Made my Alpina more like an Alpina!

DannyB3D3 · Post by **DannyB3D3** » Tue Sep 18, 2018 9:48 am

hi all,

So I thought my D3 interior was missing something and it didn't look like what I would call a traditional Alpina which is Leather, Wood and luxury so made a few changes! Here is it before with the boring silver trims and it has a M Performance steering wheel which I really am not bothered about and think would look better in an M3 rather than an Alpina!

So what I did was fit a full wood interior trim set (Â£100) and an original Alpina D3 BiTurbo steering wheel (Â£130) and it really does now look and feel like an Alpina should and I am well pleased! The steering wheel feels lovely to hold!

I hope you all appreciate my thought process. I know the silver trims were original but you got to admit it looks much better and by putting an original steering wheel back on it balances it out!

I have been offered good money for the steering wheel already and will get some money back for the trims so it hasn't even cost me any money! I might even make more from the steering wheel then the 2 upgrades cost me combined! Result in my eyes.

Next step is to get a full leather! Thanks for looking.

Rav · Post by **Rav** » Tue Sep 18, 2018 12:53 pm

I like that. I dont want to be flamed, but the D3 was never a 'real' alpina in that it didnt feel special enough to warrant the badge.

I often thought about buying one when i was doing many many miles per year and doing as you have and swapping parts out to make it special.

Good on you!

DannyB3D3 · Post by **DannyB3D3** » Tue Sep 18, 2018 12:55 pm

I would say they are a more affordable Alpina than not a real one. I am trying to make it more like a traditional Alpina with the luxury side of things inside but the exterior and extra power is like a traditional Alpina. I would still rather this car over a 320d M-Sport or something though as I love the Alpina styling etc

E24man · Post by **E24man** » Tue Sep 18, 2018 12:57 pm

ade and liz flint · Post by **ade and liz flint** » Tue Sep 18, 2018 1:56 pm

E24man wrote:
Rav wrote:I like that. I dont want to be flamed, but the D3 was never a 'real' alpina in that it didnt feel special enough to warrant the badge.
You're going to get flamed as that is a load of crap and very obviously inflamatory.

So wrong. As much an ALPINA as anything that came from the Buchloe stable, and if you drove one you'd find out exactly why. Stunning balance and handling, and as fast as anyone needs to go in the real world of driving. Situation permitting I'd have another on my drive NOW and it would be the 1st keys I reach for on a daily basis.

AG · Post by AG » Tue Sep 18, 2018 2:03 pm

to me the D3 was an entry level Alpina, an item created to tap into the company car bracket but it was still a genuine car.

It was probably made to a price and I expect would have been subject to the available options (either BMW or Alpina) so I expect the original buyers could have made it a little more special by selecting certain options.

But its not like the old argument over what is a real Alpina and what isn't that used to (or still does?) rage over the Sytner built cars or the UK only B2.8,2.5 etc etc

To the OP, that looks excellent, I did the same to my 118d, swapped the silver trims for some nicer dark wood grain, the interior feels rather nicer to be in.

DannyB3D3 · Post by **DannyB3D3** » Tue Sep 18, 2018 2:14 pm

AG wrote:to me the D3 was an entry level Alpina, an item created to tap into the company car bracket but it was still a genuine car.

It was probably made to a price and I expect would have been subject to the available options (either BMW or Alpina) so I expect the original buyers could have made it a little more special by selecting certain options.

But its not like the old argument over what is a real Alpina and what isn't that used to (or still does?) rage over the Sytner built cars or the UK only B2.8,2.5 etc etc

To the OP, that looks excellent, I did the same to my 118d, swapped the silver trims for some nicer dark wood grain, the interior feels rather nicer to be in.

Well said! I must admit the fact it has got manual lights and air-conditioning did shock me but it seems lots of them have?

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Tue Sep 18, 2018 2:28 pm

Wow, that does look like a totally different car now, what an improvement ... the silver trim from the E9x generation cars always looks low rent to me, irrespective which model of car you actually have. The piano black or wood will alway make a big change.

As for the Manual AC, it is surprising how many D3 BT's have it ... particularly the Coupes. But these days, Manual or Auto matters less than whether it still blows cold air when you need it too!

Rav · Post by **Rav** » Tue Sep 18, 2018 2:49 pm

I didn't mean to ruffle any feathers....Apologies if i have offended anyone.
I have not driven a D3 to date so must educate myself prior to making statements that may not be accurate.

E24man · Post by **E24man** » Tue Sep 18, 2018 3:27 pm

DannyB3D3 · Post by **DannyB3D3** » Tue Sep 18, 2018 3:58 pm

CaesarBob wrote:Wow, that does look like a totally different car now, what an improvement ... the silver trim from the E9x generation cars always looks low rent to me, irrespective which model of car you actually have. The piano black or wood will alway make a big change.

As for the Manual AC, it is surprising how many D3 BT's have it ... particularly the Coupes. But these days, Manual or Auto matters less than whether it still blows cold air when you need it too!

Thanks mate I am well pleased with it, just need a full leather interior if anyone knows of one??

Rav · Post by **Rav** » Tue Sep 18, 2018 5:21 pm

Danny - take a look and keep an eye open on M3 Cutters and the E46 forum. There will be interiors available on there. I also recently saw an Exclusive interior advertised for sale on there.

DannyB3D3 · Post by **DannyB3D3** » Tue Sep 18, 2018 5:23 pm

Rav wrote:Danny - take a look and keep an eye open on M3 Cutters and the E46 forum. There will be interiors available on there. I also recently saw an Exclusive interior advertised for sale on there.

ok cool thanks, is there not an E90 Forum then?

Rav · Post by **Rav** » Tue Sep 18, 2018 5:55 pm

https://www.e90post.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=22

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from ... r&_sacat=0

Lemon looks fantastic!

ali · Post by **ali** » Tue Sep 18, 2018 8:37 pm

To the OP
The interior upgrades make a lovely change.
My first E91 had silver interior and was awful, I recently just sold my E91 330D with a piano black interior and it was a much nicer place to be
Result on the steering wheel too

DannyB3D3 wrote:
Rav wrote:Danny - take a look and keep an eye open on M3 Cutters and the E46 forum. There will be interiors available on there. I also recently saw an Exclusive interior advertised for sale on there.
ok cool thanks, is there not an E90 Forum then?

Have a look at this on ebay
Clicky