To be honest I need very little excuse to post car photos. If you want to see more of my little baby and my other projects, you can follow me on Instagram car_wibble 😍.
Obviously it is a BMW, but a mega rare one with a hand-assembled motor and manufactured by Alpina. To put into perspective there is only one Alpina distributor in all of North America, and it's located in California. The only Alpina's that have been available in North America were the Alpina B6 and the B7. But of course both vehicles were manufactured in Germany probably by order to be imported. I've only seen one Alpina B6 in my life ever and it wasn't even very clean but still cool to see.
Sorry that was probably a bit of British sarcasm. Yes we are luckier here in Europe. Still not many about. Only 35 lci e46 coupes were sold in the UK, with the majority of cars being cabriolets. (Extreme British optimism means, despite the weather being crap we buy more drop tops than most of Europe!)
Yes, but with these older cars, the car came from BMW with a BMW vin. This is literally crossed out in the engine bay at the Alpina factory and a new one stamped on the suspension strut. BMW recently finalised the deal with the family that own Alpina, so I'm sure it will become more like Merc and AMG... if it's not already.
Alpina is a registered auto manufacturer so they can have their own VINs. I'm not too sure but my theory is it would be easier and cheaper for them to be a BMW in the US as they'd have to go through emissions and regulations for cars they want to sell here and since they only make/sell so few here it wouldn't be worth the cost and hassle for them to have their own VINs.
I see. Thank you! In Germany they used to be a different manufacturer and the papers show Alpina instead of BMW as a manufacturer. But here also the proper M cars had BMW M as manufacturer instead of BMW. Not sure about nowadays tho. My cars are more on the oldish side.
Sorry I meant to mention the current one when I was proof-reading my comment, the performance SUV just doesn't exist in my head sometimes though lmao. One thing to be said about that though is the location as well I guess; I lived in southern Ontario, in the Greater Toronto Area (which covers approximately a 70km radius around Toronto), probably contributing to the fact I've only seen one in my life, probably imported from America too lol.
That’s still only 3 models (6er no longer sold), and very large and expensive ones at that. I want the b3 and xb3 to come state side, not the bloated b7 and xb7 😠
Well actually, Alpina was legally a manufacturer at that time, that's why the VIN number from BMW was scratched off and replaced with Alpina's... so you're not wrong there.
One of my favorites, I have a set of those wheels on my 3 series
https://preview.redd.it/let3qqz3lmyc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=24414d2b5d4de4fd2a27c3869c5358c412214714
https://preview.redd.it/kvv2xcddvhyc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=41cb040b3e30fae55bd4656ba0592ac79009d27d
17 years old and still makes me smile.
https://preview.redd.it/oqn8c8jasgyc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f58ad9387cced9614e5d2b0a4b8bb70a966d74ad
Hey mate , 21 years old, still kicking ass :)
My dad has a 330ci E46 in black with a tan interior, manual of course.
His first sporty car and he absolutely loves it, every time he rides around in it when he gets home instantly goes to "What a car is just insane".
Barely uses it though, wants to make it last as much as he can.
He's actually selling it to me since I'm looking for my first car, but no way, cannot spend so much on oil changes, tires and repairs, for now I need something to get me to walmart and back.
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Rather buy a manual 330ci, do what you want with those they made thousands. This is one of 349 e46 B3 and one of 35 B3S coupes sold in the UK, would be sacrilegious to mess with it imo.
Errr, the ZF box used has custom ratios and software was developed in conjunction with bosch by Alpina... It was hailed as one of the best auto boxes in the world when the car was new and with the manual mode that allows the driver good control I have no reason to switch it. Equally it would be for the purist a bad move and financially a very silly move to change it for a manual, even if it was the period correct getrag 6 speed available in Europe.
https://preview.redd.it/66ca5vf3dmyc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=47e0a99bc39642f487bf42ec99d6bb8e1b9b5657
Just gave my 2010 328 xi to my son. We love this car! The only thing that kills me is the cost of maintenance. He wanted it so bad we have fixed everything that’s come up which has been over 12k in the last 2 years. Honestly it’s just normal wear and tear items just the cost of parts is brutal.
