Hi All its been a while and Side Stripes

Sunnyville · Post by **Sunnyville** » Wed Jul 09, 2014 6:10 pm

Hi all it has been some time but I MAY be able to come back to the Alpina fold

I am going to look at an Alpina D3 coupe tomorrow on a 2008 plate and if all is well I will be coming home in it.
The only thing is that the side stripes/decals are in the wrong place. I mentioned this and they are willing to change them but have no idea where to source them from or where to get them fitted these days. They have said that if I can get a price including fitting then they will knock this off the price. I will get them sorted myself up here in the NW.
So my questions are how much would a set of side stripes be (in black) and does anyone know what the fitting cost is likely to be? If anyone has any advice or experience of where to get them fitted in the NW that would be good.
I see you still have the B3 touring Charles

Letâ€™s hope I donâ€™t break the flex plate in this one

(well I definitely wont as this is a manual)
I hope that you are all good and I am hoping to get to a few shows soon as I know my partner (Michelle) and myself thoroughly enjoyed the one we came to in the B3.
Speak soon
Regards
Kev

mester-d · Post by **mester-d** » Wed Jul 09, 2014 6:55 pm

Simon aka spa69 is the man to ask about deco kits, have a look on the parts for sale part on here.
Is it the one at Harvey Cooper cars on pistonheads by any chance??

Sunnyville · Post by **Sunnyville** » Wed Jul 09, 2014 8:11 pm

Hi mester-d,
Thanks for hte info I will get in touch with him now.
I did read a bit of the thread the other day

It is the one at Harvey Cooper Cars yes.
If it has any bad history that you know of I would be greatfull to know. Likewise, but a little happier, if you know its a good one?
Reagrds
Kev

mester-d · Post by **mester-d** » Wed Jul 09, 2014 8:54 pm

Thought as much, as soon as you mentioned the stripes I knew it was my old steed

Owned it for the last three years bought from Sytner Notts and the stripes, black mirrors and wheels were on when I bought it, you'll find the front spoiler deco is upside down and all Sytner handy work too

It's a fantastic car, I put on 32k and never missed a beat. A couple of minor issues that needed adressing when i sold it, incidentley it was another dealer I px'd it with.
I'll pm you the specifics of the minor issues. Paul

Sunnyville · Post by **Sunnyville** » Wed Jul 09, 2014 9:16 pm

Hi Paul,
Thats actually VERY good to hear and you can rest assured it will be well and truly pampered by me. I don't mind niggles as all cars have them to some esctent. They are normally that minor that you keep forgetting to get around to them.
I can't beleive that Sitners fitted them like that. How much do those guys get paid......lol
Most would never know, and i din't at first, but just knew something was amiss. The dealer didn't know and I wouldn't expect them to really.
They have offered to pay for new ones though so I am very happy with that. They also said that I could source them and have them fitted if i wish and they would knock that of in the px deal etc.
Fingers crossed all goes well with the deal now and i may be driving home with a huge smile.
Regards Kev
PS by all means drop me a pm of the small issues as i will rectify them asap if i can.

mester-d · Post by **mester-d** » Wed Jul 09, 2014 9:48 pm

I hoped another member woukd end up with it, i even left the Alpina Register stickers in so that the new oener found there way here.

I never really noticed the stripes either until a customer of mine said they didn't follow the swage line..... and then it bugged the hell out of me, I noticed the front one as my Brothers Touring has the deco kit too, and realised it was upside down ie the left one should be on the right and vice versa.
But rest assured it's a cracking car, I'll pm you later as I'm off out now. Paul

sward · Post by **sward** » Thu Jul 10, 2014 8:15 pm

Side stripes on E9x never follow the swage line. That's why I don't really think they work on this model. The swage line is a gentle curve, and the side stripes are straight.

mester-d · Post by **mester-d** » Thu Jul 10, 2014 9:34 pm

After googling various images...your right, but I'm surprised they couldn't incorporate the slight curve when applying the deco stripe as surely it's malleable enough to follow the swage line, having said that I have no idea how hard it is to fit them of course....

The front deco stripe is deffo upside down though

.

Sunnyville · Post by **Sunnyville** » Fri Jul 11, 2014 7:31 am

Hi All and many thanks for the quick replies etc. Also have a price for the new ones from on here.
So the question is now should i change them or not?
Oh I bought the D3 last night

A couple of questions if i may. I was told the road tax was around Â£140-Â£180. When we came to tax the car the post office were adamant that it was Â£240. Is that correct? What do other D3 owners pay. This is a 2008 D3 BiTurbo Coupe.

The other thing is, as this has happened very quickly, I bought a load of service parts for my 2007 320D Msport Coupe earlier this week and it was booked in for a full service next monday. The oil that i have just bought is 2 x 4Ltrs of Castrol Edge 0W30. Can that be used in this D3 as i was reading last night that there is a bit of a debate between that and the 10W60???
If i need to I will take it back and change it for 10W60.
Was a cracking drive home last night and I cant wait to get home from work to wash and wax

Many thanks
Regards
Kev

mester-d · Post by **mester-d** » Fri Jul 11, 2014 11:31 am

Congrats on your purchase

, did you get my message re- minor problems?, if so had they been addressed?

There's plenty of discussion regarding road tax, I know some MT owners managed to get the D3 re classified but think it was a loop hole that's since been closed.... I'm not 100% though.

The recommended oil is:-
Castrol TWS Motorsport 10W60,
Castrol Edge 10W60
or Mobil 1 5W50.

The 0w30 is for petrol engines such as my B10 3.3, so not suitable for the Bi Turbo I'm afraid.

Enjoy it and please look after it...although I'm sure you will

Sunnyville · Post by **Sunnyville** » Fri Jul 11, 2014 11:57 am

Hi Niel,
Thanks for the info and yes i got your message and I was going to reply later on, but at work at the mo.
They had sorted most of the issues already

The garage I bought her from was their sister garage.
I will see if i can change the oil for the 10W60 later on today so at least i will have that to hand.
Will be outside with her this afternoon to have a good familiarising session.
Its a little odd about the road tax as after all its a 2ltr diesel with lower emissions than my 320D Msport (that was Â£120 per yr RFL). I couldn't believe it when they asked for Â£240 !!!

Enjoy it and please look after it...although I'm sure you will Wink

You can bet your life I will

A big thanks for the info it is much appreciated. I do like the stickers in the rear quarters and will leave those in

Thanks again and happy motoring
Regards
Kev