The 2014 Alpina D3 Touring with *almost* moon mileage

[bolidemichael]

And lo! A collective cheer from the PH ma-hoo-sive rippled through our keyboards. You jammy sod.

[Stedman]

Wow.

[Waitey]

Thanks all.

Hopefully it’ll be back soon, so I can set about fitting Apple CarPlay to it!

[swampy442]

Waitey said:

sdh2903 said:

Did they say what was wrong with it?

No issue found.

Engine parts were all within tolerance which considering the mileage is amazing!

Which left them, I assume, with the option of throwing it back together and risk it still knocking and starting this all over again, or just putting a new unit in it and being done with it..

Edited by Waitey on Wednesday 24th June 11:53

I wonder which poor sod is going to wind up with it next

[mercedeslimos]

I reckon you've just doubled its life expectancy. I've found certainly with modern cars, that once looked after, they just keep going.

[Jakg]

mercedeslimos said:

I reckon you've just doubled its life expectancy. I've found certainly with modern cars, that once looked after, they just keep going.

Not to put a downer on the thread, but ignoring "problematic" engines, most cars in the scrapyard have perfectly working engines.

It's rust / electrics / general old age (suspension / exhaust wear) that "kills" most cars.

[gizlaroc]

Jakg said:

Not to put a downer on the thread, but ignoring "problematic" engines, most cars in the scrapyard have perfectly working engines.

It's rust / electrics / general old age (suspension / exhaust wear) that "kills" most cars.

But that is because of repair cost vs value.

With an Alpina you don't have that issue.


This now has a new engine, so it is still a £12000 car that is appreciating, when it comes to need to do a suspension refresh and the car is now worth £15k you won't mind spending £2k on it, unlike a 330d that is worth £5k.


That is why cars get scrapped.

I have a a 59 plate 320i with 161,000 on it, it is worth maybe £2500? I have just replaced every single front suspension part other than springs, but many wouldn't bother now it is worth so little.

But when it is in such good nick, averages 39mpg, why not getting it driving like new for a small outlay. It owes me £2670 currently.







The injector went the other day, many would have just scrapped it at that point, I scanned it, bought a coil pack, not that, and then an injector, £270 and back running great. But I bet many see clouds of smoke from the exhaust, running like a pig and call it a day.

[Alfahorn]

We live in a throw away society.

I bought a 2002 Alfa 147 for bombing about in locally and for occasional commuting. The previous owner hadn’t look after it. It need a service and a cambelt and had a few rattles. I bought the car for £500. I spent a further £500 doing the work that needed doing and I have a great car for not a lot of cash.

The problem is people have problems with cars so they use it as an excuse to get rid of them. They spend a lot more replacing a car and they would have done fixing the things that needed doing on the car they already had.

Glad to see the Alpina is getting fixed and will soon be back on the road.

[Waitey]

Really looking forward to getting it back and treating it to a rear suspension refresh.

All the rear suspension components are what were on it when it was new.... so they’ve done 220k.

It had new dampers and bushing on the front 105k ago so they are pretty “fresh”....

[bolidemichael]

I was going to ask about that. How is it possible that some components are original? If so, it's going to be a fine machine indeed when it has been refreshed. It made a world of difference to my overly titivated and under valued E500.

[ATM]

The only question I have for the OP is will you keep or extend the warranty?

[Waitey]

ATM said:

The only question I have for the OP is will you keep or extend the warranty?

Sadly BMW won’t touch it...

It should have gotten a AUC BMW warranty when it had 210k on it to be honest. Although if you are a director of Sytner I assume you can swing somethings...

[Waitey]

So two weeks further on and I'm getting a little frustrated.

Contacted BMW customer services to clarify what exactly is being done to the car along with what happens regarding the oil service it was due in 2000 miles (which having a new engine in logic would dictate it doesn't need one....)?

