D3 MT leather upgrade
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D3 MT leather upgrade
Right...
We all know the original D3 came in a fixed spec with a generic BMW half leather sport interior.
Mine is in good condition for its age with no discernible wear.
I have bought a complete leather sport interior with door cards and all the other bits etc.
I was all ready to go and fit this into the car to lift the interior a bit and give it a bit more of a classy ambiance.
Whilst talking to a good friend of mine yesterday i told him of my plans and he said it wasn't a good idea an that it would hurt the value of the car. He's a big Ford fan and does all kinds of shows with his concourse Cosworths.
He rekons if its not 100% original then it's not right...
I can see this point of view with unique parts, or things which will distinctly change the character of the car. Are opinions on here the same for this? I think the leather interior will be a nice addition, but now i'm not sure what to do..
Opinions please....???
We all know the original D3 came in a fixed spec with a generic BMW half leather sport interior.
Mine is in good condition for its age with no discernible wear.
I have bought a complete leather sport interior with door cards and all the other bits etc.
I was all ready to go and fit this into the car to lift the interior a bit and give it a bit more of a classy ambiance.
Whilst talking to a good friend of mine yesterday i told him of my plans and he said it wasn't a good idea an that it would hurt the value of the car. He's a big Ford fan and does all kinds of shows with his concourse Cosworths.
He rekons if its not 100% original then it's not right...
I can see this point of view with unique parts, or things which will distinctly change the character of the car. Are opinions on here the same for this? I think the leather interior will be a nice addition, but now i'm not sure what to do..
Opinions please....???
If its a job no man can survive, he's the man for the job.
I would swap the interior if I were you. The D3 MT is not going to be a collectors car in all likelihood, so unless you intend to enter it into concours events where originality is more important I wouldn’t be worried.
The Alpina specific parts are what are more important to keep OEM. The seats aren’t Alpina specific so an upgrade to leather seems a good idea to me.
You can always keep the the original seats and offer to put them back in come sale time also.
Just my opinion of course.
The Alpina specific parts are what are more important to keep OEM. The seats aren’t Alpina specific so an upgrade to leather seems a good idea to me.
You can always keep the the original seats and offer to put them back in come sale time also.
Just my opinion of course.
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This .PhillV8S wrote:The D3 MT is not going to be a collectors car in all likelihood, so unless you intend to enter it into concours events where originality is more important I wouldn’t be worried.
The Alpina specific parts are what are more important to keep OEM.
There are already a few D3Biturbo's with 'added leather': Exclusive Motors (I think correct) churned out quite a number. Not a biggie to me as long as it looks and drives like an ALPINA. I_MNL's D3 had full tan hide from new: as did many others, especially on the continent example
Last edited by ade and liz flint on Mon Sep 10, 2018 2:52 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Current:
23MY Porsche Macan GTS in Papaya
23MY Cupra Born V3 77kW in Aurora
Previously loved:
ALPINA: E91 B3SBiturbo #127, E92 B3SBiturbo #285, E90 D3Biturbo #097, E85 Roadster S #168 & variety of 'beige' 4 and 6-cyl BMW lumps.
PORSCHE: Macan S, Cayman 981 S, Cayman 981 GTS
23MY Porsche Macan GTS in Papaya
23MY Cupra Born V3 77kW in Aurora
Previously loved:
ALPINA: E91 B3SBiturbo #127, E92 B3SBiturbo #285, E90 D3Biturbo #097, E85 Roadster S #168 & variety of 'beige' 4 and 6-cyl BMW lumps.
PORSCHE: Macan S, Cayman 981 S, Cayman 981 GTS
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This was what i was thinking...PhillV8S wrote:I would swap the interior if I were you. The D3 MT is not going to be a collectors car in all likelihood, so unless you intend to enter it into concours events where originality is more important I wouldn’t be worried.
The Alpina specific parts are what are more important to keep OEM. The seats aren’t Alpina specific so an upgrade to leather seems a good idea to me.
You can always keep the the original seats and offer to put them back in come sale time also.
Just my opinion of course.
It might become collectible in 15 years time. There were only 600 odd of them.
Having said that, who would have thought a tidy e28 535i sport would be worth £20,000.. Hmmmm.
Anyone else?
If its a job no man can survive, he's the man for the job.
As already suggested, the D3 MT is the least likely Alpina to suffer from being enhanced with additions like leather, as long as it retains the the key features like suspension and aesthetics (wheels/spoilers, etc).
Just don't expect it to drastically increase its value like some folks have done and definitely don't add Alpina roundels.
Just don't expect it to drastically increase its value like some folks have done and definitely don't add Alpina roundels.
