E92 Alpina B3 Biturbo #185

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bss325i
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E92 Alpina B3 Biturbo #185

Post by bss325i » Sun May 26, 2019 7:07 pm

Where to begin?

I have from time to time over the last couple of years played about with the online configurator for the F31 B3S Biturbo 'building' my ideal spec wagon waiting to be in a position to actually be able to go for it. I've never bought a brand new car yet its something I've always wanted to do from a young age but it needed to be something special and something i would keep long term.

With the realisation that F31 touring production was due to end pretty soon and now being in a position to go through with an order, about a month ago i made a call to Sytner Nottingham and asked the question of when F31 B3 production would end to which i was told 'one more car was to be built' so in effect the last one which appealed massively but it was a canceled order already specced. I asked if the colour or spec could be changed and it was a flat no.
Now i know that if a car has not been built there are ways of getting changes made so i ran with it basis that i would try to get it changed.
Cut a long story short after several calls and emails to various people it wasn't until a contact of mine at Rolls Royce found out via their opposite in Munich that the car had already been built a month before I made my initial enquiry despite being told otherwise!

After much thought i decided not to go ahead with the purchase as A, despite being a canceled (already built!) order, all I managed to get was a paltry £2750 off the full list price and i just couldn't justify close to £80k on a compromise.

So that brings us to the E92 B3.

As well as some other Alpinas, I have owned few earlier B3's over the years, (E46 B3S cabrio #34, E36 B3 3.0 coupe #185 and E46 B3 3.3 Saloon #114) and have worked on and driven many others throughout my working life so with the brand new car dream on hold the natural progression would be an E9x Alpina or a used F3x Alpina. After trawling the web and drawing a blank on a petrol F3x Alpina with none for sale other than a couple of used offerings from Sytner that were more than what i wanted to spend on a used car, i started looking at E9x petrol Alpinas.

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Pictures taken from the advert. B3 Birturbo #185 was for sale fairly local to me at Jame Paul who were a pleasure to deal with and after an inspection of the car on the ramp and a road test a deal was done.

S2KEA BMW light alloy wheel, V-spoke 188
S459A Seat adjustment, electric, with memory
S481A Sports seat
S502A Headlight cleaning system
S520A Fog lights
S522A Xenon Light
S704A M Sports suspension
S853A Language version, English
S2XAA Sport leather st. wheel w/ shift paddles
S205A Automatic transmission
S249A Multifunction f steering wheel
S302A Alarm system
S320A Deleted, model lettering
S4ADA Interior trim strips, brushed aluminium
S4AEA Armrest front, retractable
S423A Floor mats velours
S428A Warning triangle and first aid kit
S430A Interior/outside mirror with auto dip
S431A Interior mirror with automatic-dip
S441A Smoker package
S470A Isofix-System
S494A Seat heating driver/passenger
S508A Park Distance Control (PDC)
S521A Rain sensor
S534A Automatic air conditioning
S544A Cruise control with brake function
S563A Light package
S6AAA BMW TeleServices
S6ABA Control, Teleservices
S6FLA USB/audio interface
S609A Navigation system Professional
S612A BMW Assist
S616A BMW Online
S620A Voice control
S633A Preparation, mobile phone, Business
S654A DAB tuner
S676A HiFi speaker system
S694A Provisions for BMW 6 CD changer
S760A High gloss shadow line
S775A Headlining anthracite
S8SMA Car ident. number visible from outside
S8SPA Control unit COP
S8S2A Coding, alarm signal
L812A National version England / Ireland
S863A Dealer List Europe
S877A Omission of non-combined operation
S880A On-board literature, English
S9AAA Outer skin protection
S920A Alpina without registration document
S925A Dummy-SALAPA
S940A special equipment BMW Individual

A decent spec, in overall very good condition and a fair price saw me collect in on Monday and its nice that I've now owned a pair of #185 build Alpina B3's!

Ive done a few miles in it so far and i have an impending road trip to Scotland in a few weeks time so will get the chance to stretch its legs on some decent roads.

I also have plans for some upgrades and retro fits as and when time allows.

