Discussion
I am about to take the plunge into B5 ownership, for the very good reason that it is an astonishingly capable piece of kit and I genuinely can't see myself ever wanting another car. Apart from the TVR of course. Anyway, searching reveals that there are 66 of these automotive wunderkind in the UK at the moment (two of which are off the road) so finding owners to share experiences of running costs and buying advice is hard. The Alpina Register is a bit of a ghost town, with many threads dormant for years, so I thought I would ask on here for news and views. All help and advice gratefully received.
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The Alpina Register is no ghost town. It might not have the footfall of Pistonheads but it is a rather active bunch of like minded individuals!
I recently moved from a B10 V8 Touring (loved it) to a facelift B7 and I'm blown away by its performance. I'm no fan of the E60 so despite much humming and hawing over the B5 I was almost off to the Mercedes camp courtesy of a CLS55 AMG.
Then the B7 appeared!
The supercharged V8 is an absolute joy. 4th gear above 60mph is delightful, it looks the part, feels the part, and with over 500bhp on tap will see off most machinery on the highways.
Fuel economy is better than the B10 as well surprisingly. Mine sits at 23mpg scooting about backroads / town. I'd be surprised if I don't see 30 on the motorway, most impressive for a 7 series so the B5 can't be any worse.
Take one for a spin and see what you think.
I recently moved from a B10 V8 Touring (loved it) to a facelift B7 and I'm blown away by its performance. I'm no fan of the E60 so despite much humming and hawing over the B5 I was almost off to the Mercedes camp courtesy of a CLS55 AMG.
Then the B7 appeared!
The supercharged V8 is an absolute joy. 4th gear above 60mph is delightful, it looks the part, feels the part, and with over 500bhp on tap will see off most machinery on the highways.
Fuel economy is better than the B10 as well surprisingly. Mine sits at 23mpg scooting about backroads / town. I'd be surprised if I don't see 30 on the motorway, most impressive for a 7 series so the B5 can't be any worse.
Take one for a spin and see what you think.
Edited by Crombers on Thursday 21st April 10:36
Edited by Crombers on Thursday 21st April 12:22
The first thing to bear in mind is that it isn't an M car.
No matter how brilliantly capable it is (and boy, I do mean whoopingly so,) there is always a slight lack of ultimate 'frisson' in those moments when, having temporarily tired of dominating all drag-based shenanigania, you head for the hills...
Don't get me wrong, it can be hustled along at a fair old lick but you won't be inclined to push it like an M [transitory demi-ref to a celebrated Snoop Dog ft. Pharrell lyric, there, btw] since it will struggle to tuck in with the otherwordly deftness of what used to be uniquely Garchingian.
At this point, people may interject with 'but that's the whole point' but I maintain the stance: in England where you cannot roam with the spectacular abandon of less overpopulated territories, that handling deficit - especially if you're migrating from //Mtonia - is a constant nibble at the base of your lobe.
Having said that ... phwoaar! Yes, it is crushingly fast - it will outrun almost anything and is the most frustrating surprise for thraping, junior exotiques.
The transmission is a wonderful reprieve for normal commuting if you've been a victim of SMG (in any of its trucculent forms) and it does ride well although again, I'm not convinced it's damped better than an M. Better than an M...
However, it sounds fanatastic; not quite '63 AMG but even so, at full chat, through something that echoes, definitive essence of Messerschmitt.
Best of all, if you fully debadge it, you'll have one of the best kept secrets in rock n roll.
Oh, yes, fit an lsd. Quaife, I believe...
If you could find a B7, however, then that is the ultimate; no 'sporty' charges apply since this is the definitive long range bomber where cornering is rather more something for people not yet shaving.
Total luxury, far better interior quality and almost all of the same, ludicrous schnell and brimstone.
No matter how brilliantly capable it is (and boy, I do mean whoopingly so,) there is always a slight lack of ultimate 'frisson' in those moments when, having temporarily tired of dominating all drag-based shenanigania, you head for the hills...
Don't get me wrong, it can be hustled along at a fair old lick but you won't be inclined to push it like an M [transitory demi-ref to a celebrated Snoop Dog ft. Pharrell lyric, there, btw] since it will struggle to tuck in with the otherwordly deftness of what used to be uniquely Garchingian.
At this point, people may interject with 'but that's the whole point' but I maintain the stance: in England where you cannot roam with the spectacular abandon of less overpopulated territories, that handling deficit - especially if you're migrating from //Mtonia - is a constant nibble at the base of your lobe.
Having said that ... phwoaar! Yes, it is crushingly fast - it will outrun almost anything and is the most frustrating surprise for thraping, junior exotiques.
The transmission is a wonderful reprieve for normal commuting if you've been a victim of SMG (in any of its trucculent forms) and it does ride well although again, I'm not convinced it's damped better than an M. Better than an M...
However, it sounds fanatastic; not quite '63 AMG but even so, at full chat, through something that echoes, definitive essence of Messerschmitt.
