E46 B3S

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Pencraig
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E46 B3S

Post by Pencraig » Sun May 16, 2021 4:33 pm

Hi.
I'm a new member to the Register, and I don't yet have an Alpina. I've had an E46 M3 and E39 M5 in the past and currently own an Audi RS4 (B7) saloon

I'm looking for a B3S (E46) if anyone knows of a good, low miler, and any advice on what to look for and known issues. Distance no object!

Many thanks

Rob

rc944
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Re: E46 B3S

Post by rc944 » Sun May 16, 2021 6:03 pm

whats low miles and whats your budget?
Porsche 997.1 GT3 CS I Alpina E46 B3s Coupe I Alpina E46 B3 3.3 Touring I Ducati 749S Mono I Ducati 748R I Ducati 749 Track Bike I Ducati 916S

Bob
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Re: E46 B3S

Post by Bob » Sun May 16, 2021 7:12 pm

What body styles would you consider, and are you only interested in the B3S’ or would you consider the 3.3’s too?
B3 3.2 TOURING #062

Pencraig
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Re: E46 B3S

Post by Pencraig » Sun May 16, 2021 8:20 pm

Thanks for the quick responses.

Not a convertible but open minded otherwise and if a B3 or 3S

Low miles, again flexible but below 50K, say, and budget £25K, or more if exceptional.

RS4 to be sold to finance purchase.
There was a one owner B3S advertised earlier in the year @£26K, I think, with under 10,000 miles.

Open to advice on this as I've no seen many for sale in last 6 months

Thanks

Fast3000
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Re: E46 B3S

Post by Fast3000 » Sun May 16, 2021 8:25 pm

Good luck with the hunt - it's part of the fun. You have come to the right place for info- should if you need any guidance there are some helpful people on here :) Off the top of my head general e46 stuff you might be familier with: e.g. Rust on arches, boot lid area, front arches. For specific Alpina B3S stuff:

1. Alpina suspension - when and if it was ever replaced? These cars are getting 14+ years old and no matter what the mileage the shocks and springs will need looking at.

2. B3S suffers from Head gasket failure around the 80 K (some reported a bit more) but its inevitable so budget for it.

3. Make sure the gear changes are smooth (as all were auto)

4. On a cold start they will sound rough (part of the character!) but you will be use to that from your S54 M3.

Consider what you will use the car for - Cabs are cruising machines and you get to hear the engine a tad more. Coupe (in my opinion feel lighter), saloons and tourings are harder to find but a great package!

The 26K one has been infamously for sale for a while. Its low mileage but if it were me I would want to check how it has been stored, and if a recommission process was carried out.
Current
2004 BMW B3S #156 (Keeper)
2015 BMW 320d F30 ED Sport (70mpg)
Previous
2011, 2016, 2018 - Kia Sportage (Rolls Royce customer care)
2007 BMW Z4M E86 Coupe (Animal)
2006 Audi A4 B7 2.0T (Good car)
2001 VW Golf GTI MK4 (Meh)
1994 Ford Escort 1.6 Zetec (light n dandy)
1992 Fiat Tipo GT (Fun car)
1991 Ford Orion 1.6 Ghia (beefy engine)
1984 Ford Fiesta 1.1L (Audio more expensive then car)

Pencraig
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Re: E46 B3S

Post by Pencraig » Sun May 16, 2021 8:30 pm

Thanks, that's helpful

Rob

rc944
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Re: E46 B3S

Post by rc944 » Sun May 16, 2021 10:51 pm

your budget gets you garage queen material so if you're not bothered about depreciation then you wont be spoilt for choice they dont come up often

in the 10-15k range gets you something you can use typically north of 80k miles but be mindful of HG on the later 3.4 engines

below 10k gets you a decent base but some major projects to budget for as fasty has called out

rust an issue with them all esp if used as a daily on uk roads

gbox and/or torque converter will need work
Porsche 997.1 GT3 CS I Alpina E46 B3s Coupe I Alpina E46 B3 3.3 Touring I Ducati 749S Mono I Ducati 748R I Ducati 749 Track Bike I Ducati 916S

Pencraig
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Re: E46 B3S

Post by Pencraig » Mon May 17, 2021 9:16 am

Many thanks,

I'll research independent engineers to get a report and perhaps lower my sights as well!