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Back at work the day I picked it up.
B10 V8/1 #81 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

bss325i
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Re: E92 Alpina B3 Biturbo #185

Post by bss325i » Sun May 26, 2019 7:14 pm

I've seen that #185 is listed on the register (and with pics of it on Dynamics) so would be keep for any previous owners to get in touch.
B10 V8/1 #81 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

hap
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Re: E92 Alpina B3 Biturbo #185

Post by hap » Sun May 26, 2019 7:26 pm

Shame on the new B3 but a lovely looking coupe
What plans retro work you planning?

Where is the last B3 now what was colour out of interest
Chees

bss325i
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Re: E92 Alpina B3 Biturbo #185

Post by bss325i » Mon May 27, 2019 10:19 pm

hap wrote:
Sun May 26, 2019 7:26 pm
Shame on the new B3 but a lovely looking coupe
What plans retro work you planning?

Where is the last B3 now what was colour out of interest
Chees
From what i can gather the 'last B3S' will be taken into stock at Sytner Nottingham. It is Alpina Green with Cashmere beige mehrino leather.

My choice would haven been Alpina blue with Amaro brown. Alpina green would have been my second choice.

Plans for for B3 BT #185 include a CCC to CIC upgrade, an LSD, better brake plus more.
B10 V8/1 #81 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

bss325i
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Posts: 422
Joined: Sun Oct 14, 2007 11:47 pm
Location: Surrey, England

Re: E92 Alpina B3 Biturbo #185

Post by bss325i » Mon May 27, 2019 10:19 pm

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First actions have been some general tidying up of some details.
B10 V8/1 #81 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

hap
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Posts: 5129
Joined: Mon Feb 06, 2006 11:22 am
Location: Scunthorpe, North Lincs

Re: E92 Alpina B3 Biturbo #185

Post by hap » Mon May 27, 2019 10:40 pm

Small details make the biggest difference like u av just done ✅

bss325i
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Re: E92 Alpina B3 Biturbo #185

Post by bss325i » Wed May 29, 2019 11:28 pm

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Overall the paint is in reasonable condition but some prep work was needed to get rind of some swirls before an important next step so I called in the services of Mark at https://www.marells.co.uk/ to do the business.

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Alpina stripes are very much a marmite thing especially outside of Alpina circles but im firmly of the opinion that Alpinas need their full warpaint and as my B3 is on the more subdued side with its space grey with back combo, it needs a visual lift.

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THE man for this Simon who not only is very reasonably priced but more importantly the quality of the decals and his attention to detail is first rate!

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The result has given it the visual lift that it needed without being OTT and im over the moon with it!
B10 V8/1 #81 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

hap
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Posts: 5129
Joined: Mon Feb 06, 2006 11:22 am
Location: Scunthorpe, North Lincs

Re: E92 Alpina B3 Biturbo #185

Post by hap » Thu May 30, 2019 2:32 pm

Lovely seen that marell was in bmw car this month
New look si does suit that shape
Well done

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Re: E92 Alpina B3 Biturbo #185

Post by B3FNA » Thu May 30, 2019 6:15 pm

That looks absolutely fantastic!! Love the Color and Spec!!
2008 E90 Alpina B3 Bi-Turbo (Current)
Previous:
2004 911 997 Carerra 2 Coupe
2009 BMW 740D M-Sport
2007 Mercedes S320 CDI
2005 BMW 730D Sport
2003 BMW 320D Sport
2000 BMW 316i SE

bss325i
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Re: E92 Alpina B3 Biturbo #185

Post by bss325i » Sun Jun 02, 2019 9:11 pm

Thanks guys!

Time for a bit of maintenance.

The B3 uses a ZF GA6HP19Z automatic gearbox which is a variant of the 6 speed box used in pretty much every automatic BMW from mid 00's up until the 8 speed box replaced in on the first of the F series BMW's. Its also used by some other manufacturers such as Jaguar and is a pretty reliable box but is prone to the odd leak from its plastic sump and/or electrical plug sleeve.

BMW say its a 'sealed for life' unit and despite many cars making it to big mileage unopened I and many others are of the view that its not good practice to leave them alone with a change recommended at 80-100K miles so with no record of the B3 being done and it having hit 75k miles it was time to do it.

And oil and filter change on an automatic box is considered a wise thing to do on these newer 'sealed for life' units and with the ZF 6 speed box the filter is integral to the plastic sump so this requires replacement along with the oil and as the sump is off its wise to replace the electrical plug sleeve known as the 'mechatronic sleeve' on this box as its one of the places they can leak and to change it means sump off.

This is all common practice for BMW dealers and specialists to ether cure a leak or as part of maintenance or repair but there is a compromise on this job that most places do. When draining the sump of oil approximately half to two thirds of the oil in the complete system is drained out but the torque converter, cooler, lines and the rest of the gearbox is full of old oil so when the drained sump is refilled it mixes with the old oil. Not ideal.

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This piece of equipment removes that compromise from a gearbox service as it connects to the oil circuit via the cooler lines and combined with a flush agent and conditioner it completely flushes the whole system of all old oil and replaces it with new and as well as maintaining an automatic gearbox it can also help with some faults and/or poor shifting.

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The sump which looked to be original.

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The new one along with the sleeve, flush and conditioner.

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Sump and sleeve removed.

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New sump on, 11 ltrs of fresh oil and adaptations reset has after a definitely smoothed the gear changes in auto mode and ticked a box off the maintenance list. An Engine oil service and brake fluid change were also carried out while up on the ramp despite not being due for anther year but again im not a believer in BMW's extended service intervals and tend to cut them in half.

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First of the retro fits, a chance purchase at a (relatively) bargain price was this optional interior mirror wth integral digital compass and 'home link' which is BMW speak for a programable remote for things like electric gates and/or garage doors.
B10 V8/1 #81 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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Re: E92 Alpina B3 Biturbo #185

Post by B3FNA » Sat Jun 08, 2019 4:49 pm

I'm loving reading your updates!! Please do keep them coming. I've done a gearbox flush on my B3 also it's made such a huge difference to the way it drives and shifts into gears.

Can I please ask where did you get the side repeaters and your mirror, and the alloy wheel centres from and how much??

Any other planned maintaianece or work???


I'm wanting to get my stripes done by Simon, but am unsure of whether to get my front bumper sprayed first, or not as it is peppered in stone chips somewhat and has a small scrape underneath that you can't see but it bothers me a little bit!!!

I'm also considering getting it detailed and deswirled before having the stripes applied, does that sound sensible or can it be done later?
2008 E90 Alpina B3 Bi-Turbo (Current)
Previous:
2004 911 997 Carerra 2 Coupe
2009 BMW 740D M-Sport
2007 Mercedes S320 CDI
2005 BMW 730D Sport
2003 BMW 320D Sport
2000 BMW 316i SE

hap
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Location: Scunthorpe, North Lincs

Re: E92 Alpina B3 Biturbo #185

Post by hap » Sat Jun 08, 2019 5:05 pm

Badges are circa 25 each bmw parts
Yes get bumper spray and car detailed first
You can detail once stripes applied but safer Ann’s reduces risk of catching if done pre application

hap
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Location: Scunthorpe, North Lincs

Re: E92 Alpina B3 Biturbo #185

Post by hap » Sat Jun 08, 2019 5:22 pm

Badges are circa 25 each bmw parts
Yes get bumper spray and car detailed first
You can detail once stripes applied but safer Andreduces risk of catching stripe with machine polisher if done pre application

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Re: E92 Alpina B3 Biturbo #185

Post by Charles » Sat Jun 08, 2019 6:15 pm

B3FNA wrote:
Sat Jun 08, 2019 4:49 pm
I'm wanting to get my stripes done by Simon, but am unsure of whether to get my front bumper sprayed first, or not as it is peppered in stone chips somewhat and has a small scrape underneath that you can't see but it bothers me a little bit!!!
Spoiler stripes will not attach properly unless the surface is clean and smooth - read that as no chips!
Charles
Teacher of Chemistry and driver of ALPINAs - not necessarily in that order ;)
B3S Touring (49/116) - been to the moon and now on the way back!
Renault Grand Espace - not mine but the wife's!

Metrics
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Re: E92 Alpina B3 Biturbo #185

Post by Metrics » Sun Jun 09, 2019 9:35 am

Congrats on the purchase Barry, car looks lovely 8)
2019 G31 B5 Biturbo No.299
2012 F10 D5 Biturbo No.13
1993 Mercedes 190E 2.6 Sportline spec
1991 Mk1 Golf GTI Sportline cabriolet

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