Best of all, if you fully debadge it, you'll have one of the best kept secrets in rock n roll.
Oh, yes, fit an lsd. Quaife, I believe...
If you could find a B7, however, then that is the ultimate; no 'sporty' charges apply since this is the definitive long range bomber where cornering is rather more something for people not yet shaving.
Total luxury, far better interior quality and almost all of the same, ludicrous schnell and brimstone.
All good stuff, many thanks. Mr 'strictor, I understand your M-based comparisons, but so much of my driving life is spent cruising and commuting that the rather more frenetic pace of the M5 would rarely be appropriate. The real come-hither appeal of the B5 is its ridiculous competence in the day-to-day business of getting somewhere quickly, but without leaving your nerves jangling and your head filled with Sturm und Drang. And I have a TVR for when I really want to play. And the B7 seems to be rarer than a Snoop Dog mazurka.
Thanks for the supercharger advice too. My plan involves a cast-iron, copper-bottomed, fur-lined warranty, but if I can find one already done, I shall sleep easier.
Thanks for the supercharger advice too. My plan involves a cast-iron, copper-bottomed, fur-lined warranty, but if I can find one already done, I shall sleep easier.
Loved my B5 (with LSD).
Short version, as per DeR really:
Really really fast, easily beats many sports/supercars in a drag-race, all whilst the kids wave from the back at the astonished person slipping rearward in the mirror.
Unlimited as standard, mine saw 195mph+ indicated several times on the autobahn, easy 180s on the A3.
Very comfy, very practical, great cruiser/family car. De-badged (mine was) they are very discrete.
However, as DeR said it is not a car that really wants to be pushed on a twisty b-road, it's not as sharp as an M3/M5, but it's not designed to be. If you understand what Alpina are about then it's a great great car. Big torque, slushbox and 25-30mpg (so far more range than an M5).
Mine had two superchargers replaced under warranty within 24,000 miles, so try to get a BMW warrantied car if you can, as the supercharger is about £5k all-fitted.
The B5S is newer, faster and rarer and has adjustable suspension which may tighten the handling up a little. Also available in Touring form, though very very rare indeed.
Production figures for UK were:
B5 = 80 Saloon, 4 Touring
B5S = 12 Saloon, 1 Touring
Short version, as per DeR really:
Really really fast, easily beats many sports/supercars in a drag-race, all whilst the kids wave from the back at the astonished person slipping rearward in the mirror.
Unlimited as standard, mine saw 195mph+ indicated several times on the autobahn, easy 180s on the A3.
Very comfy, very practical, great cruiser/family car. De-badged (mine was) they are very discrete.
However, as DeR said it is not a car that really wants to be pushed on a twisty b-road, it's not as sharp as an M3/M5, but it's not designed to be. If you understand what Alpina are about then it's a great great car. Big torque, slushbox and 25-30mpg (so far more range than an M5).
Mine had two superchargers replaced under warranty within 24,000 miles, so try to get a BMW warrantied car if you can, as the supercharger is about £5k all-fitted.
The B5S is newer, faster and rarer and has adjustable suspension which may tighten the handling up a little. Also available in Touring form, though very very rare indeed.
Production figures for UK were:
B5 = 80 Saloon, 4 Touring
B5S = 12 Saloon, 1 Touring
I recently joined the B5 clan and can't recommend the experience highly enough!
Echoing what others have already said:
Stonking and I mean stonking, go; anonymous when debadged; yet a pussycat with all mod cons, when you feel lazy, or the A38/303/WHY is clogged with elderly hatchbacks at the end of a long day.
Yes, the DSC does light up rather often, so a LSD could be a good idea. It's said that the Quaife isn't as crude as some and should suit the B5's character.
A robust warranty is an essential for most folk, unless you enjoy a high stakes gamble.
Go for it ajcj!
Echoing what others have already said:
Stonking and I mean stonking, go; anonymous when debadged; yet a pussycat with all mod cons, when you feel lazy, or the A38/303/WHY is clogged with elderly hatchbacks at the end of a long day.
Yes, the DSC does light up rather often, so a LSD could be a good idea. It's said that the Quaife isn't as crude as some and should suit the B5's character.
A robust warranty is an essential for most folk, unless you enjoy a high stakes gamble.
Go for it ajcj!
@ AJCJ
If you need any specific info, just let me know dude.
Have just put mine up for sale ( http://pistonheads.com/sales/2473884.htm )
If you need any specific info, just let me know dude.
Have just put mine up for sale ( http://pistonheads.com/sales/2473884.htm )
Pimpster said:
@ AJCJ
If you need any specific info, just let me know dude.
Have just put mine up for sale ( http://pistonheads.com/sales/2473884.htm )
Are you getting e-mails? Sent you a couple, also left phone messages, are you around?If you need any specific info, just let me know dude.
Have just put mine up for sale ( http://pistonheads.com/sales/2473884.htm )
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