G21 D3 S #191
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G21 D3 S #191
After much waiting my D3 S Touring has arrived.
Options: Alpina Green; Oyster Vernasca; Heated Front & Rear Seats; Lumbar Support; CNC Paddles; Acoustic Glass; Wireless Charging & Enhanced Bluetooth.
Delighted with it, but an issue with the steering means it is back to Sytner next week. Gutted!
Updates to follow.
James
Options: Alpina Green; Oyster Vernasca; Heated Front & Rear Seats; Lumbar Support; CNC Paddles; Acoustic Glass; Wireless Charging & Enhanced Bluetooth.
Delighted with it, but an issue with the steering means it is back to Sytner next week. Gutted!
Updates to follow.
James
Present & Past: Alpina D3BT (F31); Alpina D3 S (G21); Subaru Forester XT (SG 2.0); Porsche 718 Cayman; Golf R (Mk7); 911 (997.2); 911 (996); Subaru WRX STI (Hatch); Alpina D3BT (E90); BMW 330i (E91); Elise (S1); Skoda Fabia VRS (Mk1); Peugeot 106 GTi; Skoda Octovia VRS (Mk2 estate); Subaru Impreza WRX (Wagon); Subaru Impreza Turbo (Wagon); Lancia Delta Integrale Evo; Golf VR6; Peugeot 205 GTi 1.9; BMW M3 (E30); Peugeot 106 GTi; Renault Clio 16v; Peugeot 205 GTi 1.9; Escort Mk3; Escort Mk1
Re: G21 D3 S #191
Looks very special..Congrats.
Current
2004 BMW B3S #156 (Keeper)
2015 BMW 320d F30 ED Sport (70mpg)
Previous
2011, 2016, 2018 - Kia Sportage (Rolls Royce customer care)
2011 BMW Mini Cooper (Great fun, Solid)
2007 BMW Z4M E86 Coupe (Animal)
2006 Audi A4 B7 2.0T (Good car)
2001 VW Golf GTI MK4 (Meh)
1994 Ford Escort 1.6 Zetec (light n dandy)
1992 Fiat Tipo GT (Rare fun car)
1991 Ford Orion 1.6 Ghia (beefy engine)
1984 Ford Fiesta 1.1L (Audio more expensive then car)
2004 BMW B3S #156 (Keeper)
2015 BMW 320d F30 ED Sport (70mpg)
Previous
2011, 2016, 2018 - Kia Sportage (Rolls Royce customer care)
2011 BMW Mini Cooper (Great fun, Solid)
2007 BMW Z4M E86 Coupe (Animal)
2006 Audi A4 B7 2.0T (Good car)
2001 VW Golf GTI MK4 (Meh)
1994 Ford Escort 1.6 Zetec (light n dandy)
1992 Fiat Tipo GT (Rare fun car)
1991 Ford Orion 1.6 Ghia (beefy engine)
1984 Ford Fiesta 1.1L (Audio more expensive then car)
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- ALPINA
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- Joined: Fri Sep 11, 2020 3:40 pm
- Location: Shropshire
Re: G21 D3 S #191
That is just wonderful - congratulations! These G21s looks so good. Enjoy!
Paul
2013 F11 B5 BiTurbo Touring #135 - Alpina Blue
2017 F33 B4S BiTurbo Cabrio #235 - Tanzanite Blue
2013 F11 B5 BiTurbo Touring #135 - Alpina Blue
2017 F33 B4S BiTurbo Cabrio #235 - Tanzanite Blue
Re: G21 D3 S #191
Very nice
Re: G21 D3 S #191
Looking good James!
I saw your "other" D3S at HW the other day.
Hope the steering issue gets sorted swiftly.
I saw your "other" D3S at HW the other day.
Hope the steering issue gets sorted swiftly.
E39 B10 V8/1 #81
E28 B9 3.5 #536
plus a few other BMW's.
Previously enjoyed
E46 B3 3.3 coupe #274
E60 B5 #329
E46 B3 3.3 Saloon #450
E92 B3 Biturbo #185
E46 B3 3.3 Saloon #114
E34 B10 Biturbo #445
E36 B3 3.0 switchtronic coupe #185
E46 B3S convertible #34
Many other BMW's
E28 B9 3.5 #536
plus a few other BMW's.
