E46 B3 3.3 Coupe #274 MANUAL 6 speed

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bss325i
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E46 B3 3.3 Coupe #274 MANUAL 6 speed

Post by bss325i » Tue Mar 15, 2022 10:24 pm

Before I advertise in the usual places this weekend I have posted it here.

2002 BMW Alpina B3 3.3 coupe. 6 speed manual.

Finished in Sapphire black over tan leather is B3 3.3 coupe number 274 which was the very last one sold in the UK and the second to last worldwide.

What is also significant about this B3 is that is one of only a few RHD E46 Alpinas that have been converted from automatic transmission to manual, something that was never offered in the UK when these cars were new but was available in LHD European and Japanese markets.

Having been professionally converted by BMR performance, one of the UK’s leading independent Alpina specialists using a six speed manual gearbox, it has changed the dynamic of the car for the better. The conversion itself was done using all OEM parts, all wiring and coding changes done as if it was originally a factory built manual car so everything works correctly including cruise control, parking sensors etc and no spurious warning lights.

The specification of the car includes the following factory options, electric glass sunroof, heated electric memory sports seats, widescreen professional sat nav, xenon headlights, high gloss shadow line trim, M aerodynamic door mirrors (an option on E46 Alpina B3’s) and Alpina wood trim.

The car has covered approximately 130000 miles and in the couple of years has undergone extensive maintenance to keep it in fine fettle. It comes with the original Alpina leather handbook pack which contains all the relevant books including the stamped up Alpina service book, the last service being an oil service by BMR performance in 2021 and the one before that in 2019 for an Inspection 2 service at Sytner Harold Wood BMW. Various invoices, receipts and old MOT’s are also present.

At approximately 128000 miles the engine had its head gasket replaced as it had suffered the usual blowing across cylinders rather than any overheating issues. Whilst the head was removed it has a top end refresh with all new timing chains and guides, VANOS rebuild, water pump, thermostat, drive belts and tensioners plus various gaskets and seals. The engine runs very smoothly, is very quiet with no rattles or leaks and pulls strongly throughout.

The B3 retains it original Alpina spec suspension renowned for its suppleness and great road handling. As part of the recent maintenance it has had various suspension bushes replaced as well as both wishbones, track rods, steering coupling front brake pads and discs, brake lines and a hunter 4 wheel alignment.

The B3 has its genuine Alpina 18” staggered alloy wheels which since the pictures were taken, have just be fully refurbished by Lepsons in the correct silver so are unmarked and are shod in Michelin Pilot sport 4 tyres in the correct sizes with the majority of their tread remaining.

The interior has some wear consummate with the mileage but on the whole is in good condition with no rips or holes in the leather and everything works as it should.

The B3’s exterior is very presentable having just had both bumpers painted to get rid of some chips and scratches and the rest of the paintwork is tidy and free from damage with a decent shine to it having recently undergone some paint correction detailing but it is a 20 year old car so does have the odd imperfection again consummate with the age and mileage but does not detract from the overall look of the car.

Overall this B3 offers a classic BMW recipe of a RWD six cylinder normally aspirated petrol coupe with a manual gearbox featuring a great hand built Alpina engine wrapped up in an exclusive package that has had a lot of recent expenditure.

The car has a years MOT

I also have the original gearbox, torque converter and gearbox ECU that can go with the car should anyone want that.

The price is £10995 which I feel represents good value given the amount of recent work, the conversion which would cost approx £2500-3000 if you were to pay someone to do it plus the overall condition.

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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

B10BRW
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Re: E46 B3 3.3 Coupe #274 MANUAL 6 speed

Post by B10BRW » Wed Mar 16, 2022 7:43 pm

Nice car Barry, great conversion to manual, I always thought that the E46 B3 & B3S should have had a manual option in the UK.
The manual is great in the Z4 roadster.
Very competitive price, good luck with the sale.

Norrie
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Re: E46 B3 3.3 Coupe #274 MANUAL 6 speed

Post by Norrie » Fri Mar 18, 2022 8:17 pm

This will be a good purchase as the conversion work diligently carried out.
E65 B7 4.4 V8 supercharged No 106 (1 of 11 B7 built for UK)
F22 M235i - everyday driver
E 39 523i sold May 2023
E92 325i - written off by X5 I was not driving!
E92 335D Twin Turbo - sold to Sytner Alpina
E 60 - 525D new - sold to Cooper BMW
E 60 - 530D new - sold at auction
E 39 - 520i new - sold at auction
E 30 - 316i new Touring - sold at auction
Audi A6 2.5 Tdi had 2
Audi Coupe GT 1986 new
Mitsubishi Gallant & Sigma
Honda accord 2.2 coupe
Ford Escort 1.6 worst car in the world

simon13
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Re: E46 B3 3.3 Coupe #274 MANUAL 6 speed

