B3 Touring Restoration

Thought we'd tempt out our budding photographers. Share your photos. We'll add different themes from time to time.
Elan
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Post by Elan » Wed Feb 25, 2015 2:02 pm

nealpina wrote:A very good thread an enjoyable read, but I would either remove the photo of your VIN numbers or edit it so they don't show the full VIN- meaning the numbers that are unique to your car

However recently some adverts on autotrader and PH have ALPINAs with full VINs

Also how does the B3 compare with the M3?
Thanks, I have blurred the VIN number now. Do they get used for fake ads or cloning car?

I find the M3 and B3 are very different to drive. This may be down to the M3 being a manual coupe. The M3 feels a bit more direct and tighter to drive and needs to be in higher rev range. The B3 is a tad softer to drive but just as enjoyable! Very different engine and exhaust note.
Current Collection:
F30 B3 BiTurbo #133, C2 2.7 #515, B3 3.3 Touring #113
E46 M3 manual, E92 M3 manual
Porsche 997.1 Turbo Manual, 997 GTS, 996 C4S, 911SC Targa
Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale
Lamborghini LP560-4 Manual

Elan
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Post by Elan » Wed Feb 25, 2015 2:13 pm

This is how the arches looked prior to the work:

Image

Image
Current Collection:
F30 B3 BiTurbo #133, C2 2.7 #515, B3 3.3 Touring #113
E46 M3 manual, E92 M3 manual
Porsche 997.1 Turbo Manual, 997 GTS, 996 C4S, 911SC Targa
Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale
Lamborghini LP560-4 Manual

nealpina
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Post by nealpina » Wed Feb 25, 2015 7:08 pm

Elan wrote:
nealpina wrote:A very good thread an enjoyable read, but I would either remove the photo of your VIN numbers or edit it so they don't show the full VIN- meaning the numbers that are unique to your car
Thanks, I have blurred the VIN number now. Do they get used for fake ads or cloning car?
Not really but it is a possibility and I am sure you know that it does happen. However some people have asked on the forum for genuine VINs, so they can buy ALPINA parts at a dealership for their non ALPINA car.
Elan wrote:
nealpina wrote:
Also how does the B3 compare with the M3?
I find the M3 and B3 are very different to drive. This may be down to the M3 being a manual coupe. The M3 feels a bit more direct and tighter to drive and needs to be in higher rev range. The B3 is a tad softer to drive but just as enjoyable! Very different engine and exhaust note.
A long shot but I thought I ask:

Near Tottenham Court Road I do spot a M3 in the same colour as yours regularly; but offhand I cannot remember if it has a M3 plate.

However last year during the same week when Goodwood started I spotted a M3, with a M3 plate, near Oxford Street. On that Sunday morning I was driving to Goodwood in a Mercedes and the same M3 which I spotted near Oxford Street overtook me - was this you and your car?
Oscar Wilde & Burkard Bovensiepen: I have the simplest tastes. I am always satisfied with the best.

ALPINA B3 3.2 Coupe Switch-Tronic ALPINA Blue
ALPINA B10 3.3 Saloon Manual Mora Metallic

Elan
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Post by Elan » Fri Feb 27, 2015 5:38 pm

I don’t think that M3 was mine. I only tend to drive in the city very occasionally at weekends. It must be someone else with good taste in cars :D
Current Collection:
F30 B3 BiTurbo #133, C2 2.7 #515, B3 3.3 Touring #113
E46 M3 manual, E92 M3 manual
Porsche 997.1 Turbo Manual, 997 GTS, 996 C4S, 911SC Targa
Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale
Lamborghini LP560-4 Manual

Elan
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Post by Elan » Mon Mar 02, 2015 11:39 am

The pics from the bodyshop last week. Not great pics though :(

Image

Image

Image
Current Collection:
F30 B3 BiTurbo #133, C2 2.7 #515, B3 3.3 Touring #113
E46 M3 manual, E92 M3 manual
Porsche 997.1 Turbo Manual, 997 GTS, 996 C4S, 911SC Targa
Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale
Lamborghini LP560-4 Manual

Elan
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Location: London

Post by Elan » Mon Mar 02, 2015 11:47 am

The alloys on my car must have been swapped at some stage as the facelift cars should have the newer style wheels? I picked up these wheels a couple of weeks ago and sent them to have it refurbished.

