Alpina B6S cabriolet
Discussion
I thought it might be good to put down my ownership journey of this rare beast.
My first Venture into Alpina ownership started with a lovely low mileage B10 V8S in Estoril blue (currently for sale from an optimistic dealer). This was a great car and really showed off what Alpina do so well, namely make a BMW better by far.
I don’t do track days so 100% of my driving is done on roads with crappy potholes, cambers and traffic. Alpina make their cars just run so nicely on the road, no crashy ride or super stiff suspension here. But You would be hard pushed to unsettle an Alpina on the public highway without some serious lunacy. As I prefer to keep my license clean I try to keep the lunacy to a minimum hence the Alpina can always handle what I can dish out.
After deciding I wanted to dabble in some V12 lovliness I moved the B10 on to be replaced by a late model e65 760i. Another lovely car. Very different but wonderfully wafty and silky smooth. I just felt a bit young for it so looked for something less conservative.
I was looking for a few months but I knew I wanted a B6, I missed out on a lovely low mileage B6 convertible by a matter of days but undeterred I continued my search..
Then this Black B6s came up for sale at a local Sytners as an approved used car so decent warranty in place.
As there were only 3 sold in the U.K. (1 Black, 1 Grey and 1 Blue) you cant be picky with what is on offer with these cars. In fact the B6S cabriolet is one of the rarest of modern era Alpina made with a global sales total of just 40 cars!
I admit it was love at first sight for me. The carbon vented bonnet, wonderful contrasting Ivory Lavalina leather and that engine was I package I couldn’t ignore.
Alpina states it puts out 530hp and 725Nm but they are known for understating their figures so as not to upset BMW too much. In fact most Alpina seem to rate their output below the equivalent M car but this is a rare exception where the Alpina beats the M car in every way.
How is it to drive? Like being pulled along by a jet taking off from an aircraft carrier. It is just an awesome linear push in the back that is relentless. Silly figures are way too easy to access and with the roof down you get the full aural delights of the V8 and slight supercharger whine to accompany you on your flight to the horizon.
Now this car has not been without its issues. When I got it it had about 110k on the clock but beggars can’t be choosers and with that warranty to fall back on I took the plunge.
After the first few week an eml popped up on the dash, breakdown man comes out and between him and my service history we diagnose incorrect spark plugs and coils fitted on a pre sale service! Quick stay for a day or so at the supplying dealer and correct plugs and coils are fitted.
All is well for another month until the eml pops up again. Back to the dealer for a bit longer this time. New catalytic converters and manifolds fitted on both banks now. A big bill dodged thanks to the warranty.
I start to enjoy the car for the next few months but keep my eye on the oil consumption and feel it is being rather thirsty so whilst it it in for a service I get it checked out.
After 3 months in the shop it comes out with new rocker covers, gaskets, vacuum pump and best of all a shiny new supercharger on the house.
That was all over a year ago now and it has been faultless ever since. I have even dropped of the warranty now!
Whenever I get an urge to peruse the classifieds I cant find anything that would be so comfortable, fast and rare so I guess this is a keeper.
My first Venture into Alpina ownership started with a lovely low mileage B10 V8S in Estoril blue (currently for sale from an optimistic dealer). This was a great car and really showed off what Alpina do so well, namely make a BMW better by far.
I don’t do track days so 100% of my driving is done on roads with crappy potholes, cambers and traffic. Alpina make their cars just run so nicely on the road, no crashy ride or super stiff suspension here. But You would be hard pushed to unsettle an Alpina on the public highway without some serious lunacy. As I prefer to keep my license clean I try to keep the lunacy to a minimum hence the Alpina can always handle what I can dish out.
After deciding I wanted to dabble in some V12 lovliness I moved the B10 on to be replaced by a late model e65 760i. Another lovely car. Very different but wonderfully wafty and silky smooth. I just felt a bit young for it so looked for something less conservative.
I was looking for a few months but I knew I wanted a B6, I missed out on a lovely low mileage B6 convertible by a matter of days but undeterred I continued my search..
Then this Black B6s came up for sale at a local Sytners as an approved used car so decent warranty in place.
