Alpina B3 Touring 2021 - The Best Barried-up Bimmer?

[seawise]

These are such cool cars, thank you for sharing your experiences - i am running a '22 M5 competition in tanzanite blue which is a fantastic car, but so bloody big (like a 7 series) - think this Alpina B3 touring would have been slightly fitter for purpose. Surprised that the fuel economy is so disappointing, i am managing mid 20's from my M5. Clearly i am getting old and driving it with too much restraint.

[andy-integrale]

seawise said:

These are such cool cars, thank you for sharing your experiences - i am running a '22 M5 competition in tanzanite blue which is a fantastic car, but so bloody big (like a 7 series) - think this Alpina B3 touring would have been slightly fitter for purpose. Surprised that the fuel economy is so disappointing, i am managing mid 20's from my M5. Clearly i am getting old and driving it with too much restraint.

I am generally getting 22 MPG + from mine knocking about and a nudge over 32 MPG on a run. I typically drive it quite steadily in comfort or adaptive. Is it maybe something to do with the smaller turbo's spooling earlier? I have just spent 5 hours in torrid conditions on the M6 on a run to pick my daughter up from Lancaster Uni, and it's brilliant to spend time in. I came from an E-Class Estate, and whilst I miss the cavernous boot space a little, as does the dog, I am finding it a better size overall, particularly for B roads and our local lanes.

[Tin Hat]

Jonny Wishbone said:

Tin Hat said:

I’ve had the two front wheels refurbed twice, the front offside needs doing again. The Alpina wheels are so easily damaged by the potholes on UK roads it’s alarming - I have never had rims before where you can physically see the distortion. At £130.00 to straighten and to reapply the powder coating it’s not cheap, but at least you don’t have to clean them again for a while! Typically the Local Authority managed to deny liability for the latest damage despite the whopping hole that was apparent for weeks afterwards.

I also had to buy a tyre earlier this year due to a puncture on the edge, from memory it was less than £250.00 from my local independent tyre place - The replacement tyre has the Alp reference moulded in the sidewall, so it must be genuine.

Still loving it to bits!

I’ve managed to keep 3 of mine unmarked, somehow. The remaining wheel has a scuff not from kerbing but, rather predictably, a pothole.

Out of curiosity, you’re not far from me. Where do you get your wheels done? I was vaguely considering Lepsons at some point in the future when the rest of the wheels inevitably develop battle scars (it’s conveniently close to KDS Detailing, who have a stellar reputation) but it’d be good to have a decent option closer to home.

Hi Jonny, I use these guys, I think that they are in Braintree/Halstead https://justwheelrepair.co.uk. [e-mail]

Just to let all you Alpina bores know that my supplying dealer just let me know that they lent Top Gear their B3, and it is apparently on tonight’s show!

Edited by Tin Hat on Sunday 18th December 11:57

[AlpinaB5]

Fantastic car and write up. I too caught the Alpina bug years ago. Back in the day I had an E12 M535i which had Alpina interior. It was blueprinted and I put in a Schrick race cam and other bits. I thought it was quite fast. Then another customer of the garage I used to go to turned up in a B10 Biturbo and that REALLY was fast. Finally got to own one in 2018. I have a 2013 B5 Biturbo. It’s sadly not been the dream I’d hoped for due to well documented N63 problems. However it’s going in for its second engine rebuild soon ( it was first done by the BMW dealer I bought it from and they made a right hash of it ) by a company specialising in BMW/Alpina motors so hopefully it will be done properly. Then I can finally enjoy my car.

I went for a B5 as I’m 6’2” and fuller figured so a 3 series is a bit of a squeeze. I do however love the new B3 especially in Alpina blue. For me the Alpina driving experience is leagues above standard BMW cars. So quiet comfortable and stupidly fast. I live in Germany so at least mine gets to stretch its legs!

[philmots]

Absolutely love this, from a slightly jealous M340i Touring owner!

[JAMSXR]

Any B3 owners still lurking and taking pleasure from ownership?

Seriously considering one. Previously I’ve had 340i and C63 estates, but it seems the Alpina takes things up a notch across the board.

I need to try the G20 with rear facing child seats to hopefully seal the deal.

[JW911]

Beautiful car.

There’s no RHD Alpina F06 available, otherwise I’d be in one. Love them. I followed an F10 B5 a couple of weeks ago. I enjoy the subtlety versus the M-cars.