Post by simon13 » Sat Mar 19, 2022 1:12 pm

i can attest to how good the manuals are from my own B3S. you really get more use out of the engines low midrange power
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hap
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Re: E46 B3 3.3 Coupe #274 MANUAL 6 speed

Post by hap » Tue Mar 22, 2022 5:15 pm


Bob
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Re: E46 B3 3.3 Coupe #274 MANUAL 6 speed

Post by Bob » Tue Mar 22, 2022 9:57 pm

I know hap, Barry already told me he’d fitted them :wink:
B3 3.2 TOURING #062

simon13
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Re: E46 B3 3.3 Coupe #274 MANUAL 6 speed

Post by simon13 » Sat Mar 26, 2022 7:59 pm

Why haven't you bought this bob, its been going on for far to long now!
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Bob
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Re: E46 B3 3.3 Coupe #274 MANUAL 6 speed

Post by Bob » Sat Mar 26, 2022 11:15 pm

I know Si :doh , no doubt I’ll regret it later but I’m trying my best to be rational :boohoo
B3 3.2 TOURING #062

BarryM
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Re: E46 B3 3.3 Coupe #274 MANUAL 6 speed

Post by BarryM » Sun Mar 27, 2022 1:36 am

How come this hasn’t sold, seems like a bargain!
2001 Alpina B10 V8 #185
1982 Krauser MKM1000 #121 - sold

bss325i
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Re: E46 B3 3.3 Coupe #274 MANUAL 6 speed

Post by bss325i » Sun Mar 27, 2022 4:58 pm

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-E46-Alpi ... 635-2958-0

More pictures on eBay.

Open to a sensible offer.
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

bss325i
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Posts: 422
Joined: Sun Oct 14, 2007 11:47 pm
Location: Surrey, England

Re: E46 B3 3.3 Coupe #274 MANUAL 6 speed

Post by bss325i » Sat Apr 09, 2022 9:22 pm

I am a little surprised at the lack of interest in the car. Wether this is down to it not being original anymore, the current economic climate of if its just priced too high I dont know.

I can't see it being the fact its now a manual as there are plenty of people who would like a manual E46 Alpina going of comments over the years. A manual box really does deliver the full potential of the excellent engines these have.
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

PhillV8S
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Location: Worcestershire

Re: E46 B3 3.3 Coupe #274 MANUAL 6 speed

Post by PhillV8S » Sat Apr 09, 2022 9:46 pm

I’m sure the oily bits are top notch knowing Barry, but the beige carpet and grubby looking leather turns me off. If it had dark carpets and a leather refresh, bet it would look great. Maybe dye the carpet? Not sure how feasible that is or just source a cheap black carpet to fit off eBay maybe? Just ideas….
Range Rover SDV8.
E64 B6s #100 Cabriolet (Now Sold)
Maserati Gransport

bss325i
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Posts: 422
Joined: Sun Oct 14, 2007 11:47 pm
Location: Surrey, England

Re: E46 B3 3.3 Coupe #274 MANUAL 6 speed

Post by bss325i » Sat Apr 09, 2022 10:17 pm

The interior is not its strongest point I’ll give you that.

Finding any heated memory sport leather interior for an E46 coupe that’s that’s in good condition and not black or grey is not easy!

A red or champagne interior would look great!

I have thought about keeping hold of it and doing this and possibly paint it Alpina green but I already have another E46 coupe in the form of a very tidy and very early M3 manual coupe so I bit pointless keeping both.

If it were a touring it would be going nowhere!
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

James_G
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Posts: 335
Joined: Thu May 16, 2013 10:33 pm
Location: Guildford

Re: E46 B3 3.3 Coupe #274 MANUAL 6 speed

Post by James_G » Tue Apr 12, 2022 6:39 pm

I'm surprised it hasn't sold either and it certainly looked very smart when I saw it earlier in February outside BMR.

I sold my B3 3.3 (#170) after just 5 months because I really didn't like the gearbox and I wish I'd had the money and the space to have kept it and done the manual conversion because the rest of the car was great. But, if I recall, only one had been converted back then (late 2013) so there wasn't the knowledge that there seems to be now.

The carpet wouldn't trouble me at all though and it's frustrating that the light coloured interiors have something of a bad reputation as I really think they lift the cabin. I would much prefer it to black and at least with the lighter colours you can see when things are dirty and then are more likely to clean it, which is surely the better option.

Whoever buys it is going to have a lovely car for sure.
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

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