B10 3.5 - modify or keep original(ish)?

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dougiewoop
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B10 3.5 - modify or keep original(ish)?

Post by dougiewoop » Sun Jul 18, 2021 1:30 pm

Hi there,

I have a 1991 B10 3.5 automatic right hand drive. It needs some work inside and out and I was thinking of swapping to a 5 spd and adding some more power through forced induction. I want to balance keeping originality with ensuring it's fun to drive in this day and age.

Anyone with a similar car gone this route and/or is the general consensus to modify or keep original?

If going forced induction then I might opt for a twin turbo set up to keep it close-ish to an original B10 Biturbo.

Cheers, DT

Jules Sunleu
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Re: B10 3.5 - modify or keep original(ish)?

Post by Jules Sunleu » Mon Jul 19, 2021 10:13 am

Hi, I think you'll find most on here, me included, like an Alpina original and modifications are also highly likely to devalue your car significantly. The point for many of us if that Alpina has already improved on the base BMW to make the car 'as it should be' in line with their approach. Your car though, but I'd imagine that's why no other replies as yet.
Alpina B5 E61 2005 Touring #007 Special Toy Malachite Green with Caramel Merino Leather. Quaife LSD upgrade
Volvo XC90 D5 2011 Daily
KTM 990SMT 2013 Summer Toy
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James_G
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Re: B10 3.5 - modify or keep original(ish)?

Post by James_G » Mon Jul 19, 2021 3:43 pm

A manual swap for an E34 based (I assume) Alpina B10 would probably win you as many friends as it would lose, if you are in the UK.

However I note that it gives your location as Singapore and while I am not sure, I have always assumed there aren't many open road opportunities there, so that market might prefer it to stay as an auto.

Either way, I wouldn't go the route of forced induction as a core part of the appeal of this era of BMW are the naturally aspirated engines. Plus I suspect it would be cheaper to just buy a B10 BiTurbo if that's what you want, assuming you could find one.

As somebody once said, never build a car that you can already buy.
Currently:
1992 Alpina B2.5 #026, Lagoon Green with Parchment Cloth

Previously:
2013 BMW M135i 3dr, Mineral Grey with Red Leather
2001 Alpina B3 3.3 Coupe #170, Orient Blue with Grey Leather
2006 Z4MC, Silver Grey with Red Leather
2001 E46 330i Sport, Silver with Red Leather
1997 E36 323i SE Touring, Calypso Red with Grey Cloth

hashluck
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Re: B10 3.5 - modify or keep original(ish)?

Post by hashluck » Mon Jul 19, 2021 4:11 pm

James_G wrote:
Mon Jul 19, 2021 3:43 pm
A manual swap for an E34 based (I assume) Alpina B10 would probably win you as many friends as it would lose, if you are in the UK.

However I note that it gives your location as Singapore and while I am not sure, I have always assumed there aren't many open road opportunities there, so that market might prefer it to stay as an auto.

Either way, I wouldn't go the route of forced induction as a core part of the appeal of this era of BMW are the naturally aspirated engines. Plus I suspect it would be cheaper to just buy a B10 BiTurbo if that's what you want, assuming you could find one.

As somebody once said, never build a car that you can already buy.
Agreed, this sounds like more work and expense than simply buying a good B10 BiTurbo of which there are 3 or 4 currently for sale around the world.

dougiewoop
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Re: B10 3.5 - modify or keep original(ish)?

Post by dougiewoop » Thu Jul 22, 2021 2:32 pm

Yeah fair point on keeping original though I am likely to proceed with the manual swap... after all it is a toy to be enjoyed and not a museum piece! I've got other forced induction cars so will try to leave this one alone for a while at least. :D

I'd love a Biturbo too one day, though not quite sure if LHD is a show stopper!

hap
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Re: B10 3.5 - modify or keep original(ish)?

Post by hap » Thu Jul 22, 2021 4:20 pm

Photos would be good 👍

dougiewoop
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Re: B10 3.5 - modify or keep original(ish)?

Post by dougiewoop » Fri Jul 23, 2021 6:47 am

PHOTO-2021-07-12-16-09-102.jpg
PHOTO-2021-07-12-16-09-102.jpg (191.24 KiB) Viewed 1199 times
PHOTO-2021-07-12-16-09-10.jpg
PHOTO-2021-07-12-16-09-10.jpg (198.18 KiB) Viewed 1199 times

Here she is taking a bath. Original colour was Glacier Blue and might revert to that in due course.

hap
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Re: B10 3.5 - modify or keep original(ish)?

Post by hap » Fri Jul 23, 2021 7:46 am

Nice
What’s the story with paint change, looks like the rear exhaust has been changed I think
I can’t make out if you are in states or not

Bob
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Re: B10 3.5 - modify or keep original(ish)?

Post by Bob » Fri Jul 23, 2021 10:40 am

Looks in better shape than I was expecting from your earlier posts, shame it isn't the original colour, Glacier looks good on an E34.

Simpang looks to be in Malaysia according to Google.
B3 3.2 TOURING #062

dougiewoop
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Re: B10 3.5 - modify or keep original(ish)?

Post by dougiewoop » Fri Jul 23, 2021 10:50 am

Car is in Brunei waiting to ship to Australia for a new life.

The exterior is much better than the interior but the original paint will have been destroyed by the car sitting out in the sun. Looks good in black but I wish it had been re-sprayed with the original colour.

dougiewoop
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Joined: Wed Apr 21, 2021 10:23 am
Location: Singapore

Re: B10 3.5 - modify or keep original(ish)?

Post by dougiewoop » Fri Jul 23, 2021 2:01 pm

Adding interior pic (yes it's totally ruined) so it's in one place.

Received certificate of authenticity from Alpina today but am none the wiser as to whether this funky interior was original, as on the invoice it is simply stated as 'leather upholstery ultramarin'. I think I will have it restored with a full ultramarin interior which undoubtedly looks far better and was possibly what this car was originally delivered with, though I suspect the white accents may indeed be original or modified near-new.
Alpina B10 Inside.jpg
Alpina B10 Inside.jpg (55.35 KiB) Viewed 1167 times

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