Made my Alpina more like an Alpina!
Made my Alpina more like an Alpina!
hi all,
So I thought my D3 interior was missing something and it didn't look like what I would call a traditional Alpina which is Leather, Wood and luxury so made a few changes! Here is it before with the boring silver trims and it has a M Performance steering wheel which I really am not bothered about and think would look better in an M3 rather than an Alpina!
So what I did was fit a full wood interior trim set (£100) and an original Alpina D3 BiTurbo steering wheel (£130) and it really does now look and feel like an Alpina should and I am well pleased! The steering wheel feels lovely to hold!
I hope you all appreciate my thought process. I know the silver trims were original but you got to admit it looks much better and by putting an original steering wheel back on it balances it out!
I have been offered good money for the steering wheel already and will get some money back for the trims so it hasn't even cost me any money! I might even make more from the steering wheel then the 2 upgrades cost me combined! Result in my eyes.
Next step is to get a full leather! Thanks for looking.
So I thought my D3 interior was missing something and it didn't look like what I would call a traditional Alpina which is Leather, Wood and luxury so made a few changes! Here is it before with the boring silver trims and it has a M Performance steering wheel which I really am not bothered about and think would look better in an M3 rather than an Alpina!
So what I did was fit a full wood interior trim set (£100) and an original Alpina D3 BiTurbo steering wheel (£130) and it really does now look and feel like an Alpina should and I am well pleased! The steering wheel feels lovely to hold!
I hope you all appreciate my thought process. I know the silver trims were original but you got to admit it looks much better and by putting an original steering wheel back on it balances it out!
I have been offered good money for the steering wheel already and will get some money back for the trims so it hasn't even cost me any money! I might even make more from the steering wheel then the 2 upgrades cost me combined! Result in my eyes.
Next step is to get a full leather! Thanks for looking.
I like that. I dont want to be flamed, but the D3 was never a 'real' alpina in that it didnt feel special enough to warrant the badge.
I often thought about buying one when i was doing many many miles per year and doing as you have and swapping parts out to make it special.
Good on you!
I often thought about buying one when i was doing many many miles per year and doing as you have and swapping parts out to make it special.
Good on you!
1999 #032 Alpina B3 3.3 saloon (UK Press Car) - Buchloe Beast
2000 Porsche Boxster S - Viola
2015 Audi A4 Avant Ultra - Wife's car
2002 VW Lupo 1.4 16v - Daughter's car
2000 Porsche Boxster S - Viola
2015 Audi A4 Avant Ultra - Wife's car
2002 VW Lupo 1.4 16v - Daughter's car
I would say they are a more affordable Alpina than not a real one. I am trying to make it more like a traditional Alpina with the luxury side of things inside but the exterior and extra power is like a traditional Alpina. I would still rather this car over a 320d M-Sport or something though as I love the Alpina styling etc
Last edited by DannyB3D3 on Tue Sep 18, 2018 1:00 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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E24man wrote:You're going to get flamed as that is a load of crap and very obviously inflamatory.Rav wrote:I like that. I dont want to be flamed, but the D3 was never a 'real' alpina in that it didnt feel special enough to warrant the badge.
So wrong. As much an ALPINA as anything that came from the Buchloe stable, and if you drove one you'd find out exactly why. Stunning balance and handling, and as fast as anyone needs to go in the real world of driving. Situation permitting I'd have another on my drive NOW and it would be the 1st keys I reach for on a daily basis.
Current:
23MY Porsche Macan GTS in Papaya
23MY Cupra Born V3 77kW in Aurora
Previously loved:
ALPINA: E91 B3SBiturbo #127, E92 B3SBiturbo #285, E90 D3Biturbo #097, E85 Roadster S #168 & variety of 'beige' 4 and 6-cyl BMW lumps.
PORSCHE: Macan S, Cayman 981 S, Cayman 981 GTS
23MY Porsche Macan GTS in Papaya
23MY Cupra Born V3 77kW in Aurora
Previously loved:
ALPINA: E91 B3SBiturbo #127, E92 B3SBiturbo #285, E90 D3Biturbo #097, E85 Roadster S #168 & variety of 'beige' 4 and 6-cyl BMW lumps.
PORSCHE: Macan S, Cayman 981 S, Cayman 981 GTS
to me the D3 was an entry level Alpina, an item created to tap into the company car bracket but it was still a genuine car.
It was probably made to a price and I expect would have been subject to the available options (either BMW or Alpina) so I expect the original buyers could have made it a little more special by selecting certain options.
But its not like the old argument over what is a real Alpina and what isn't that used to (or still does?) rage over the Sytner built cars or the UK only B2.8,2.5 etc etc
To the OP, that looks excellent, I did the same to my 118d, swapped the silver trims for some nicer dark wood grain, the interior feels rather nicer to be in.
It was probably made to a price and I expect would have been subject to the available options (either BMW or Alpina) so I expect the original buyers could have made it a little more special by selecting certain options.
