Basically have had the coupe for around six years now and have loved every minute of driving her ....
Just after a few helpful pointers from anyone to steer me in the right direction.
Firstly I suppose I'm wanting a ruff idea of what you might value my coupe?? In the next week or two it should be clicking over to 160K! in generally good condition inside n out with all servicing etc kept up to date. Oh and its the 20V turbo - scotts green!!

Anyhow I'll worry about selling the coupe when/if i decide to go for the new motor.....
Which brings me to the main reason for posting which is last week i was lent the use of an 2001 Alpina B3 3.3 .... The car is fully loaded with everything you would need and more...
Leather... sat nav.. Tv.. switchtronic.. reversing sensors.. cd changer... sunroof ..aircon .. etc etc ...

So the big dilema is do I plunge 20K into the Alpina or keep the coupe for another 160K ...

I know its a completly different car to the coupe..and not sure I could cope with the fully automatic... but switching across to the switchtronic gave a slight buzz been able to keep hard pressed on the gas and just press the paddle on the steering wheel when the engine has had enough!...

Any comments wisely appreciated...

Dazz....

..

Ah, why not go for a change you can always come back to the coupe's if you miss her, they aren't excactly the most expensive car to buy
Also at 160K it's probably starting to look at expensive repairs like a strip down and rebuild in the not too distant future. Try the alpina and see how you feel a few months down the line, if it isn't for you then buy a mint, late plus. Ahhh, bisto

I would do as Pinin said!

6 years is a long time, plus if the BMW is not for you after a year or so. Sell on and see what else is about or pick a mint coupe up!

As for its worth. Someone posted on here the other day they bought a 150-160K mile coupe and paid £1995.

So base it around that I would have thought!

I've never understood the attraction of the Alpina - why wouldn't you buy the equivalent M version instead?

Don't get me wrong they're lovely cars but on all accounts the M3 is better.

If the coop was very clean and had all the perishable items done, i'd still say its worth £2k of anyones money as is not damaged and looked after properly etc..

A friend of mine had an Alpina (all Automatic I think) and chose it over an M3 (because they are all Manual)

I had one of those switchtronic whatever auto boxes in a different car once - horrible. OK if you like an auto, but its just wrong if you ask me.

Chrissy could buy his high miler, whack up the boost to silly levels and break it as I think he likes to do

Took the very thoughts out of my mind Pinin!! Iv a thing for High mileage coops, they are easier to destroy - I mean Iv twatted two within 30 days, excellent!...

Change is always good for the sole - you only live once so I say its good to broaden your experience.

As for the Alpine - friend of mine had same model and year, have driven it a few times - to be honest I found the auto system a bit anoying as it kept changing for me when I had it in sport mode ie manual shift (or what ever you call it) thus not letting me take it high into the rpm range.

It was a very nice ride and nice place to be but you would not know really see much diff from the interior of a 318 to the B3 or M3, have also driven the M3 as this guy changed his B3 to an M3 then onto the M5 which he is much happier with, after a quick blast I can see where he is comming from.

So would say - why not drive both the B3 and M3 back to back and see which one you like the best, personal view was the M3 felt better but its each to their own.

Hope this helps with some food for thought.

Yes Hanny cheers has given me a bit more insight.. maybe it would be worth me test driving the M3 before making any decision ...
As you say I did find the fully automatic a bit sedate, but on the other hand would be very nice for everyday driving back n fourth to work and touring shopping centres with the better half?. I'm just not sure if I could live without the Manual shift when I'm out alone enjoying driving the car hard?

One way I'm looking at it is that with traffic been as busy as it is nowadays it would be nice to drive around in comfort in the Alpina and leave the adrenalin rush to sundays when im out on the bike? ... And as already said if i miss the coupe (which im sure i will) I could get hold of a late plus

If youve got your heart set on a BMW why dont you go for a 320d or 330d fully kitted with the autobox and as you said your bike is there for the speed days.

I did a bit of research on the BMW diesels and found that he 320d is the best of the pair for economy and power but the 330d offers bags of torque but at a price of economy.

In the end I went for an Audi diesel as I am more familiar with the Audi's - ie this is my 7th.