Previously enjoyed
E46 B3 3.3 coupe #274
E60 B5 #329
E46 B3 3.3 Saloon #450
E92 B3 Biturbo #185
E46 B3 3.3 Saloon #114
E34 B10 Biturbo #445
E36 B3 3.0 switchtronic coupe #185
E46 B3S convertible #34
Many other BMW's
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- ALPI
- Posts: 310
- Joined: Tue Aug 27, 2013 12:16 am
- Location: Essex/Suffolk
Re: G21 D3 S #191
Yes, my "other" one, Mineral Grey with Cognac, but it has gained Classics. It is a similarly limited optioned car like mine. I'm back at Sytner HW tomorrow so I'll see what build number it is.
Present & Past: Alpina D3BT (F31); Alpina D3 S (G21); Subaru Forester XT (SG 2.0); Porsche 718 Cayman; Golf R (Mk7); 911 (997.2); 911 (996); Subaru WRX STI (Hatch); Alpina D3BT (E90); BMW 330i (E91); Elise (S1); Skoda Fabia VRS (Mk1); Peugeot 106 GTi; Skoda Octovia VRS (Mk2 estate); Subaru Impreza WRX (Wagon); Subaru Impreza Turbo (Wagon); Lancia Delta Integrale Evo; Golf VR6; Peugeot 205 GTi 1.9; BMW M3 (E30); Peugeot 106 GTi; Renault Clio 16v; Peugeot 205 GTi 1.9; Escort Mk3; Escort Mk1
Re: G21 D3 S #191
Nice colour combination
2021 D3S G20 #014
2016 D3BT F30 #339
2013 D3BT F30 #028
2010 D3BT E90 #068
2007 D3MT E90 #289
2016 D3BT F30 #339
2013 D3BT F30 #028
2010 D3BT E90 #068
2007 D3MT E90 #289
Re: G21 D3 S #191
Hi James,
I wondered how you are getting on with your D3S? I’ve seriously been considering one over the last few weeks. I’d love a B3, however as a daily driver and for budget reasons the D3S probably makes more sense. Trying to stop budget creep on the configurator!
Have you driven a car with 20 inch wheels? I wondered how noticeable the difference between the 19’s & 20’s was? The demos I drove both had 20’s fitted.
Cheers.
I wondered how you are getting on with your D3S? I’ve seriously been considering one over the last few weeks. I’d love a B3, however as a daily driver and for budget reasons the D3S probably makes more sense. Trying to stop budget creep on the configurator!
Have you driven a car with 20 inch wheels? I wondered how noticeable the difference between the 19’s & 20’s was? The demos I drove both had 20’s fitted.
Cheers.
E46 B3 S Touring #029 (Gone)
F31 D3 #002 (Gone)
F31 D3 #002 (Gone)
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- ALPI
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- Location: Essex/Suffolk
Re: G21 D3 S #191
I felt the 19s gave a marginaly softer ride, and would still be my choice. Cheaper, less likely to be damaged, look better.CB 987 wrote: ↑Fri Oct 08, 2021 10:30 pmHi James,
I wondered how you are getting on with your D3S? I’ve seriously been considering one over the last few weeks. I’d love a B3, however as a daily driver and for budget reasons the D3S probably makes more sense. Trying to stop budget creep on the configurator!
Have you driven a car with 20 inch wheels? I wondered how noticeable the difference between the 19’s & 20’s was? The demos I drove both had 20’s fitted.
Cheers.
Power train epic; suspension superb, all round usability great. Steering not to my liking (felt different to demo cars i.e. heavier right than left - in my opinion, not the dealers).
Sold it to the trade today.
Present & Past: Alpina D3BT (F31); Alpina D3 S (G21); Subaru Forester XT (SG 2.0); Porsche 718 Cayman; Golf R (Mk7); 911 (997.2); 911 (996); Subaru WRX STI (Hatch); Alpina D3BT (E90); BMW 330i (E91); Elise (S1); Skoda Fabia VRS (Mk1); Peugeot 106 GTi; Skoda Octovia VRS (Mk2 estate); Subaru Impreza WRX (Wagon); Subaru Impreza Turbo (Wagon); Lancia Delta Integrale Evo; Golf VR6; Peugeot 205 GTi 1.9; BMW M3 (E30); Peugeot 106 GTi; Renault Clio 16v; Peugeot 205 GTi 1.9; Escort Mk3; Escort Mk1
Re: G21 D3 S #191
??? What’s occurred
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- Location: Shropshire
Re: G21 D3 S #191
No way James, I'm shocked? So did the dealer not want to know about the steering issue? You must have felt pretty strongly about it to have sold up. Genuinely gutted for you.....
