Has The Time Finally Come

[Simon B]

Hi DogWagen

Your probably right, definitely on the exclusivity, even compared to the C43. I had a c300de which was great until someone drove into the back of it and wrote it off. We thought the C43 might give us the best of both worlds. I haven’t been to look at one yet though.

I am leaning towards keeping the B3S to be honest. We all still love it. The most recent MOT shows a few minor advisories from the “enthusiastic” MOT tester. I didn’t think much of it at the time but now I am thinking of selling it is a concern for people which is understandable.

I am sure it’s fine (one of them is the Petrol cap seal ) but maybe I will finish the refresh off that I started and get someone to check out the suspension just in case. It’s not about the money it’s more about getting someone who understands Alpinas to look at it than anything else.

I can then do the wheels just to make it perfect and keep it for another 17 years. Then my kids can deal with it when I am old.

I would be intrigued to know about the Alpine upgrade if you have any details. I assume it could be reversed to put it back to standard if you wanted to ?

[Fast3000]

Interesting comment about 'it's not an Alpina'. A couple of weeks back I acquired an Alpina wind deflector. I've probably searched for one for around 5 years at the right price! I pulled up near the house to collect it and the wife of the seller said the same thing- 'I can hear an Alpina outside' as they owned a B3S previously...

[Simon B]

Interesting comment about 'it's not an Alpina'. A couple of weeks back I acquired an Alpina wind deflector. I've probably searched for one for around 5 years at the right price! I pulled up near the house to collect it and the wife of the seller said the same thing- 'I can hear an Alpina outside' as they owned a B3S previously...

They are distinctive. I give in. I am keeping it

[Simon B]

So to answer my own original question "Has the time finally come" I have come to the conclusion that it hasnt.

The amount of time deliberating it this week is enough to tell me that it clearly isnt the time to let it go. What I need to do is finish the refresh work that I started and get her back to looking like the picture on the previous page. I am not that far away from that to be honest. I might even expand on that and add in a suspension refresh once I have had someone look over it properly after the "enthusiastic" advisories on the MOT. I am confident there isnt really anything wrong with it but a refresh might be in order after 19 years anyway. I need to make up for the fact that I even considered parting company with her. I might even really push the boat out and buy a new seal for the petrol filler cap

Many thanks to all for their input as always and particularly to Fast3000 and DogWagen for helping me to see the error of my ways.

I will update the other thread as I progress with the refresh.

[DogWagen]

I would be intrigued to know about the Alpine upgrade if you have any details. I assume it could be reversed to put it back to standard if you wanted to ?

Hi Simon, the unit I have in mind is the Alpine ILx-703E46 which is connected to the OE BM54 Amplifier in the boot via a car-specific interface so yes it it can be returned to OE as you wish.

In my case, I have upgraded the door speakers (makes a big difference) as well. The owner of the Audiofile In-car (Gary) owned an E46 M3 cabrio up until fairly recently and is well-known for his BMW audio upgrades. I have a System 2 Plus in my daily 335d - it does make a big difference! BTW - I'm not on commission

In terms of suspension, after 19 years, regardless of mileage, I'd say that you would be due some refreshing - dampers, rubber bushes etc; it might be worth looking at replacement front arms and using the Z3M/Z4M Bushes (Charles & Simon13 have used them).

Hope that helps, Mike

[Simon B]

Thanks Mike

That does look really nice. did you fit it yourself?

[DogWagen]

I've not bought it yet - it's on the shopping list when I pay myself this year's dividends and I will be fitting it myself - need to keep familiar with the tools.

I have a promise from Gary that he will match the internet price which is always a good thing

Fitting the head unit is relatively straightforward and running the connections from the front to rear for the amp is a bit more involved with some interior trim removal. Not entirely sure about the location for the hands-free microphone yet.

[Simon B]

It does look good. I might do that

I am already on with the suspension refresh now. As you would expect there is a good thread on here which I will read through.

