Alpinas (particularly C2)

[Chris71]

Been contemplating the idea of a 3 series, but the individualist inside me (or snob depending on how you look at it) would prefer something a little bit more unusual, a little more bespoke.

Maybe an Alpina wopuld be the answer? Same practicality and performance, more character (perhaps).

My budget would be up to about £5k or maybe stretched a tiny bit for something special. I gather fromt he classifieds this should open up the e30 C2 2.7 and the e36 B2.5

Question is - are they worth it? How much difference do they really make to the equivilant BMW 325 and what price does this come at? I gather the bespoke bits are still available from alpina, but aren't cheap and can be major lumps like cylinder heads (on the C2 atleast)