F31 B3 #155
F31 B3 #155
As some of you have figured out, I bought #155 a week ago. The car caused a bit of a stir as the colour combo of Glacier Silver over Oyster leather is a bit marmite! More on that later.
The one and only owner was a pleasure to chat to and although there are a few things that I need/want to sort out, the pros more than outweighed the cons and a deal was done.
The drive home was absolutely fantastic, despite the usual heavy traffic on the M25. The car behaved impeccably and I was slightly smitten.
As ever, there was cleaning to be done! Pics below and probably in subsequent posts, show the work done so far. I reckon I’ve spent 11 hours on it and haven’t touched the bodywork, apart from the odd stone chip and scratch touch up
Under the bonnet was the first port of call and a thorough cleanse, degrease and rinse was done. Much better. The wheels were removed in turn and all arches cleaned and disc bells scrubbed etc. All 4 alloys had previously been refurbished and then kerbed again. They’ll need doing properly sometime soon. The previous refurb had lacquered in brake dust, so I spend quite a lot of time with my de-nibbing tool removing the overspray. I then polished each barrel before they went back on the car. Exhaust tips were polished and finally the car was washed and finished with a layer of Gyeon Wet Coat.
Some before and after shots for you.
The one and only owner was a pleasure to chat to and although there are a few things that I need/want to sort out, the pros more than outweighed the cons and a deal was done.
The drive home was absolutely fantastic, despite the usual heavy traffic on the M25. The car behaved impeccably and I was slightly smitten.
As ever, there was cleaning to be done! Pics below and probably in subsequent posts, show the work done so far. I reckon I’ve spent 11 hours on it and haven’t touched the bodywork, apart from the odd stone chip and scratch touch up
Under the bonnet was the first port of call and a thorough cleanse, degrease and rinse was done. Much better. The wheels were removed in turn and all arches cleaned and disc bells scrubbed etc. All 4 alloys had previously been refurbished and then kerbed again. They’ll need doing properly sometime soon. The previous refurb had lacquered in brake dust, so I spend quite a lot of time with my de-nibbing tool removing the overspray. I then polished each barrel before they went back on the car. Exhaust tips were polished and finally the car was washed and finished with a layer of Gyeon Wet Coat.
Some before and after shots for you.
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G21 D3S #356
Re: F31 B3 #155
Photos obviously not in the order I atrached them in as they never get uploaded properly!
G21 D3S #356
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- ALPI
- Posts: 461
- Joined: Mon Oct 14, 2019 11:58 pm
Re: F31 B3 #155
Nice work chap
Alpina B5 E61 2005 Touring #007 Special Toy Malachite Green with Caramel Merino Leather. Quaife LSD upgrade
Volvo XC90 D5 2011 Daily
KTM 990SMT 2013 Summer Toy
Suzuki GSX1300R Hayabusa 2002 Summer Toy
Kawasaki ZXR750 1993 Summer Toy
Kawasaki ZX6R 1999 Summer Toy
BMW X5 F15 2014 30d M Sport Daily for the other half
Volvo XC90 D5 2011 Daily
KTM 990SMT 2013 Summer Toy
Suzuki GSX1300R Hayabusa 2002 Summer Toy
Kawasaki ZXR750 1993 Summer Toy
Kawasaki ZX6R 1999 Summer Toy
BMW X5 F15 2014 30d M Sport Daily for the other half
Re: F31 B3 #155
I wish I had the dedication to do what you do on your cars Matt. Looks great waiting to hear the thoughts on the move to Benzine!
D5 F11 Touring #107
B8 Touring #21 SOLD - but regretted
B8 Touring #21 SOLD - but regretted
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- ALPINA
- Posts: 1238
- Joined: Fri Sep 11, 2020 3:40 pm
- Location: Shropshire
Re: F31 B3 #155
Fantastic Matt! And exactly what I expected from you!!
Looking forward to the further updates.

Looking forward to the further updates.
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: F31 B3 #155
You’ve done a man’s job sir
B5 G30 number 332 (development car)
D5 number 21
D3MT number 284 (gone but will be sadly missed)
D5 number 21
D3MT number 284 (gone but will be sadly missed)
Re: F31 B3 #155
Cracking car - I love the colour combination of the silver and light interior - lots of work gone into this already! May I ask how you have cleaned the wheel hubs?
Re: F31 B3 #155
For the hubs, I used a brass brush and a brown scouring pad from Halfords. Then polished with Belgom Alu to finish.
G21 D3S #356
Re: F31 B3 #155
Next steps will be changing the steering wheel buttons for paddles, replacing the damaged foglight, new front pads and getting the alignment checked. Busy times!
G21 D3S #356
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- ALPINA
- Posts: 1238
- Joined: Fri Sep 11, 2020 3:40 pm
- Location: Shropshire
Re: F31 B3 #155
I remember you did this on your previous car. I'm really not keen on the Alpina buttons either - the paddles are much easier to use. Are there many options when changing? I like the CNC alloy ones on the newer Alpinas but suspect they won't fit F Series cars?
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: F31 B3 #155
I’m just using the standard F3* paddles from an Ebay purchased steering wheel. Same as I did on my D3.ScooBeeFive wrote: ↑Wed Apr 12, 2023 9:52 pmI remember you did this on your previous car. I'm really not keen on the Alpina buttons either - the paddles are much easier to use. Are there many options when changing? I like the CNC alloy ones on the newer Alpinas but suspect they won't fit F Series cars?
G21 D3S #356
Re: F31 B3 #155
Paddles fitted today, along with replacing a broken front fog light and new wiper blades all round. Hope to get time at the weekend to replace the front brake pads. Definitely feel like I’m getting there.
G21 D3S #356
Re: F31 B3 #155
Looking great Matt. Can’t wait for future updates.
What’s happening/happened to the D3? I imagine a few folk might be interested in that beauty.
What’s happening/happened to the D3? I imagine a few folk might be interested in that beauty.
B3 3.2 TOURING #062
Re: F31 B3 #155
Thanks Bob. The D3 went back in Feb. It’s taken me some tome to find a replacement.

G21 D3S #356
Re: F31 B3 #155

Volvo XC90 T6 Inscription Pro. 2018.
Honda S2000. 2003. SOLD
F31 MSport+ 335D XDrive. 2014. SOLD
No. 097. D3BT Saloon 2010. Manual. Black Sapphire. SOLD
No. 389. D3MT Saloon 2007. Manual. Black Sapphire. SOLD
Honda S2000. 2003. SOLD
F31 MSport+ 335D XDrive. 2014. SOLD
No. 097. D3BT Saloon 2010. Manual. Black Sapphire. SOLD
No. 389. D3MT Saloon 2007. Manual. Black Sapphire. SOLD