Tanzanite Blue Alpina B3 Touring daily (G21)
Discussion
As there's a big imminent change in my professional life, I decided to buy myself a gift in the shape of a new daily driver.
(part of the change is that I'll be in control of that, instead of having a lease budget).
I had done the mental exercise of 'choosing' a daily often over the last years, so when the time came, I went for a test drive in one close to where I live.
It was a pre-facelift (or LCI as BMW call it) G21 (so last generation 3-series) Alpina B3 touring in Alpina green with a rather nice set of options - as most of them do - but surprisingly without the Harman Kardon sound system nor the acoustic glass I'd ideally have.
Never mind, the test drive was sufficiently convincing: the torque (as soon we went past 2 - 2.5k rpm), the steering feel, the combination of comfort and sportiness, the rarity... All I had to do was use my brain for a little bit, so I told them I'd consider.
Less than a week later, on the way to the dealer to finalise negotiations, I called them up only to be told that the car'd been sold that morning... Back to the drawing board.
A second, better equiped, green B3 was tested in Germany (spent 8hr on the road for a 20 min test drive). Despite being rather high in mileage, it felt as sharp as nimble as the first. Sadly, in the paperwork, I found evidence of body damage repairs, despite being told adamantly that there had never been any damage. That was enough to tank my confidence level in the dear and subsequently also the car.
More days of scouring the web (which in itself is part of the fun), a blue B3 turned up - where I was still on the hunt for a green one.
Very low mileage (14k miles approx), fabulous spec incl full Lavalina leather and M3 seats.
While initially very much smitten with the Alpina green, the Tanzanit blue on this one won me over.
Next to a great spec, I really like how almost discrete this one looked.
After some faster consideration, I put down a deposit this week - I am still to see the car in the flesh but the dealership information and reputation is sufficient for now.
Now, where are the pictures?
Well, I was a bit slow and by the time I considered downloading the pics of the ad (both on the website of the selling dealer as on the usual websites), they had been taken down. I've gently asked the dealer if they can share them to me...
(part of the change is that I'll be in control of that, instead of having a lease budget).
I had done the mental exercise of 'choosing' a daily often over the last years, so when the time came, I went for a test drive in one close to where I live.
It was a pre-facelift (or LCI as BMW call it) G21 (so last generation 3-series) Alpina B3 touring in Alpina green with a rather nice set of options - as most of them do - but surprisingly without the Harman Kardon sound system nor the acoustic glass I'd ideally have.
Never mind, the test drive was sufficiently convincing: the torque (as soon we went past 2 - 2.5k rpm), the steering feel, the combination of comfort and sportiness, the rarity... All I had to do was use my brain for a little bit, so I told them I'd consider.
Less than a week later, on the way to the dealer to finalise negotiations, I called them up only to be told that the car'd been sold that morning... Back to the drawing board.
A second, better equiped, green B3 was tested in Germany (spent 8hr on the road for a 20 min test drive). Despite being rather high in mileage, it felt as sharp as nimble as the first. Sadly, in the paperwork, I found evidence of body damage repairs, despite being told adamantly that there had never been any damage. That was enough to tank my confidence level in the dear and subsequently also the car.
More days of scouring the web (which in itself is part of the fun), a blue B3 turned up - where I was still on the hunt for a green one.
Very low mileage (14k miles approx), fabulous spec incl full Lavalina leather and M3 seats.
While initially very much smitten with the Alpina green, the Tanzanit blue on this one won me over.
Next to a great spec, I really like how almost discrete this one looked.
After some faster consideration, I put down a deposit this week - I am still to see the car in the flesh but the dealership information and reputation is sufficient for now.
Now, where are the pictures?
Well, I was a bit slow and by the time I considered downloading the pics of the ad (both on the website of the selling dealer as on the usual websites), they had been taken down. I've gently asked the dealer if they can share them to me...
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