[CB 987]

I’m just going through the process of getting quotes for the parts to refresh the suspension on my E46 B3S, I’ll let you know how I get on.

The cheapest option so far has been to purchase the parts as a kit (4x springs and dampers) from my local dealer. I used the Alpina part no 31 00 134. The correct springs will need to be matched to the car depending on the options fitted. My local dealer has quoted me £1,312 for the kit, I’m just waiting for a price from Cotswold BMW as a comparison.

I am planning to replace top mounts, bump stops, dust boots and bolts etc at the same time.

Cheers.

[Fast3000]

+1 on the Alpine ILX unit. Relatively straight forward and is around 99% plug and play. Although mine didn't come with HK I believe there's an adaptor as above to use the existing amplifier. As mentioned I would also look to change the speakers...tech has moved on a lot since 00s

+1 on suspension even having relatively low miles I chose to have mine done it made a significant difference (car feeling more planted and steering with more weight) and with a few hundred miles later only felt better ..the rear dampers having only done 50K on a circa 15 year old car were shot with no rebound this

The price quoted below by CB987 is really good actually especially from a dealer...I went to Alloy wheels direct and paid about 100 less a....few years ago. Given the exchange rate s currently I think 1300 is fair.

[Simon B]

I’m just going through the process of getting quotes for the parts to refresh the suspension on my E46 B3S, I’ll let you know how I get on.

The cheapest option so far has been to purchase the parts as a kit (4x springs and dampers) from my local dealer. I used the Alpina part no 31 00 134. The correct springs will need to be matched to the car depending on the options fitted. My local dealer has quoted me £1,312 for the kit, I’m just waiting for a price from Cotswold BMW as a comparison.

I am planning to replace top mounts, bump stops, dust boots and bolts etc at the same time.

Cheers.

Brilliant thank CB, will be good to see how you get on. Are you doing it yourself? I can do some things but wouldn’t take on suspension. I am going to speak to Colin Woods who have done some work for me in the past. Do you need to get it setup by a suspension specialist?

[Simon B]

+1 on the Alpine ILX unit. Relatively straight forward and is around 99% plug and play. Although mine didn't come with HK I believe there's an adaptor as above to use the existing amplifier. As mentioned I would also look to change the speakers...tech has moved on a lot since 00s

+1 on suspension even having relatively low miles I chose to have mine done it made a significant difference (car feeling more planted and steering with more weight) and with a few hundred miles later only felt better ..the rear dampers having only done 50K on a circa 15 year old car were shot with no rebound this

I like the look of the Alpine unit. Still not sure about changing it from the original though. I will need to give it some more thought

I think I definitely need to get the suspension looked at then based on what you have said, even though it seems ok, especially now you have talked me out of selling

[DogWagen]

I am going to speak to Colin Woods who have done some work for me in the past. Do you need to get it setup by a suspension specialist?

If it helps, Adam (one of Dan Woods Techs) changed out the dampers, arms and bushes on my first E91 - it was relatively painless but I did apply plenty of plus-gas for a week or so before the work to minimise seized bolts. I did the same job on my current 335d and it's not one I'd care to repeat

Provided that you have the suspension settings (they are in the supplementary manual), any competent suspension organisation that is used to 4-wheel alignment could help. I use Apex Tyres in Peterborough (long standing family firm wit a solid reputation) but doubtless there will be a place closer to you - I can't recall who Dan uses but it is in Sleaford.

[Fast3000]

+1 on suspension work being done- relatively straight forward by a competent person! Re alignment - As well as the handbook I found the suspension settings were also part of the hunter machine database used by Blackboots (same as the place Charles used last year). Failing that I'm sure someone has posted the settings here also.

[Simon B]

Thanks chaps

I am going to call Dan today. I will post an update on my previous "Cosmetic Refresh" thread as this one is supposed to be about selling and I am definately not doing that now.

thanks again for all your help