E36 Alpina B3.0
Discussion
I am seriously tempted by this car as a weekend toy, love the classic aggressive lines, the wheels and stance just looks so right. An old work colleague had a maroon one 12 years ago and I fell in love, the wooden manual gear leaver, noise from the uprated exhaust.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...
Anyone on here had experience with them? Is a 328i sport a better car?
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...
Anyone on here had experience with them? Is a 328i sport a better car?
I don't known if the 328 is a better car, I've had mine for 7 years and 97k so it must be doing something right. I have always had a thing for Alpinas and it does look good, but is it worth 2-3 times a 328?
If you want it because it's an Alpina, then it might be worth the money. If you just want an e36 that looks good and goes well then put your hard earned into a good 328 or at that price an M3.
If it helps, some Alpina specific parts are a ridiculous amount of money.
If you want it because it's an Alpina, then it might be worth the money. If you just want an e36 that looks good and goes well then put your hard earned into a good 328 or at that price an M3.
If it helps, some Alpina specific parts are a ridiculous amount of money.
Funily enough, I was chatting with some mates last night about these cars.
The engine is usefully more powerful (read more torque and lower in the rev range) than the 328. As good as the 328 is, the delivery of power in the B3 is another level although nothing too special by todays standards.
The handling is the real sweet spot with these cars - providing the suspension is correct and in good order, of course. It's a nice package (especially being manual) but a little rich at that price IMO.
E36 B3's are typically around £3k - £4k for this level. The E46 B3 is a far nicer proposition and the pricepoint is more favourable, too.
The engine is usefully more powerful (read more torque and lower in the rev range) than the 328. As good as the 328 is, the delivery of power in the B3 is another level although nothing too special by todays standards.
The handling is the real sweet spot with these cars - providing the suspension is correct and in good order, of course. It's a nice package (especially being manual) but a little rich at that price IMO.
E36 B3's are typically around £3k - £4k for this level. The E46 B3 is a far nicer proposition and the pricepoint is more favourable, too.
That was for sale in August/September, I went to look at a Focus ST they had for sale. When I pointed it out to the missus she said it looks unloved, which to be fair it did along with the Focus I looked at. They do have some nice cars there and the sales staff were pleasant, but some of the cars they had at the lower price range were rough.
It is worth the price for the parts alone. Taking a good 328i sport & adding 2nd had Alpina parts to to would cost more.
The Alpina thing you either get or don't. IMHO the E36 was the last of the early Alpina cars which were a better every day alternative to the more highly strung M cars, Later Alpina went more for the great leather massive power auto thing, e.g. E34 Bi-Turbo or E46 B3.3.
These will become collectable, I wish I had bought an Alpina E28 in any condition when I had the chance for this kind of money BITD.
If you want something to buy, do up a bit & enjoy, knowing it will go up in value over the next 10 years then go for it.
Daily hoonable transport? Better get an E46 330i.
The Alpina thing you either get or don't. IMHO the E36 was the last of the early Alpina cars which were a better every day alternative to the more highly strung M cars, Later Alpina went more for the great leather massive power auto thing, e.g. E34 Bi-Turbo or E46 B3.3.
These will become collectable, I wish I had bought an Alpina E28 in any condition when I had the chance for this kind of money BITD.
If you want something to buy, do up a bit & enjoy, knowing it will go up in value over the next 10 years then go for it.
Daily hoonable transport? Better get an E46 330i.
interesting comments, it looks decent in the pictures although could do with more interior shots. The dealer certainly has a lot of varied and exepnsive kit for sale, including an armouroud E32 750iL, however they seem quite vague on the alpinas numbers / limited description - i would of thought they would spend a bit more time on researching the history / advert, but prob have bigger fish to fry..
I like the e46 but just not as much as the e36 in either 328i or alpina guise. This car also appeals as its the manual, don't think the auto would be as much fun, but £4,900 - if it were £3.5k....
I like the e46 but just not as much as the e36 in either 328i or alpina guise. This car also appeals as its the manual, don't think the auto would be as much fun, but £4,900 - if it were £3.5k....
si_xsi said:
interesting comments, it looks decent in the pictures although could do with more interior shots. The dealer certainly has a lot of varied and exepnsive kit for sale, including an armouroud E32 750iL, however they seem quite vague on the alpinas numbers / limited description - i would of thought they would spend a bit more time on researching the history / advert, but prob have bigger fish to fry..
I like the e46 but just not as much as the e36 in either 328i or alpina guise. This car also appeals as its the manual, don't think the auto would be as much fun, but £4,900 - if it were £3.5k....
