Alpina Touring-Rapid Rocking Horse Droppings
Discussion
Just window shopping at the moment, and was pondering over an MCoupe, but I'm probably going to come to the conclusion that I'm just too fat to fit in one, and they are a tad impractical.
Was then thinking about a 3 series touring, very accomplished cars, but just a bit 'popular' and everyday but still tempting, especially with a few Schnitzer bits tacked on.
Then I had a brainwave, how about an Alpina touring?
Yummy!
However it turns out there were about 10 RHD B3 (3 series) tourings ever made and probably the same amount of 5's. (I'm talking recent cars here, [post 2001-2)
Has anyone owned an Alpina (touring or not), are they that much quicker than a standard bimmer? What are they like to run/insure? I'd imagine most insurers wouldn't know what the hell they were.
Any experiences you'd like to share?
Dave
>> Edited by DJFish on Saturday 10th September 04:32
Was then thinking about a 3 series touring, very accomplished cars, but just a bit 'popular' and everyday but still tempting, especially with a few Schnitzer bits tacked on.
Then I had a brainwave, how about an Alpina touring?
Yummy!
However it turns out there were about 10 RHD B3 (3 series) tourings ever made and probably the same amount of 5's. (I'm talking recent cars here, [post 2001-2)
Has anyone owned an Alpina (touring or not), are they that much quicker than a standard bimmer? What are they like to run/insure? I'd imagine most insurers wouldn't know what the hell they were.
Any experiences you'd like to share?
Dave
>> Edited by DJFish on Saturday 10th September 04:32
I own a 5 series B10 3.3 - 2000 model.
Firstly Alpinas are great cars. I feel that they are wrongly compared with their ‘M’ equivalents a lot of the time. They are a different car.
I would recommend you take a look here for some good general info:
www.thealpinaregister.com/
When I first bought my B10 I loved the performance but wasn’t blown away but I think that is mainly because it is so quiet (from the inside of the car) it literally purrs along. Don’t get me wrong though. Time brings out the qualities of the Alpina and it was only recently that I got to take her out on the Gaydon test track and savour its true abilities even if I wasn’t allowed to exceed 130mph on this occasion. Don’t forget that Alpinas don’t have speed limiters – which is great if you live in Autobahn land but not there is not much chance of me getting away with 160mph+ on the M1 !!
If you want drama and out and out power then an M3/M5 is probably the way to go.
If you want a car that does everything with accomplished ease, has great handling, combines performance with excellent fuel economy then take a look at an Alpina. Add to that to the fact that you will be driving a very exclusive car and you have very appealing mix. After 3 years of ownership I have been more than happy with my choice.
Regarding insurance… Yes its expensive. The insurance on my B10, I suspect, equates to that of an M5 and as you said there are a lot of companies who won’t have `Alpina` listed on their vehicle list so won’t quote.
I would recommend Privilege and Direct Line Insurance who will give you quote without any of that ‘Can we ring you back?’ bull****
Just to add, if you do buy an Alpina try and get one with the BM warranty.
If you decide on the B10 route mine is up for sale on this site:
www.pistonheads.com/sales/48207.htm
My endorsement of Alpina is not a ploy to sell my car. I love it and am gutted to have to sell it but my reasons are purely financial. I will be heading straight back for my next Alpina (B5 please!!) as soon as possible.
Good luck
Firstly Alpinas are great cars. I feel that they are wrongly compared with their ‘M’ equivalents a lot of the time. They are a different car.
I would recommend you take a look here for some good general info:
www.thealpinaregister.com/
When I first bought my B10 I loved the performance but wasn’t blown away but I think that is mainly because it is so quiet (from the inside of the car) it literally purrs along. Don’t get me wrong though. Time brings out the qualities of the Alpina and it was only recently that I got to take her out on the Gaydon test track and savour its true abilities even if I wasn’t allowed to exceed 130mph on this occasion. Don’t forget that Alpinas don’t have speed limiters – which is great if you live in Autobahn land but not there is not much chance of me getting away with 160mph+ on the M1 !!
