A yearning to come back

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Buying guides, Specific questions about a car, or about a particular model, ALPINA characteristics.

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Peter&Janet
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Joined: Fri Jul 27, 2007 10:38 pm
Location: Bingham Notts

A yearning to come back

Post by Peter&Janet » Fri Aug 19, 2016 10:31 pm

Hi everyone, a few years missing but still looking regularly at this wonderful web site.
Popped into Nottingham Sytner today intention to buy a 435D at 28000. The better half has a 5 door mini cooper which is simply perfect for day to day use and will not be sold. I have a 50/50 share of a 520D which is being used full time by my son so time to be selfish and get something for me.
In honesty the 435 should be perfect but I could not help but notice two similarly priced B3S and of the two liked the grey 2010 with 23000 miles.
The deal on the 435 would be straight forward as it's BMW finance and discounted price for the 10.4% APR.
The deal on the B3S is supposed to be special for two days only deciding space.
17K deposit followed by 13 months at 810. Discount 700 off the top. Wow I said but deep down thought that was crap and probably get that any day.
I guess the 435 would be better in way of 4WD, modern tech and that that wonderful 8 spd box.
There is a low mileage £38K D3 in Coventry Sytner and temped to have a little look at this but wonder if the wiggle factor on deal would be as pitiful.
All these thoughts flowing through, any suggestions greatly appreciated.
520D Estate black Current Car
M135i Mineral grey Oyster auto Sold 2015
B3 Bi Turbo 102 Space Grey Sold Jun 2012
B3 Bi Turbo 109 Alpina Blue. Sold Jul 2009
RoadsterS sold April 2008
B2.5 sold 1996 K reg 4 dr. Sterling silver
Janets 123D 5d auto (2010) Sold

jamesa
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Location: Aberdeenshire

Post by jamesa » Sat Aug 20, 2016 2:01 am

Looks like it`s time for something `special` then, which discounts anything diesel ... !
Ex. B10 V8 Touring #160 Alpina Blue : Current M2 DCT (OG)

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Peter&Janet
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Joined: Fri Jul 27, 2007 10:38 pm
Location: Bingham Notts

Post by Peter&Janet » Sat Aug 20, 2016 10:42 am

Cost wise not too bad, 290 road tax and 250 quote for the insurance.
Regards diesel/petrol debate have recently been driving a M135i and the 520D both exceptional in their own way, but the B3 sound makes it special and certainly a great place to be in.
520D Estate black Current Car
M135i Mineral grey Oyster auto Sold 2015
B3 Bi Turbo 102 Space Grey Sold Jun 2012
B3 Bi Turbo 109 Alpina Blue. Sold Jul 2009
RoadsterS sold April 2008
B2.5 sold 1996 K reg 4 dr. Sterling silver
Janets 123D 5d auto (2010) Sold

kith
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Posts: 119
Joined: Mon Jun 25, 2007 9:09 pm
Location: Nottingham

Post by kith » Sat Aug 20, 2016 10:59 am

I too went from a B3BT to an M135i and to be honest, the steering and gearbox (auto) of the M135 are such a step on from the B3 that I would find it hard to go back to a previous gen B3.

In an ideal world I would go for a B4 but they are like unicorns on the used market!
CURRENT: 2021 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio
SOLD SEP '20: 2009 Porsche 911 Carrera
SOLD JAN '17: 2014 BMW M135i Auto
SOLD FEB '14: 2008 B3 Bi-Turbo Coupe #156

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Peter&Janet
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Joined: Fri Jul 27, 2007 10:38 pm
Location: Bingham Notts

Post by Peter&Janet » Sat Aug 20, 2016 12:03 pm

Thats the rub of course with it being 10 year old technology versus modern.
I was offered a great deal on a 140i but, and I do agree great engine/gearbox combo, but mine was not great on long distances with too much wheel noise in the cabin.
520D Estate black Current Car
M135i Mineral grey Oyster auto Sold 2015
B3 Bi Turbo 102 Space Grey Sold Jun 2012
B3 Bi Turbo 109 Alpina Blue. Sold Jul 2009
RoadsterS sold April 2008
B2.5 sold 1996 K reg 4 dr. Sterling silver
Janets 123D 5d auto (2010) Sold

B10BRW
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Joined: Wed Mar 16, 2005 1:58 pm
Location: West Sussex

Post by B10BRW » Sat Aug 20, 2016 2:13 pm

I would go for the Alpine white B3S, but then I am biased, as it is my old one :lol:

hap
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Location: Scunthorpe, North Lincs

Post by hap » Sat Aug 20, 2016 3:02 pm

Looks like they have changed the alloys Brian since when you owned it

B10BRW
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Post by B10BRW » Sat Aug 20, 2016 6:26 pm

hap wrote:Looks like they have changed the alloys Brian since when you owned it
That's right Hap, Matt swopped the Classics from mine on to a another Alpina whose new owner didn't want Dynamics.

