How do I tell if it's a REAL Alpina???

[dave de roxby]

Hi Folks,

Just been offered (over the phone, from the trade) what's described as a BMW 7 Series V8 Auto Alpina 'R' reg. Trouble is, I'm not even in the country at the moment (on hols in France) and wont be back for a week. It's well described from a good source I've dealt with before. I've asked is it a genuine Alpina but apart from saying it's got the fancy wheels and Alpina badges they don't seem to know (it's a part-ex). Whatever, the price seems too good to miss. I have to let them know by the morning so will be buying it completely 'blind'!

My question is, how does one tell a genuine Alpina from a dressed up fake? Will it say on the V5 for instance? I've never had an Alpina before and simply don't know! Can you help!

[dave de roxby]

Vixpy1 said:

The Chassis plate will tell you.

Simple as that! Thanks Mate.

[dave de roxby]

Fox- said:

I would put money on it not being real - the actual B12's are worth a staggering amount of money.

Yep, I'm full of suspicion - trying to get someone to look at it for me in the morning before I do something stupid! But it seems cheap!

[dave de roxby]

Gunk said:

There was no V8 E38 Alpina, but there was a whole raft of Alpina add ons, so it might be a dealer car with Alpina wheels, body kit, suspension etc.

http://www.thealpinaregister.com/downloads/accesso...

Guess that settles it - it's just a dressed-up old 7 series. Wonder if it's worth breaking? What's a set of Alpina wheels worth? Anyway, thanks for all the info guys - invaluable.

[dave de roxby]

sjj84 said:

Wheels could be worth a bit, but as it's not a genuine Alpina, can you be sure without seeing it that they are genuine wheels and not reps?

Have put a silly bid in for it. Will find out next week when I get home if I've been lucky or not!

You have to have a punt from time to time!

[dave de roxby]

Fox- said:

I would put money on it not being real - the actual B12's are worth a staggering amount of money.

Yep! You were right! Was worth a punt.

Anyway, its now on ebay if anyone is interested.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...