Looking to purchase Alpina e46 B3

[Oscarh17]

Totally agree about going to see the cars & will absolutely do that. Not been a mechanic would be hard to know about things like: corrosion on steering shaft, brake pipes, coil springs etc. I’ve made an offer but he wants £12.5k end of!
So sounds like you have owned a few alpina’s?
Any time spent in a convertible?
Be interesting to hear your thoughts, as there is certainly one if not two I am tempted by. One has excellent history through Munich Legends.

[hap]

Not a cab but I like them but for hard driving be a coupe
Yes the facelifts are B3s so have more gains over the 3.3 I’d go try the coupe v cab see what you think
There a chap called Simon from Lincoln area who has run a B3s cab for years and has no complaints on this forum

[Oscarh17]

Can’t do a deal on the coupe, he’s gone out of contact
What’s the market for prices on convertibles?
As posted earlier there is a huge price swing out there on a couple of vehicles I’m looking at.
Both 3.4s.
From peoples experience on this site which is the better model 3.3 or 3.4s.
I’m aware of the issues that can arise on both cars but ultimately which is the better car?

[JamieHill]

Maybe text the coupe guy & ask for his e-mail if you have lots of questions.

This is the hardtop, best of both worlds although i prefer the coupe.

I think this one appeared in a magazine.

Screen Shot 2022-12-20 at 19.45.54.png (334.29 KiB) Viewed 467 times

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/255704345637 ... R5r0hpGmYQ

[Oscarh17]

Yes going to look at this with the hardtop. Great history and looks in super condition.
I have also put another on the list to view which is blue with beige interior and blue top. The only issue with this car is:
Alpina badge on bonnet
The word ‘Alpina’ on the lower spoiler is painted white. Correct me if I am wrong but that was not standard?

[hap]

Silver stone one is a very rare colour I’ve seen it at couple of shows in summer but few bits mismatched tyres,appears non genuine wheel badges,no HK, and the little 3.3 from engine badge missing - common as adhesive goes hard but expensive to replace
NDZ looks silver decal on spoiler classic combo but for me personally too beige but has HK, x4 decent Bridgestone and 3.4

[Oscarh17]

Good spot on the 3.3 on the engine block, missed that one.
Not seen the car yet, so not sure whether it still has mixed tyres
Also forgive my ignorance but what’s wrong with the wheel badges?
I’ve looked at other cars & they look the same.
What do mean when you quote NDZ?
You might be able to help me actually, the vehicle which is blue & beige at SMV Commercials has really good history but at 57,000 miles Munich Legends advised of a leaking gasket. It’s now at 72,000 and nothing in the history shows that been dealt with.I asked them to carry out a compression test to check for leaks and they said everything came back OK. I’ve asked for a little more information but can you tell me what I should be looking for from m this test, as I have absolutely no experience in this area. Particularly like this one but absolutely do not want to purchase and then find I have a £2k job, plus it’s already up at £16,995!!!

[ScooBeeFive]

Good spot on the 3.3 on the engine block, missed that one.
Not seen the car yet, so not sure whether it still has mixed tyres
Also forgive my ignorance but what’s wrong with the wheel badges?
I’ve looked at other cars & they look the same.
What do mean when you quote NDZ?
You might be able to help me actually, the vehicle which is blue & beige at SMV Commercials has really good history but at 57,000 miles Munich Legends advised of a leaking gasket. It’s now at 72,000 and nothing in the history shows that been dealt with.I asked them to carry out a compression test to check for leaks and they said everything came back OK. I’ve asked for a little more information but can you tell me what I should be looking for from m this test, as I have absolutely no experience in this area. Particularly like this one but absolutely do not want to purchase and then find I have a £2k job, plus it’s already up at £16,995!!!

The car at SMV is really nice - I remember when it came up for auction last time. The reg is NDZ - that's what hap was referring to.

It was at auction about 18 months ago and SMV bought it and then advertised it with a big mark up. Thread regarding it is here:

viewtopic.php?f=57&t=25552

[hap]

NDZ as mentioned by Paul is the SMV have they said defo head as often valve cover gasket leaks common
Should be able to print out psi on all cylinders so all should be a uniform readings

Wheel badges quite a few owners got some durable badges that didn’t deteriorate like oem but often were mm smaller in diameter slightly domed and darker colours which these look like on the silverstone

[Oscarh17]

Wow what a great find & good memory. So here we are some 18 months later and SMV who bought it at auction for £15,500 incl fees are still sat on the car and now at £16,995. & looking at the market still over priced?
But I do like this one but need the HG qualifying & not paying £17k!
Understand HAP on the wheel badges but does still look a nice example with great provenance and hardtop and wind deflector and up for £3k less albeit not a 3.4s.
It does seem that 3 cars I short listed which seemed on paper the best pick of the bunch have been for sale for over a year!!
So what am I missing
Seems an incredibly long time, is it price or demand or just they are convertibles, less in demand?

[hap]

Just people don’t know what they are and then issues with some insurers being unfamiliar throw in cost of living interest rates and winter yeah badges not a deal breaker but something I noticed but without getting close up it’s still hard to say hence why a lot of opted for them

Was this the third one ? I like this one
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-detail ... =relevance

[Oscarh17]

Yes your on the money HAP
Absolutely no history on this car, was owned by a tyre dealer and he apparently did all the servicing. Plus the dealer does not seem particularly interested. They have had the car since June 21 it has slight bubbling on the boot & all the wheels need a refurb.
It’s going to auction (Car & Classic) on boxing.
I don’t think it will get anywhere near the £12k they want but just my opinion.
To be honest I unsure on what one should be paying for a good example at the moment.

[hap]

I think btw 12-15k is where a decent one sits
Shame re history lack of papers as I think it’s a good combination but yeah you do right steering clear

[Oscarh17]

What do you think to this coupe HAP.
£12.5k he wants, sold on classic car auctions Oct 2020 for £8,700.
This was discussed in this forum when it reappeared in Jan 21 for sale under Garage 81 for £13.495

[hap]

It’s a nice car colour but quite basic spec for me and slightly on topside