Buying advice on E46 B3/S

The place to talk about ALPINAs.
e.g. News, Reviews, Insurance, Warranties, Running Costs, Sightings, general questions etc.

Moderators: Charles, neil, D4

CharlesM
ALP
ALP
Posts: 161
Joined: Fri Mar 01, 2013 6:42 pm
Location: South Bucks, UK

Post by CharlesM » Mon Aug 14, 2017 8:54 pm

Thanks Kev, that is exceptionally helpful. When I pick up the car I'll give Sytner a bell. Both previous B10s had the decorated mats and they just add that bit more Alpina-ness.

Now, should I go full decal... :D

CharlesM
ALP
ALP
Posts: 161
Joined: Fri Mar 01, 2013 6:42 pm
Location: South Bucks, UK

Post by CharlesM » Thu Aug 17, 2017 2:40 pm

Counting down til Saturday when I go to collect her.

A quick question about the cabrio bit - the car doesn't have a wind deflector, which I'm sure I'll need. Looking on Ebay there are numerous E46 ones for sale. Are there any fixings required for the deflector or does it just slot in to the mounting points without any further nuts and bolts?

hap
ALPINA
ALPINA
Posts: 5129
Joined: Mon Feb 06, 2006 11:22 am
Location: Scunthorpe, North Lincs

Post by hap » Thu Aug 17, 2017 4:12 pm

Not sure personally I guess it will fit into the fixing points

Have you seen this one ?? Genuine alpina one to finish the look
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Alpina-B4 ... SwVm5Y~Jlb

CharlesM
ALP
ALP
Posts: 161
Joined: Fri Mar 01, 2013 6:42 pm
Location: South Bucks, UK

Post by CharlesM » Thu Aug 17, 2017 5:02 pm

Yes, saw that but will pass on price. Having looked again on Ebay, the one I saw with separate fixing bits is actually an aftermarket one, the advertised genuine BMW ones have no additional fixing bits I can see.

CharlesM
ALP
ALP
Posts: 161
Joined: Fri Mar 01, 2013 6:42 pm
Location: South Bucks, UK

Post by CharlesM » Sat Aug 19, 2017 6:47 pm

Collected the cabrio today. First impressions, what a fantastic car. It shimmied a bit over the expansion joints of the M6 raised section, but frankly for a cabrio that is to be expected. Lovely lovely engine, the auto gearbox both better geared than the manual B10s I've had, so more relaxed at speed, but instant kickdown (loved the wheel shifters too) made it immensely eager.

Another run tomorrow on more challenging roads, but I had a smile on my face all drive.

Image

rattusM3
ALPI
ALPI
Posts: 301
Joined: Tue Jul 26, 2016 8:03 pm
Location: Wiltshire

Post by rattusM3 » Sun Aug 20, 2017 10:45 am

Very nice, enjoy the summer, hopefully September will produce better weather than August for some top-down driving - it usually does.

Kev
2002 Alpina B3 3.3 #220
2006 E46 M3
1992 E30 M3 (sold - what a twat)
1986 E24 M6 (working on)
Ford Grand C-Max Family Wagon
And lots of other BMWs from the past

Metrics
ALPINA
ALPINA
Posts: 2270
Joined: Fri May 29, 2015 1:33 pm
Location: Berks

Post by Metrics » Sun Aug 20, 2017 3:52 pm

Congrats Charles, hope you enjoy many enjoyable miles in the new acquisition.

Bring it along to the meet on the 3rd Sept?
2019 G31 B5 Biturbo No.299
2012 F10 D5 Biturbo No.13
1993 Mercedes 190E 2.6 Sportline spec
1991 Mk1 Golf GTI Sportline cabriolet

CharlesM
ALP
ALP
Posts: 161
Joined: Fri Mar 01, 2013 6:42 pm
Location: South Bucks, UK

Post by CharlesM » Sun Aug 20, 2017 4:21 pm

Why not. I've signed up but with one caveat that I may be having a series of tests prior to an op down in Plymouth so may have to go down there.

