D3 MT leather upgrade

octanejunkie · Post by **octanejunkie** » Mon Sep 10, 2018 1:09 pm

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....???

PhillV8S · Post by **PhillV8S** » Mon Sep 10, 2018 2:00 pm

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 wouldnâ€™t be worried.
The Alpina specific parts are what are more important to keep OEM. The seats arenâ€™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.

ade and liz flint · Post by **ade and liz flint** » Mon Sep 10, 2018 2:46 pm

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 wouldnâ€™t be worried.
The Alpina specific parts are what are more important to keep OEM.

This

.

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

octanejunkie · Post by **octanejunkie** » Mon Sep 10, 2018 2:48 pm

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 wouldnâ€™t be worried.
The Alpina specific parts are what are more important to keep OEM. The seats arenâ€™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.

This was what i was thinking...
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 Â£20,000.. Hmmmm.
Anyone else?

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Mon Sep 10, 2018 11:56 pm

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.

octanejunkie · Post by **octanejunkie** » Tue Sep 11, 2018 9:20 am

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....

Metrics · Post by **Metrics** » Tue Sep 11, 2018 9:28 am

Go for it OJ, will look great - Lemon is a lovely shade.

Lots of pics before and after please

octanejunkie · Post by **octanejunkie** » Tue Sep 11, 2018 9:30 am

Metrics wrote:Go for it OJ, will look great - Lemon is a lovely shade.

Lots of pics before and after please

Actually, when i picked the interior up it turned out it was Oyster. Still looks pukka though.
I'll post pics once i've done the huffing and puffing chucking it in.

ade and liz flint · Post by **ade and liz flint** » Tue Sep 11, 2018 9:58 am

octanejunkie wrote:
CaesarBob wrote: definitely don't add Alpina roundels.

Roundels!? How dare you! Literally the worst thing ever.

What's wrong with roundels

Have I missed something here?

jolls · Post by **jolls** » Tue Sep 11, 2018 10:04 am

ade and liz flint wrote:
octanejunkie wrote:
CaesarBob wrote: definitely don't add Alpina roundels.

Roundels!? How dare you! Literally the worst thing ever.
What's wrong with roundels Have I missed something here?

Same here. Or do you mean the stick on ones?

PhillV8S · Post by **PhillV8S** » Tue Sep 11, 2018 11:04 am

I think this type of roundel is whatâ€™s being referred to.

ade and liz flint · Post by **ade and liz flint** » Tue Sep 11, 2018 11:45 am

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:-

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Tue Sep 11, 2018 1:23 pm

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.

ade and liz flint · Post by **ade and liz flint** » Tue Sep 11, 2018 1:39 pm

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.

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Tue Sep 11, 2018 3:46 pm

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.

Agreed! Less is definitely more.