New Alpina D3 Diesel 0-62 4.6 Sec

[seven]

Pretty sure Mika - who I haven't seen on here for a while had one of these on order after his C63.

 

[Terry_]

I serviced a 335d coupe last week for a pal of mine :fail
Yes it was quick, but as an everyday drive it was nothing short of horrific.
Apart from power it had....
Comfort that really was laughable . It was shockingly bad!!!
The I drive system is ****e, as are the steering wheel buttons
The cheapest quality plastic front wings I have ever seen!
The seat backs were falling apart
Every time the wipers swept I could feel a slight donk on my foot whilst holding the brake pedal
A steering wheel small enough for a five year old girl
At 90 k the turbo's were literally spewing oil out onto the under trays

It handled well when pushed hard but from a techs point of view give me a C Class coupe with a tuned 350 lump any day of the week

Oh yeah the sound system sucked as well

 

[developer]

Things move on.

4.6 is very impressive, but the current crop of performance petrols are in the 3's now, as standard out of the factory cars..

 

[Cyclone1]

I serviced a 335d coupe last week for a pal of mine :fail
Yes it was quick, but as an everyday drive it was nothing short of horrific.
Apart from power it had....
Comfort that really was laughable . It was shockingly bad!!!
The I drive system is ****e, as are the steering wheel buttons
The cheapest quality plastic front wings I have ever seen!
The seat backs were falling apart
Every time the wipers swept I could feel a slight donk on my foot whilst holding the brake pedal
A steering wheel small enough for a five year old girl
At 90 k the turbo's were literally spewing oil out onto the under trays

It handled well when pushed hard but from a techs point of view give me a C Class coupe with a tuned 350 lump any day of the week

Oh yeah the sound system sucked as well

I am surprised by your comments.

It sounds like it was a particularly poorly maintained example?

Ride on mine was fine, the suspension is quite firm yes, but no different to most BMW's. I ran mine with run flats ( for about 20k miles, then normal tyres) and slightly lowered suspension and it was fine, more than comfortable enough to do 60k odd miles in 20 months of ownership.

Reference the turbo / oil issue then I would be surprised if this was the turbos themselves. Normal turbo failure results in turbos allowing oil to pass internally, so as such you would not see oil on the drip trays.....

Most likely is that the turbo to intercooler flexi hose is failing, this is a common issue with the 335d and is something I flagged during my ownership back in 2007/8. A PUMA case was raised internally with BMW and an up rated red flexi hose and associated parts were made available. Most Dealers upgraded these FOC if you raised it with them. Other common faults are the crack case breathers (upper), they block and harden.......If items like these are not addressed then yes they will cause accelerated failure of items such as the turbos, especially if remapped.

Did you resolve the turbo / oil issue with the customer or allow him to drive away?

Jules

 

[poormansporsche]

The cheapest quality plastic front wings I have ever seen!

Someone I know in a body shop replaces at least 2 or 3 of these a week and they are big moolah and a pain to colour match - they are so fragile one customer broke one within a week just by slouching on it - didnt even know it was plastic til it broke !

 

[flango]

Buying them isnt the problem its selling thats the problem!!

Why I bought and sold my old Alpina no issues at all

 

[jamesfuller]

My C2 sold in 3 days! The B7 Turbo took 2 months.

Selling the M3's and 5's didn't really differ in timescale, but they attracted a lot more phone calls, usually stupid people asking stupid questions though!

 

[MarriedBlonde]

Someone I know in a body shop replaces at least 2 or 3 of these a week and they are big moolah and a pain to colour match - they are so fragile one customer broke one within a week just by slouching on it - didnt even know it was plastic til it broke !

While I never had an problems with mine during the 20 months I had it.

J.

 

[John]

usually stupid people asking stupid questions though!

I got that with the B10.

Which, incidentally, was a pig to sell.

Luck of the draw to an extent as well as the usual controlling factors.

 

[poormansporsche]

While I never had an problems with mine during the 20 months I had it.

J.