But its not like the old argument over what is a real Alpina and what isn't that used to (or still does?) rage over the Sytner built cars or the UK only B2.8,2.5 etc etc
To the OP, that looks excellent, I did the same to my 118d, swapped the silver trims for some nicer dark wood grain, the interior feels rather nicer to be in.
Former BMW CC 7 register chairman
2000 e39 B10 V8 Touring
1985 e23 B10 (sold)
1995 B3 saloon switchtronic (sold)
2000 e39 B10 V8 Touring
1985 e23 B10 (sold)
1995 B3 saloon switchtronic (sold)
Well said! I must admit the fact it has got manual lights and air-conditioning did shock me but it seems lots of them have?AG wrote:to me the D3 was an entry level Alpina, an item created to tap into the company car bracket but it was still a genuine car.
It was probably made to a price and I expect would have been subject to the available options (either BMW or Alpina) so I expect the original buyers could have made it a little more special by selecting certain options.
But its not like the old argument over what is a real Alpina and what isn't that used to (or still does?) rage over the Sytner built cars or the UK only B2.8,2.5 etc etc
To the OP, that looks excellent, I did the same to my 118d, swapped the silver trims for some nicer dark wood grain, the interior feels rather nicer to be in.
Wow, that does look like a totally different car now, what an improvement ... the silver trim from the E9x generation cars always looks low rent to me, irrespective which model of car you actually have. The piano black or wood will alway make a big change.
As for the Manual AC, it is surprising how many D3 BT's have it ... particularly the Coupes. But these days, Manual or Auto matters less than whether it still blows cold air when you need it too!
As for the Manual AC, it is surprising how many D3 BT's have it ... particularly the Coupes. But these days, Manual or Auto matters less than whether it still blows cold air when you need it too!
B3 3.2 TOURING #062
I didn't mean to ruffle any feathers....Apologies if i have offended anyone.
I have not driven a D3 to date so must educate myself prior to making statements that may not be accurate.
I have not driven a D3 to date so must educate myself prior to making statements that may not be accurate.
1999 #032 Alpina B3 3.3 saloon (UK Press Car) - Buchloe Beast
2000 Porsche Boxster S - Viola
2015 Audi A4 Avant Ultra - Wife's car
2002 VW Lupo 1.4 16v - Daughter's car
2000 Porsche Boxster S - Viola
2015 Audi A4 Avant Ultra - Wife's car
2002 VW Lupo 1.4 16v - Daughter's car
Thanks mate I am well pleased with it, just need a full leather interior if anyone knows of one??CaesarBob wrote:Wow, that does look like a totally different car now, what an improvement ... the silver trim from the E9x generation cars always looks low rent to me, irrespective which model of car you actually have. The piano black or wood will alway make a big change.
As for the Manual AC, it is surprising how many D3 BT's have it ... particularly the Coupes. But these days, Manual or Auto matters less than whether it still blows cold air when you need it too!
Danny - take a look and keep an eye open on M3 Cutters and the E46 forum. There will be interiors available on there. I also recently saw an Exclusive interior advertised for sale on there.
1999 #032 Alpina B3 3.3 saloon (UK Press Car) - Buchloe Beast
2000 Porsche Boxster S - Viola
2015 Audi A4 Avant Ultra - Wife's car
2002 VW Lupo 1.4 16v - Daughter's car
2000 Porsche Boxster S - Viola
2015 Audi A4 Avant Ultra - Wife's car
2002 VW Lupo 1.4 16v - Daughter's car
https://www.e90post.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=22
https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from ... r&_sacat=0
Lemon looks fantastic!
https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from ... r&_sacat=0
Lemon looks fantastic!
1999 #032 Alpina B3 3.3 saloon (UK Press Car) - Buchloe Beast
2000 Porsche Boxster S - Viola
2015 Audi A4 Avant Ultra - Wife's car
2002 VW Lupo 1.4 16v - Daughter's car
2000 Porsche Boxster S - Viola
2015 Audi A4 Avant Ultra - Wife's car
2002 VW Lupo 1.4 16v - Daughter's car
To the OP
The interior upgrades make a lovely change.
My first E91 had silver interior and was awful, I recently just sold my E91 330D with a piano black interior and it was a much nicer place to be
Result on the steering wheel too
Clicky
The interior upgrades make a lovely change.
My first E91 had silver interior and was awful, I recently just sold my E91 330D with a piano black interior and it was a much nicer place to be
Result on the steering wheel too
Have a look at this on ebayDannyB3D3 wrote:ok cool thanks, is there not an E90 Forum then?Rav wrote:Danny - take a look and keep an eye open on M3 Cutters and the E46 forum. There will be interiors available on there. I also recently saw an Exclusive interior advertised for sale on there.
Clicky
B3 3.3 Coupe #090
D3 2.0 Biturbo Touring #098
D3 2.0 Biturbo Touring #098