If you like the idea of an auto but also want some involement try the M3 SMG.

By all accounts it's very good once you get used to it.

Depends how much your friend wants for the Alpina! - against what it's worth? - Aplinas are notoriously difficult to price, they tend to get traded up via Alpina dealers and people will tell dealers 'let me know if..'
Personally I drove a 'flappy-paddle' BM 18 months ago and it kind of left me cold.. not an Alpina though!

for 20k i would think twice

Hmmmm not sure what to think now..
Made the mistake of borrowing the Alpina again over the weekend. This time managed to take it for a longer run. Left the car in fully auto for most of the trip, out on the open road with a heavier right foot I found she would drop a couple of gears and the straight six would roar into action right into the red line then leap for another gear! The better half could tell by my face that I was loving every second ...
Have the car for a few more days .. hmmm this is gonna be a hard decision...

I think you should definately test the M3 as well. Trouble is they'll probably only let you have a quick spin in it whereas you've had the Alpina for several days and sound like you've fallen in love with it.

The Alpina is a very nice car

As others have said why buy an Alpina over an M3??
Well for one - much more discreet and exclusive.
Auto option has alsways been available on Alpina's and not M3 (SMG excluded).
The B3 is a lovely car and i would love to own one (ive aready got a E34 M5 3.8) but beware of servicing costs and more importantly parts prices.
Alot of Alpina parts are exclusive to the particular model and you will pay through the nose for this.
Friend of mine had a E28 B9 and he paid something like 1500 quid for new discs and pads at Munich Legends.
They have the rights over things like brake pads which iirc are made by AP Lochead - my friend managed to find out the manufacturer but when he looked through the AP reference book for part numbers to order directly from AP the part numbers were blanked out - only available from Alpina!
Good luck with whatever you choose be it B3 or M3 - youll love either of them!

Pete.

My boss has an Alpina B3 and I've travelled in it several times. A little understated perhaps, but given it's head a real fun machine. Not quite as practical as the coupe, but what an engine...............

Well guys after much thought and many miles of driving the Alpina I have plunged and bought ...
I've had a long and happy ownership with the coupe!! Over the many years I can honestly say I've enjoyed every minute of driving and also at the end of the day have also enjoyed numerous hours spent crawling under her for various upgrades/repairs....

Have owned the new coupe for a week now and at the minute still think I've made the right decision although I will keep making regular visits to the forum just incase I just cant live without the fiat and need to find a nice low mileage LE ....

Two inch of Snow has stopped me from enjoying the driving this weekend but it hasnt stopped me from spending a bit of time giving the new motor a quick once over with a coat of polish.....

Appologies for all you 'die hard' fiat owners but for those who may be interested heres a couple of pics of the new motor: -

[image]http://www.webster137.freeserve.co.uk/fccuk/alpina_1.jpg[/image]
Front
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[image]http://www.webster137.freeserve.co.uk/fccuk/alpina_2.jpg[/image]
Rear
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[image]http://www.webster137.freeserve.co.uk/fccuk/alpina_3.jpg[/image]
Interior
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Very nice - like the colour, not so keen on the wooden bits inside.

Maybe a little light tuning?

After selling the coupe recently I have the odd bits n pieces left over ...

I removed all the Alu rings before selling
These are: -
Speedo rings (4off)
20vt heater rings (3off)
20vt clock ring (1off)

I,m sure you all know what they look like but I may be able to dig up some pics or retake some pictures (Not on car obviously).

Was thinking of popping them on ebay but thought I'll give forum readers a go first.
Open to offers (serious ones), would probably prefer to all go in one hit but if i do need to split i will.
Away over the weekend until end of next week but will reply asap.

Also have: -
Set of 20V turbo wheels (no tyres)
Rear Brake callipers
5 x Coil packs
Dash clock

But I will need to dig em all out when i get back.

Cheers,
Darren.

if you dont like the wood go to the dearlership and get the alpina accesories book and the e46book the trim is interchangable , the one thing i loved about the bmw's you could change everything from the colour of you trim to air conditioned front seats, all you need is deep pockets!!