E91 B3S Biturbo touring

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polynesian2
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E91 B3S Biturbo touring

Post by polynesian2 » Fri Apr 08, 2022 7:39 pm

I’ve had a bit of a chuckle on here recently, reading some of the opinions of my new car.

I was reminded of something Metrics said years ago, that I was able to find- “I don't think anyone takes the pious high ground on here, ultimately it's just a car and we are all entitled do do as we please with our cars.”

Yes, I’ve taken on the ex-Onzie B3S Biturbo touring, via Sytner. Apparently, Simon should have been offered to buy it before me, and it’s only half the car of the other E91 B3S on here, so maybe I’ve done you a favour, Simon! (I did send you an Alpina E46 part foc years back, Simon, so hopefully the karma is all ok).

The car has some rusty nuts and bolts and a few scratches. It’s also an 11 year old family car that’s done 121,000 miles! Funny how Charles and his car are lauded for that brilliant big mileage but this car has been derided from afar. Anyway, it goes to Barry at BMR in a couple of weeks when we can decide whether to scrap it or attend to every single imperfection. It is going to be brought up to an excellent standard, wherever needed. Unless we scrap it.

I drove it down from Nottingham today- ridiculous Sytner experience that was only rescued by the woman doing handover- and I found it to be sublime. It’s nicely powerful, very cosseting and comfortable, and still small and wieldy. My ref points are an E91 N52, E55 Kompressor AMG and old Golfs. Rides way better than our older E91 Msport, less so than the AMG. But it’s a BMW, it’s got those Alpina blue dials and bright orange needles, the cold start Rev warning in the dial, a nice exhaust note and I really like it.

One sweetener. It has new Michelins all round and £3900 of prep work in the Sytner workshop. More than half was labour of course. I haven’t seen the paint prep charge but there was time spent there too- possibly not the best, but no matter as I intend to have it green this spring. It’s a bit black on black on black currently.

So, number 114 lives. It’s great. It’s been mechanically well prepared, it’s off to BMR for proper care and assessment, and it will have an ever increasing mileage on it. I think it’s been done a disservice by some who perhaps have never actually seen it.

Tomorrow I’m taking it to the Goodwood member’s meeting, will watch my boss’ car hopefully place top 3, then see the 956 and 962s race into the night and then cruise home in it happily. Unless it crumbles.

I’ll try to keep it updated here. Glad to be back in an Alpina.

AG
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Re: E91 B3S Biturbo touring

Post by AG » Fri Apr 08, 2022 8:00 pm

why would you go to the trouble of buying then think of scrapping?

I was looking to but this (is it the black B3S?) but sold before I had the chance to view.
Former BMW CC 7 register chairman

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

bss325i
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Re: E91 B3S Biturbo touring

Post by bss325i » Fri Apr 08, 2022 8:11 pm

Looking forward to seeing it!
B10 V8/1 #81 plus a few other BMW's.

Previously enjoyed
E46 B3 3.3 coupe #274
E60 B5 #329
E46 B3 3.3 Saloon #450
E92 B3 Biturbo #185
E46 B3 3.3 Saloon #114
E34 B10 Biturbo #445
E36 B3 3.0 switchtronic coupe #185
E46 B3S convertible #34
Many other BMW's

Bob
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Re: E91 B3S Biturbo touring

Post by Bob » Fri Apr 08, 2022 8:54 pm

Glad to hear it's found a good home and look forward to seeing what happens at BMR.
B3 3.2 TOURING #062

simon13
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Location: Camberley, Surrey

Re: E91 B3S Biturbo touring

Post by simon13 » Sat Apr 09, 2022 9:12 pm

Well i hope i wasn't causing upset! Some you win some you lose. I still like the look of it. As i've never been put off by cars that need work, glad its gone to someone on here and not disappeared
Image

rc944
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Re: E91 B3S Biturbo touring

Post by rc944 » Sun Apr 10, 2022 9:32 am

polynesian2 wrote:
Fri Apr 08, 2022 7:39 pm
I’ve had a bit of a chuckle on here recently, reading some of the opinions of my new car.

I was reminded of something Metrics said years ago, that I was able to find- “I don't think anyone takes the pious high ground on here, ultimately it's just a car and we are all entitled do do as we please with our cars.”

Yes, I’ve taken on the ex-Onzie B3S Biturbo touring, via Sytner. Apparently, Simon should have been offered to buy it before me, and it’s only half the car of the other E91 B3S on here, so maybe I’ve done you a favour, Simon! (I did send you an Alpina E46 part foc years back, Simon, so hopefully the karma is all ok).

The car has some rusty nuts and bolts and a few scratches. It’s also an 11 year old family car that’s done 121,000 miles! Funny how Charles and his car are lauded for that brilliant big mileage but this car has been derided from afar. Anyway, it goes to Barry at BMR in a couple of weeks when we can decide whether to scrap it or attend to every single imperfection. It is going to be brought up to an excellent standard, wherever needed. Unless we scrap it.

I drove it down from Nottingham today- ridiculous Sytner experience that was only rescued by the woman doing handover- and I found it to be sublime. It’s nicely powerful, very cosseting and comfortable, and still small and wieldy. My ref points are an E91 N52, E55 Kompressor AMG and old Golfs. Rides way better than our older E91 Msport, less so than the AMG. But it’s a BMW, it’s got those Alpina blue dials and bright orange needles, the cold start Rev warning in the dial, a nice exhaust note and I really like it.

One sweetener. It has new Michelins all round and £3900 of prep work in the Sytner workshop. More than half was labour of course. I haven’t seen the paint prep charge but there was time spent there too- possibly not the best, but no matter as I intend to have it green this spring. It’s a bit black on black on black currently.

