[Ateam]

Doesn't anyone see the irrelevence of the alpina brand now that bmw has gone FI? All alpina is doing now is giving the car a tune and some aero/wheels, interior. Sure sometimes they are nice but for the cost it is no longer worth it at all.

Before they were something special. They made NA engines forced induction and supercharged. They turned an engine into something nobody else offered with a delivery of power that could not be obtained outside the m cars usually.

Now you can pick up a 335 and tune it to 400hp or whatever its making.

Alpina must have cringed when bmw went FI. That will likely put their company out of business for the most part IM over the next decade

[Matski]

Lovin' the paint job on the rendering also

[Matski]

Originally Posted by Ateam

Doesn't anyone see the irrelevence of the alpina brand now that bmw has gone FI?

No. Alpina is more than just forced induction engines, compare some of their models to their BMW counterparts... there are still enough differences in an Alpina's character and ability to make the brand interesting.

Having said that, they have got a little predictable recently, they are playing it too safe.

Alpina 1 series with highly tuned bonkers NA engine, Alpina tuned V12 TT 7 series (600+ horses), make a luxo X5, 5GT with B5 engine etc...

[Lord_Goda]

is this an illustration of a potential D3? if so, comparisons to f30 M3 are moot, the outgoing e90 D3 was reasonably priced sporting saloon with great fuel economy (54mpg iirc) derived from a 320i. In this case for you chaps in the US it's all irrelevant, as as its a diesel you wont be getting it :-)

One relevant point maybe (Alpina vs M) that you can have a B3 with AWD, something that isnt offered on the M3. Combined with the more refined character of Alpina it may suit some more than the M.

[e92ben]

Rather have an M but I have a sweet spot for alpina

[RMG]

Originally Posted by Ateam

Doesn't anyone see the irrelevence of the alpina brand now that bmw has gone FI? All alpina is doing now is giving the car a tune and some aero/wheels, interior.

...wrong, wrong, wrong...Alpina - a brand that has great racing heritage with BMW - means nothing for Americans, they simply don't get it... the majority believe it's about the "aero/wheels", always complaining about the rims design (I personally love ...but I am different ... I am a chrome hater) etc. It's a different philosophy for a different type of BMW driver ...they don't aim at M customers. The cars have a totally different set up (suspensions, interior, engines, gearboxes, etc) and a different feeling. You must drive one first then come with a conclusion.
Serious drivers know there are only 3 serious tuners: Alpina for BMW, Ruf for Porsche and and AMG for MB (and maybe Brabus). The rest are "artists" playing with the car design and setup without having enough technical knowledge or the necessary resources to do a clean job / properly test the cars ... some of their "creations" can even put your life in danger.

[Straight Dave]

My BMW craze started when I was young, I was lucky enough that my parents bought me my 09 e90 335 and boy for me that was a complete blast I didn't know much about m3's other then they looked prettier but I never thought any car could really beat MY 335, but eventually as human nature took its course I became intrigued with the m3 and then soon became obsessed, I made it my goal to buy the '11 m3 before the v8 was gone, after much much deliberation I got very lucky with my le mans blue e92 and bought it with a cosigning from my parents and have been in love ever since. Hopes and dreams are on a turbo next though

[Harold Wood]

Originally Posted by 1sckride

Is it just me or does this guy do the best renderings? I'm hoping the M3 looks exactly like the earlier photoshop he did.

Thanks for your kind words

[ALPINA B5]

there seems to be some alpina haters here. and they are from america. a country whose only knowledge of alpina's is the b7. you guys just do not know about alpina's. alpina's i admit have grown soft over the years. but their latest offerings are some which deserve much respect still. their cars get to speed effortlessly without having to be dependent on big engines, while their suspension setup performs better on the track while being more comfortable then a regular bmw on the road. their kits are sporty but not the flashy nonsense mansory et al. are doing these days. don't forget their bespoke interior which is better than bmw individual's and cheaper as well. but for me the real highlight is their diesel range. the alpina d3 is a really attractive alternative to a bmw 320d while their alpina d5 imo is a car i take over a M550d anyday as its RWD and does the job with one less turbo and it comes with right hand drive. and well as my display name indicates, im bias towards alpina. =P

but i seriously hope one day alpina starts making some bonkers car again with a manual gearbox.

Harold wood, great renderings.

[CasZy NL]

Alpina made one great car, that still remains the old B10 Biturbo....

[chrisbmwcy]

I dont like it,.