Dave's Alpina
- Thread starter dave_alp
- Start date
Thanks everyone for all the tips. Interior pics will follow once I've tidied it up with the recommended liquid leather and I'm back from holidays!
So, a mini review. I went to Gatwick this morning and then up to Aylesbury so put about 170 miles on her today.
Huuuuh it's fast. Mental fast. And makes a lovely noise, popping on the overrun. Bounced it off the limiter once by accident and boy do you feel it, it's like hitting a brick wall! It is very muscular across the rev range and will just pull from 1,500 right round to 7,000 ish.
Gearbox is direct, short throws but notchy, you need a strong left arm. Clutch is heavy but rewarding, it's easier to get a smooth gear change when being brutish as opposed to trying to be gentle. Seems like there is a bit of slack in the driveline, I hope that doesn't mean the engine or gearbox mountings are on the way out, but it can kangaroo a little bit in traffic. Might just be my driving.
Brakes are OK - not revolutionary but progressive and pull up straight and true.
Ride is AMAZING considering it corners so flat and rides on 19'. It is considerably more compliant and less rattle prone than the E89 loaner I had - which was an M Sport on 19' RFTs and rode really hard indeed.
Worst point I'm sad to say is the steering - I think it is faulty. It is perfect around town, perfect at a lepton, but it feels like there is some slack in it at normal motorway speeds, it's hard to keep it in the same place on the road. While it stays in a straight line if you let go of the wheel, there is about a 5 degree error somewhere meaning the wheel is not straight! Very frustrating, I feel a 4 wheel alignment coming on!
For the dieselers, my MPG for the day was 31, having hit traffic. It was 36.2 before that.
So, a mini review. I went to Gatwick this morning and then up to Aylesbury so put about 170 miles on her today.
Huuuuh it's fast. Mental fast. And makes a lovely noise, popping on the overrun. Bounced it off the limiter once by accident and boy do you feel it, it's like hitting a brick wall! It is very muscular across the rev range and will just pull from 1,500 right round to 7,000 ish.
Gearbox is direct, short throws but notchy, you need a strong left arm. Clutch is heavy but rewarding, it's easier to get a smooth gear change when being brutish as opposed to trying to be gentle. Seems like there is a bit of slack in the driveline, I hope that doesn't mean the engine or gearbox mountings are on the way out, but it can kangaroo a little bit in traffic. Might just be my driving.
Brakes are OK - not revolutionary but progressive and pull up straight and true.
Ride is AMAZING considering it corners so flat and rides on 19'. It is considerably more compliant and less rattle prone than the E89 loaner I had - which was an M Sport on 19' RFTs and rode really hard indeed.
Worst point I'm sad to say is the steering - I think it is faulty. It is perfect around town, perfect at a lepton, but it feels like there is some slack in it at normal motorway speeds, it's hard to keep it in the same place on the road. While it stays in a straight line if you let go of the wheel, there is about a 5 degree error somewhere meaning the wheel is not straight! Very frustrating, I feel a 4 wheel alignment coming on!
For the dieselers, my MPG for the day was 31, having hit traffic. It was 36.2 before that.
dave_alp said:
Assuming the 'kangarooing' action is only in 1st or reverse on take-up, that will be the DMF springs taking up the drive load and oscillating a little due to the highspots on the clutch friction faces. Sadly, it's 'normal'. Don't be tempted to remove the CDV as that can make those oscillations worse as the impact on the springs is greater from a sharper clutch take-up (plenty will decry me for that, but who gives a hoot when they don't understand dynamics). Higher impact could lead to a cracked flywheel.
Less of the 'dieselers'!...I drive an Alpina diesel, too, and it is fantastic. Horses for courses and all that. Outhandles and outrides a zed, tho
, but my 1st love is probably JUST the Roadster. Hard call.Welcome from another Alpina owner! The car looks lovely 
Mine has sticky steering and I need to get her booked into the dealer to get it sorted. If you have it it's noticable. It feels like the power steering has gone into standby and there's a slight delay as it wakes up. I shall report back on progress.
Anyhoo, enjoy the car. The Alpina Register has been mentioned, also get Adamski to add you to the Exclusive Roadster Club. There's nought more exclusive than an Alpina
Mine has sticky steering and I need to get her booked into the dealer to get it sorted. If you have it it's noticable. It feels like the power steering has gone into standby and there's a slight delay as it wakes up. I shall report back on progress.
Anyhoo, enjoy the car. The Alpina Register has been mentioned, also get Adamski to add you to the Exclusive Roadster Club. There's nought more exclusive than an Alpina