The new owner of mine was obviously happy to stick with the Dynamics.

kith
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Location: Nottingham

Post by kith » Sat Aug 20, 2016 9:07 pm

I think Dynamics suit the E92 well, plus checking tyre pressures on them is much less of a pain. Am surprised they discontinued them on the F30/31/32.
CURRENT: 2021 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio
SOLD SEP '20: 2009 Porsche 911 Carrera
SOLD JAN '17: 2014 BMW M135i Auto
SOLD FEB '14: 2008 B3 Bi-Turbo Coupe #156

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Peter&Janet
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Joined: Fri Jul 27, 2007 10:38 pm
Location: Bingham Notts

Post by Peter&Janet » Sun Aug 21, 2016 9:09 am

Sadly I wasted another hour with the salesman and never bought anything. Humble apologies. Test-drove the D3 driving experience simply awesome, steering and the engine perfect, easily outperforming my previous B3. Similar discount as the B3S with 750 knocked off.
Mulling this over later the D3 did not do it for me as it's not the fun car I really wanted and although affordable I think the D3 is more the discerning business mans car as looks the same as any 3 series with better wheels but with poverty spec & zero options on the car, whereas the 6 year old B3S a lesser car technically, but looks the business and gives me the smile factor.
I'm back on my ship next month and have two weeks holiday and a 4 day course in Gods country South Shields so will resume a new search end of December when I'm home again.
Brian; the white car sadly looked second best and probably due to the only day of the week when it was raining cats and dogs and looked off white and dull.
Thanks for reading and has been very therapeutic to put thoughts down on what should have been a simple exercise of visiting a dealer and buying a car.
520D Estate black Current Car
M135i Mineral grey Oyster auto Sold 2015
B3 Bi Turbo 102 Space Grey Sold Jun 2012
B3 Bi Turbo 109 Alpina Blue. Sold Jul 2009
RoadsterS sold April 2008
B2.5 sold 1996 K reg 4 dr. Sterling silver
Janets 123D 5d auto (2010) Sold

hap
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Joined: Mon Feb 06, 2006 11:22 am
Location: Scunthorpe, North Lincs

Post by hap » Sun Aug 21, 2016 9:38 am

Did u consider the red b3s saloon gazoo old one at all ??

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Peter&Janet
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Post by Peter&Janet » Sun Aug 21, 2016 10:36 am

Not really, it was in a different area to the two coupes, never mentioned, but I did see it yesterday on the way out. Twice the mileage of the other two cars but looks well cared for and has excellent spec.
520D Estate black Current Car
M135i Mineral grey Oyster auto Sold 2015
B3 Bi Turbo 102 Space Grey Sold Jun 2012
B3 Bi Turbo 109 Alpina Blue. Sold Jul 2009
RoadsterS sold April 2008
B2.5 sold 1996 K reg 4 dr. Sterling silver
Janets 123D 5d auto (2010) Sold

kith
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Posts: 119
Joined: Mon Jun 25, 2007 9:09 pm
Location: Nottingham

Post by kith » Sun Aug 21, 2016 11:06 am

Interesting observations on the D3. The head says it's the one to go for but the heart would miss the sound and drama of a petrol ALPINA.
CURRENT: 2021 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio
SOLD SEP '20: 2009 Porsche 911 Carrera
SOLD JAN '17: 2014 BMW M135i Auto
SOLD FEB '14: 2008 B3 Bi-Turbo Coupe #156

jamesa
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Posts: 1229
Joined: Sun Jan 22, 2012 3:23 pm
Location: Aberdeenshire

Post by jamesa » Mon Aug 22, 2016 12:06 am

^ and ... the latest Alpina`s just do not have the visual appeal of the older models.

Time to look elsewhere ?
Ex. B10 V8 Touring #160 Alpina Blue : Current M2 DCT (OG)

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MickB3
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Location: Worksop, Notts.

Post by MickB3 » Mon Aug 22, 2016 9:46 am

B10BRW wrote:I would go for the Alpine white B3S, but then I am biased, as it is my old one :lol:

I love the white one 8) I would want the classics back though :wink:
E46 B3 3.3 ALPINA

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