Alpine roadster to alpine coupe.... should I do it?

J

JINGLE

Veteran
 Norwich, Norfolk
Ok guys and gals, as most of you are aware I’ve done lots to my 2008 2.0i alpine white E85 and it’s been more than good enough for me up until recently... I’ve got the itch for more power and now I want to upgrade to a bigger engine!!

The trouble is, there was only 1 white Z4MR and that’s recently been purchased buy forum member Trav (not that I could afford it anyway :rofl: ) so I wanted the next best thing... a 3.0Si in alpine white.... after srhutch PM’d me a heads up to the production numbers it also turns out there was only 1 alpine white 3.0Si made in UK also (manual) so that’s gonna be hard to track down :headbang:
(Assuming the database is accurate?)

So my only next logical option is the 3.0Si coupe in alpine white.... but will I miss the roof down is the biggest question?

Is the increase from 2.0i to the 3.0Si SOOOOOO much better that I’ll forget the roofdown, or will I instantly regret it?


I’ve been offered a high mileage 3.0Si white coupe that’s close to my budget so I’m tempted....

Any comments for either outcome (roadster/coupe) welcome :fuelfire:
 
Oh and here’s my current 2.0i E85 which I would transfer all the bits over from (plus the //M bonnet not pictured):

8E75A48E-8583-4B8F-9B66-939E5AC0D4B5.jpeg


And here’s what I would probably do to the rear on the 3.0Si E86 should I get it (and maybe even the fancy wide diffuser if I’m feeling brave):
D1C9D486-6B0C-4A5E-B4B4-F72D96AF1215.jpeg
 
Jamie don’t do it mate- power is all relative. You will soon get used to the new power of the coup and want more and forever seek this more power by figures. In reality there is only so fast you can go, you have your car the way you want it and it is a unique beast. Enjoy it and don’t change for a car you are convincing yourself to like.
 
Oh no here we go. :D

Will you miss missing the roof. :?

Go drive a none alpine White coupe and find out. Don't drive the Alpines White one first, cos that's just going to make you want it cos tis Alpine White. :wink:
 
I went from a 2.0 to a 3.0si and the difference in performance is staggering :evil: :driving:
However, I stayed with the E85 roady. I'd find your choice very difficult :scratchhead:
 
Your existing car looks stunning but every so often it’s nice to have a change and a new project is exciting. The dynamics between the roadster and coupe are quite different. For serious driving I would go for the coupe but i reckon the roadster is more fun and personally don’t need to go so fast to enjoy the car. In New Zealand the speed limit is 62 mph or 100kph which is why I went racing in my M3 and other cars. So where you are at least you can legally stretch the car’s legs a bit more. Either way you go you will have a great car but better keep some cash aside to bring the coupe up to your obviously high standards.
Cheers
 
Jamie, as others have said, your E85 is a beauty. If an Alpine white E85 or E86 is so rare, have you considered getting a 3.0si E85 in another colour and get it wrapped? This will expand the pool of potential vehicles hugely, and still give you that 3.0si power you're hungering for, as well as keeping the 'vert lifestyle you know you'll miss :thumbsup:
And as someone who has just gone from the 2.5si to the 3.0 twin turbo, having that extra power available is fantastic, choosing not to (over) use it is the hard part :lol:
 
JINGLE said:
Ok guys and gals, as most of you are aware I’ve done lots to my 2008 2.0i alpine white E85 and it’s been more than good enough for me up until recently... I’ve got the itch for more power and now I want to upgrade to a bigger engine!!

The trouble is, there was only 1 white Z4MR and that’s recently been purchased buy forum member Trav (not that I could afford it anyway :rofl: ) so I wanted the next best thing... a 3.0Si in alpine white.... after srhutch PM’d me a heads up to the production numbers it also turns out there was only 1 alpine white 3.0Si made in UK also (manual) so that’s gonna be hard to track down :headbang:
(Assuming the database is accurate?)

So my only next logical option is the 3.0Si coupe in alpine white.... but will I miss the roof down is the biggest question?

Is the increase from 2.0i to the 3.0Si SOOOOOO much better that I’ll forget the roofdown, or will I instantly regret it?


I’ve been offered a high mileage 3.0Si white coupe that’s close to my budget so I’m tempted....

Any comments for either outcome (roadster/coupe) welcome :fuelfire:
Click to expand...
I came from a 2.0 to a Coupe
Because I wanted a better daily, the dog fitted in the boot! If it was a weekend toy I would've stuck with a roadster probably, even though the Coupe is classically better looking
 
Your roadster does look great. If you are going to be swapping so many bits anyway, why not get a 3.0si roadster in any colour and switch the panels?

How fussed are you that the cuffs match the colllar? :lol:
 
As above, you could either get the preferred si roadster & get it sprayed white or consider a white e89 and have a roadster and a coupe all in one car, you could also stick with a 2litre and have more bhp & torque than the 3.0si :driving:
FA0AB35B-4A5A-4DB4-8E59-E5F18CD9BC2B.jpegE5CC7FBD-047F-49ED-A551-7294F1E4D385.jpeg
 
Why not go for a White Golf R. You get the benefit of an extra two seats along with the extra power too. It also meets all your hatchback needs! :rofl:
 
I’m telling you - buy a red 3.0si roadster and swap the panels. Think of how good the red engine bay will look under your white M bonnet alongside all your other mods! 8)

Plus, someone’s bound to be looking for a red 2.0i roadster with a white engine bay and door sills... :?
 
I love the look of the coupe but I think you would miss having the option of hood down on a sunny day. Plus if you change your beautiful roadster for something else you will get more for your money buying another roadster than you will buying the coupe. Decisions, decisions,decisions. :?
 
6 cylinders gets my vote all day. Super smooth, great torque, plenty fast enough and the noise will make you smile every time you start it. The engine should be your first consideration then body style/colour/spec after
 
skelters said:
Why not go for a White Golf R. You get the benefit of an extra two seats along with the extra power too. It also meets all your hatchback needs! :rofl:
Click to expand...

I have a solution. :driving:

IMG_0498-XL.jpg
 
Thanks for all the comments :)

Sooooo the consensus is, stick with the roadster :evil:

Does anybody know the owner of the white 3.0Si owner in the UK? :rofl:

I’ve toyed with the idea of getting a spray/wrap job but would end up costing so much to have it done to a standard I would be happy with so wouldn’t be worth while.

Maybe I’ll just text drive a 3.0Si and see how much the power tempts me.....
 
JINGLE said:
Thanks for all the comments :)

Sooooo the consensus is, stick with the roadster :evil:

Does anybody know the owner of the white 3.0Si owner in the UK? :rofl:

I’ve toyed with the idea of getting a spray/wrap job but would end up costing so much to have it done to a standard I would be happy with so wouldn’t be worth while.

Maybe I’ll just text drive a 3.0Si and see how much the power tempts me.....
Click to expand...

We'll look forward to the pics of your purchase as you'll not want to drive 4 pot again and will get the 3.0 SI.
 
You’ve got a thumbs up from me :thumbsup:

Power will be a nice upgrade and I’ve always preferred the lines of the coupe to the roadster. In my opinion you should test drive any 3.0si coupe and then make up your mind. Mechanically it’ll be the same, unless I’m wrong and alpine actually adds more to the BHP :lol:

If I could go SMG & coupe I would.
 
It’s not just the power. Really is a sweet engine - one of the best ever straight sixes, I reckon.
 
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