Discussion
You can see how flattened 18 years of service (I imagine it’s original) had left the failed valve:
[url]
As for driving it, it’s just a joy now. All four Michelins are holding air and the Giubo, centre bearing, prop CV and all the other drivetrain gubbins are working smoothly and letting me enjoy the sound of that big straight six. It’s even been windows down weather today. It really makes a lovely noise.
Next up is replacing the passenger door seal, as covered recently for the drover’s side, and some interior trim bits that are looking worse for wear. Then attending to some of the long standing niggles... and driving it!
[url]
As for driving it, it’s just a joy now. All four Michelins are holding air and the Giubo, centre bearing, prop CV and all the other drivetrain gubbins are working smoothly and letting me enjoy the sound of that big straight six. It’s even been windows down weather today. It really makes a lovely noise.
Next up is replacing the passenger door seal, as covered recently for the drover’s side, and some interior trim bits that are looking worse for wear. Then attending to some of the long standing niggles... and driving it!
Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 25th October 17:32
Today I had some help from my “man”. He’s been complaining about the knackered 18 year old Harmon Kardon set up in his door, so we finally (i did the driver’s door 1.5 years ago!) swapped over the Gladen set up.
Job done nicely, but unfortunately the Gladen One set up, while clear and massively improved, has no sound coming from the tweeter. And that after I bought the CSL tweeter inners and cut in the tweeters so carefully. I’ve followed the straightforward wiring set up of tweeter and mid bass plugged into the BMW loom and the plug for the HK tweeter left hanging. So the wire goes to the Gladen crossover and from there to both speakers. Anyone have any ideas? It’s the same on both doors.
After that, being on a wave of success, we tackled the passenger door seal, which has been aspiring to drop in the way of the driver’s door at its worst. Anyway, A pilar out, airbag wire unclipped and it’s changed over. Amazing how much a door seal weighs.
And that’s it for today. Two more small jobs done and a mystery with the Gladen tweeters.
Job done nicely, but unfortunately the Gladen One set up, while clear and massively improved, has no sound coming from the tweeter. And that after I bought the CSL tweeter inners and cut in the tweeters so carefully. I’ve followed the straightforward wiring set up of tweeter and mid bass plugged into the BMW loom and the plug for the HK tweeter left hanging. So the wire goes to the Gladen crossover and from there to both speakers. Anyone have any ideas? It’s the same on both doors.
After that, being on a wave of success, we tackled the passenger door seal, which has been aspiring to drop in the way of the driver’s door at its worst. Anyway, A pilar out, airbag wire unclipped and it’s changed over. Amazing how much a door seal weighs.
And that’s it for today. Two more small jobs done and a mystery with the Gladen tweeters.
Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 29th November 12:49
Ive also worked out the mystery of the Gladen one plug and play front speakers for HK... they aren’t plug and play! You have to wire the crossover and Gladen tweeter to the BMW tweeter wire, cutting the wires and using new connectors. Then wire the BMW midbass wire to the Gladen Mid using new connectors.
Sounds obvious but when it’s called plug and play, and the new plug does indeed plug into the BMW wiring, I think it’s understandable that you would want to just plug it in! So I have wiring to do...
Sounds obvious but when it’s called plug and play, and the new plug does indeed plug into the BMW wiring, I think it’s understandable that you would want to just plug it in! So I have wiring to do...
Carly should normally pin point the sensor. I did one last week on mine! I used an ATE sensor, £50 ish and put a new stainless bolt on, M6, forgot the length but it’s on realoem.
This was my Carly result:
This was my Carly result:
Edited by helix402 on Tuesday 11th December 18:29
Edited by helix402 on Tuesday 11th December 19:00
Carly should normally pin point the sensor. I did one last week on mine! I used an ATE sensor, £50 ish and put a new stainless bolt on, M6, forgot the length but it’s on realoem.
This was my Carly result:
This was my Carly result:
Edited by helix402 on Tuesday 11th December 18:29
Edited by helix402 on Tuesday 11th December 19:01
Well after a lot of consideration, the Alpina is for sale. I’ll be selling the big brake kit separately, and imagine it going to someone who can bring the bodywork back up to scratch, or who might break it to use all of the mechanical goodies that have been refreshed. I’ve spent twice the purchase price on the car refurbing, replacing, upgrading and tweaking! I’ll get a pistonheads and eBay ads up shortly...
Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 24th April 15:13
Pistonheads won’t let me list my for sale ad as they believe there’s a swear word, or html, or an @ or something in the text. Can you find it? I can’t...
Alpina B3 3.3
My kids cried when I told them it was time to sell Alpina. We’re like that about our cars.
Jet Black
Champagne extended walknappa leather
Recent Koni FSD, eibach springs, H&R 27mm AR bar, valve gasket cover, all belts and pulleys, driveline components, ZF pressure plate, ABS sensors, refurbished injectors, new interior trims, etc, etc, etc... properly aligned after every suspension change.
Facelift LED rear lights (we didn’t call it lci back then)
2 keys
Massive history- does not fit in a box file. I also track expenditure on an excel sheet I can share.
166k, 23k in last 6 years- my ownership. 7k + spent on maintenance, servicing and upgrades in this period. (Full cooling system, PCV, brakes, bushes, suspension, interior refurb, every kind of upgrade and tweak I could find that wouldn’t spoil the Alpina handling/ride balance.
Sunroof
Rear parking sensors
Rear electric sunblind
Electric seats with memory
Heated seats
Rare BMW professional head unit - no antiquated 4:3 screen, has a module with BT and an iPhone cable
High gloss shadow line
Anthracite headlining
4 Michelin PS3 tyres. Has a spare Alpina alloy (they’re BBS with the concealed valve and hollow spoke)
Beautifully functioning doorseals. Rare on an E46 coupe (both replaces by me)
Alpina mats
Refurbed purple tag steering rack
Produced 6th April 2000
Registered 9th November 2000
I’m pricing the car to account for its condition. It’s had massive amounts spent in the last 6 years, mostly at ETA and Birds, as well as my local garage. It’s had nearly everything replaceable, replaced. But, it’s an E46, it has some rust. There’s some (treated with bilt hamber but unsightly) under the door, and of course under the bootlid. It could be repaired, or the Alpina special bits could be transferred into a BMW of your choice.
It has 12 months MOT. Tax is £267/year by dd.
I’m not selling because of the rust- that’s fixable. But I’m in the ULEZ zone and it’s prompted me to go for a V8, somewhere between 4.8 and 5.4 litres, while I still can. ULEZ compliant :-)
I change the oil every year- approx 3000 mile intervals. I usually do this in April- and have the oil and filter with the car so you can have me do it or diy, your preference.
I also have a bespoke big brake kit that I’ve had on the car. Porsche brembos completely rebuilt, painted and Alpina decaled, with proper 2 piece ECS 345mm discs, brackets, hoses, the lot. I’m selling that separately but could keep it with the car. They are still fitted but require serious spacers (23mm) and there’s some rubbing under extreme manoeuvres. The BBK is available for £900 including the brackets, braided line, discs etc. I had replaced the 328ci brakes with 330ci ones which were fully refurbished and will be refitted. For the asking price, it comes with 330ci brakes. The BBK is a separate extra.
I will throw in the repair kit for the bootlid wiring, the upgrade speakers I’m part way through fitting, the spare sensors and bits I’ve accumulated. Oh, also the rear deck speaker upgrade I bought. And a spare alpine steering wheel with the leather centre. Would need a retrim on the rim. And a rear spoiler...
The less salubrious
Alpina lettering removed when I replaced the rusty bootlid. I have it with the car but not on the boot. Bootlid spoiler also missing- I have a copy that needs painting and the original one that is snapped in two...
Terrible paint on the bonnet, with some scratches starting to rust- caused by the car wash at the BP Hammersmith flyover, I curse you.
Driver’s door glass needs better aligning, sometimes catches on the frame.
Light on for Bootlid wiring- all functions but in need of the repair where wires been. I have the German repair kit (was £75 or so)
One fog light ist kaput. Hasn’t affected my enjoyment in 6 years...
I think the secondary air pump is retired.
My upgraded speakers are in the doors, but need a quick rewire to involve the tweeters.
Rubbish paint on front bumper
Replacement wing fitted by me (you may wish to complete this task fully)
Sport model rear bumper (jet black is rare and my bootlid donor gave this too)
Wheels need a refurb unless you’re also in a city
Probably 5-10 other things anyone unrealistic will find. Nothing big. Nothing that isn’t accounted for in the asking price.
