D5 or B5

gazoo · Post by **gazoo** » Wed Apr 15, 2015 9:16 am

I don't do many motorway miles so as a second car I'd only do about 2000-3000 miles a year.

Based on this I'm deciding between the d5 or b5.

Has any one had the luxury of driving both bi turbos?

When I had the the b5 supercharged model, it had raw power but the whirling sound of the superchager was a tad annoying:

hap · Post by **hap** » Wed Apr 15, 2015 1:15 pm

B3 😄 less weight and more agile

dodgyken · Post by **dodgyken** » Wed Apr 15, 2015 3:46 pm

I haven't driven either the current D5 or B5 - however I have driven the XD3, the B6X GranCoupe and the current B3X Touring.

The XD3 engine is spectactular and hooked up with that 8-sp box seems to work as combination. It is far from sluggish and yet when needed can be as economical as something far less interesting.

The B3X apes the F-type with its farting exhaust note and certainly adds more character to the noise than the previous generation car. Performance is never lacking but I was oddly left feeling the XD3 was the better all rounder.

The B6X (same engine as the B5) will knock you sideways with the performance - it is epic, and I really don't like using that word. The in gear acceleration is brutal and the gearshifs super quick. The adaptive suspension works a treat and in comfort mode really does no limo smooth. The noise was almost non-existent. Perfectly OK in comfort mode but I'd expect something far better in sports mode - especially with the windows down.

I suspect the D5 to be something rather good in terms of an all-rounder.

Post by **Charles** » Wed Apr 15, 2015 4:08 pm

Depends on whether you have petrol or diesel running through your veins.

With a relatively low annual mileage, the savings on the D5 in terms of fuel economy will be minimal - so this shouldn't really be a factor.

Both have similar output and performance - so I guess it really comes down to price differentials.

If it was me then I would go for the B5 - rarer and running on God's juice rather than the spawn of the devil

GuyW · Post by **GuyW** » Wed Apr 15, 2015 9:03 pm

I have driven both (although only the old B5 with 500hp) and they are very similar.

The differences are the the noise (V8 verses diesel) and where the shove comes in.

If the V8 growl is important, go B5. Its addictive!

In the D5, the push comes at anything above 1500 rpm where the B5 needs a few more revs on the tacho to feel as quick. Ultimately the B5 is quicker, but only if you stay above 5000 rpm.

If you love the noise, go petrol, but if you want accessible performance, go D5.

No turbo-charger sound from either, although the B5 is much more muted than say an AMG or a naturally aspirated V8. D5 is very quiet with a growl from the Boysen exhaust in Sport mode.

hap · Post by **hap** » Thu Apr 16, 2015 7:42 pm

There are at least five bi turbo for sale including sytner demo one in white which is well known

gazoo · Post by **gazoo** » Fri Apr 17, 2015 12:01 am

hap wrote:There are at least five bi turbo for sale including sytner demo one in white which is well known

Yes indeed - a bit of a B5-fest at the moment.

I'm feeling the supercharged b5 as that would be a cheaper alternative. The b5 and d5 are still a tad higher than my budget...

dodgyken · Post by **dodgyken** » Fri Apr 17, 2015 7:43 am

gazoo wrote:I'm feeling the supercharged b5 as that would be a cheaper alternative. The b5 and d5 are still a tad higher than my budget...

I've driven one of those too - if you did about in my car review thread you'll find it there. Tested back to back with an XD3 and you'd not belive they had the same torque - the XD3 felt far more chuckable.

On the B5 front I think the advice is double check if they supercharger has been replaced - if not - stick the money aside. The later B5S should be a bit more solid - IIRC.

I have had a nibble on the Disco - and if it does go I'd be looking at a B5 too.

Jervint · Post by **Jervint** » Sun Apr 19, 2015 1:12 am

Definitely definitely B5. You'll love it.

gazoo · Post by **gazoo** » Tue Apr 21, 2015 5:25 pm

Thanks for the feedback folks.

I'm reviewing 2 2010 models: the white 001 at 50k miles and the dark grey no 003 at 23k miles. They are both priced the same, so need to compare the spec.

hap · Post by **hap** » Tue Apr 21, 2015 6:44 pm

Tough call white looks nice but pain to clean and maintain
I like the grey one and the embossed lettering I think it has the stripes in the door inlays as well

My choice grey one colour will never go out of fashion and I think it suits the shape better than white

gazoo · Post by **gazoo** » Wed Apr 22, 2015 12:17 pm

They grey is a better deal. Its has some options which I don't quite understand. Does anyone know what this relates to:

F10/F11 Alpina B5

Aggregates or equipment differing from standard:

- Fuel processing - Cooling
- Exhaust system
- Front axle - Steering
- Rear axle - Brake
- Wheels/Tires
- Bodywork equipment - Door sill finishers
- Board equipment.

Jervint · Post by **Jervint** » Sat May 23, 2015 4:59 pm

All the Alpina bits that are fitted to the car. Sound s like they pit a heatsink or similar inline with the fuel delivery. Sounds a nice touch actually.