If you want drama and out and out power then an M3/M5 is probably the way to go.
If you want a car that does everything with accomplished ease, has great handling, combines performance with excellent fuel economy then take a look at an Alpina. Add to that to the fact that you will be driving a very exclusive car and you have very appealing mix. After 3 years of ownership I have been more than happy with my choice.
Regarding insurance… Yes its expensive. The insurance on my B10, I suspect, equates to that of an M5 and as you said there are a lot of companies who won’t have `Alpina` listed on their vehicle list so won’t quote.
I would recommend Privilege and Direct Line Insurance who will give you quote without any of that ‘Can we ring you back?’ bull****
Just to add, if you do buy an Alpina try and get one with the BM warranty.
If you decide on the B10 route mine is up for sale on this site:
www.pistonheads.com/sales/48207.htm
My endorsement of Alpina is not a ploy to sell my car. I love it and am gutted to have to sell it but my reasons are purely financial. I will be heading straight back for my next Alpina (B5 please!!) as soon as possible.
Good luck
Gimlet, thanks for that, I've posted a similar message there.
Nick, Thanks for the long reply, your car does look superb (why not include an interior pic in the ad? seems to be an Alpina strong point and I think it'd lift the advert a bit) but I'm really after a touring as I'm one of those 'thirty something, sporty lifestyle, occasionally carry a bike/kayak on my roof so people think I'm active and I try and fool myself I'm still 18' types that the advertising departments are targetting at the moment!
An M3 touring would be lovely, if a little showy, but they don't make one so a B3 or B10 touring seems to be an ideal suggestion, especially since they manage to provide grunt but also decent MPG.
I'm really after something that will cover all the bases (performance/driving experience/practicality) my present car does, but at the same time acknowledging the fact that I'm not 18 anymore, a car I can throw down a back road but also drive a long journey without bankrupting myself or arrive at a social function without people thinking I'm there to rob them.
The search continues, thanks for the input.
Dave
>> Edited by DJFish on Saturday 10th September 18:16
Nick, Thanks for the long reply, your car does look superb (why not include an interior pic in the ad? seems to be an Alpina strong point and I think it'd lift the advert a bit) but I'm really after a touring as I'm one of those 'thirty something, sporty lifestyle, occasionally carry a bike/kayak on my roof so people think I'm active and I try and fool myself I'm still 18' types that the advertising departments are targetting at the moment!
An M3 touring would be lovely, if a little showy, but they don't make one so a B3 or B10 touring seems to be an ideal suggestion, especially since they manage to provide grunt but also decent MPG.
I'm really after something that will cover all the bases (performance/driving experience/practicality) my present car does, but at the same time acknowledging the fact that I'm not 18 anymore, a car I can throw down a back road but also drive a long journey without bankrupting myself or arrive at a social function without people thinking I'm there to rob them.
The search continues, thanks for the input.
Dave
>> Edited by DJFish on Saturday 10th September 18:16
No Problem ... DJFish.
Whilst I have had no personal experience of the model you are after I would whole-heartedly recommend Alpina.
Civilised, refined, performance, practical, economical, exclusive ..... I could go on.
I shall be looking for another Alpina to go with my Roadster S when the time comes to change the Volvo. Probably an E90 B3 though I may consider the D3 if a bigger engine is made available.
www.bmwcarclubforum.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=21812&PN=1
>> Edited by Gimlet on Saturday 10th September 21:16
Whilst I have had no personal experience of the model you are after I would whole-heartedly recommend Alpina.
Civilised, refined, performance, practical, economical, exclusive ..... I could go on.
I shall be looking for another Alpina to go with my Roadster S when the time comes to change the Volvo. Probably an E90 B3 though I may consider the D3 if a bigger engine is made available.
www.bmwcarclubforum.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=21812&PN=1
>> Edited by Gimlet on Saturday 10th September 21:16
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