B5 G31 wanted

[will79]

Hi. Currently looking to move from my D3 F31 to a B5 G31. New child on the way and could do with the extra room (and I love the G31). If anyone is thinking of selling any time soon please let me know or if you know of anyone looking to sell. Relatively open minded on spec/mileage as I think you have to be. Many thanks. Will

[hooneybadger]

One on CC soon:

https://collectingcars.com/for-sale/201 ... b5-touring

[Grumpyjohn1957]

What do we think this one will fetch? Sub £50k or more?

[will79]

Thanks!! Hadn’t seen this. Higher mileage than I am ideally looking for but maybe I could justify it. Not that well presented with a piece of trim around the fog light missing etc. Also, slight concern about the off side exhaust being a bit wonky (previous damage?). Lovely looking car though!! Wonder what people’s thoughts are on price? Around £50k sounds about right with the cars that have sold in the last couple of months but I suppose when there are so few it’s what someone is willing to pay on the day.

[Grumpyjohn1957]

Lovely colour, practical interior. Not spent hours studying the pictures but initial thoughts: a car that’s simply been used. Full-service history by dealer - means not a lot - service should be more than a tick off menu IMHO. It has received its TLC as stipulated. Paint chips and road rash are of a similar level to mine as is mileage. Black exterior plastic blueing as with all 5 series, steering wheel in good condition, overall the interior appears good.
New tyres. Wheels probably repaired/refurbished. The rotors appear lipped, I’d expect those new pads to wear rapidly, mine did, then you change the lot. Exhaust? Your guess is as good as mine. Needs a thorough detailing with engine bay and underside cleaning to present at it’s best.
Try to get more backstory, has it been anywhere other than the dealer for work? Has anything not shown on the iDrive been done to it? Paper service records with bills? AUC? There’s a lot to go wrong over and above normal 5 series woes.
Going forward, how will you use it, miles, frequency, type of driving? Is it a keeper? Not cheap cars to own & run these, but they reward in spades. Problem you have here is, you can’t get to drive it first.
I’d guess minimum £45-£48k + fees, provided, as you say, no one badly wants it, then who knows. (Looking around x2 the price of a top spec’ similar miles/age 540iX)
Good luck if you’re punting, following with interest.

[will79]

Hi John. Thanks for the advice and information. I’m probably going to keep my D3 to do most of my work miles in but would use the B5 for weekends and trips to France so probably about 10k a year maybe. Possibility I would just use it all the time though but that would be 35k a year which might be excessive.
Are there any mechanical horror stories with the G31 that I should be aware of or you know about. Not trying to scare myself out of buying one but would like to be as prepared as I can be. Thanks John

[Grumpyjohn1957]

It would be useful if other B5 owners here would chime in to recount their experiences, even if only to say, “No problems.”

Minor issue/niggle/cosmetic: some plastic bits and chrome badges are poor quality, now looking tatty.
Exhaust tips have corrosion on the returns. The plastic radiator grille flap mechanism fell to pieces, the very difficult to access telematics battery died. The prop shaft flex disc split, the glass hatch release button failed.
All common G30/31 issues, not only Alpina.

The engine bay is rammed. I personally wouldn’t attempt anything in there other than change the air filters.
More experienced people might, not me.

Oils can be done DIY. Brakes DIY if you have a suitable tool to reset the iDrive and wind the rear callipers back. Plastic ducts, covers & some hoses together with a few body parts are unique to Alpina. The turbos, exhaust, some gearbox/final drive internals, engine & suspension software together with some physical suspension parts also by Alpina. By and large these cars are parts bin specials utilising bits from the entire BMW range. (and why not) From my own hours of perusing I’ve identified components borrowed from the X5, 550i and 750/760.

The web is littered with tales of N63 disasters, these mainly relate to early iterations of the engine. A lot of technical updates and redesign happened in the 9 years since launch to successfully address specific problems. I wouldn’t worry too much about what you may read.

My big one: a new engine at 28k miles. Yes, you read that correctly. Bore scored on numbers 5 & 8, replaced under warranty. Apparently one other UK car had the same issue together with a few in Europe. Why? Only Alpina know and they aren’t talking. From a lot of research my thoughts are its to do with piston ring profiles, but, as usual I’m probably wrong
.
Given (I don’t know the exact numbers) there’s perhaps 1200 or more G30/31 B5 been built, plus what’s basically the same engine and drivetrain used in the B7, B8 and XB7, it’s a fair assumption the engine/drivetrain is reliable.

Your call Will, rare beasts these in the UK. Good ones will hold value.

Yes they’ll all get cheaper, alas, older and more knackered as time goes by.
Essentially, you’re looking at buying a used car, be it a Ford, Vauxhall or Ferrari, the risks are the same.
A big financial commitment for us “ordinary” folk. I love mine, its incomparable.