Paul
2013 F11 B5 BiTurbo Touring #135 - Alpina Blue
2017 F33 B4S BiTurbo Cabrio #235 - Tanzanite Blue
2013 F11 B5 BiTurbo Touring #135 - Alpina Blue
2017 F33 B4S BiTurbo Cabrio #235 - Tanzanite Blue
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- ALPI
- Posts: 310
- Joined: Tue Aug 27, 2013 12:16 am
- Location: Essex/Suffolk
Re: G21 D3 S #191
In my non-expert opinion, I felt there was an imbalance in the steering weight between left and right inputs.ScooBeeFive wrote: ↑Fri Oct 15, 2021 10:48 pmNo way James, I'm shocked? So did the dealer not want to know about the steering issue? You must have felt pretty strongly about it to have sold up. Genuinely gutted for you.....
I flagged my concern to the dealer after two days of ownership. I had two independent garages measure the geo and both identified it was not symmetrical side to side. Dealer drove it and said it was normal. I carried on, but still it didn't seem right to me or my wife.
Back to the dealer for a KDS check; it did required adjustment which was duly done under warranty. But this made no discernible difference to my opinion of the steering. Dealer said it was normal. The new BMW M4 loaned during that day steered superbly.
A geo specialist confirmed the car was per ALPINA specifications (the car was correctly loaded). No mechanical defect was identified.
I test drove a new G20 M340d one weekend during my ownership, and that steered exactly as one would expect.
ALPINA (Head of Customer Service) ignored all but the final of my correspondences (which were always courteous and respectful) in regard to the matter, though it was suggested flippantly I could bring the car to them to look at if I where on holiday in Germany or Austria.
Back to dealer again for another master tech to drive and to reset the EPAS. This made no difference to how I found the steering. The dealer was adamant the vehicle was without fault - as they are the experts I had to accept their appraisal.
I had such high hopes for my ALPINA ownership. Despite an issue with my original order (a very unfortunate saga involving Nottingham!) I continued and re-ordered - assured that the dealer and ALPINA DE would be supportive during my ownership (and an invitation to visit their factory and cellar for my wife and me when COVID would allow). However, in the end my wife and I did not feel ALPINA had lived up to the assurances (or demonstrate any empathy for a new owner's concerns - they did not even dignify two formal letters sent to them with a formal response).
The entire saga was beginning to affect my health and the atmosphere at home. Plus a change of role meant I wasn’t going to be driving anywhere for work so it was difficult to justify the car. So I decided to move on. Life is too short.
Present & Past: Alpina D3BT (F31); Alpina D3 S (G21); Subaru Forester XT (SG 2.0); Porsche 718 Cayman; Golf R (Mk7); 911 (997.2); 911 (996); Subaru WRX STI (Hatch); Alpina D3BT (E90); BMW 330i (E91); Elise (S1); Skoda Fabia VRS (Mk1); Peugeot 106 GTi; Skoda Octovia VRS (Mk2 estate); Subaru Impreza WRX (Wagon); Subaru Impreza Turbo (Wagon); Lancia Delta Integrale Evo; Golf VR6; Peugeot 205 GTi 1.9; BMW M3 (E30); Peugeot 106 GTi; Renault Clio 16v; Peugeot 205 GTi 1.9; Escort Mk3; Escort Mk1
Re: G21 D3 S #191
Sorry to hear about your saga with regard to the steering of your Alpina.churchie386 wrote: ↑Sat Oct 16, 2021 2:05 am
In my non-expert opinion, I felt there was an imbalance in the steering weight between left and right inputs.
I flagged my concern to the dealer after two days of ownership. I had two independent garages measure the geo and both identified it was not symmetrical side to side. Dealer drove it and said it was normal. I carried on, but still it didn't seem right to me or my wife.
Back to the dealer for a KDS check; it did required adjustment which was duly done under warranty. But this made no discernible difference to my opinion of the steering. Dealer said it was normal. The new BMW M4 loaned during that day steered superbly.
A geo specialist confirmed the car was per ALPINA specifications (the car was correctly loaded). No mechanical defect was identified.
I test drove a new G20 M340d one weekend during my ownership, and that steered exactly as one would expect.
ALPINA (Head of Customer Service) ignored all but the final of my correspondences (which were always courteous and respectful) in regard to the matter, though it was suggested flippantly I could bring the car to them to look at if I where on holiday in Germany or Austria.
Back to dealer again for another master tech to drive and to reset the EPAS. This made no difference to how I found the steering. The dealer was adamant the vehicle was without fault - as they are the experts I had to accept their appraisal.
I had such high hopes for my ALPINA ownership. Despite an issue with my original order (a very unfortunate saga involving Nottingham!) I continued and re-ordered - assured that the dealer and ALPINA DE would be supportive during my ownership (and an invitation to visit their factory and cellar for my wife and me when COVID would allow). However, in the end my wife and I did not feel ALPINA had lived up to the assurances (or demonstrate any empathy for a new owner's concerns - they did not even dignify two formal letters sent to them with a formal response).
