BMW ALPINA with high milage !!
Discussion
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-ALPINA-B3-3-3-BLUE-M...
been looking for a new toy for some time. This ha now got my attention. but the miles, are they too high or would it not put you off. It will be a weekend car,covering 4-5k a year. Will keep it for 2 years.
been looking for a new toy for some time. This ha now got my attention. but the miles, are they too high or would it not put you off. It will be a weekend car,covering 4-5k a year. Will keep it for 2 years.
Just as tough as the E46 on which it's based, for good and for bad!
Mileage no reason to be put off as long as it's been well looked after, just consider that items like the shocks and springs are Alpina specific and cost a mint if you need to replace them with Alpina bits. Engine should be strong, they are just as reliable as other BMW six pots, gearbox, well it's an ageing ZF auto but you're not running more or less risk with it than any other auto BMW.
Mileage no reason to be put off as long as it's been well looked after, just consider that items like the shocks and springs are Alpina specific and cost a mint if you need to replace them with Alpina bits. Engine should be strong, they are just as reliable as other BMW six pots, gearbox, well it's an ageing ZF auto but you're not running more or less risk with it than any other auto BMW.
Yep the door looks like it's been badly paint matched.
Ask on The Alpina Register, someone will know the car and there's a full list of cars on there.
At 160k I would want to know what condition the suspension was as the Alpina items were a bit pricey from memory (mine was a B3S so later 3.4 model). The 3.3 drinks quite a bit of oil, up to 1L per 1,000 miles was the tolerance apparently!
Gearbox is a sold ZF unit so should be no problems there and the 3.3 lump was a tuned 3.0 engine with a parts bin raid including some e36 M3 parts. Brakes are standard 330 items.
I haven't heard of NYMO garage but Sytner Nottingham and NOG BMW are highly respected within the Alpina history when it comes to servicing.
Pretty sure the 3.3 has 280bhp, I much preferred the 3S with 305bhp as it also had more torque low down, great with the ZF auto box and switchtronic buttons.
Ask on The Alpina Register, someone will know the car and there's a full list of cars on there.
At 160k I would want to know what condition the suspension was as the Alpina items were a bit pricey from memory (mine was a B3S so later 3.4 model). The 3.3 drinks quite a bit of oil, up to 1L per 1,000 miles was the tolerance apparently!
Gearbox is a sold ZF unit so should be no problems there and the 3.3 lump was a tuned 3.0 engine with a parts bin raid including some e36 M3 parts. Brakes are standard 330 items.
I haven't heard of NYMO garage but Sytner Nottingham and NOG BMW are highly respected within the Alpina history when it comes to servicing.
Pretty sure the 3.3 has 280bhp, I much preferred the 3S with 305bhp as it also had more torque low down, great with the ZF auto box and switchtronic buttons.
charltjr said:
Just as tough as the E46 on which it's based, for good and for bad!
Mileage no reason to be put off as long as it's been well looked after, just consider that items like the shocks and springs are Alpina specific and cost a mint if you need to replace them with Alpina bits. Engine should be strong, they are just as reliable as other BMW six pots, gearbox, well it's an ageing ZF auto but you're not running more or less risk with it than any other auto BMW.
I agree. Mileage no reason to be put off as long as it's been well looked after, just consider that items like the shocks and springs are Alpina specific and cost a mint if you need to replace them with Alpina bits. Engine should be strong, they are just as reliable as other BMW six pots, gearbox, well it's an ageing ZF auto but you're not running more or less risk with it than any other auto BMW.
If it's a good 'un it's a lot of car for the money. I love them. Go for it.
I've a B3 3.3 with 134k now. As mentioned a lot of the parts are standard BMW, some of the engine is 540 based, the engine is a development of the US M3 3.0. The Alpina specific bits I'd be keeping a check on are the suspension, as mentioned they are expensive, could be replaced with standard 330 but you'd ruin it, the suspension is a greater appeal of the car than the engine TBH.
Mine typically uses about 1/2 litre per 1000miles, changes on driving though - on a Euro trip it used more than in day-to-day driving in the UK.
The vast majority of the rest of the car is from a 330 and costs peanuts to run for what it is, I've a good indie who looks after it very well and anything that is different to standard is very quickly explained by the factory in Buchloe. Definitely check the Alpina Register, nearly all the cars are known about and is usually the best place to hunt them out. B3 coupe's aren't rare so it's worth waiting for a good one.
Mine typically uses about 1/2 litre per 1000miles, changes on driving though - on a Euro trip it used more than in day-to-day driving in the UK.
The vast majority of the rest of the car is from a 330 and costs peanuts to run for what it is, I've a good indie who looks after it very well and anything that is different to standard is very quickly explained by the factory in Buchloe. Definitely check the Alpina Register, nearly all the cars are known about and is usually the best place to hunt them out. B3 coupe's aren't rare so it's worth waiting for a good one.
Avus blue is clealy tricky to get right as evident on the doors, wing and quarter. Lovely cars though, a real enthusiast's choice, and quite a discerning one at that. I know of a similar car to this local to me, it's a convertible with dark blue roof, I gawp every time it smokes past.
boot floor doesn't look as clean as he states in the advert
and how do you manage to lose the 3 out of the middle of the badge?
Have a good look OP - that front end looks extremely clean for 160k - would expect a few stone chips etc to be visible, especially on the front splitter. Might have had an innocent refresh, or might be hiding some more horrible
Do like these those, the wheels make them for me
and how do you manage to lose the 3 out of the middle of the badge?
Have a good look OP - that front end looks extremely clean for 160k - would expect a few stone chips etc to be visible, especially on the front splitter. Might have had an innocent refresh, or might be hiding some more horrible
Do like these those, the wheels make them for me
*Al* said:
CraigyMc said:
*Al* said:
Nearside door looks a different shade?
Agreed.I think to be honest unless you actually view that car there's no way of knowing whether it has had paint or not. Odd that on both side shots the right hand-most panel in each of the pics is the one that's off-colour.
Doesn't mean it's had a new front wing on one side and a new rear quarter on t'other - could well be a camera/pic uploading fault?
The fact that someones pissed in the washer bottle would be what would put me off.
Doesn't mean it's had a new front wing on one side and a new rear quarter on t'other - could well be a camera/pic uploading fault?
The fact that someones pissed in the washer bottle would be what would put me off.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff