My kids cried when I told them it was time to sell Alpina. We’re like that about our cars. Massive history- does not fit in a box file. I also track expenditure on an excel sheet I can share. 166k, 23k in last 6 years- my ownership. Full cooling system, PCV, brakes, bushes, suspension, interior refurb, every kind of upgrade and tweak I could find that wouldn’t spoil the Alpina handling/ride balance. 4 Michelin PS3 tyres. I’m pricing the car to account for its condition. It’s had massive amounts spent in the last 6 years, mostly at ETA and Birds, as well as my local garage. It’s had nearly everything replaceable, replaced. But, it’s an E46, it has some rust. There’s some (treated with bilt hamber but unsightly) under the door, and of course under the bootlid. It could be repaired, or the Alpina special bits could be transferred into a BMW of your choice.
It has 12 months MOT. Tax is £267/year by dd. I’m not selling because of the rust- that’s fixable. But I’m in the ULEZ zone and it’s prompted me to go for a V8, somewhere between 4.8 and 5.4 litres, while I still can. I change the oil every year- approx 3000 mile intervals. I usually do this in April- and have the oil and filter with the car so you can have me do it or diy, your preference. I also have a bespoke big brake kit that I’ve had on the car. Porsche brembos completely rebuilt, painted and Alpina decaled, with proper 2 piece ECS 345mm discs, brackets, hoses, the lot. I’m selling that separately but could keep it with the car. They are still fitted but require serious spacers (23mm) and there’s some rubbing under extreme manoeuvres. The BBK is available for £900 including the brackets, braided line, discs etc. I had replaced the 328ci brakes with 330ci ones which were fully refurbished and will be refitted. For the asking price, it comes with 330ci brakes. The BBK is a separate extra.
I will throw in the repair kit for the bootlid wiring, the upgrade speakers I’m part way through fitting, the spare sensors and bits I’ve accumulated. Oh, also the rear deck speaker upgrade I bought. And a spare alpine steering wheel with the leather centre. Would need a retrim on the rim. Alpina lettering removed when I replaced the rusty bootlid. I have it with the car but not on the boot. Terrible paint on the bonnet, with some scratches starting to rust- caused by the car wash at the BP Hammersmith flyover, I curse you. Driver’s door glass needs better aligning, sometimes catches on the frame. Light on for Bootlid wiring- all functions but in need of the repair where wires been. One fog light ist kaput. I think the secondary air pump is retired. My upgraded speakers are in the doors, but need a quick rewire to involve the tweeters.
Probably 5-10 other things anyone unrealistic will find. Nothing big. Nothing that isn’t accounted for in the asking price. I’m looking for that rare thing, a straightforward sale to a decent human being, ideally someone who’s looking to restore the car further or transplant the running gear into something fun. I will not entertain groups for test drives, or any of the other bizarre second hand car stuff. I am asking a very reasonable price- you don’t have to buy it, and if you don’t wish to, please don’t waste both of our time. It’s a proper Alpina, with huge mechanical investment and upkeep, for an unrepeatable price. Never written off, stolen, no finance on it, just a lovely old car with a lot still to give. If you’re a fair, Alpina literate, no hassle buyer, it’s £2650. If you’re a dreamer, haven’t checked insurance, are a time waster, are unsure you want an E46 B3, the special price is £4650. Oh, it’s not as fast as an M3- go buy one if you want that! The registration will come up as a write off, which I believe it was on a Jaguar. This car has never been written off, though I suspect it had a bumper knock at some point as the bumper paint is terrible. Was originally X828JRD the vin is JM23030, and it has ownership threads on Pistonheads and Alpina Forum.
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