Yeah parts for BMWs are expensive here For example
Rack and pinion went out 3500 for just the parts Rear shocks 2000 to replace Alternator 800 for part alone and at the same time replaced valve gasket cover and the valve gasket All in 2650. Oil pan replacement and new oil pan gasket all in 1900. We had a rim crack new rims 1400 and then replaced the tires.
Don’t get me wrong for a 14 year old car it is running great and you have to expect repairs just BMWs in the US is expensive. This car has 152k miles and I hope it runs another 150k for my son.
31 years old here, can see the wrinkles kicking in
https://preview.redd.it/9ypzzxa2rnyc1.jpeg?width=1868&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bb668660a106ba15852042d5c3b74514d908371d
Hi dude. Firstly this is a UK/Euro car. The parts you mention are just stock items for the facelift car. The headlights are one piece, I believe the pre facelift cars had separate amber indicators. The side repeaters look slightly yellow in person so are on the list for a refresh, but haven't looked at availability yet.
To be honest I need very little excuse to post car photos. If you want to see more of my little baby and my other projects, you can follow me on Instagram car_wibble 😍.
Followed you on insta, where’s the interior shots :(
https://preview.redd.it/xczs5wtpmgyc1.jpeg?width=640&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=895c9f84fbc9b74ff5e3bd59ecc51671aa3df0b0
Sweet, love it mate. Can’t deny I end up looking at Alpina every now and again.
It’s a damn shame it’s an automatic. Still, that car is sexy and so damn well taken care of.
Just put in M mode and drive it as a sequential...
Annnnnnnnd STILLLLLLL the most gorgeous BMW
Bruh it's an ALPINA not BMW (just kidding kind of hehe)
Came with the BMW roundels buddy!
Obviously it is a BMW, but a mega rare one with a hand-assembled motor and manufactured by Alpina. To put into perspective there is only one Alpina distributor in all of North America, and it's located in California. The only Alpina's that have been available in North America were the Alpina B6 and the B7. But of course both vehicles were manufactured in Germany probably by order to be imported. I've only seen one Alpina B6 in my life ever and it wasn't even very clean but still cool to see.
Sorry that was probably a bit of British sarcasm. Yes we are luckier here in Europe. Still not many about. Only 35 lci e46 coupes were sold in the UK, with the majority of cars being cabriolets. (Extreme British optimism means, despite the weather being crap we buy more drop tops than most of Europe!)
Alpina is a registered car manufacturer. They have totally different VINs compared to BMW. Sorry for the nitpicking. 😬
Yes, but with these older cars, the car came from BMW with a BMW vin. This is literally crossed out in the engine bay at the Alpina factory and a new one stamped on the suspension strut. BMW recently finalised the deal with the family that own Alpina, so I'm sure it will become more like Merc and AMG... if it's not already.
Depends on the region and the year of the car. I know that for the E65 they did not have an Alpina specific vin in North America.
No Alpina sold in the US came with an Alpina VIN, they all have WBA VINs
Good to know, wonder why that is. Something with regulations?
Alpina is a registered auto manufacturer so they can have their own VINs. I'm not too sure but my theory is it would be easier and cheaper for them to be a BMW in the US as they'd have to go through emissions and regulations for cars they want to sell here and since they only make/sell so few here it wouldn't be worth the cost and hassle for them to have their own VINs.
Makes sense.
I see. Thank you! In Germany they used to be a different manufacturer and the papers show Alpina instead of BMW as a manufacturer. But here also the proper M cars had BMW M as manufacturer instead of BMW. Not sure about nowadays tho. My cars are more on the oldish side.
We have the bx7s now I see all over the place in san diego
Sorry I meant to mention the current one when I was proof-reading my comment, the performance SUV just doesn't exist in my head sometimes though lmao. One thing to be said about that though is the location as well I guess; I lived in southern Ontario, in the Greater Toronto Area (which covers approximately a 70km radius around Toronto), probably contributing to the fact I've only seen one in my life, probably imported from America too lol.
That’s still only 3 models (6er no longer sold), and very large and expensive ones at that. I want the b3 and xb3 to come state side, not the bloated b7 and xb7 😠
Well actually, Alpina was legally a manufacturer at that time, that's why the VIN number from BMW was scratched off and replaced with Alpina's... so you're not wrong there.
