Why did YOU buy an Alpina?
I've wanted an Alpina ever since I was a teen admiring the gorgeous
E34 B10 3.5 that lived on our street, back in the days it was new...
When I heard about and subsequently researched the E34 B8 4.6,
I instantly knew it was perfect for me. Alpina has applied the classic
american muscle car receipe (take a small unassuming saloon and
shoehorn in an improbably large V8) but executed it in the suave and
sophisticated manner of the europeans. If it were a man, it would be an
iron-fisted boxer, educated at the best european finishing schools. One
look at that astonishing torque curve, and I was hooked.
I must say, I really subscribe to the whole Alpina ethos of offering
bespoke, discreet, well-bred savagery, with emphasis on titanic torque
rather than peaky power. It's like Mohammed Ali in a tux.
I love a sports car that only those in the know recognise for what it really
is. People hear the unlikely burble of the B8, they clock the lantern-jawed
front and the muscular road stance - oh, they know it's something special.
Yet they can't say why or what.
It intrigues...
I love that.
Bruno
E34 B10 3.5 that lived on our street, back in the days it was new...
When I heard about and subsequently researched the E34 B8 4.6,
I instantly knew it was perfect for me. Alpina has applied the classic
american muscle car receipe (take a small unassuming saloon and
shoehorn in an improbably large V8) but executed it in the suave and
sophisticated manner of the europeans. If it were a man, it would be an
iron-fisted boxer, educated at the best european finishing schools. One
look at that astonishing torque curve, and I was hooked.
I must say, I really subscribe to the whole Alpina ethos of offering
bespoke, discreet, well-bred savagery, with emphasis on titanic torque
rather than peaky power. It's like Mohammed Ali in a tux.
I love a sports car that only those in the know recognise for what it really
is. People hear the unlikely burble of the B8, they clock the lantern-jawed
front and the muscular road stance - oh, they know it's something special.
Yet they can't say why or what.
It intrigues...
I love that.
Bruno
How well put Bruno!
I'm the same, the wheels old style are so elegant there nothing out there like them. It's the whole package the rarity and saying u own an "Alpina"
Styling etc
I'm into the E30 variants and C2 commands mucho respect. 2.7 is a famous engine size for one reason! Alpina did it first
Your right on the talk, i bet that B8 is savage in the extreme
I'm the same, the wheels old style are so elegant there nothing out there like them. It's the whole package the rarity and saying u own an "Alpina"
Styling etc
I'm into the E30 variants and C2 commands mucho respect. 2.7 is a famous engine size for one reason! Alpina did it first
Your right on the talk, i bet that B8 is savage in the extreme
I,d seen b10kens Alpina at a meet in Leicester, and a B3 near where I lived.....I already had a 325i, and I thought, I gotta get me an Alpina......I,m now on my second, and I reckon I,ll stay with them. The reason I wanted one was to have the power of the M3, without the brazen looks of one.....and it,s lived up to that. M3,s are common, but I still get looks from people and you can see there faces mouthing the word questioningly "Alpina.?" Its ace.!
Kevin
Like it Kevin.
The rarity and relative obscurity are key factors for a lot of owners.
For others, the engineering skills come high on the list.
Either way, there is something special about Alpinas and their owners that make ownership a joy.
The rarity and relative obscurity are key factors for a lot of owners.
For others, the engineering skills come high on the list.
Either way, there is something special about Alpinas and their owners that make ownership a joy.
Charles
Teacher of Chemistry and driver of ALPINAs - not necessarily in that order
B3S Touring (49/116) - been to the moon and now on the way back!
Renault Grand Espace - not mine but the wife's!
Teacher of Chemistry and driver of ALPINAs - not necessarily in that order
B3S Touring (49/116) - been to the moon and now on the way back!
Renault Grand Espace - not mine but the wife's!
Hi guys i`m new on the board and i just buyed the B3S Coupé no. 75,
got a M3 before, then an Subaru STI and now the Alpina.
The reason for buying this B3 where:
1. My parents got Alpinas in the past and we were ALWAYS satisfied
2. Its more exclusive than the M3, many stupid people drive M3 here in Switzerland and this gives the car a bad image.
The performance of the 330ci is not good enough to please me, so the B3 was the perfect car. Brings us to reason 4:
4. Because of the performance
got a M3 before, then an Subaru STI and now the Alpina.
The reason for buying this B3 where:
1. My parents got Alpinas in the past and we were ALWAYS satisfied
2. Its more exclusive than the M3, many stupid people drive M3 here in Switzerland and this gives the car a bad image.
The performance of the 330ci is not good enough to please me, so the B3 was the perfect car. Brings us to reason 4:
4. Because of the performance
Cya on the road!
Mitsubishi Lancer EVO IX
aprilia RSV milleR
Mitsubishi Lancer EVO IX
aprilia RSV milleR
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- Posts: 64
- Joined: Mon Sep 12, 2005 9:48 am
- Location: Oldham, Lancs.
