Alpina or M-Division
Discussion
So im looking to make a dash on this so called credit crunch by buying up some stock in the form of Bavrian BHP.
This isnt a crazy investment quest or a concept that maybe these cars are cheaper now than they were before (they have always suffered from heavey depreciation) but some hard earned burning a whole in my trousers.
I had an E36 325iSE on a 96 M about 8 years ago and enjoyed it before a company saab 9-3 Aero replaced it.
Im looking to spend £6-10K on something special.
Initially I was thinking MY 00 E39 M5 type deal such as:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/724031.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/776500.htm
but then had a look at the Alpina offerings:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/703425.htm
and some interesting and cheaper:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/658859.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/784026.htm
So im a bit lost tbh. I presume the M spec cars are going to be faster and in general better but the Alpinas look good value for money and a little rarer. My only concern is some of the Alpina stuff could be mistaken for budget chaved fodder
This isnt a crazy investment quest or a concept that maybe these cars are cheaper now than they were before (they have always suffered from heavey depreciation) but some hard earned burning a whole in my trousers.
I had an E36 325iSE on a 96 M about 8 years ago and enjoyed it before a company saab 9-3 Aero replaced it.
Im looking to spend £6-10K on something special.
Initially I was thinking MY 00 E39 M5 type deal such as:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/724031.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/776500.htm
but then had a look at the Alpina offerings:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/703425.htm
and some interesting and cheaper:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/658859.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/784026.htm
So im a bit lost tbh. I presume the M spec cars are going to be faster and in general better but the Alpinas look good value for money and a little rarer. My only concern is some of the Alpina stuff could be mistaken for budget chaved fodder
matt uk said:
My general view is that if you want manual, go M Power. If you insist on auto, Alpina is your direction. Both rapid, but in different ways.
Oh, and Alpinas always seem to have wood. And that just puts me off.
Id be a manual driver and have had enough of vaneer.Oh, and Alpinas always seem to have wood. And that just puts me off.
However thier is an Alpina B10 on there for sale with a 6 speed manual:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/703425.htm
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Think I'd agree with the above. The 3.2 / 3.3 isn't really an M5 competitor although neither is the 4.6 for that matter they are entirely different cars. That said, I personally coudn't be doing with a manual any more so the E39 M5 was out of the equation for me. The switchtronic box with the V8 is a joy to drive and gives near M5 performance, just in a more gentrified fashion.Horses for courses really.
drivin_me_nuts said:
Alpina but the bigger one the V8. Different to the M5 and IMO, better for it.
I'd lean this way too - if you want a manual then get the M5, if you want an auto then it's got to be the B10 V8. It's not fair to compare the B10 3.3 to the M5, they're just too different.There are some real bargains to be had with the B10 V8's at the moment.
I've had an Alpina for a year now and absolutely love it. I wanted a faster 3 series and didn't want an M3 as they just seem too common, the ride is too harsh, servicing costs too high, powerful engine but built so you have to rev the nuts off it, manual or SMG only.
I do loads of motorway driving, loads of A/B roads and unfortunately spend a lot of time going nowhere in heavy traffic, so an auto appealed to me. The Alpina auto is great, very nice and smooth, changes up very early as there is so much low down torque in the engine compared to the 330 lump it is based on, relatively economical too. Slip it into manual, use the switch-tronic buttons on the back of the steering wheel (far better than SMG in my opinion) and the car changes character immediately.
Is it slower than an M car? Yes it's marginally slower than an M3 on a standing start, think it compares pretty well in real world conditions though and don't forget - the M3 is limited to 155mph, the Alpina is not.
Yes there will probably be wood, there will also probably be Alpina rhoms sewn into the seats, and those somewhat dubious (to some) blue/green motifs and stitching on the carpet and steering wheel. To the overly fashion conscious this may be a problem, to be it is a throwback to the company's heritage and still makes me smile whenever I see it.
My advice? Drive both and see what works for you but give the Alpina a chance, it will be worth it
I've had an Alpina for a year now and absolutely love it. I wanted a faster 3 series and didn't want an M3 as they just seem too common, the ride is too harsh, servicing costs too high, powerful engine but built so you have to rev the nuts off it, manual or SMG only.
I do loads of motorway driving, loads of A/B roads and unfortunately spend a lot of time going nowhere in heavy traffic, so an auto appealed to me. The Alpina auto is great, very nice and smooth, changes up very early as there is so much low down torque in the engine compared to the 330 lump it is based on, relatively economical too. Slip it into manual, use the switch-tronic buttons on the back of the steering wheel (far better than SMG in my opinion) and the car changes character immediately.
Is it slower than an M car? Yes it's marginally slower than an M3 on a standing start, think it compares pretty well in real world conditions though and don't forget - the M3 is limited to 155mph, the Alpina is not.
Yes there will probably be wood, there will also probably be Alpina rhoms sewn into the seats, and those somewhat dubious (to some) blue/green motifs and stitching on the carpet and steering wheel. To the overly fashion conscious this may be a problem, to be it is a throwback to the company's heritage and still makes me smile whenever I see it.
My advice? Drive both and see what works for you but give the Alpina a chance, it will be worth it
matt uk said:
My general view is that if you want manual, go M Power. If you insist on auto, Alpina is your direction. Both rapid, but in different ways.
Oh, and Alpinas always seem to have wood. And that just puts me off.
My B10 had wood! personally I hated it but £200 later a subtle grey/black trim now adorns, so dont let wood put you off.Oh, and Alpinas always seem to have wood. And that just puts me off.
Get a V8 pina with as many Alpina extras you can find then you'll be one happy Man.
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