Just come back from a lovely run up to the Bugatti Owners club Prescott Hill Climb for a breakfast meet. My neighbour came with me and thought the car very special, as did several members and a former Alpina B3 owner.

Found a couple of faults - hedgehog is on the way out and the Alpine stereo is not picking up any radio stations. The rear offside wheel centre cap is refusing point blank to budge. But really nothing remotely important and the car just went like a rocket. Brilliant road-holding, handling and ride just soaked up the country roads.

Metrics
ALPINA
ALPINA
Posts: 2270
Joined: Fri May 29, 2015 1:33 pm
Location: Berks

Post by Metrics » Sun Aug 20, 2017 4:33 pm

Nice one Charles, hope to see you and the car then.
2019 G31 B5 Biturbo No.299
2012 F10 D5 Biturbo No.13
1993 Mercedes 190E 2.6 Sportline spec
1991 Mk1 Golf GTI Sportline cabriolet

B10BRW
ALPINA
ALPINA
Posts: 4270
Joined: Wed Mar 16, 2005 1:58 pm
Location: West Sussex

Post by B10BRW » Sun Aug 20, 2017 7:03 pm

You have PM :D

shaziman
ALPINA
ALPINA
Posts: 1389
Joined: Sun Sep 18, 2011 1:59 pm
Location: Nottingham, occasionally S.Wales

Post by shaziman » Mon Aug 21, 2017 11:02 am

CharlesM wrote: (my rule, if not Michelin PS tyres, be it 2,3, PSS or 4 then I budget to replace them - even if new!). My 2 B10s were transformed by PS2 and PS3.
I can totally second that motion! My car, when i got it, had Bridgestone tyres on it. They were 255 wide and they were rubbing on the inner arch. The previous owner mentioned this as one of the reasons why he got rid. Turned out it was all because he was trying to save money on the tyres. I persevered with these Bridgstone's for all of about a month before biting the bullet and purchasing 245 wide Michelin PS3's. What a difference, all the harsh ride, rubbing and general lack of comfort was gone! I will never look back!
1995 E36 B3.0 Convertible (rebodied)
1996 E36 B3.2 Touring No:20 - 1 of 5 made
1997 E36 B3.2 Touring No:36 - 1 of 5 made
1999 E36 323 Sport Touring
2011 E92 D3 Bi-turbo no.246 (santorini blue)
2019 Fiat Fullback
2020 Mini Countryman SE (PHEV)
Alpina, BMW and Detailing Enthusiast

CharlesM
ALP
ALP
Posts: 161
Joined: Fri Mar 01, 2013 6:42 pm
Location: South Bucks, UK

Post by CharlesM » Mon Aug 21, 2017 9:11 pm

Glad it's not just me then!

My only regret about having a car kitted out with brand new PS3s is I will have to wait a fair old time to try it out with PS4s but I consider that a high quality problem!

DogWagen
ALP
ALP
Posts: 295
Joined: Mon Sep 12, 2016 9:18 pm
Location: Cambridgeshire

Post by DogWagen » Wed Aug 30, 2017 10:25 pm

Looks a great car Charles - a good stablemate to your W114

CharlesM
ALP
ALP
Posts: 161
Joined: Fri Mar 01, 2013 6:42 pm
Location: South Bucks, UK

Post by CharlesM » Thu Aug 31, 2017 11:35 pm

Amusingly I took it up to Norfolk to return some W114 parts to a friend who let me borrow them to choose the best for my car. He, despite being a dyed in the wool Benz fanatic thought the Alpina was absolutely stunning.

I even got some respect from an Audi TT driver who undertook me at high speed and then pulled in in front of me. I'd seen him and throttled back so he waved a thank you. I'd rather he hadn't put me in danger but I doubt someone in a Fiesta would have got the acknowledgement.

Post Reply