In short, I bought mine to do a daily 110 mile commute from Oxfordshire into London and back - except now we've moved back to London...
Got the Alpina rather than an M5 since (1) seemed like a more comfortable/relaxing alternative and at least as quick in a straight line, (2) exclusivity/bespoke spec and feel, (3) Touring bodyshell and (4) better fuel economy (which matters with only a 70l tank!)
Course, when I originally started looking for a commuter car, I test drove the 320td and 120d. I really am my own worst enemy sometimes!
Previously, as some of you will know, I had a B8 4.6 Touring (#14) - bought that one because I fancied something viciously fast, but needed it to be practical and easy to drive, to appease my wife! Being in purple (Madeiraviolett) also helped on that front.
Got the Alpina rather than an M5 since (1) seemed like a more comfortable/relaxing alternative and at least as quick in a straight line, (2) exclusivity/bespoke spec and feel, (3) Touring bodyshell and (4) better fuel economy (which matters with only a 70l tank!)
Course, when I originally started looking for a commuter car, I test drove the 320td and 120d. I really am my own worst enemy sometimes!
Previously, as some of you will know, I had a B8 4.6 Touring (#14) - bought that one because I fancied something viciously fast, but needed it to be practical and easy to drive, to appease my wife! Being in purple (Madeiraviolett) also helped on that front.
My Alpina B5
I had been driving Porsche's for some 10 years with the odd drift to something else for a while, but 4 kids and the general feeling that I needed to grow up a bit (nearly 50) I had to look at the car I drove. I still wanted a sports car and a special saloon, but could not justify both, especially as in the last 996 C4 I had had only done 1600 miles in a year, so I thought I would either look at a Bentley GT, M5 or Alpina B5, (after briefly owning a Roadster Lux S). The M5 was a little too raw for me and I certainly did not really want a box that I had heard right or wrong was a bit jerky round town, as I drove in the town quite a bit.
So I test drove the B5, and was immensely impressed it certainly had on par acceleration of the Porsche C4 if not slightly quicker but the way it got there was outstanding, I had never driven anything quite so quick yet without any hassle. The only thing I did not like was that it really needed the 4 exhaust pipes of the M5, and that nearly drove me away, and a LSD… but I just kept thinking of the drive and the gentleman like sitting area, nice hand made interior almost Jaguar like. It was also some 30K cheaper than the Bentley, better on fuel, just as quick, so that was it. Other than minor window seals (normal BMW problem) and the odd software bug I can’t fault it, I can use if for business and don’t rub my clients up the wrong way as a Porsche did, I can take the kids out and at the same time feel a bit special. I don’t suppose it will keep its value as well as a Porsche and I have to put up with the at times difficult BMW dealers, but I am happy with it. I can only name about 4 cars that have super car performance, 4 doors, Automatic gearbox, and reasonable on fuel (I usually maintain 18-22 mpg round town and 27-30 on a motorway), I may keep it for two years which will be a first for the last 20 cars I have owned. I am even thinking about the rumoured B5 series 2 in the works.
So I test drove the B5, and was immensely impressed it certainly had on par acceleration of the Porsche C4 if not slightly quicker but the way it got there was outstanding, I had never driven anything quite so quick yet without any hassle. The only thing I did not like was that it really needed the 4 exhaust pipes of the M5, and that nearly drove me away, and a LSD… but I just kept thinking of the drive and the gentleman like sitting area, nice hand made interior almost Jaguar like. It was also some 30K cheaper than the Bentley, better on fuel, just as quick, so that was it. Other than minor window seals (normal BMW problem) and the odd software bug I can’t fault it, I can use if for business and don’t rub my clients up the wrong way as a Porsche did, I can take the kids out and at the same time feel a bit special. I don’t suppose it will keep its value as well as a Porsche and I have to put up with the at times difficult BMW dealers, but I am happy with it. I can only name about 4 cars that have super car performance, 4 doors, Automatic gearbox, and reasonable on fuel (I usually maintain 18-22 mpg round town and 27-30 on a motorway), I may keep it for two years which will be a first for the last 20 cars I have owned. I am even thinking about the rumoured B5 series 2 in the works.
Martin
Went through M3 Comp M5 Comp now all gone and just a Golf GTE and An Electric Kona on order, my days of low MPG are over /
Tesla S
Porsche GT3RS gen 2! gone Wish I had Kept
Porsche Turbo S sold x 2
2007 Ferrari 430 F1 black sold (junk) 2007 Ferrari 360 F1 Sold (junk)
2006 (Alpina B5 Sold 2007) 2005 Alpina Roadster sold (wish i had kept it)
Went through M3 Comp M5 Comp now all gone and just a Golf GTE and An Electric Kona on order, my days of low MPG are over /
Tesla S
Porsche GT3RS gen 2! gone Wish I had Kept
Porsche Turbo S sold x 2
2007 Ferrari 430 F1 black sold (junk) 2007 Ferrari 360 F1 Sold (junk)
2006 (Alpina B5 Sold 2007) 2005 Alpina Roadster sold (wish i had kept it)