Make that £6900 now, greedy.I like the e46 but just not as much as the e36 in either 328i or alpina guise. This car also appeals as its the manual, don't think the auto would be as much fun, but £4,900 - if it were £3.5k....
si_xsi said:
however they seem quite vague on the alpinas numbers / limited description - i would of thought they would spend a bit more time on researching the history / advert, but prob have bigger fish to fry..
A call to Sytner Nottingham would provide all the detail a potential buyer would need I'd have thought.You might get some impartial info here
http://thealpinaregister.com/forums/index.php
and production info here -
http://www.thealpinaregister.com/uk
You have to understand the philosophy behind the Alpina marque and weigh up the pros and cons.
I have an Alpina D3 BT and an M.Roadster. Both very different cars but both outstanding in their own way.
http://thealpinaregister.com/forums/index.php
and production info here -
http://www.thealpinaregister.com/uk
You have to understand the philosophy behind the Alpina marque and weigh up the pros and cons.
I have an Alpina D3 BT and an M.Roadster. Both very different cars but both outstanding in their own way.
RC1 said:
OP here is another on ebay
Item number: 251426602988
good spot, not sure it looks as good in black though and auto.. Will be interested to see what it goes for. Why has the dealer put the other one up by £2k - suddenly realised what he's taken in PX, he's having a Item number: 251426602988
I just have a feeling they could be one of those cars that are relatively affordable now but will go up in value.
si_xsi said:
good spot, not sure it looks as good in black though and auto.. Will be interested to see what it goes for. Why has the dealer put the other one up by £2k - suddenly realised what he's taken in PX, he's having a
I just have a feeling they could be one of those cars that are relatively affordable now but will go up in value.
I wonder if that trader saw this thread? While I love Alpinas, I think a nice M3 saloon would be my pick at that sort of moneyI just have a feeling they could be one of those cars that are relatively affordable now but will go up in value.
Also, I think it's acceptable to add the deko set (stripes) to any Alpina, although admittedly I feel some do take to it better than others. For the E36, a black B3 in full gold war-paint is a pretty awesome looking motor IMO
A bit late the party I know (so apologies for that) but my two penny's worth is the B3 3.0 is a far superior car to the 328i, in all ways from performance to handling and the spec you get is normally a lot better than the cooking 328i.
I used a 328i for a few months before buying my B3 and although the B3 is a switchtronic and the 328 was a manual, the B3 is so much better in all areas to the 328i. Its a lot more comfortable, the ride is superb and performance on tap is quite strong considering the car is now 20 odd years old (or will be this time next year).
Also it has an air of exclusivity to it, the trim/badges/sound are all fairly unique, and although there are a few available, you'll not trip over a B3.0 unlike a 328i where there seems to be one around each corner. The 328 is a superb car, I really enjoyed the one I used but my B3 towers over it (IMO).
For a comparison between a 328 and an equivalent Alpina, the best direct comparison would be with the B2.5, the B3 is normally compared to the e36 3.0 M3. Again I had an M3 (5 years ownership) and that was awesome, but I felt I had to ring its neck if I wanted to make it sing, where as the B3 has all you need low down and throughout the rev range.
All only my opinion obviously. As for tracing the history, it'll be hard with these cars as Sytner had no real involvement with the e36 apart from selling them to you, as these are pure Alpina built cars shipped over following an order from Sytner/UK BMW dealer. But with todays laws in place over restrictions of information supply, it's proving harder than ever to get information on your chosen car. I am hoping though they do start to rise in value though.
some more cars are on the fb page though, so worth a visit! www.facebook.com/AlpinaB3E36AndE46
I used a 328i for a few months before buying my B3 and although the B3 is a switchtronic and the 328 was a manual, the B3 is so much better in all areas to the 328i. Its a lot more comfortable, the ride is superb and performance on tap is quite strong considering the car is now 20 odd years old (or will be this time next year).
Also it has an air of exclusivity to it, the trim/badges/sound are all fairly unique, and although there are a few available, you'll not trip over a B3.0 unlike a 328i where there seems to be one around each corner. The 328 is a superb car, I really enjoyed the one I used but my B3 towers over it (IMO).
For a comparison between a 328 and an equivalent Alpina, the best direct comparison would be with the B2.5, the B3 is normally compared to the e36 3.0 M3. Again I had an M3 (5 years ownership) and that was awesome, but I felt I had to ring its neck if I wanted to make it sing, where as the B3 has all you need low down and throughout the rev range.
All only my opinion obviously. As for tracing the history, it'll be hard with these cars as Sytner had no real involvement with the e36 apart from selling them to you, as these are pure Alpina built cars shipped over following an order from Sytner/UK BMW dealer. But with todays laws in place over restrictions of information supply, it's proving harder than ever to get information on your chosen car. I am hoping though they do start to rise in value though.
some more cars are on the fb page though, so worth a visit! www.facebook.com/AlpinaB3E36AndE46
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