Would I go after this one? If I truly wanted a B5 and the price didn’t reach stupid?
I’d set a strict limit and bid.

P.S No such thing as too many miles, these cars were built to eat them!! Once you get behind the wheel your D3 will go the same way as my G31 530Dx did. Autotrader.

[will79]

Thanks so much John. Super useful information.
Not sure if this is the one for me but great to hear about the G31 from an owner. Although, not much choice out there so you never know.

I suspect I would try and get an extended BMW warranty on the one I end up buying just for reassurance but guessing it’s likely that on a higher mileage car any fault may have come to light already. Just hit 170k miles in my D3 and it’s spot on. I now actually love putting miles on it now. Thanks again for the information. Really appreciated

[Swizzer2020]

It would be useful if other B5 owners here would chime in to recount their experiences, even if only to say, “No problems.”

Minor issue/niggle/cosmetic: some plastic bits and chrome badges are poor quality, now looking tatty.
Exhaust tips have corrosion on the returns. The plastic radiator grille flap mechanism fell to pieces, the very difficult to access telematics battery died. The prop shaft flex disc split, the glass hatch release button failed.
All common G30/31 issues, not only Alpina.

The engine bay is rammed. I personally wouldn’t attempt anything in there other than change the air filters.
More experienced people might, not me.

Oils can be done DIY. Brakes DIY if you have a suitable tool to reset the iDrive and wind the rear callipers back. Plastic ducts, covers & some hoses together with a few body parts are unique to Alpina. The turbos, exhaust, some gearbox/final drive internals, engine & suspension software together with some physical suspension parts also by Alpina. By and large these cars are parts bin specials utilising bits from the entire BMW range. (and why not) From my own hours of perusing I’ve identified components borrowed from the X5, 550i and 750/760.

The web is littered with tales of N63 disasters, these mainly relate to early iterations of the engine. A lot of technical updates and redesign happened in the 9 years since launch to successfully address specific problems. I wouldn’t worry too much about what you may read.

My big one: a new engine at 28k miles. Yes, you read that correctly. Bore scored on numbers 5 & 8, replaced under warranty. Apparently one other UK car had the same issue together with a few in Europe. Why? Only Alpina know and they aren’t talking. From a lot of research my thoughts are its to do with piston ring profiles, but, as usual I’m probably wrong
.
Given (I don’t know the exact numbers) there’s perhaps 1200 or more G30/31 B5 been built, plus what’s basically the same engine and drivetrain used in the B7, B8 and XB7, it’s a fair assumption the engine/drivetrain is reliable.

Your call Will, rare beasts these in the UK. Good ones will hold value.

Yes they’ll all get cheaper, alas, older and more knackered as time goes by.
Essentially, you’re looking at buying a used car, be it a Ford, Vauxhall or Ferrari, the risks are the same.
A big financial commitment for us “ordinary” folk. I love mine, its incomparable.

Would I go after this one? If I truly wanted a B5 and the price didn’t reach stupid?
I’d set a strict limit and bid.

P.S No such thing as too many miles, these cars were built to eat them!! Once you get behind the wheel your D3 will go the same way as my G31 530Dx did. Autotrader.

Just had a watch of the video of this B5, to my ears the engine sounds like it’s ticking rather a lot on idle. Grumpyjohn, does yours sound like this? Thanks!

[Grumpyjohn1957]

Exactly the same. I think mobile phone mic's exaggerate mid range frequencies.

[Paul0568]

Hi. Currently looking to move from my D3 F31 to a B5 G31. New child on the way and could do with the extra room (and I love the G31). If anyone is thinking of selling any time soon please let me know or if you know of anyone looking to sell. Relatively open minded on spec/mileage as I think you have to be. Many thanks. Will

HI Will, I am in a similar position to you. I have a D5 Touring with 165K miles on the clock and would like to upgrade to a G31. I missed out on the Blue one at Wytehall Car Collection a few months ago and was expecting the Green B5 Touring on Collecting Cars to be under £50K considering the mileage and general wear and tear. It is currently at over £55K with fees which is impressive considering the LCI car that sold for £61K a few months ago with half the mileage.

Happy hunting! If you find one for sale that doesn't meet your spec please post on the forum.

[will79]

Hi Paul. Yes, seems like pretty strong money! Not many about though I suppose, especially in green . It’s a shame we missed out on the two recent sales as they seemed good value. Will let you know if I spot anything that doesn’t meet my spec. Although it’s likely just price that will put me off as I’m pretty flexible with spec. Good luck with the search!

[will79]

Hi Paul. Especially surprised that a dealer is bidding to that level too (bramleys).

[hooneybadger]

Maybe he's buying for himself, know he's keen on Alpinas and green cars.

[Grumpyjohn1957]

£59k inc fees!
Think Brunhilda might get an Alpina Green vinyl wrap!!!!!