I’m looking for that rare thing, a straightforward sale to a decent human being, ideally someone who’s looking to restore the car further or transplant the running gear into something fun. I will not entertain groups for test drives, or any of the other bizarre second hand car stuff. I am asking a very reasonable price- you don’t have to buy it, and if you don’t wish to, please don’t waste both of our time.
It’s a proper Alpina, with huge mechanical investment and upkeep, for an unrepeatable price. Never written off, stolen, no finance on it, just a lovely old car with a lot still to give.
If you’re a fair, Alpina literate, no hassle buyer, it’s £2650. If you’re a dreamer, haven’t checked insurance, are a time waster, are unsure you want an E46 B3, the special price is £4650. Oh, it’s not as fast as an M3- go buy one if you want that!
The registration will come up as a write off, which I believe it was on a Jaguar. This car has never been written off, though I suspect it had a bumper knock at some point as the bumper paint is terrible. Was originally X828JRD the vin is JM23030, and it has ownership threads on Pistonheads and Alpina Forum.
Alpina B3 3.3
My kids cried when I told them it was time to sell Alpina. We’re like that about our cars.
Jet Black
Champagne extended walknappa leather
Recent Koni FSD, eibach springs, H&R 27mm AR bar, valve gasket cover, all belts and pulleys, driveline components, ZF pressure plate, ABS sensors, refurbished injectors, new interior trims, etc, etc, etc... properly aligned after every suspension change.
Facelift LED rear lights (we didn’t call it lci back then)
2 keys
Massive history- does not fit in a box file. I also track expenditure on an excel sheet I can share.
166k, 23k in last 6 years- my ownership. 7k + spent on maintenance, servicing and upgrades in this period. (Full cooling system, PCV, brakes, bushes, suspension, interior refurb, every kind of upgrade and tweak I could find that wouldn’t spoil the Alpina handling/ride balance.
Sunroof
Rear parking sensors
Rear electric sunblind
Electric seats with memory
Heated seats
Rare BMW professional head unit - no antiquated 4:3 screen, has a module with BT and an iPhone cable
High gloss shadow line
Anthracite headlining
4 Michelin PS3 tyres. Has a spare Alpina alloy (they’re BBS with the concealed valve and hollow spoke)
Beautifully functioning doorseals. Rare on an E46 coupe (both replaces by me)
Alpina mats
Refurbed purple tag steering rack
Produced 6th April 2000
Registered 9th November 2000
I’m pricing the car to account for its condition. It’s had massive amounts spent in the last 6 years, mostly at ETA and Birds, as well as my local garage. It’s had nearly everything replaceable, replaced. But, it’s an E46, it has some rust. There’s some (treated with bilt hamber but unsightly) under the door, and of course under the bootlid. It could be repaired, or the Alpina special bits could be transferred into a BMW of your choice.
It has 12 months MOT. Tax is £267/year by dd.
I’m not selling because of the rust- that’s fixable. But I’m in the ULEZ zone and it’s prompted me to go for a V8, somewhere between 4.8 and 5.4 litres, while I still can. ULEZ compliant :-)
I change the oil every year- approx 3000 mile intervals. I usually do this in April- and have the oil and filter with the car so you can have me do it or diy, your preference.
I also have a bespoke big brake kit that I’ve had on the car. Porsche brembos completely rebuilt, painted and Alpina decaled, with proper 2 piece ECS 345mm discs, brackets, hoses, the lot. I’m selling that separately but could keep it with the car. They are still fitted but require serious spacers (23mm) and there’s some rubbing under extreme manoeuvres. The BBK is available for £900 including the brackets, braided line, discs etc. I had replaced the 328ci brakes with 330ci ones which were fully refurbished and will be refitted. For the asking price, it comes with 330ci brakes. The BBK is a separate extra.
I will throw in the repair kit for the bootlid wiring, the upgrade speakers I’m part way through fitting, the spare sensors and bits I’ve accumulated. Oh, also the rear deck speaker upgrade I bought. And a spare alpine steering wheel with the leather centre. Would need a retrim on the rim. And a rear spoiler...
The less salubrious
Alpina lettering removed when I replaced the rusty bootlid. I have it with the car but not on the boot. Bootlid spoiler also missing- I have a copy that needs painting and the original one that is snapped in two...
Terrible paint on the bonnet, with some scratches starting to rust- caused by the car wash at the BP Hammersmith flyover, I curse you.
