Alpina Touring

Not a Diesel!!! · Post by **Not a Diesel!!!** » Thu Oct 18, 2012 10:22 pm

Been thinking ofa 3 series touring on and off for years now and had a soft spot for Alpinas since seeing a B10 in the early 90's. Some things you never shift.

Anyway I have thought through the pro's and con's of E46's & E90's and go round the 335i to 335d to 330d to 330i and usually end up at a D3.

To be fair I dont do alot of miles prob 8k per year and do a fair bit of town driving so the Diesel Particulate Filter in the diesels worries me.

I am sure you have had similar thoughts before arriving at your Alpina's.

Thoughts?

D3orbust · Post by **D3orbust** » Thu Oct 18, 2012 11:07 pm

I also have a D3, its my wifes car and she uses it to go shopping (which woman doesn't) taking the toddler to nursery etc, the occasional 90 mile journey to Leeds to see her parents etc etc so she only does around 6000 miles PA.

No problems so far after 1.5 years of ownership, though i do tend to take it out for an 'italian tune up' once a week.

She absolutely loves the D3 and gets around 3-4 positive comments from other drivers every week.

An example of this being yesterday when she dropped the toddler off at nursery, another parent commented 'thats one hell of a car'

Mark996 · Post by **Mark996** » Fri Oct 19, 2012 9:25 am

I think the major issue you're going to have is finding a D3 touring mate - they're notoriously rare beasts at the best of times......which is one of the major reasons I snapped sytners arm off when one came up.....

Like you, I'd all but given up hope ever finding one, with the spec I wanted etc at the right deal, but on the day that I'd really given up and went to test a 330d & 335d back to back, fate played her best hand and #220 turned up!!!

That was after 6 months since the first time I went in saying I'm on the look out for one....

My advice is to give sytner a buzz (matt stripling is the ONLY person there to speak to about this!!!) and tell em to be looking out for one for you....then, be prepared to wait!!!

Unless of course you want to make me an offer I can't refuse on mine?!?!!!

ade and liz flint · Post by **ade and liz flint** » Fri Oct 19, 2012 1:38 pm

6k pa on my D3BT, but I don't do runs shorter than 13miles in it as a rule. No regular dual carriageway or motorway runs (probably 2 or 3 per year when we visit the in-laws in Devon...we don't have multi-lane roads over here

) and having no issues in my 3rd year of ownership. Stunning, fantastic engine, with the best balance of roadholding and handling outside a full-on sports car. Tried lots of other brands and alternatives (inc the std Msport) before driving #097...then there was no doubt we would be handing-over our wedge for her. There is still nothing approaching their ability on the market.

Not a Diesel!!! · Post by **Not a Diesel!!!** » Sat Nov 17, 2012 7:30 pm

Along the same lines as before.

How do you work on pricing/value of the D3 v's its stablemates.

These cars were what Â£28k ish new & direct competition for the 320d Sport.

But now second hand they have held up well. But if you could get a 330d, 335d, 330i for similar or less money where do you put your wedge?

Maybe if they had Leather? Its seems strange buying a BMW without leather.

ali · Post by **ali** » Sat Nov 17, 2012 10:09 pm

Why bother with the D3 when you do so few miles.
Get a proper petrol engined Alpina instead?

Not a Diesel!!! · Post by **Not a Diesel!!!** » Sat Nov 17, 2012 10:14 pm

This has to be my sensible (ish) & practicle (ish) car.

I have as my Wifes car a Z3M Coupe. So I can get my fill of petrol headed high reving madness there. As well as the potential for heart stopping service bills.

Post by **Charles** » Sat Nov 17, 2012 10:22 pm

ali-bumble wrote:Why bother with the D3 when you do so few miles.
Get a proper petrol engined Alpina instead?

Couldn't agree more - but then petrol Tourings are even rarer than diesel ones

According to the register, here are the numbers:

D3 MT = 73
D3 BT = 85
Total = 158

B3 (E46)
3.0 = 0
3.2 = 5
3.3 = 9
3.4 = 8
Total = 22

B3 (E9x)
B3 BT = 2
B3S BT = 3
Total = 5

So 27 3 series petrol versus 158 diesel Tourings

Not a Diesel!!! · Post by **Not a Diesel!!!** » Sat Nov 17, 2012 10:31 pm

I did consider a Petrol Alpina but I am probably a manual fan at heart.

v8 ego · Post by **v8 ego** » Sun Nov 18, 2012 3:04 am

Not a Diesel!!! wrote:I did consider a Petrol Alpina but I am probably a manual fan at heart.

B10 3.3 E39?

simon13 · Post by **simon13** » Sun Nov 18, 2012 11:09 am

i've converted my e36 B3 touring to factory manual spec with a 6 speed box.

I'm toying with the idea of letting it go. Its almost a total spec e36 theres only a few options not ticked on it. Its biggest problem to some will be the milege 202k but massive history means it drives 100%

Not a Diesel!!! · Post by **Not a Diesel!!!** » Sun Nov 18, 2012 9:44 pm

I new the earlier B3's were rare but had not realised the D3's were that rare.