As there were only 3 sold in the U.K. (1 Black, 1 Grey and 1 Blue) you cant be picky with what is on offer with these cars. In fact the B6S cabriolet is one of the rarest of modern era Alpina made with a global sales total of just 40 cars!
I admit it was love at first sight for me. The carbon vented bonnet, wonderful contrasting Ivory Lavalina leather and that engine was I package I couldn’t ignore.
Alpina states it puts out 530hp and 725Nm but they are known for understating their figures so as not to upset BMW too much. In fact most Alpina seem to rate their output below the equivalent M car but this is a rare exception where the Alpina beats the M car in every way.
How is it to drive? Like being pulled along by a jet taking off from an aircraft carrier. It is just an awesome linear push in the back that is relentless. Silly figures are way too easy to access and with the roof down you get the full aural delights of the V8 and slight supercharger whine to accompany you on your flight to the horizon.
Now this car has not been without its issues. When I got it it had about 110k on the clock but beggars can’t be choosers and with that warranty to fall back on I took the plunge.
After the first few week an eml popped up on the dash, breakdown man comes out and between him and my service history we diagnose incorrect spark plugs and coils fitted on a pre sale service! Quick stay for a day or so at the supplying dealer and correct plugs and coils are fitted.
All is well for another month until the eml pops up again. Back to the dealer for a bit longer this time. New catalytic converters and manifolds fitted on both banks now. A big bill dodged thanks to the warranty.
I start to enjoy the car for the next few months but keep my eye on the oil consumption and feel it is being rather thirsty so whilst it it in for a service I get it checked out.
After 3 months in the shop it comes out with new rocker covers, gaskets, vacuum pump and best of all a shiny new supercharger on the house.
That was all over a year ago now and it has been faultless ever since. I have even dropped of the warranty now!
Whenever I get an urge to peruse the classifieds I cant find anything that would be so comfortable, fast and rare so I guess this is a keeper.
Edited by Philv8s on Tuesday 30th January 22:32
The original price was about £117k after options including £14k for the Lavalina leather interior.
The brakes are from a Middle East spec 760 I believe which have been tweaked slightly to make them Alpina specific thus attracting some generous Alpina tax!
But the road tax is only £245 a year. Not bad for a 2008 500+ hp petrol V8. Another perk of Alpina ownership.
The brakes are from a Middle East spec 760 I believe which have been tweaked slightly to make them Alpina specific thus attracting some generous Alpina tax!
But the road tax is only £245 a year. Not bad for a 2008 500+ hp petrol V8. Another perk of Alpina ownership.
The bonnet vents aren’t noticeable from inside the car unlike on a Impreza for example where they stand proud and are hard to miss really.
The power delivery is very linear, similar to the 760, only a lot more urgent and not as smooth and quiet. There is no big boost like a turbo gives as they spool up. The power is just there whenever you want it. It seems almost unnecessary to rev it to the red line as there is power thoughtout the rev range. But fun to do all the same as the exhaust valves open up letting the engine sing.
I haven’t been in the V10 engined car but I would imagine you have to keep the car in the sweet spot to make progress whereas the extra torque in the B6 helps for a more relaxed drive and more shove is just a pedal push away at any time.
The power delivery is very linear, similar to the 760, only a lot more urgent and not as smooth and quiet. There is no big boost like a turbo gives as they spool up. The power is just there whenever you want it. It seems almost unnecessary to rev it to the red line as there is power thoughtout the rev range. But fun to do all the same as the exhaust valves open up letting the engine sing.
I haven’t been in the V10 engined car but I would imagine you have to keep the car in the sweet spot to make progress whereas the extra torque in the B6 helps for a more relaxed drive and more shove is just a pedal push away at any time.
I keep trying to get to the barge meets but something always pops up to prevent it happening. Will try though. It will be interesting to compare the two engines.
Nutty. The average MPG I have had is about 24 MPG with mixed driving. Will creep over 30 on a steady motorway cruise or dip to high teens around town and if being enthusiastic. Better than the V10 and not too shabby for 500+hp.
Nutty. The average MPG I have had is about 24 MPG with mixed driving. Will creep over 30 on a steady motorway cruise or dip to high teens around town and if being enthusiastic. Better than the V10 and not too shabby for 500+hp.
