Looking for advice on Alpina B3 Biturbo

[Jordy.Ven]

Hey guys, I am new on this forum. I am currently driving a Volkswagen Golf but I am thinking of buying an Alpina B3 Biturbo (e90). As the title says however, I am looking for advice on whether or not it's a wise decision. I've heard countless horror stories about the N54 regarding reliability and costly repairs, and now I am not sure if I should avoid the e90 model altogether. I've fallen in love with the car though so I hope you guys can prove those rumors to be untrue. Here is the link to the listing: https://tmeulenbroek.nl/occasions/alpin ... f-28800269

thank you in advance!

sincerely,
Jordy

[JohnW]

The E90 has covered about the same mileage as my E92 BiTurbo (that is about 160k km or 100k miles).

Some of the work may have already been carried out, but I would say that at this age and mileage these are the common items that are prone on the N54 to fail:

1. Replacement injectors. I’m sure mine are leaky now due to age.
2. Check if the turbochargers have been replaced or that their waste gates don’t rattle, again at this age they will be due to be refurbished. Very expensive job.
3. Change of coil packs and spark plugs. You can do yourself. I did.
4. Engine block may be coked up and may need walnut blasting, unfortunately a result of the direct fuel injection.
5. HPFP. The high pressure fuel pump may need replacement, these can fail and cause starting problems, if the engine takes a long time to start from cold this may be faulty.
6. Water pump. Again my E92 is going to the garage tomorrow to have its second replacement pump at this mileage. These are another common weak spot, the case cracks on them. These are quite expensive too as they are electric not mechanical.
7. More regular wear items such as dampers, springs and rubber suspension bushes.
8. Automatic gearbox oil and perhaps rear differential oil change is recommended at 80k miles so if this has not been done then overdue.
9. Leaky engine oil pan. Not much of a problem but it is another bigger job to replace the gasket to stop it leaking.

These are all common items on any turbocharged car at this age and mileage. Turbochargers are probably the most expensive if they need to be removed and replaced or refurbished, injectors then the fuel pump the next expensive items to fail.

[Vinzzz]

Despite being the owner of an Alpina RS for 4 years, I am also new here on this forum. Currently I am looking for an B3 E92 (besides my RS). I found one with all the main issues done, listed by JohnW, except nr 1 (injectors).
@JohnW: is it easy to find out whether they need to be replaced or not? Car is driven approx. 140 km's.

Kind regards
Vincent

[JohnW]

Hi welcome to the forum.

I’m not an expert it’s more about learning about the issues over time, they are common to the 335i.

The injectors can leak and then cause issues with soaking the plugs when starting. I was told a good sign is after the car has been stood for a day, remove the spark plugs and check if they are wet with fuel with the engine cold.

There were several releases of injector design, the better ones are the later ones, owners swear by index 12 injectors as the best, and I’m informed you would need to change 3 at a time at least (each bank), then they need coding too for the best performance and economy.

An alternative is having them refurbished, there are some fantastic specialists who will test, clean and change the seals at far less of a cost of new, you just need to send them off, very securely marking their 1-6 position in the engine. There was one specialist featured on Wheeler Dealers recently, series 18 IIRC, the Volvo Torslander 240 had its injectors tested, cleaned and refurbished:

https://youtu.be/w7oCnDQsq2M?feature=shared

If you do when they are returned you will also need new fixing rings/decoupling elements:

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/photos/13537564751

From memory mine are index 9 and I still haven’t changed as yet as my employment has changed so I hardly use the B3 now for work which is a bonus.

[Vinzzz]

Many thanks for your detailed answer. Tomorrow I will travel to Germany for a testdrive and possible purchase. Very curious to experience the abilties of the car. I dont know what to expect, which makes pretty adventurous. Additional advice is allways appreciated!
Vincent

[JohnW]

The very first time I jumped in for a test drive in the B3 Biturbo, I was amazed with the kick in acceleration and enjoyed the back tyres squirming for grip.
It was a level up in power and torque that I hadn’t experienced before. From that first kick I was sold.

Find a great driving road and you’ll love the feeling and feedback of the B3, especially if it is set up properly with its steering geometry, alignment and is wearing the Michelin PS4 tyres too. You’ll love the way it accelerates out of the corners if you hit that sweet spot on the throttle.

Even after having the E92 M3 i didn’t forget that first drive and fortunately now I’m back in my second B3 Biturbo. I would have gladly bought my first one back again if funds permitted.

[Vinzzz]

Sounds great! Looking forward to my first experience (later today). This one is on Dunlop's Sportmaxx and has the AWD. I was also tempted by the M3 e92 (and I still am) but in the end I always prefer the well balanced set up of an Alpina. But I still think it isnt an easy choice to make cause that v8 is also hard to resist.
Vincent

[JohnW]

If it is the AWD Allrad then you will have the very best of both worlds, they are impossible to find in the UK.

Remember that the N54 engine is not far behind the M3 with power and even with a mild tune you will meet its power and already exceed its torque. I’ve seen the E92 335d from the traffic lights with an M3 and the 335d had the edge at the beginning with all its torque to help.

The V8 is a very nice sounding engine but it needs to be worked very hard to put the power down and I found the rear end much more on the edge of grip even with the rear limited slip differential and had to feather the throttle much more.

Now if I could only have the limited slip diff in the B3 that would be just about perfect.

[Vinzzz]

I think i am gonna buy it! The only think that surprised me negatively was the noise of the sunroof. I wasnt expecting this but it seems a lot of cars have it from this era. Great engin! I had a short drive but it has this typical Alpina handling that convinced me soon. I am gonna bring this lovely thing to The Netherlands, if negotiations will bring this to a good end. Vincent

[JohnW]

I don’t have any noticeable noise from the sunroof, but that would probably be fixable. The headlining is not too difficult to remove.

That’s great news

Put up some photos if you can and get on the register too, there are only 3 registered on here at the moment, it would be great to see this, they are a rare sight.

[Vinzzz]

I bought it! It is number 32 (biturbo allrad coupe) in Spacegrau. Good to know that this noisy sunroof is probably smth that can be fixed.
I am gonna bring it to Netherlands early December. Early xmas present!
Thanks Johnw for your input. Much appreciated. I will try to send some pics to the register.

[JohnW]

Wow that’s fantastic news .

Well done sir. I know I’m one of the most biased on here, but you have one of the best models and rarest Alpina’s around. I would assume it will be very well specified too with a few choice extras.

[Vinzzz]

I love the design. In their early years I did not like them so much (E85, E90 series, E60 series) but now, they are ageing so well.
I nearly bought an B5 (E60), but they can be real trouble makers. A B3 is sportier, maybe less sovereign on the road, but in the end for me it is about drivingn fun. I will have a look at yours, assuming it is registered here on this website.
Vincent

[JohnW]

161 and 74 are both there, but they have missed loading the photos for 161 which is a shame as it’s the only Carbonschwarz B3 Biturbo.

[JohnW]

161 is currently in the garage except for weekends now with the newly fitted deco stripes. I need to fit the winter wheels soon. I don’t need an excuse for photos