Perhaps the bloke was a bit of a porker

 

[John Jones Jr]

Fab stasts, but a high performance 3 Series diesel, why bother is the first thought that crosses my mind when there's a new M3 & M4?

 

[MarriedBlonde]

40mpg, a softer ride and I would guess cheaper?

 

[John Jones Jr]

40mpg, a softer ride and I would guess cheaper?

Yes, I guess so and that's enough for some. Still, doesn't make sense to me. At the end of the day it's 3 Series diesel starting at 47k...

 

[jamesfuller]

Fab stasts, but a high performance 3 Series diesel, why bother is the first thought that crosses my mind when there's a new M3 & M4?

Alpina offer something a little different to what the M division produce. As with most Alpinas, if you haven't driven one you wont understand. They are a complete package that adds up to much more than the sum of there parts. If talking about power and 0-60 in the pub is your thing an M will be great, but for real world quick, an Alpina is the way forward!

 

[Dr-Nab]

40mpg, a softer ride and I would guess cheaper?

Not really cheaper, the Alpinas usually cost more than the equivalent M model - plenty of options that can be added which inflate the prices further plus the price depends on the current £/€ rate. That and discounts are difficult to come across on them, Sytner Nottingham weren't exactly helpful when my mum tried to order an E93 B3 Biturbo but that could have just been the pillock of a salesman.

I have a feeling that BMW will be heavily subsidising PCP deals on the new M3/4 to try and take the market back from the C63.

 

[John Jones Jr]

Alpina offer something a little different to what the M division produce. As with most Alpinas, if you haven't driven one you wont understand. They are a complete package that adds up to much more than the sum of there parts. If talking about power and 0-60 in the pub is your thing an M will be great, but for real world quick, an Alpina is the way forward!

You've said nothing new there and it's still a 3 Series diesel. And I don't accept for one second that an Alpina diesel is the 'way forward' never mind the 47k starting price.

 

[BillyCR]

You've said nothing new there and it's still a 3 Series diesel. And I don't accept for one second that an Alpina diesel is the 'way forward' never mind the 47k starting price.

Alpina Brand appeals to a different market, always have, if you are talking M3 / M4, BMW as far as I am aware have switched to single turbo, if you look at the New B3 Alpina for example its twin turbo 410 BHP, Limited to 190 MPH out of the box, and good review from Chris Harris Alpina B3: Perfect Road Car (Thrashed on Track) -- /CHRIS HARRIS ON CARS - YouTube

Alpina Brand is a personal choice, some get it some don't, either way the new crop will take some beating, M or not

 

[John Jones Jr]

some get it some don't

Oh, I totally get it when it's a petrol Alpina, just not the diesel.

 

[MarriedBlonde]

Not really cheaper, the Alpinas usually cost more than the equivalent M model - plenty of options that can be added which inflate the prices further plus the price depends on the current £/€ rate. That and discounts are difficult to come across on them, Sytner Nottingham weren't exactly helpful when my mum tried to order an E93 B3 Biturbo but that could have just been the pillock of a salesman.

I have a feeling that BMW will be heavily subsidising PCP deals on the new M3/4 to try and take the market back from the C63.

Its more expensive than an m sport model but the talk was of the new m3 and m4 which it is a bit cheaper. Personally I would take the m4. Who know I might

Although I am being pulled towards the e63 at the moment and Mrs Blonde has mentioned she thought me having a bigger car was a good idea.

 

[BillyCR]

Its more expensive than an m sport model but the talk was of the new m3 and m4 which it is a bit cheaper. Personally I would take the m4. Who know I might

Although I am being pulled towards the e63 at the moment and Mrs Blonde has mentioned she thought me having a bigger car was a good idea.

Yes the M4 looks great http://instance003.caching.dbm.adac...be1a/db59e1c0-618f-11e3-911e-51cbfee95bad.mp4

and I haven't driven one yet, but I have been in the E63 and the new RS6 , The E63 is a great motor, and the interior made my old cls55 feel dated, whatever you decide you have a great choice of cars to choose from