motoreasy have covered me for £250 (i.e. one corner) which allows for 6 claims. 2 and a half years in and I've claimed for 4... I've no connection but I am a very satisfied customer, each one has been settled with no quibble.

I'd also suggest a space saver spare from www.alloywheelsdirect.com but you'll need a spacer and elongated bolts to clear the Alpina brakes, along with a bag and jack etc. For that lot ebay is your friend.

Despite that, 20s all the way!

[Jules Sunley]

Being an older Alpina mine came with 19 inch classics as standard. I also have a full set of classics in 18 with winter tyres on that the previous owner threw in

[RJMG]

I own that car (MY70 ALP) and had a BMW340D before I bought it. It is one of my favourite cars, but of course I have owner's bias.

Why?
1. It is discretely special. Those who like cars know what it is, those who don't like cars, are not offended by it.
2. It is beautifully finished, unlike the BMW, which having got out of a C63 AMG, felt really cheap (which of course it relatively was). The Merino leather is so thick it takes two or three seconds for the heated seats to start to get warm - I love that and the heated thick steering wheel.
3. It is fast and efficient - I commute 120 miles on motorways. I get 45 mpg and it self drives me home in safety if I have had a long and tiring day.
4. Even in sport it doesn't make a fuss - no stupid booming exhaust (the C63 had a loud go-away button for people driving too close behind) - but it is fast.

Anything I don't like? It has a sensitive auto-open boot so if I squeeze by the boot when I have parked it in the garage, it occasionally thinks it ought to open. Pot holes and ultra low profile tyres are not a good combination. I learned the hard way and had to claim for a new wheel and tyre after hitting a pothole that buckled the wheel on the M1/M25 interchange - all paid for by Highways England, so not a big deal.

Final proof - they stop making them later this year. I have a new one on order, with almost exactly the spec of this one and I bought the reg MY24 ALP to go with it. £82k for a BMW 3 Series is bonkers. £82k for one of the last Alpinas on the other hand, is just common sense.

Edited by RJMG on Sunday 18th February 15:54

Edited by RJMG on Sunday 18th February 15:54

[RJMG]

jimmytheone said:

I'm sure its a fine car, and great to drive but
- 2 tonnes for a compact exec - it doesn't even have the excuse of masses of batteries
- £70k for a 3 series

Erm, yes it does - it is in my garage and it is a hybrid. and now it's over £80k in that spec - I ordered a new one that's due in April.

[Pippage]

RJMG said:

I own that car (MY70 ALP) and had a BMW340D before I bought it. It is one of my favourite cars, but of course I have owner's bias.

Why?
1. It is discretely special. Those who like cars know what it is, those who don't like cars, are not offended by it.
2. It is beautifully finished, unlike the BMW, which having got out of a C63 AMG, felt really cheap (which of course it relatively was). The Merino leather is so thick it takes two or three seconds for the heated seats to start to get warm - I love that and the heated thick steering wheel.
3. It is fast and efficient - I commute 120 miles on motorways. I get 45 mpg and it self drives me home in safety if I have had a long and tiring day.
4. Even in sport it doesn't make a fuss - no stupid booming exhaust (the C63 had a loud go-away button for people driving too close behind) - but it is fast.

Anything I don't like? It has a sensitive auto-open boot so if I squeeze by the boot when I have parked it in the garage, it occasionally thinks it ought to open. Pot holes and ultra low profile tyres are not a good combination. I learned the hard way and had to claim for a new wheel and tyre after hitting a pothole that buckled the wheel on the M1/M25 interchange - all paid for by Highways England, so not a big deal.

Final proof - they stop making them later this year. I have a new one on order, with almost exactly the spec of this one and I bought the reg MY24 ALP to go with it. £82k for a BMW 3 Series is bonkers. £82k for one of the last Alpinas on the other hand, is just common sense.

Edited by RJMG on Sunday 18th February 15:54

Edited by RJMG on Sunday 18th February 15:54

That’s odd, I’m in conversation with my local Sytner about changing my D3S as I also want one of the last, and he tells me it’ll be ‘business as usual’ when BMW take over with no change in supply expected…