RE: Alpina XD3 | Spotted

[S600BSB]

McRors said:

Turns out you can polish a turd.

Spot on.

[bigyoungdave]

I don't hate it but have noticed that current gen M340i x drive tourings are slipping to the low 30s and high 20s k level, for 3 year old cars. That's where my money would go, on a better looking car with a sweeter engine (IMO)

[Simoninspalding]

So rare there appear to be 2 on PH
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/16294806
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/12405221

[ducnick]

I don’t get the comments about the looks myself.
My wife has a f25 (2 litre diesel) and while it’s not a looker, it’s a very practical shape for putting stuff in. If it were less boxy it would become a less practical family vehicle.
It’s not a sports car or aspirational car so looks are almost unimportant. And that’s the crux of my personal gripe with the Alpina version. £20k seems like a lot of money for something a standard bmw one does just as well for half the price.

[smithers-jones]

Simoninspalding said:

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/12405221

The one in Caldicot has been there for years. Possibly 3 of them....I used to live near the dealer selling it.

Ride of the early versions was dreadful, especially the rear, and when my body called for a taller car, even as a multi Alpina owner and fanboy, these were too much to bear. So I went Macan.

[Andy83n]

McRors said:

Turns out you can polish a turd.

Err

[Mumble]

Simoninspalding said:

So rare there appear to be 2 on PH
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/16294806
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/12405221

21 grand at Chepstow Trade centre, you'd have to be seriously deranged

[GreatScott2016]

Very nice, save for the usual dreadful wheels.

[Mouse Rat]

Great engine. Horrible car.

[HazzaT]

Robertb said:

Indeed. Oodles of low-down grunt, and high MPG. Perfect for this kind of car.

The gearbox really brings out the best in it. I have the single turbo N57 in my 330 which obviously falls off after about 3.5k RPM because the turbo runs out of steam, but the gearbox usually does a cracking job keeping the engine in its sweet spot. It's just easy, not actually very fast but in day to day driving you don't feel short changed.

[1974foggy]

Not much of an SUV fan, but that looks a great all rounder

[cobra kid]

FlukePlay said:

21" Alpina wheels to keep clean...

To "detail" you mean? No one cleans anymore.

[aeropilot]

Better with the standard 20" Alpina rims rather than the rubber band 21" options, as better Alpina ride quality over standard BMW M-Sport option comes to the fore.....

Such a shame they have just discontinued them......looked into putting an order in for one two months ago, and found out the order book was now closed on any new X3D order, the final ones (for UK at least) are being built now (or have already)

[DaveyBoyWonder]

I'm not an SUV fan but am an Alpina (and pre-massive-grilles BMW fan). I think that looks good but at the same time as dull/mundane as most other SUVs. Maybe thats part of the appeal (I think it has an appeal!). What doesn't appeal is the price... yes its rare and fast but its a 10 year old diesel SUV for 23.5 grand and it looks at least 10 years old - the dash etc all looks very much like the one in the 2006 3-series I had. There is no shortage of similar aged/newer premium SUVs that are just as quick out there...

[vikingaero]

Each to their own, but wow that is ugly - and the Alpina parts don't even lift it it any way such as on a 3 series Touring. You can probably feel the plastic components in the engine bay shrinking and cracking with each day.

[cerb4.5lee]

DaveyBoyWonder said:

I'm not an SUV fan but am an Alpina (and pre-massive-grilles BMW fan). I think that looks good but at the same time as dull/mundane as most other SUVs. Maybe thats part of the appeal (I think it has an appeal!). What doesn't appeal is the price... yes its rare and fast but its a 10 year old diesel SUV for 23.5 grand and it looks at least 10 years old - the dash etc all looks very much like the one in the 2006 3-series I had. There is no shortage of similar aged/newer premium SUVs that are just as quick out there...

I think the main reason I've always liked them was because of the engine, and I like the rarity factor with them too.

It isn't the sexiest of shapes either I agree. Plus I've never felt massively attracted to BMW interiors from that era either, even though I've actually owned quite a few of them from back then.

I've had a 2006 Z4MR/2006 E90 330d/2006 E90 330i/2009 E92 M3 for example.

[howardhughes]

One of the best wheel designs on the planet. Yes, a bold statement I stand by. For those who complain, about keeping them clean, don't deserve to own an Alpina.

[Scot44]

I had one of these for 5 years/70k miles and it was brilliant. The torque was awesome and I never kept a car so long. Replaced it with a new B3 touring, whose BMW parts break regularly and definitely feels like a step back in quality, My XD3 is back on the market (red footballer special with black alloys) and I am seriously thinking about buying it back. The alloys with the tyre valve under the centre cap are a proper pain. On the B3 they were moved onto the wheel rim..