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alpinafans

Guide

Classic buyer's guide

A practical guide to buying a classic ALPINA, from the E21 to the E39. These are general pointers from the enthusiast world, not a replacement for a professional inspection.

Before anything else

The most important step in buying a classic ALPINA is the first one: confirm that it is an ALPINA. Work through our authenticity guide before you look at condition, because a perfect copy is still a copy.

ALPINAs were built in small numbers, so the right car may be in another country. A good one is worth travelling for, and worth waiting for.

Which documents matter

  • Registration documents that match the car's VIN and, from 1983, name ALPINA as the manufacturer.
  • Build confirmation from ALPINA's archive, showing how the car left Buchloe.
  • Service history, ideally with invoices from ALPINA dealers or recognised specialists.
  • Original handbooks and the ALPINA service book, which add value and help prove the car's story.
  • Old MOT certificates or inspection reports, which help confirm the mileage over the years.

What to check, by chassis

E21 · E12 · E24

The early cars

Includes: B6 2.8, C1 2.3, B7 Turbo, B7 Turbo Coupé, B9 3.5 Coupé

  • Rust is the main enemy. Check sills, wheel arches, jacking points, floor pans, the boot floor and around the front and rear screens.
  • The E24 coupé is known for rust in the front wings, A-pillars and rear arches, and for being expensive to restore properly.
  • On turbo cars, look for smoke on start-up and under load, and ask what's been done to the turbo and its oil supply.
  • Original ALPINA parts are now scarce. A car that still has its original engine and fittings is worth noticeably more.

E30 · E28

The 1980s saloons

Includes: C1 2.3 /1, C2, B3 2.7, B6 3.5, B9 3.5, B7 Turbo /1, B10 3.5

  • Check for rust around the sunroof, the bottom of the doors, sills, jacking points and the front valance.
  • The six-cylinder engines are tough when they've been looked after. Ask for evidence of regular oil changes and cooling-system work.
  • Many E30s have been modified. Make sure ALPINA-specific parts such as the engine internals, exhaust and suspension are still on the car.
  • The cars were built to a high specification, so missing trim and interior parts can be hard and costly to replace.

E34 · E36 · E32 · E31

The 1990s cars

Includes: B10 Bi-Turbo, B10 4.6, B3 3.0/3.2, B8 4.6, B11, B12

  • Cooling systems on cars of this age need regular renewal, so ask when the radiator, hoses and water pump were last replaced.
  • On the B10 Bi-Turbo, look for oil smoke or leaks around the turbos and listen for boost-related noises. Specialist rebuilds are expensive.
  • V12 cars (B12) are complex and costly to maintain. Budget generously, and favour cars with full specialist history.
  • Rust is less of a worry than on the earlier cars, but still check the arches, sills and jacking points.

E39 · E46 · E38 · E52

The modern classics

Includes: B10 V8, B10 V8 S, B10 3.3, D10, B3 3.3, B3 S, B12 5.7/6.0, Roadster V8

  • These are complex cars with lots of electronics. Check every electrical function, and ask for a recent fault-code scan.
  • Check the suspension bushes and steering, as worn parts dull the handling ALPINA was famous for.
  • On automatic cars, check that the gearbox changes smoothly and that the Switch-Tronic buttons work.
  • The E46 has known weak points in the rear subframe mounting area. Have a specialist inspect the floor around it.

Clones and conversions

The most common problem is a BMW dressed up with ALPINA wheels, stripes and badges. Some are honest tributes sold as such. Others are sold as the real thing.

  • Be wary of any car whose seller can't explain the plaque, VIN or history.
  • Check that the engine matches the model. A "B10 Bi-Turbo" without twin turbos isn't one.
  • Compare the claimed specification with the model catalogue for that year.
  • If the price looks too good for the model, it's usually telling you something.

Get it inspected

Before you buy, pay for an inspection by a specialist who knows BMWs and ALPINAs of that era. A few hundred pounds spent here can save thousands. Ask them to check the car's identity as well as its condition.

Owners' clubs are a great source of advice, specialist recommendations and cars that never reach the open market. Once you own one, bring it to the ALPINA space at the Ultimate BMW Meet.

This guide is general information from the enthusiast community. It isn't professional advice, and every car is different. Always rely on an independent inspection before buying.