So, number 114 lives. It’s great. It’s been mechanically well prepared, it’s off to BMR for proper care and assessment, and it will have an ever increasing mileage on it. I think it’s been done a disservice by some who perhaps have never actually seen it.

Tomorrow I’m taking it to the Goodwood member’s meeting, will watch my boss’ car hopefully place top 3, then see the 956 and 962s race into the night and then cruise home in it happily. Unless it crumbles.

I’ll try to keep it updated here. Glad to be back in an Alpina.

glad youre back really enjoyed your reports on no 88 so look forward to more of the same. pics pls. no idea about the backstory but im jealous as its the only car i covet at the moment but have had to settle for a lowly b3 3.3 touring for now
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

ali
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Re: E91 B3S Biturbo touring

Post by ali » Sun Apr 10, 2022 11:17 am

Good to see it going to a new home and getting some pampering. But also these cars do need to be used and not just sit there and be garage queens and by the sound of it you plan on using the wagon plenty. Good man.
B3 3.3 Coupe #090
D3 2.0 Biturbo Touring #098

polynesian2
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Re: E91 B3S Biturbo touring

Post by polynesian2 » Sun Apr 10, 2022 11:17 am

Nothing lowly about a 3.3! Or your wider garage. Had a lovely run down to the Goodwood members’ meeting yesterday, as a first drive it was a good one. One rattly centrecap (of course) and other than that just great. Wish our “Msport” E91 was damped like this.

One of my boss’ cars had a win, the racing was great, Group C, Lotus 11s and Coopers that my daughter took a fancy to, it was a good day out (and sunny and dusty instead of muddy- those being the two options at goodwood).

polynesian2
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Re: E91 B3S Biturbo touring

Post by polynesian2 » Sun Apr 10, 2022 11:19 am

Simon, let me know if you want a drive- you’ll realise you’re happier with E46 and E34 Alpina power :-)

polynesian2
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Re: E91 B3S Biturbo touring

Post by polynesian2 » Sun Apr 10, 2022 11:49 am

ali wrote:
Sun Apr 10, 2022 11:17 am
Good to see it going to a new home and getting some pampering. But also these cars do need to be used and not just sit there and be garage queens and by the sound of it you plan on using the wagon plenty. Good man.

Thanks Ali, will be used and pampered. Needs a few things done but I’m happy with it- let’s see what BMR say!

bss325i
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Re: E91 B3S Biturbo touring

Post by bss325i » Sun Apr 10, 2022 12:37 pm

polynesian2 wrote:
Sun Apr 10, 2022 11:17 am
Wish our “Msport” E91 was damped like this.
The E9x ALPINA B3 and B3S use BMW M sport dampers with Alpina spec springs but also a higher profile non runflat tyre. This goes a huge way to improving the ride over say an E9x M sport with lower profile run flat tyres.

My wife's current daily is an E91 335d non run flat PS4S tyres in Alpina B3 spec sizes and it rides and handles as good as my old E92 B3.
B10 V8/1 #81 plus a few other BMW's.

Previously enjoyed
E46 B3 3.3 coupe #274
E60 B5 #329
E46 B3 3.3 Saloon #450
E92 B3 Biturbo #185
E46 B3 3.3 Saloon #114
E34 B10 Biturbo #445
E36 B3 3.0 switchtronic coupe #185
E46 B3S convertible #34
Many other BMW's

polynesian2
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Posts: 365
Joined: Tue Apr 23, 2013 11:31 pm
Location: UK

Re: E91 B3S Biturbo touring

Post by polynesian2 » Sun Apr 10, 2022 1:53 pm

bss325i wrote:
Sun Apr 10, 2022 12:37 pm

The E9x ALPINA B3 and B3S use BMW M sport dampers with Alpina spec springs but also a higher profile non runflat tyre. This goes a huge way to improving the ride over say an E9x M sport with lower profile run flat tyres.

My wife's current daily is an E91 335d non run flat PS4S tyres in Alpina B3 spec sizes and it rides and handles as good as my old E92 B3.
Thanks Barry, the first thing we did when we bought it was take off the runflats! I think it’s just got shagged dampers. It is on E9X M3 18” wheels (Style 219) which iirc save a bit of unsprung weight. I’ve got Koni active dampers sat here to fit to it so I’ll try that first. Tyre sizes are a bit off from standard with the M3 wheels, a fraction higher profile. Interesting to hear your experience, and reassuring, so I better change the dampers!

polynesian2
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Re: E91 B3S Biturbo touring

Post by polynesian2 » Wed Apr 13, 2022 2:39 pm

Image

This is Sytner! It’s an Alpina so it’s not got any history in the BMW service records…

At least they’re not the official UK Alpina concessionaire or anything.

polynesian2
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Re: E91 B3S Biturbo touring

Post by polynesian2 » Thu Apr 14, 2022 6:53 pm

Does anyone have experience of adding CarPlay on the E9X chassis? I‘m about to book Bavarian automotive to do this for the CIC and wondered if anyone has experience of their service, or others?

Also, if you have experience collecting service history, as you can see above, Sytner seem to believe that a mythical Alpina service system records our cars visits to BMW garages. Let me know if you’ve done this detective work with any success.

PS the car is fab!

B10BRW
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Re: E91 B3S Biturbo touring

Post by B10BRW » Thu Apr 14, 2022 7:12 pm

BMW are just as bad, took my nearly new E92 B3S to them at their main servicing depot in Nine Elms for a security update and other warranty work.
Their head mechanic stopped work on my car and refused to do any further work as he had seen the Alpina chassis number and said it wasn't a BMW :wall2
I had to contact Sytner in Nottingham who then had to get permission from Munich to complete the work.
I had spent the day in London and had to get the train back home as I had no car :blow

They had it for another 2 days,and then returned it to me in a snow storm :shock: hopeless does not sum it up.

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