Does my Alpina E46 B3 Cabrio have a number?

Raj · Post by **Raj** » Thu Mar 15, 2018 12:51 am

Hey guys,

First post here so thanks to have who have come before me to share and help. You have been most useful.

So I bought an E46 Alpina B3 cabrio. Beautiful condition, inside and out. I've been using it on and off along with my normal family car. It's expensive to run but a definite headturner. I bought it as a wedding car and to fill the void of selling my Porsche Boxster - to fund the wedding!

Anyway, I've attached a picture but what I wanted to know was - should there be a number or a plaque or something to confirm it's an Alpina. I wanted to get all my ducks in order and also confirm the cars provenance in case I come to sell it or if I join an owners club. If I'm going to own a collectible car then I want to be responsible owner.

To my knowledge, it was looked after by Alpina Nottingham before it came to me.

jolls · Post by **jolls** » Thu Mar 15, 2018 1:46 am

Welcome to the Register. There should be a plaque inside the car stating the number. If thatâ€™s missing the last 3 numbers of the Alpina VIN number which will be in the engine bay or on your log book will be the number of the car.

v8 ego · Post by **v8 ego** » Thu Mar 15, 2018 10:39 am

I think it's 078.

hap · Post by **hap** » Thu Mar 15, 2018 11:20 am

I'd concur James good spot

Raj · Post by **Raj** » Thu Mar 15, 2018 2:03 pm

Thank you.

I will have a look tonight.

How do you know this number from looking at a picture? Should it have a plaque or something or should I get one made?

AG · Post by AG » Thu Mar 15, 2018 2:33 pm

It would have had a plaque, but the plaque will be hard to obtain as it'll be an Alpina (buchloe supplied maybe?) supply only.

I take it the car has the other Alpina items fitted, a twin vin, dash etc etc?

v8 ego · Post by **v8 ego** » Thu Mar 15, 2018 2:46 pm

If it has a plaque, it should be on the wood trim in front of the passenger's seat on the dashboard.

As someone else has said, the Alpina VIN number (and the one on the V5) should be stamped on the driver's suspension turret under the bonnet and will start WAPB333...... and finish with 078. The original BMW VIN number will be underneath the Alpina VIN with a X through it and also shown on the bottom of the windscreen on the passenger's side.

Raj · Post by **Raj** » Thu Mar 15, 2018 3:17 pm

shame about the plaque - I might inquire about it though.

I'll check the VIN number tonight. I just had a read of the FAQ's and the numbering system. Great resource.

Yes, all the styling, seats, dash, steering wheel, kick plates, stitching and other badges are all there. So I'm 99% certain it is genuine.

There are a few things that have needed fixing (o-ring, waterpump) and now the power steering pump has gone, but other than this it's a great car. With the wheels and the hood down, it get a lot of attention.

hap · Post by **hap** » Thu Mar 15, 2018 4:47 pm

Sure this car was detailed at deep shine few years ago
Could be the same one
http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/s ... p?t=343676

Raj · Post by **Raj** » Thu Mar 15, 2018 6:16 pm

That's definitely looks like the one!

And given your location it would make sense as it used to live in Lincoln. Nice to see what was done to it. As I said before, the condition inside and out is brilliant.

This is why I bought it, you can't have this type of conversation about a regular car! Thanks for the link, I may have to contact them again for some work!

hap · Post by **hap** » Thu Mar 15, 2018 6:34 pm

I think the badges on the bootlid sat too high so may need adjustment