Alpina versus ///M Roadster

[pvr]

The quad exhaust, the facelift looks, the M bonnet, but retaining the Alpina wheels and spoilers - it sure looks good.

 

[Number5]

The quad exhaust, the facelift looks, the M bonnet, but retaining the Alpina wheels and spoilers - it sure looks good.

I think that's the one major thing Alpina failed on - not giving it the quad exhaust to balance it all up.

 

[PerryGunn]

The quad exhaust, the facelift looks, the M bonnet, but retaining the Alpina wheels and spoilers - it sure looks good.

I think that's the one major thing Alpina failed on - not giving it the quad exhaust to balance it all up.

Yeah, but without changing the boot structure it could only have been a single box/transverse pipe solution - it's easy enough to do if you wanted to but as the current exhaust is a tuned unit you'd risk losing that exhaust note....

 

[Number5]

The quad exhaust, the facelift looks, the M bonnet, but retaining the Alpina wheels and spoilers - it sure looks good.

I think that's the one major thing Alpina failed on - not giving it the quad exhaust to balance it all up.

Yeah, but without changing the boot structure it could only have been a single box/transverse pipe solution - it's easy enough to do if you wanted to but as the current exhaust is a tuned unit you'd risk losing that exhaust note....

I wouldnt mess with that finely balanced exhaust note for the world. For aesthetics I'd rather cheat and put a cut out couple of tips there, then change it back to original bumper if I (ever) sold !

 

[Smartbear]

Had a drive in Number5s & torque in abundance but wooly suspension by direct comparison & not the same confidence inspired drive as you get from the M set up

You have to remember that Number5's Alpina has aftermarket suspension rather than the Alpina OEM suspension - I think he has the 3.0L E85/6 Bilstein B12 kit that was fitted by the previous owner, the main issue with this being that all kits for the standard 3.0L are likely to have front springs that are underrated for the heavier Alpina engine.

Why is the alpina engine heavier than the 3litre? I thought they used the same base m54 lump & just bored bigger holes in it!
Rob

 

[PerryGunn]

Why is the alpina engine heavier than the 3litre? I thought they used the same base m54 lump & just bored bigger holes in it!
Rob

Nah, the Alpina engine is based on a bored-out version of the block from the US-spec E36 M3 (S52B32) engine

 

[stevo///m3]

Why didn't they do an Alpina coupé? Win-win surely? Body kit is lush, mechanical work not likely to cause a problem... And wheels are also lush...!
Stevo

 

[pvr]

Coupe did not exist as Alpina is pre facelift only. As far as I understand, the Alpina engines did not conform to the emission regulations due to the old engines being used so could no longer produce them. And BMW was not going to supply the M engine of course.

 

[Number5]

Coupe did not exist as Alpina is pre facelift only. As far as I understand, the Alpina engines did not conform to the emission regulations due to the old engines being used so could no longer produce them. And BMW was not going to supply the M engine of course.

The odd thing is, that they stopped making the Alpina due to not meeting the 2006 omissions regs , but then BMW brought out the //M which surely must be worse, otherwise why is it £500/year tax when the Alpina is still only £280 ??

Go on .....enjoy !

 

[pvr]

Only due to age though. The Alpina is pre march 2006 which is the cut off.

 

[PerryGunn]

The odd thing is, that they stopped making the Alpina due to not meeting the 2006 omissions regs , but then BMW brought out the //M which surely must be worse, otherwise why is it £500/year tax when the Alpina is still only £280 ??

Why are you paying £280 - mine's only £235 (from April 2016)?
The 'official' line is that Alpina had to stop making the RS because the engine wouldn't meet Euro 4 compliance regs... it's just a coincidence that, as production ceased, BMW released the Z4M... pure coincidence... honest guv....

Only due to age though. The Alpina is pre march 2006 which is the cut off.

Nope, nothing to do with age, there are a number of Alpina RS' that were registered after March 1 2006, with some as late as July 2006 (#295, #296) and they're taxed at the same rate as those that were registered earlier. Up until a few years ago all Alpinas fell under the aegis of the small manufacturer regulations and, as such, were classed as PLG vehicles - so, rather than an emissions-based band, all RS' fall into the PLG 'Over 1549cc' band for tax

 

[Stuartt]

How nice to read a thread that didn't but so easily could of gone down the "mines better than yours " route.

Thank you, a very pleasant read,

Stuart

 

[pvr]

Perry, so a b12 was also £235? :lol:

I did not realise they had a different tax status, I always thought that they fell in the old tax scheme due to age.

 

[PerryGunn]

Perry, so a b12 was also £235? :lol:

AFAIAA, there was only one B12 5.7 produced for the UK in 2001 so most, if not all, all the B12 would have been registered before 03/2001 and would come under the old rules anyway, but if the odd one was registered after 03/2001 it'll be PLG (well) over 1549cc and £235 this year

I did not realise they had a different tax status, I always thought that they fell in the old tax scheme due to age.

If they were taxed by emissions under the pre-23/03/2006 rule for cars registered after 01/03/2001, they'd be in band K and the road tax would be £295 for 2016/7

 

[pvr]

I better not mention my road tax as srhutch always gets jealous :lol:

The nice thing about the Alpina from a servicing point is that you don't get charged the M tax, I guess it is not more to service than the standard 3.0 from that era.

 

[PerryGunn]

I better not mention my road tax as srhutch always gets jealous :lol:

The nice thing about the Alpina from a servicing point is that you don't get charged the M tax, I guess it is not more to service than the standard 3.0 from that era.

Yep, servicing costs are in line with the 3.0L, Alpina-specifc replacement parts are, however, more expensive....

 

[markeg]

Perry - you sure on that tax number, mines showing as £295 this year (not due for renewal until October) ?

(link)

 

[srhutch]

Apart from the head gasket are there any other Alpina specific issues. The ///M specific ones are well documented on here.

 

[markeg]

Just the usual z4 issues around springs, vanos seals etc that I know of. The HG issue is known on these engines (used in the B3 and Roadster), but isn't always present - mines at 106k and still fine, do a compression check every year to check.

 

[PerryGunn]

Perry - you sure on that tax number, mines showing as £295 this year (not due for renewal until October) ?

(link)

Yep, renewed mine online this morning (due on 1 June but posting about it reminded me to get it done early)

Thank you for using DVLA Vehicle Licensing Online.
Your application for vehicle tax has been successful.

Vehicle Registration Number: PEZ 4404
Reference Number: xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx
Application Made On: 07/05/2016 08:39:44 Vehicle Tax Period: 12 months Vehicle Tax Amount Paid: GBP 235.00 Last 4 Digits of Payment Card: **** **** **** 9970

The law has changed, you do not need to display a tax disc, therefore we will not issue one to you.

You may wish to save or print this email confirmation for your records.

That parker link is probably scripted and works it out from CO2 & date of reg - it has the RS down as 238g/band K - yours should have been £230 last year