I also bought a set a of new wheel caps and valves. The Mrs better not be reading this!

They were all in pretty poor condition.

Image

Image
Current Collection:
F30 B3 BiTurbo #133, C2 2.7 #515, B3 3.3 Touring #113
E46 M3 manual, E92 M3 manual
Porsche 997.1 Turbo Manual, 997 GTS, 996 C4S, 911SC Targa
Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale
Lamborghini LP560-4 Manual

Elan
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Post by Elan » Mon Mar 02, 2015 12:22 pm

I collected the car this weekend and had the new wheels fitted. There was a bit of a drama with one of the valve but the tyre shop managed to fix this. The rear shocks were also replaced from BMW to the Bilstein (when the car car was in getting painted ) to match the front!

I need to change the tyres but for the moment its Michelin PS2 to the front and Dunlop to the rear. It will be interesting to compare these with the shoddy tyres that I inherited.

This is how the car looks now:

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Typical, it started raining when I took this pic.
Image

Still a few things to address on the car:

- The 3.3 sticker on the engine has come off the car. Can it be glued back on or do I need new one?

- I want to get the leather seats reconnolised. Any recommendations on who to use?

- The steering wheel needs to be retrimmed but I want it back to how it was originally. I am not keen on the “fat” steering wheel retrims.

- Four wheel tracking

-And finally I would like to get the car detailed.

This weekend I have really enjoyed driving around in the car and all the small changes make a big difference to the way the car drives.
:D
Current Collection:
F30 B3 BiTurbo #133, C2 2.7 #515, B3 3.3 Touring #113
E46 M3 manual, E92 M3 manual
Porsche 997.1 Turbo Manual, 997 GTS, 996 C4S, 911SC Targa
Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale
Lamborghini LP560-4 Manual

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jolls
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Post by jolls » Mon Mar 02, 2015 3:55 pm

It's nice to see a bit of care and attention given to an "older" car. Long may it continue. For your leather requirements and detailing try http://www.elitecarcare.co.uk. Although I have not had any work done by them I have ordered items from them and their service has always been first class.

vblanche
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Post by vblanche » Mon Mar 02, 2015 9:10 pm

very very nice, congrats.

Quick question: are BMW badges original?

Thanks
vincent
2002 B3 3.3x touring No 100

hap
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Post by hap » Mon Mar 02, 2015 9:37 pm

Hi Vincent yes the badges are standard fit

Looking good just needs the sytners dealer sticker in the back window to finish it off

vblanche
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Post by vblanche » Mon Mar 02, 2015 9:46 pm

hap wrote:Hi Vincent yes the badges are standard fit

Looking good just needs the sytners dealer sticker in the back window to finish it off
was just curious as mine as an Alpina badge on front, and one BMW in the back.
2002 B3 3.3x touring No 100

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Post by Ikule » Mon Mar 02, 2015 10:24 pm

Looking very good Elan, it's cetainly a credit to you :D
Steve C



'98 B10 3.2 #88 (for summer cruising)
'04 Mini Cooper S (commuting/sacrificial shopping trolley target....)
'94 325i Coupe SOLD
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Post by simon13 » Tue Mar 03, 2015 2:51 am

I think the face lift wheels looks so much nicer on the e46 shape. That finishes it off nicely you must be pleased
Image

hap
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Post by hap » Tue Mar 03, 2015 8:02 am

Agreed Simon I know what u mean just didn't look right to me as well with old style rims

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Post by B10BRW » Tue Mar 03, 2015 3:40 pm

Elan wrote:
Still a few things to address on the car:


- I want to get the leather seats reconnolised. Any recommendations on who to use?


-And finally I would like to get the car detailed.
If Maidstone area is not too far from you, I can highly recommend a guy who can make your leather look like new, he did a brilliant job on the front seats of my 130M sport.
Also I can highly recommend a detailer who detailed my B5 Bi Turbo before I put it away for the winter, also did a paint correction on the 130.
Would post pics, but my stupid system will not let me :oops:

I can give you details, if interested.

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