E39 B10 possible purchase

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Gibbo1998
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E39 B10 possible purchase

Post by Gibbo1998 » Mon Feb 10, 2020 1:27 pm

Hi all - So I'm going to see this B10 3.3, number 011. I've had BMWs and a e39 525i Sport, but I don't know much about the Alpinas.

Does anyone have any thoughts or tips on the car? Forget about the price as cars are more expensive in Spain where I live.

https://www.autoscout24.com/offers/alpi ... ?cldtidx=7

Obviously I'll need alloy wheel centre caps! I've seen photos of the first few pages of the service history. It had 4 main dealer services in around 2 years when doing 30k a year. It's supposedly had a lack of use more recently. Is there any way to look up more history?

Bob
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E39 B10 3.3 #011

Post by Bob » Mon Feb 10, 2020 4:07 pm

Seems a strange spec compared to UK examples: multi-function steering wheel must've been standard here, never seen a B10 without it, otherwise has plenty of options: nav, phone, elec & heated seats, sunroof.

I'm far from an expert but the big issue with UK E39's nowadays is rust, but I guess that is less of a problem in Spain. E39 handbrakes are usually rubbish and the 3.3 whilst generally a strong engine, can develop a thirst for oil.
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B3 3.2 TOURING #062

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jolls
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Re: E39 B10 possible purchase

Post by jolls » Tue Feb 11, 2020 12:35 am

I wonder if the steering wheel is different as it's a manual? It does seem a little strange.
B3 E46 no.265

Bob
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Re: E39 B10 possible purchase

Post by Bob » Tue Feb 11, 2020 1:21 am

jolls wrote:
Tue Feb 11, 2020 12:35 am
I wonder if the steering wheel is different as it's a manual? It does seem a little strange.
I did wonder that too, but decided the buttons either side of the airbag are cruise control/stereo related and they are present on the manual B10 3.3’s seen over here.
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Gibbo1998
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Re: E39 B10 possible purchase

Post by Gibbo1998 » Tue Feb 11, 2020 8:58 pm

Thanks for commenting.

So re the steering wheel, is it possible to look up the original spec sheet? I recall doing that on my other BMs but I hear it won’t pick up the Alpina options added to the base car provided by BMW.

Bob
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Re: E39 B10 possible purchase

Post by Bob » Wed Feb 12, 2020 12:31 am

You can use something like www.mdecoder.com with the original BMW VIN to see the options. The majority of extra are standard BMW options supplied against the base vehicle and then the ALPINA extras are added (engine, suspension, spoilers, wheels, etc) later. Only these are omitted from mdecoder.
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AG
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Re: E39 B10 possible purchase

Post by AG » Thu Feb 20, 2020 2:38 pm

I'd make sure the Alpina parts are present first and foremost as if not they can be expensive to replace.Then I'd be looking at the cars history and its cooling system as the latter is a weak spot on many (or was that the just 2.8?).

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2000 e39 B10 V8 Touring
1985 e23 B10 (sold)
1995 B3 saloon switchtronic (sold)

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