Alpina B8

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EdJ
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Joined: Fri Feb 19, 2016 8:30 pm
Location: Oxfordshire

Alpina B8

Post by EdJ » Fri Jul 08, 2016 5:03 pm

Here's a thing. I've always had a hankering for a V8 since my father ran his Daimler Mk2 just through it's headers.

I looked at a B8 coupe a few years ago but as my only car I couldn't live with LHD all the time. That isn't such an issue now so I was wondering what the collective view is of cramming an E36 full of V8, and if anyone has run one in the past.

A bit of Googling (I really must get back to work!) found this http://www.elite-zuzwil.ch/index.php/ca ... id=2023655 There's one in Japan, and 2 in Germany (4 door and a convertible) but the prices are a bit rich for me. So although this is a 4 door, at 27k GBP, it's not ridiculous..... or am I just going mad?!?!

Cheers

Ed
B3 Biturbo #105
E39 Touring (197k miles and counting)
E46 Convertible (gone)

The only thing that made me giggle before the Alpina was riding my bike!

Chas
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Post by Chas » Fri Jul 08, 2016 6:02 pm

LHD is surprisingly easy to get used to. I hated the idea, now I have two of them.

A V8 E36 is utterly addictive. The B8 is incredibly civilised and incredibly fast; exactly what Alpina is supposed to be all about. They are virtually unknown and incredibly rare in the UK which makes it a real Q-car - it's very tempting to put a 316 badge on the back.

On the continent, people know the Alpina name is not to be taken lightly. I drove to Bavaria last year and got lots of positive attention on the autobahn from Porsches etc who were happy to pull over at 155mph to let me sail past them 8)

[Edit: I've just read this again and realised I used the word 'incredibly' three times in two sentences. I guess that sums it up]

Here's mine getting a quick wash a few years back...

http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/s ... are+alpina
Last edited by Chas on Fri Jul 08, 2016 8:52 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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greenelekta
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Post by greenelekta » Fri Jul 08, 2016 6:53 pm

I've promised myself one of these one day, Touring is my preference. Just got to sell a few cars and find one. LHD no problem just makes thing more interesting. If you can afford it now go for it, they won't get cheaper
E39 B10 V8S Touring Brass Metallic
Z3 M Coupe Dakar Yellow
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E24man
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Post by E24man » Fri Jul 08, 2016 7:52 pm

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Last edited by E24man on Tue Dec 22, 2020 8:51 pm, edited 1 time in total.

simon13
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Post by simon13 » Fri Jul 08, 2016 10:09 pm

another one here whos found LHD no bother and also wants a B8 of sorts. Touring for me or coupe. I've been offered a handsome sum for my E30 which makes it all the more tempting! and have change left over for all the engine out jobs like a clutch - yes its that tight to get to all the bell housing bolts you have to drop the engine and box out the bottom to do it lol

Makes it more appealing to me!
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dodgyken
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Post by dodgyken » Sat Jul 09, 2016 6:05 pm

I've never dealt with Elite - but they generally buy and hold - often increasing prices and only sell when they get a good offer.

A couple of B8s have sold in Switzerland in the last 12 months.

That B8 is a nice spec though - if you want me to check it out I might be able to sort something out.
2010 Aero 8 Supersport | 2008 Alpina B5s | 2004 BMW X3 3.0D | 1996 BMW M3 Evo (non road-legal)

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ChrisLux
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Post by ChrisLux » Tue Jul 19, 2016 1:36 pm

I've had my B8 for 9 years, and for first 5 or so I ran it as my everyday car 365/365.

It's quick, practical (as a Touring) and not that bad on fuel, I get average around 21/22 MPG with up to 27 MPG on a steady run at around 145 KMH with Cruise on.

I have found with mine, and a couple of other B8 owners have said similar, that it doesn't like to be tucked up in bed/garage, it much prefers to be run.
As I have now 330,000 KMS on clock it's never gonna be Concourse, so I take pleasure in driving it.

Price wise, they vary, I've seen 'em as cheap as £12k for a Coupe, and as much as £80k for a Cabrio. I know of two Tourings sold in the last 12 months and one was EUR 22k and the other EUR 24.5k, they seem to be a 'specialist' car to buy/sell, most people don't know what they are and are scared, others fear the running costs.

I always wanted a B8 Touring, and was lucky to find mine at the right time, but it needed a lot of work to it after I'd bought it, you really have to lavish them and keep on top of maintenance to get the best out of them and not have 'too' expensive bills.

As far as LHD, when I'm in UK I never have any problems :D
'97 E36 B8 4.6 Touring (19#27)
Individual Tannen Grun - affectionately known as 'Greta'
'19 F25 XD3 Bi-turbo
Sapphire Black
'93 E36 ACS3 3.0 Limousine
Individual Neon Grun - Written off
'95 E36 ACS3 2.5d Touring
Mauritius Blue - Now sold
'97 ACS5 3.2 Touring
Individual Estoril Blue - Now sold
'02 E39 ACS5 3.0d Touring
Individual Velvet Blue - Now sold
'05 E53 X5 3.0d (remapped)
Sapphire Black - Now sold
'12 E70 X3 3.0d (remapped)
Sapphire Black - Now sold


FREUDE AM FAHREN - SHEER DRIVING PLEASURE

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