Reply from BMW was, they aren't allowed to tell me what they are replacing or renewing as this repair is 'good will'. They also can't advise regarding the service and I should negotiate that with the repairing dealer?!

So since the repairing dealer last emailed, I've sent two emails to them and two to BMW CS. Marshals have answered neither and BMW have been none committal about everything involved.

Up to this point I've been giving everyone the benefit of the doubt due to these crazy times, but we are fast approaching BMW having my car for 100 days and I'm starting to get the feeling I'm getting fobbed off.

I called the dealers manager direct today, no answer, called the main line and got the receptionist, who duly put me through to service, who bounced me straight back to reception, who then said someone will email me...

Hopefully this email comes with some good news in it!

[ATM]

So if they wave the good will card that means they can then treat you like sheet. What is the point of good will if it is a precursor for rubbish service? Any good will is quickly forgotten and then you just see bad service.

[swampy442]

Why dont you just go to the garage and ask them face to face?

[Waitey]

This just gets better, a least I know now why they've been avoiding me.


I sent this email on the 10th of June. 14 days before the new engine was approved.

Hi XXXX,

Just for info I’d been updating an Alpina dealer about the car.

They said for me to tell you to take note of the fact the D3 doesn’t run a 330d short engine. It uses a 335d short engine. (See attached parts catalogue too)
Part Number Model Engine Number
11002333090 330d N57D30A
11002461208 335d N57D30B APLINA D3


other engine parts from 335dx N57D30B i i
except for oil pan / oil level indicator from i i
BMW base models 330dX / 330d / 430d


Just thought you guys should know if it does go down to getting a new engine.
Cheers,


Any way after many emails to the dealer, BMW UK and a few phone calls over 3 weeks, I finally got a reply about the car....



Good afternoon Mr Waite
I am terribly sorry for the delay in responding I have just seen this email now and wanted to respond personally.


We are still awaiting an oil kit for yours which is 1 of the Alpina upgrade to cool the pistons.

In that time also we have returned the 1st engine and had a second delivered as the first was delivered as a 330 engine however when the car is upgraded to an Alpina it has the 335 engine put in. We now have that 335 engine here.

We unfortunately do not have a set delivery date for the oil kit but we are aiming to get it back to you asap. I can only apologise for the length of time this is taking and assure you it will be our highest priority when parts are here to fit.

In the meantime I will keep a closer eye out for emails from yourself so I am able to respond in a more timely manner.


Kind regards





I can see now why they weren't keen to speak to me. Oh well should be with me soon. The oil pump and piston coolers from Alpina can take a while though.

[JakeT]

At least they admitted their wrongdoing. Lots would say 'parts waiting go away'.

Also, you know they're doing things correctly, which for a lot of ALPINA owners, BMW dealers don't do.

Hope you get it back soon.

[bolidemichael]

That's a reassuring email and I would give them the benefit of the doubt, due to the turmoil that COVID has caused to business operations.

[ATM]

bolidemichael said:

That's a reassuring email and I would give them the benefit of the doubt, due to the turmoil that COVID has caused to business operations.

I'm less inclined to agree. You are all assuming it is understandable and therefore forgivable that BMW do not know what engine parts to order in for an Alpina. This should be as simple as looking on their computer and ordering the correct parts. If the BMW parts system does not know what engine or what parts goes into an Alpina then how is that ok?

[NewUsername]

ATM said:

bolidemichael said:

That's a reassuring email and I would give them the benefit of the doubt, due to the turmoil that COVID has caused to business operations.

I'm less inclined to agree. You are all assuming it is understandable and therefore forgivable that BMW do not know what engine parts to order in for an Alpina. This should be as simple as looking on their computer and ordering the correct parts. If the BMW parts system does not know what engine or what parts goes into an Alpina then how is that ok?

i think its forgivable as Alpina are not BMW's, i'm not party to whether they use a common parts system in the dealerships or if the techs are trained on Alpina products? Either way, i bet its not a common job and theyve held their hands up.