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CaesarBob wrote:As already suggested, the D3 MT is the least likely Alpina to suffer from being enhanced with additions like leather, as long as it retains the the key features like suspension and aesthetics (wheels/spoilers, etc).
Just don't expect it to drastically increase its value like some folks have done and definitely don't add Alpina roundels.
Roundels!? How dare you! Literally the worst thing ever..
Not really after increasing value, just something a bit different and classier than the standard interior.
I'm gonna fit it....
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Actually, when i picked the interior up it turned out it was Oyster. Still looks pukka though.Metrics wrote:Go for it OJ, will look great - Lemon is a lovely shade.
Lots of pics before and after please
I'll post pics once i've done the huffing and puffing chucking it in.
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What's wrong with roundels Have I missed something here?octanejunkie wrote:CaesarBob wrote: definitely don't add Alpina roundels.
Roundels!? How dare you! Literally the worst thing ever.
Current:
23MY Porsche Macan GTS in Papaya
23MY Cupra Born V3 77kW in Aurora
Previously loved:
ALPINA: E91 B3SBiturbo #127, E92 B3SBiturbo #285, E90 D3Biturbo #097, E85 Roadster S #168 & variety of 'beige' 4 and 6-cyl BMW lumps.
PORSCHE: Macan S, Cayman 981 S, Cayman 981 GTS
23MY Porsche Macan GTS in Papaya
23MY Cupra Born V3 77kW in Aurora
Previously loved:
ALPINA: E91 B3SBiturbo #127, E92 B3SBiturbo #285, E90 D3Biturbo #097, E85 Roadster S #168 & variety of 'beige' 4 and 6-cyl BMW lumps.
PORSCHE: Macan S, Cayman 981 S, Cayman 981 GTS
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We're talking seats, Phil: I'm waiting to see if mine are thought of as 'chav' now
I think you're right, though: I hope the suggestion is to not fit bonnet and boot roundels. Or caliper 'ALPINA' logos. Or massive embroidered seatback roundels
My favourite, and only permissible IMO, roundels:-
I think you're right, though: I hope the suggestion is to not fit bonnet and boot roundels. Or caliper 'ALPINA' logos. Or massive embroidered seatback roundels
My favourite, and only permissible IMO, roundels:-
Current:
23MY Porsche Macan GTS in Papaya
23MY Cupra Born V3 77kW in Aurora
Previously loved:
ALPINA: E91 B3SBiturbo #127, E92 B3SBiturbo #285, E90 D3Biturbo #097, E85 Roadster S #168 & variety of 'beige' 4 and 6-cyl BMW lumps.
PORSCHE: Macan S, Cayman 981 S, Cayman 981 GTS
23MY Porsche Macan GTS in Papaya
23MY Cupra Born V3 77kW in Aurora
Previously loved:
ALPINA: E91 B3SBiturbo #127, E92 B3SBiturbo #285, E90 D3Biturbo #097, E85 Roadster S #168 & variety of 'beige' 4 and 6-cyl BMW lumps.
PORSCHE: Macan S, Cayman 981 S, Cayman 981 GTS
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CaesarBob wrote:Sorry for the confusion, I had broadened my comment to other modifications and was referring to replacing the BMW bonnet and boot badging.
The seat badging is a nice touch, particularly with the rhombs.
should never be done.
A smattering of random ALPINA stickers, logos and roundels spoils the aesthetics of otherwise handsome cars.
I miss the rhombs: lovely touch.
Current:
23MY Porsche Macan GTS in Papaya
23MY Cupra Born V3 77kW in Aurora
Previously loved:
ALPINA: E91 B3SBiturbo #127, E92 B3SBiturbo #285, E90 D3Biturbo #097, E85 Roadster S #168 & variety of 'beige' 4 and 6-cyl BMW lumps.
PORSCHE: Macan S, Cayman 981 S, Cayman 981 GTS
23MY Porsche Macan GTS in Papaya
23MY Cupra Born V3 77kW in Aurora
Previously loved:
ALPINA: E91 B3SBiturbo #127, E92 B3SBiturbo #285, E90 D3Biturbo #097, E85 Roadster S #168 & variety of 'beige' 4 and 6-cyl BMW lumps.
PORSCHE: Macan S, Cayman 981 S, Cayman 981 GTS
Agreed! Less is definitely more.ade and liz flint wrote:CaesarBob wrote:Sorry for the confusion, I had broadened my comment to other modifications and was referring to replacing the BMW bonnet and boot badging.
The seat badging is a nice touch, particularly with the rhombs.
should never be done.
A smattering of random ALPINA stickers, logos and roundels spoils the aesthetics of otherwise handsome cars.
I miss the rhombs: lovely touch.
B3 3.2 TOURING #062