Burnham said:
That Carbon bonnet 
I confess it is my favourite part of the car. Only Alpina would put such an extravagance on a car and then not let it be seen. Makes checking the fluids that bit more pleasant as it doubles as an excuse to gawp at the craftsmanship of the design.Edited by Philv8s on Monday 9th April 20:10
Edited by Philv8s on Monday 9th April 20:10
Well as it was a warranty job they had to to change one part at a time!
A vent pipe specific to the “S” model took about 6 weeks to turn up as even Alpina didn’t have a stock part for it. After replacing gaskets, rocker covers, vacuum pump and vent pipe and a 600 mile (1000 km) test drive to check oil consumption they agreed to a new supercharger. This was duly fitted and the car has been perfect ever since.
I wasn’t too bothered as I figured anything done in the warranty period saves me money further down the line so I was happy with the big money items being swapped out on the house. This was one reason why I bought the car with high miles. I gambled if anything was about to go pop I could get it covered, and if it didn’t the car was fine anyway.
As it turned out I got about £13k of work out the warranty so worth the gamble.
I wouldn’t hesitate to buy another approved BMW used car as nothing was questioned at any point, if it was at fault it was fixed, simple.
A vent pipe specific to the “S” model took about 6 weeks to turn up as even Alpina didn’t have a stock part for it. After replacing gaskets, rocker covers, vacuum pump and vent pipe and a 600 mile (1000 km) test drive to check oil consumption they agreed to a new supercharger. This was duly fitted and the car has been perfect ever since.
I wasn’t too bothered as I figured anything done in the warranty period saves me money further down the line so I was happy with the big money items being swapped out on the house. This was one reason why I bought the car with high miles. I gambled if anything was about to go pop I could get it covered, and if it didn’t the car was fine anyway.
As it turned out I got about £13k of work out the warranty so worth the gamble.
I wouldn’t hesitate to buy another approved BMW used car as nothing was questioned at any point, if it was at fault it was fixed, simple.
Edited by Philv8s on Saturday 3rd February 00:55
Burnham said:
I bet, no such expense on my 'normal' D3. They really went to town on the B6.
They only fitted the carbon bonnet to the B6S coupe and cabriolet. The non “S” had to make do with the stock aluminium bonnet. Apparently a replacement is a cool £5k so not a good idea having a front end bump in these mind!
Had my front drivers seat whisked away for some TLC by the professionals. After originally planning to get my bolster and armrest recoloured and the leather guy coming to collect a sample to premix the dye we decided it was probably better to take the whole seat and repair the foam on the drivers outside bolster which had collapsed over time causing the excissive wear originally highlighted for repair.
At the same time he has taken my floor mats away to be either recoloured or retrimmed.
Looking forward to a refreshed interior in a few weeks now.
At the same time he has taken my floor mats away to be either recoloured or retrimmed.
Looking forward to a refreshed interior in a few weeks now.
el romeral said:
Do Alpina work their magic on the exhaust system too - is it a quad outlet?
Yes they do and yes it has. But as usual with Alpina it is quite muted until you step on the loud pedal.
Prinny, I am using the Midlands branch of the leather repair company. I will wait for the work to be done before recommending them though of course.
As an aside the guy from the Leather company runs a street legal drag car, I think it has 1700hp and does the quarter in about 7 seconds! So at least he is a car enthusiast.
So after having a saggy and rather sorry looking bolster on my drivers seat I have now got a nice as new interior.
All ready for the Sunday Service this weekend.
After the leather guys did their magic and fitted new foam and repaired worn area on bolster, recoloured the leather trim on my floor mats and recoloured my armrest which was a bit worn also. Very pleased with the results.
All ready for the Sunday Service this weekend.
After the leather guys did their magic and fitted new foam and repaired worn area on bolster, recoloured the leather trim on my floor mats and recoloured my armrest which was a bit worn also. Very pleased with the results.
MFR_TT said:
That is a fantastic car. Just cannot beat Alpina.
I would have to agree with you. As the perfect balance between comfort, luxury, power and exclusivity, Alpina are a hard act to beat. Here is a nice pic Blabkhawk47 took at the MMR SS.
I will be at the Denbies SS also hopefully.
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