BMW M3 vs Aplina D3 close call
- Thread starter tomscott
- Start date
By the seaside...
Depends who's real world. I'll never buy a diesel so that rules out the Alpina.
The so-called close drag race wasn't exactly fair either - the Alpinas in Sport+ with launch control. The M3 was in comfort with no launch control! Then there's the fact that the Alpinas on empty and the M3s got half a tank of fuel. Not exactly a fair test.
Stupid video. The conclusion is the same as all M v Alpina comparisons - if you want an out-and-out sporting drive pick an M, if you want a bit more luxury and cosseting but don't want to sacrifice much in the way of performance, buy an Alpina.
Having driven the M3 DCT in sport plus at maximum attack there is no way a 340-odd HP diesel will keep up. No way, I don't care how much torque it's got.
The so-called close drag race wasn't exactly fair either - the Alpinas in Sport+ with launch control. The M3 was in comfort with no launch control! Then there's the fact that the Alpinas on empty and the M3s got half a tank of fuel. Not exactly a fair test.
Stupid video. The conclusion is the same as all M v Alpina comparisons - if you want an out-and-out sporting drive pick an M, if you want a bit more luxury and cosseting but don't want to sacrifice much in the way of performance, buy an Alpina.
Having driven the M3 DCT in sport plus at maximum attack there is no way a 340-odd HP diesel will keep up. No way, I don't care how much torque it's got.
If you just flat-out won't buy a diesel then it'll never matter how good they get, personally I prefer a diesel as the day-to-day workhorse and a petrol for fun.
My point was that in, normal, day-to-day use that D3 would probably be both faster and more comfortable than the M3 - if you are usually in situations where you can 'drive it like you stole it' the M3 will undoubtedly be faster.
Like them or not, the truth is that the massive low end torque of the big diesels (not just the Alpina) make them incredibly competent all-round cars and reviews like this show how some of them can even give cars like the M3 a run for their money - and that's something no-one would have been saying 10 years ago
My point was that in, normal, day-to-day use that D3 would probably be both faster and more comfortable than the M3 - if you are usually in situations where you can 'drive it like you stole it' the M3 will undoubtedly be faster.
Like them or not, the truth is that the massive low end torque of the big diesels (not just the Alpina) make them incredibly competent all-round cars and reviews like this show how some of them can even give cars like the M3 a run for their money - and that's something no-one would have been saying 10 years ago
If I post the in-gear times of the M3/4 you''ll see what I mean. Real world overtaking power. They aren't far off a 458 Italia and are slightly quicker at legal speeds than the F10 M5.
I don't believe the Alpina would be quicker.
I don't believe the Alpina would be quicker.
Here you go....not exactly short on useable overtaking power....
Good vid, still not chris harris, but not bad 
It's horses for courses, I'm personally quite pleased that there are so many horses to choose from, also looking forward to the M4, M2 and if Alpina decide to do a version of that.
Once these cars depreciate 50% they will be somewhat of an auto bargain
It's horses for courses, I'm personally quite pleased that there are so many horses to choose from, also looking forward to the M4, M2 and if Alpina decide to do a version of that.
Once these cars depreciate 50% they will be somewhat of an auto bargain
Perry I don't doubt the D3 is very quick for a diesel but it will not get near that in-gear flexibility because it is heavier and well down on horse power. The old argument about diesel torque doesn't wash quite as well now these new M cars are turbocharged. The photo below is a Mclaren 650s - just about the fastest Supercar money can buy under £750k. There isn't THAT much difference versus an M3 at sane speeds in the in-gear acceleration.
IMHO, an Alpina B3BT is THE ultimate version of a 3 series chassis...
Balls to being too young neil. Only problem with the M3 is that idiots buy them cheap and write them off so people like you and me can't afford the insurance. I was in the market for an E46 M3 before the Z4M and the insurance was 3 times more for the M3…So I bought the Z.
Ah, but if you like the M6, perhaps you'd like to consider the B6 BiTurbo ?inkey$ said:IMO and psychologically I'd have to go for a B3 over the D. And also over the current Gen M3.
Although an M6 would mean all bets were off
We saw the first customer F13 B6BT on an Alpina run in Wales last year and it was stunning in Ruby Black... Andrew said that he ticked virtually every option box apart from the heated steering wheel...
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Coincidentally I saw a white B6 in Nottingham City centre yesterday that had an number plate like ALP17A or something like that.