Driver’s door glass needs better aligning, sometimes catches on the frame.
Light on for Bootlid wiring- all functions but in need of the repair where wires been. I have the German repair kit (was £75 or so)
One fog light ist kaput. Hasn’t affected my enjoyment in 6 years...
I think the secondary air pump is retired.
My upgraded speakers are in the doors, but need a quick rewire to involve the tweeters.
Rubbish paint on front bumper
Replacement wing fitted by me (you may wish to complete this task fully)
Sport model rear bumper (jet black is rare and my bootlid donor gave this too)
Wheels need a refurb unless you’re also in a city
Probably 5-10 other things anyone unrealistic will find. Nothing big. Nothing that isn’t accounted for in the asking price.
I’m looking for that rare thing, a straightforward sale to a decent human being, ideally someone who’s looking to restore the car further or transplant the running gear into something fun. I will not entertain groups for test drives, or any of the other bizarre second hand car stuff. I am asking a very reasonable price- you don’t have to buy it, and if you don’t wish to, please don’t waste both of our time.
It’s a proper Alpina, with huge mechanical investment and upkeep, for an unrepeatable price. Never written off, stolen, no finance on it, just a lovely old car with a lot still to give.
If you’re a fair, Alpina literate, no hassle buyer, it’s £2650. If you’re a dreamer, haven’t checked insurance, are a time waster, are unsure you want an E46 B3, the special price is £4650. Oh, it’s not as fast as an M3- go buy one if you want that!
The registration will come up as a write off, which I believe it was on a Jaguar. This car has never been written off, though I suspect it had a bumper knock at some point as the bumper paint is terrible. Was originally X828JRD the vin is JM23030, and it has ownership threads on Pistonheads and Alpina Forum.
Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 29th April 23:01
helix402 said:
The only swears words I can see are from your future self 10 years down the line!
Tell me about it... I’ve already used up my storage possibilities and yes, imagine a larger engines NA RWD Alpina in 2029... it’ll be a rare thing. Hope it goes to a good home/good transplant.
I'm pleased to say I'm the new owner of this - credit to RelentlessForwardProgress, the car is exactly as described and a joy to drive.
Few cosmetics and niggles to be addressed over time but nothing huge and I'm in no rush. As such I will update this thread but unlikely to be with any real regularity. I've no real plans other than to restore and enjoy; it's a second car so will lead a pampered garaged life from here on in.
Few cosmetics and niggles to be addressed over time but nothing huge and I'm in no rush. As such I will update this thread but unlikely to be with any real regularity. I've no real plans other than to restore and enjoy; it's a second car so will lead a pampered garaged life from here on in.
One update from me- the Brembo and ECS 345mm dice combo is up for sale in the pistonheads parts and plates BMW classifieds:
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/parts-and-...
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/parts-and-...
Hmm, is it the done thing to update an old readers car thread, or start your own? I’m updating here regardless...
Couple of months in with the Alpina now, just come back from my preferred BMW specialists (TCS Autos in High Wycombe) so seemed a good time to update.
TCS largely gave the car a clean bill of health with only a relatively short list of things to do. That’s not a reflection on the prior ownership, more the advancing age of the car. There are a couple of oil leaks (rocker cover gasket and and oil filter housing gasket - they all do that sir) and a minor PAS leak/weap too. All in all I’m happy with that
To celebrate have some pictures. The bonnet has been painted, as have the front and rear spoilers, otherwise it’s just been a lot of elbow grease. Paint shop said the front splitter was particularly challenging to get right!
I can see why these things get under your skin...
Couple of months in with the Alpina now, just come back from my preferred BMW specialists (TCS Autos in High Wycombe) so seemed a good time to update.
TCS largely gave the car a clean bill of health with only a relatively short list of things to do. That’s not a reflection on the prior ownership, more the advancing age of the car. There are a couple of oil leaks (rocker cover gasket and and oil filter housing gasket - they all do that sir) and a minor PAS leak/weap too. All in all I’m happy with that
To celebrate have some pictures. The bonnet has been painted, as have the front and rear spoilers, otherwise it’s just been a lot of elbow grease. Paint shop said the front splitter was particularly challenging to get right!
I can see why these things get under your skin...
Edited by Mr Scruff on Thursday 18th July 21:02
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff