E46 B3 3.3 or 3S wanted

davettf2 · Post by **davettf2** » Sun Jan 26, 2020 2:12 pm

Gentlefolk
Having owned an E28 M5 for many years, having a TVR mid to late life crisis!!, it’s time to get back into a BMW. Being of more advanced years I’m looking for a gentleman’s M3, Thus looking for a good E46 B3, 3.3 or S, with low to modest miles, preferably less than 100,000, Saloon or Coupe. I have a sensible budget and thus looking for a very good or excellent example.
Cheers
Dave

rc944 · Post by **rc944** » Sun Jan 26, 2020 5:19 pm

Whats a sensible budge for an excellent average miles example?

davettf2 · Post by **davettf2** » Sun Jan 26, 2020 7:14 pm

Hi, It obviously depends on the condition, mileage etc., but I have a budget of up to £20k for the right vehicle.

cheers
Dave

Fast3000 · Post by **Fast3000** » Sun Jan 26, 2020 7:34 pm

Hi welcome Dave,

From experience it can take a while to find the 'right' Alpina and even then I found that I had to compromise on something. There's a beautiful looking red B3S on sale @ 19K at the moment. I personally havent seen the car but looks in good order. Good luck with the hunt its worth it.

P.s. the b3s is the longest 'fun' midlife crises car ive owned...as it is practical too!

rc944 · Post by **rc944** » Mon Jan 27, 2020 1:48 am

youll be able to get a decent one for a lot less than that for use as a daily. about 15 onwards for a garage queen

davettf2 · Post by **davettf2** » Mon Jan 27, 2020 10:47 am

Hi, £20K is tops, plus was hoping for towards your figure of £15K. I like the japan red, but it is 400 miles away from me in Scotland, I'm in the SE just west of London. Also it currently has no MOT. Will keep looking, its out there somewhere.
Cheers
Dave

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Mon Jan 27, 2020 12:23 pm

davettf2 wrote: ↑
Mon Jan 27, 2020 10:47 am
Hi, £20K is tops, plus was hoping for towards your figure of £15K. I like the japan red, but it is 400 miles away from me in Scotland, I'm in the SE just west of London. Also it currently has no MOT. Will keep looking, its out there somewhere.
Cheers
Dave

Dave - might be worth speaking to James, if you haven't already, as he sold B3S #094 to the current seller. He is also a member on here if you aren't on Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/pg/jameselliot ... e_internal
https://thealpinaregister.com/forums/vi ... 57&t=23744

Fast3000 · Post by **Fast3000** » Tue Jan 28, 2020 1:12 am

I dont believe there has been a better one on the market for a long time. Except the blue b3s @25k mega low mileage one...

ali · Post by **ali** » Tue Jan 28, 2020 1:24 am

You have to be prepared to travel in order to find your ideal Alpina
They are so few and far between that the odds on your perfect car coming up for sale on your doorstep is minimal to none

davettf2 · Post by **davettf2** » Tue Jan 28, 2020 10:25 am

Hi, Agreed that I need to travel, but Scotland, at present is probably a little to far for me with other commitments. In reality its a 2 to 3 day round trip. I'll try to contact James, but I'm not a facebook user.
With regards to the blue one at £26K, unfortunately beyond my budget and a conversation with the owner indicated that there was no negotiation on price
Thus will carry on looking.

Cheers
Dave

jolls · Post by **jolls** » Tue Jan 28, 2020 12:16 pm

davettf2 wrote: ↑
Tue Jan 28, 2020 10:25 am
Hi, Agreed that I need to travel, but Scotland, at present is probably a little to far for me with other commitments. In reality its a 2 to 3 day round trip. I'll try to contact James, but I'm not a facebook user.
With regards to the blue one at £26K, unfortunately beyond my budget and a conversation with the owner indicated that there was no negotiation on price
Thus will carry on looking.

Cheers
Dave

26k is silly money and will probably be around a long time at that price.

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Tue Jan 28, 2020 12:25 pm

It’s already a couple of years and counting

Post by **Charles** » Wed Jan 29, 2020 1:16 pm

CaesarBob wrote: ↑
Tue Jan 28, 2020 12:25 pm
It’s already a couple of years and counting

Then he's not really that keen to sell ... which I can completely understand

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Wed Jan 29, 2020 1:24 pm

Charles wrote: ↑
Wed Jan 29, 2020 1:16 pm

CaesarBob wrote: ↑
Tue Jan 28, 2020 12:25 pm
It’s already a couple of years and counting
Then he's not really that keen to sell ... which I can completely understand

Yes, I know when I spoke to him, he wasn't really sure about selling, but he had an itch for an E34 B10 BT that needed scratching. I got the impression, unless a similar condition example turned up there wasn't much imputus to sell.

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Mon Feb 03, 2020 12:49 am

davettf2 wrote: ↑
Tue Jan 28, 2020 10:25 am
Thus will carry on looking.
Cheers
Dave

Dave - a new B3S has just popped up on the Genuine ALPINA parts and cars for sale FB group

Seller has shared some more pictures. Interior looks in fair condition, usual E46 scratches on the centre console and the drivers bolster is starting to come apart but shouldn't be too hard to save.

B3 S COUPE [E46] #012 Avus Blue (Sonderlack)/Light Silver Grey Nappa Leather; 2003_03; £15.0k; 71k; Private