The entire saga was beginning to affect my health and the atmosphere at home. Plus a change of role meant I wasn’t going to be driving anywhere for work so it was difficult to justify the car. So I decided to move on. Life is too short.
I had a similar experience in 2011 when I purchased a new E92 B3S BT from Nottingham.
The drive home for me was around 200 miles and I could feel right away that the steering was not as it should be, the only place it wanted to steer to was the left hand barrier
Having had several Alpinas and a lot of BMWs I knew that the steering was badly out.
As I was off to France a couple of days later I was unable to do anything about it, the 1500 miles I covered in a week were awful, I have never had anything that steered so badly.
On return, I went to a couple of dealers who checked it over thoroughly and pronounced "they all drive like that Sir"
I sent photos of the amount of tyre wear that had occured in only 1500 miles, and as I did not want to have to go back up to Nottingham, an arrangement was made for me to take the car in to Sytner Sunningingdale, at this time Matt at Nottingham was very helpful.
When I drove the loaner 320D out of Sunningdale I immediately thought that this is how a BMW should steer.
When my car was checked at Sytner they found all settings were wrong, toe in, caster angle etc, once they adjusted them to the proper Alpina specs all was well.
Both Nottingham and myself, contacted Buchloe on several occasions asking why my car had left the factory on the wrong settings, I never did receive an answer.
Last edited by B10BRW on Sun Oct 17, 2021 12:22 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: G21 D3 S #191
This is so disappointing to hear. Buying a brand new car of any description should be a special experience, but an Alpina even more so. And I'd expect the Alpina standard of customer service to be higher as well.churchie386 wrote: ↑Sat Oct 16, 2021 2:05 amIn my non-expert opinion, I felt there was an imbalance in the steering weight between left and right inputs.
I flagged my concern to the dealer after two days of ownership. I had two independent garages measure the geo and both identified it was not symmetrical side to side. Dealer drove it and said it was normal. I carried on, but still it didn't seem right to me or my wife.
Back to the dealer for a KDS check; it did required adjustment which was duly done under warranty. But this made no discernible difference to my opinion of the steering. Dealer said it was normal. The new BMW M4 loaned during that day steered superbly.
A geo specialist confirmed the car was per ALPINA specifications (the car was correctly loaded). No mechanical defect was identified.
I test drove a new G20 M340d one weekend during my ownership, and that steered exactly as one would expect.
ALPINA (Head of Customer Service) ignored all but the final of my correspondences (which were always courteous and respectful) in regard to the matter, though it was suggested flippantly I could bring the car to them to look at if I where on holiday in Germany or Austria.
Back to dealer again for another master tech to drive and to reset the EPAS. This made no difference to how I found the steering. The dealer was adamant the vehicle was without fault - as they are the experts I had to accept their appraisal.
I had such high hopes for my ALPINA ownership. Despite an issue with my original order (a very unfortunate saga involving Nottingham!) I continued and re-ordered - assured that the dealer and ALPINA DE would be supportive during my ownership (and an invitation to visit their factory and cellar for my wife and me when COVID would allow). However, in the end my wife and I did not feel ALPINA had lived up to the assurances (or demonstrate any empathy for a new owner's concerns - they did not even dignify two formal letters sent to them with a formal response).
The entire saga was beginning to affect my health and the atmosphere at home. Plus a change of role meant I wasn’t going to be driving anywhere for work so it was difficult to justify the car. So I decided to move on. Life is too short.
If everything was in spec geometry wise and nothing was obviously bent, you'd imagine it would be something silly like the PAS motor being faulty or not calibrated correctly? Did they offer to swap out any parts to investigate? I'm assuming not if their opinion was that nothing was wrong.
I can well imagine the stress a situation like this would cause. It's a lot of money to be spending and you'd expect the best. I'd imagine the decision to sell it on was not taken lightly.....
Hopefully you move onto something else that meets your new requirements and helps you forget the whole episode......
Paul
2013 F11 B5 BiTurbo Touring #135 - Alpina Blue
2017 F33 B4S BiTurbo Cabrio #235 - Tanzanite Blue
2013 F11 B5 BiTurbo Touring #135 - Alpina Blue
2017 F33 B4S BiTurbo Cabrio #235 - Tanzanite Blue
Re: G21 D3 S #191
So sorry to hear this James, hope you can move on and it doesn't cause you too much more stress and worry.
B3 3.2 TOURING #062