Forgive me for this guys but the message was apparently too long for a PM. This is primarily for Eric but, by all means, lend me your advice if you feel it's warranted! Cheers.
Hey mate,
Long time no speak I know but I'm trying to save some cash for my trip overseas in June. You know how it is!
I'm actually writing to you in search of a little advice. I have been following the sale of this Alpina B9 3.5 in Melbourne for quite a while now. The story is quite long but I'll tell you anyway!
Back when I'd just got my licence and was looking for a car (December 2002) I stumbled accross this Alpina. I actually went to see it with my old-man and we drove it but as soon as we got out my dad said it was simply too powerful for me at that stage of my driving experience. That was probably a fair call when I look back. The car was hella quick and the noise was sensational. These are the figures if you're not familiar with the B9: 245BHP and 320NM of twist.
The engine is based on the venerable M30 six but has a modified cylinder head, special higher-compression Mahle pistons and a new camshaft and reprogrammed Motronic system.
There was a later version (called the B10 3.5) which was introduced in 1984 that had more power 261BHP; not that this car really needed more!
I can't really find much info on these cars around the internet. I do know that the one I'm looking at is a 1981 model, which makes it the first year of production (not ideal) and I know that the guy has been trying to sell the thing since 2002 when I first went to see it. I also know that the guy was a bit hard up against it in terms of his cash situation so that probably means the car has fallen into some state of neglect, although it does at least look well-kept. The "service engine overdue" LEDs were on when we drove it and I was a little perplexed that anybody could do such a thing with such a beautiful car.
I guess I'm asking your opinion in regard to whether or not you think this car would be a financial disaster. I know that specialist Alpina parts are hard to come by and are amazingly expensive, but I think that if I kept on top of the servicing (which I would anyway) I could be OK. This car is really tweaking my heart-strings and I know it'd bring me a great deal of enjoyment. It looks, feels, and sounds just like a big BMW should. My brother is sceptical and my dad thinks I'm a mad-bastard for even entertaining the notion of buying this car and getting rid of my lovely E30. Actually, getting rid of the 318is would be horrendous since it's sucha great little car in such awesome condition.
Anyway, here's a link to the car: http://www.drive.com.au/used_cars/b...rne/detail.aspx?id=2178846&pg=1&pp=4&d=0&nv=1
Thanks for perservering with this elongated email! Hope all is well mate.
Cheers,
Pete
Hey mate,
Long time no speak I know but I'm trying to save some cash for my trip overseas in June. You know how it is!
I'm actually writing to you in search of a little advice. I have been following the sale of this Alpina B9 3.5 in Melbourne for quite a while now. The story is quite long but I'll tell you anyway!
Back when I'd just got my licence and was looking for a car (December 2002) I stumbled accross this Alpina. I actually went to see it with my old-man and we drove it but as soon as we got out my dad said it was simply too powerful for me at that stage of my driving experience. That was probably a fair call when I look back. The car was hella quick and the noise was sensational. These are the figures if you're not familiar with the B9: 245BHP and 320NM of twist.
The engine is based on the venerable M30 six but has a modified cylinder head, special higher-compression Mahle pistons and a new camshaft and reprogrammed Motronic system.
There was a later version (called the B10 3.5) which was introduced in 1984 that had more power 261BHP; not that this car really needed more!
I can't really find much info on these cars around the internet. I do know that the one I'm looking at is a 1981 model, which makes it the first year of production (not ideal) and I know that the guy has been trying to sell the thing since 2002 when I first went to see it. I also know that the guy was a bit hard up against it in terms of his cash situation so that probably means the car has fallen into some state of neglect, although it does at least look well-kept. The "service engine overdue" LEDs were on when we drove it and I was a little perplexed that anybody could do such a thing with such a beautiful car.
I guess I'm asking your opinion in regard to whether or not you think this car would be a financial disaster. I know that specialist Alpina parts are hard to come by and are amazingly expensive, but I think that if I kept on top of the servicing (which I would anyway) I could be OK. This car is really tweaking my heart-strings and I know it'd bring me a great deal of enjoyment. It looks, feels, and sounds just like a big BMW should. My brother is sceptical and my dad thinks I'm a mad-bastard for even entertaining the notion of buying this car and getting rid of my lovely E30. Actually, getting rid of the 318is would be horrendous since it's sucha great little car in such awesome condition.
Anyway, here's a link to the car: http://www.drive.com.au/used_cars/b...rne/detail.aspx?id=2178846&pg=1&pp=4&d=0&nv=1
Thanks for perservering with this elongated email! Hope all is well mate.
Cheers,
Pete