Regards

Rob

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Re: E46 B3S

Post by rc944 » Mon May 17, 2021 11:35 am

dont waste your money - just put a call out here and one of us can sniff around the car with you. many of us know these things quite well so youll be in safe hands
Porsche 997.1 GT3 CS I Alpina E46 B3s Coupe I Alpina E46 B3 3.3 Touring I Ducati 749S Mono I Ducati 748R I Ducati 749 Track Bike I Ducati 916S

Bob
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Re: E46 B3S

Post by Bob » Mon May 17, 2021 12:58 pm

Pencraig wrote:
Sun May 16, 2021 8:20 pm
Not a convertible but open minded otherwise and if a B3 or 3S

Low miles, again flexible but below 50K, say, and budget £25K, or more if exceptional.
Shame you're not looking for a cabrio, this one has just been relisted and the interior is a beauty: E46 B3 S CABRIO #233

The 10k mile Coupe is still for sale by the look of it:
B3 S COUPE [E46 LCI] #136; 90BMW567 - ALPINA Blue II/N6HC - Light Beige Montana w Blue Piping Leather; 2005_05; £26.0k; 10k; Private

The only other E46, non-Cabrio's that I've seen for sale in the last couple of years that are sub-50k miles are these:
B3 3.3 [E46] #236; FQ86-60R3 - ALPINA Green/N6TT - Grey Montana w Blue/Green Piping Leather; 1999_V; 43k;
B3 S [E46 LCI] #237; 90BMW567 - ALPINA Blue II/N9TT - Grey Nappa Leather; 2005_54; 40k;
B3 S COUPE [E46 LCI] #094; 438 - Japan Red/N6SW - Black Montana w Red Piping Leather; 2004_53; 38k;
B3 S COUPE [E46 LCI] #122; 359 - Mora (Sonderlack)/N9CM - Champagne Nappa w Purple Piping Leather; 2004_54; 42k;

They all appear to have sold except Saloon #237 which was up privately, then with a Broker. It is still registered on the same cherished plate so I surmise on that basis that it hasn't sold. It was discussed here: viewtopic.php?f=57&t=24062
B3 3.2 TOURING #062

Bob
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Re: E46 B3S

Post by Bob » Mon May 17, 2021 1:10 pm

These seem to be the only non-Cabrio E46 B3's currently for sale in the usual places:

B3 3.3 [E46] #213; 303 - Cosmos Black/N6TT - Grey Montana Leather; 2000_V; £4.8k; 155k; eAuction
B3 3.3 TOURING [E46 LCI] #145; * Orient Blue/* Black Montana Leather; 2002_02; £8.0k; 110k; Private
B3 3.3 COUPE [E46] #113; 317 - Orient Blue/N6SW - Black Montana Leather; 2000_X; £13.5k; 76k; Trade
B3 3.3 COUPE [E46] #219; 354 - Titanium Silver/N9HS - Light Silver Grey Nappa w Indigo Piping Leather & Indigo Carpet; 2001_51; £8.0k; 136k; Private
B3 3.3 COUPE [E46] #233; 453 - Midnight Blue (Sonderlack)/N6HC - Light Beige Montana Leather; 2002_02; £9.0k; 131k; Trade
B3 S COUPE [E46] #007; 475 - Black Sapphire/N6TT - Grey Montana Leather; 2002_52; £14.0k; 113k; Trade
B3 S COUPE [E46 LCI] #136; 90BMW567 - ALPINA Blue II/N6HC - Light Beige Montana w Blue Piping Leather; 2005_05; £26.0k; 10k; Private
B3 3.2 TOURING #062

jonny320is
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Re: E46 B3S

Post by jonny320is » Mon May 17, 2021 1:22 pm

Just a comment on the head gasket, I've heard this a few times as was prepared for it when I bought mine 11 years ago but I'm coming up to 130k miles and I'm still on the original gasket, no issues, drives as sweet as ever.
I think it will depend on how it's been driven and how much mechanical sympathy the previous owners have had.
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---pete---
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Re: E46 B3S

Post by ---pete--- » Mon May 17, 2021 1:54 pm

A very interesting comment and one that I was also considering posting. My B3S has just clicked over to 137k miles and is also on it's original gasket as far as I'm aware.

I know these are definitely something that go but I would be keen to see how many of the owners on here have not had to replace / have a car that definitely hasn't had any issues.

It's something I'm always waiting to have problems with but compression tests have never highlighted anything wrong.
_____________________________________
2008 BMW Alpina B3 Biturbo Coupe no.137
2003 BMW Alpina B3s Coupe no.16
2014 BMW 525d M-Sport
2010 BMW 320d M-Sport
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Pencraig
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Re: E46 B3S

Post by Pencraig » Tue May 18, 2021 8:51 am

Thanks everyone for your help and time, I'm really impressed.

Fast3000
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Re: E46 B3S

Post by Fast3000 » Tue May 18, 2021 12:00 pm

Im glad to see owners sharing experiences of over 100k without any notable HG issues. (Pleased those rumours are true!)

Of course having a more delicate right foot helps but what other preventive approaches have you taken? Oil changes more often?
Current
2004 BMW B3S #156 (Keeper)
2015 BMW 320d F30 ED Sport (70mpg)
Previous
2011, 2016, 2018 - Kia Sportage (Rolls Royce customer care)
2007 BMW Z4M E86 Coupe (Animal)
2006 Audi A4 B7 2.0T (Good car)
2001 VW Golf GTI MK4 (Meh)
1994 Ford Escort 1.6 Zetec (light n dandy)
1992 Fiat Tipo GT (Fun car)
1991 Ford Orion 1.6 Ghia (beefy engine)
1984 Ford Fiesta 1.1L (Audio more expensive then car)

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