I live in the USA... The choice: B7 vs. M5

[WillTell]

How did you find the M5?

Autocar recent did a test of the B5 v M5 and concluded the M5 rode every bit as well as the B5, which is quite an achievement given the Alpina ethos to chassis development for daily use.

I know it's not an Alpina, but if you can't get a B5 then the M5 appears to tock the most boxes?

So I think I've seen the review. To be clear, I've never driven the B5. Sat in one a few months ago at the dealership just outside Berlin (all it did was confirm that that's the car I want). So I can't say I know how it drives.

But the M5? I just bought a rowing machine. It's called a Waterrower. Lovely thing. The seat in the M5 felt harder than that. I'm not a skinny man by any stretch, but all my fatness is in my gut. My a$$ (arse to my English confreres) is relatively skinny. And I remember thinking to myself, schitbags, this is worse than a Tesla and having to plan my journey with all the charging stations mapped out. Only instead of charging stations I'd be mapping all the massage parlors. Ok, so I exaggerate. But to me, a 53 year-old, relatively fit man, it's too stif, both from a suspension perspective AND from the comfort of the seat.

If I choose between the M5 and B7... B7 and size be damned!

[WillTell]

After my test in the M5 today I told my dealer that if I do order a B7 you better be damned sure I'm getting the livery. You don't pay this sort of money without getting it exactly as I want.

I've only ever bought Alpinas used, but if I was buying a new one I'd insist on flying to the factory and specifying a fully bespoke car with the people that know them best.

That's not a bad idea. When the salesman left and I told him I'm leaning towards the B7 I told him to find out what the heck was going on with the US options vs. the European. No way I'm taking delivery of a B7 without the livery. If I'm going to drive a car that has people scratch their head in bewilderment you better believe there'll be a reason for it!

[Metrics]

Interesting comments - was the suspension still way too hard in comfort mode?

The UK test of M5 v B5 - usually one thing you can sure of is the Alpina will be much more compliant, especially on the poor UK roads. But this didn't happen in this test.

Sorry if you've already mentioned it, but is no B5 available for you in the US?

I think on what you've said above, the B7 is the right car for you. Sod the size difference

[WillTell]

Interesting comments - was the suspension still way too hard in comfort mode?

The UK test of M5 v B5 - usually one thing you can sure of is the Alpina will be much more compliant, especially on the poor UK roads. But this didn't happen in this test.

Sorry if you've already mentioned it, but is no B5 available for you in the US?

I think on what you've said above, the B7 is the right car for you. Sod the size difference

No B5. I would have bought it months ago!

And yes, the M5 was too harsh in comfort mode. Full disclosure: I'm originally a Brit but have lived here for decades. You have no idea what schi11y roads are until you've come here. It's like the difference between EWR and LHR Terminal 5. I'm serious. NYC area road are Third World. Though it's never discussed, it's definitely a contributing reason for the ascendancy, dare I say primacy, of the SUV.

My last 2 cars have been SUVs. Before the ICE is legislated out of existence and we're all forced into fractional ownership of driverless battery operated schi1boxes that arrive at ones house at the push of an iPhone button I want an ubersaloon. But it's got to be drivable. There again, there is the URUS!

[Metrics]

Fair enough

B7 -

[e30rapidic]

Hi Will

Excuse my ignorance, but is there no B5 in the US market?

No.

well, there is one....

https://seconddaily.com/alpina-b5-supercharged/

[B10BRW]

well, there is one....

https://seconddaily.com/alpina-b5-supercharged/

I would not touch that B5 with a barge pole, it had to have so many modifications to meet US regulations, they destroyed the Alpina DNA.

https://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/alpin ... tions.html

Read and weep

[Guy]

Thats a much older E60 as well, this conversation is a new one ie G30

[WillTell]

Thats a much older E60 as well, this conversation is a new one ie G30

What are you saying... that it's doable? Seriously, realistically, would it be possible?

I'd hate to drop $150K on the ultimate sedan only to have to drop another $50 and go through all the stress...

And then end up with a car that BMW won't guarantee...

[simon13]

I think your only route is to import from Germany or Japan 2nd hand.

The B5 engine is used in the B6 and B7 and has passed federal laws? So has the 5 series car so i can't see it being a big hurdle?

[Guy]

What are you saying... that it's doable? Seriously, realistically, would it be possible?

No, it'd be a total nightmare and not worth even thinking about.

[B10BRW]

What are you saying... that it's doable? Seriously, realistically, would it be possible?

No, it'd be a total nightmare and not worth even thinking about.

You would have to go through the same nightmare scenario that was experienced by the chap who imported his E60 B5 into the states.

[Norrie]

If you are in USA then you want to buy a vehicle which was supplied for the US market and if full compliant? I guess the B7 falls into this category. The B5 on the auction site has been modified to meet US regulations and fitted with "alternative" parts, some may say it is no long a true ALPINA.

I see little comparison between any M car and ALPINA for reasons clearly stated by others in these posts.