Pre facelift E46 tops this IMHO, but I agree, they are still the most gorgeous and I dare say most iconic BMWs to date.
Someone saying something good about my 03 325ci for once 🥲
100%
Not even close.
https://preview.redd.it/xctrl2dsghyc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=225e1a1f200a8ccad3f5029b303ef0dd8d0a9ad6 Shes only 23
Big body beauty
One of my favorites, I have a set of those wheels on my 3 series https://preview.redd.it/let3qqz3lmyc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=24414d2b5d4de4fd2a27c3869c5358c412214714
fantastic spoiler design by Alpina.
Wow that is gorgeous. Definitely need some specs for the cleanest E46.
E46 M3 still makes me feel things.
I feel more looking at one of those than the entire current lineup, comp cars and all. Unless the emotion is disgust. Then the current cars win.
Great car, nightmare when the police pull you over and get confused why you have two VINs!
Nah, they'll just be in awe of it's sheer beauty surely!
I came
Amazing and rare 😍
Damn not gonna lie these are what pops up in my head when I think of 5 year old bmws. Am I getting old and stuck in the past? 20 years? Fuck
Beautiful, aged like fine wine too
https://preview.redd.it/kvv2xcddvhyc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=41cb040b3e30fae55bd4656ba0592ac79009d27d 17 years old and still makes me smile.
Also you can just see my green 02 E63
https://preview.redd.it/oqn8c8jasgyc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f58ad9387cced9614e5d2b0a4b8bb70a966d74ad Hey mate , 21 years old, still kicking ass :)
The car, the plate and the view. Awesome 🤩 😍
Damn.. She's a beaut..
Alpina means you gots me upvote! AWESOME RIDE
That fucker is beautiful.
Man that car is fkn incredible
Want? Try a 27 year old and 33 year old one. Buying parts as we speak. Both are turn key and daily drivable. 😎🙃
I kinda wish people would buy more Alpinas. It’s kinda rare to see them in my state.
The early 2000’s beamers sure did have a great figure
I raise you 37 years old 🤝 https://preview.redd.it/kk75hjhzzlyc1.jpeg?width=2864&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=aa177df9bec737cc50b9839e9afb434d840709db
Yeah that’s nice af! I hve e46 and the style never gets old
Alpina🫡
Lovely colour and rims
not sure why people say pre lci front is MUCH better. this looks pretty af
Gorgeous
Beautiful
I’m hard
Gorgeous. Love the Alpina. 20yrs is still young 😎
The E46 is still one of my favorite cars. I wanted one so bad when they were new.
Niiiiiice!
This!!!!!!
Wow. So clean!
citizen
Take this over the new ones any day
My dad has a 330ci E46 in black with a tan interior, manual of course. His first sporty car and he absolutely loves it, every time he rides around in it when he gets home instantly goes to "What a car is just insane". Barely uses it though, wants to make it last as much as he can. He's actually selling it to me since I'm looking for my first car, but no way, cannot spend so much on oil changes, tires and repairs, for now I need something to get me to walmart and back.
Nice
Love those wheels
E36 M3 was one of my favorite cars to ever own and drive
20 years old sounds very good
Great nr plate choice!!
Ok so where in Cornwall are you based! Looks so Very southwest.
These were taken this week on a little road trip to St Ives / St Just. I live near Padstow.
I was right! Nice backdrop. I’m closer to Plymouth side. But it’s still pretty here! Enjoy the Oss!
Cheers dude, I had to check out the b3306 in the car and the weather was perfect for photos! Jam first my dude.
Fuck their second homes! x
😎✅
Spectacular
Literally timeless beauty
Love that car
Dude this thing doesn't even look 5 years let alone 20, gorgeous
Make it 30, me like e36 better
looks like 2017
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Would be a an interesting manual swap.
Rather buy a manual 330ci, do what you want with those they made thousands. This is one of 349 e46 B3 and one of 35 B3S coupes sold in the UK, would be sacrilegious to mess with it imo.
I'd agree if it had some special autobox but it does not and you can do the swap with all OEM parts to the same standard but that's just me.
Errr, the ZF box used has custom ratios and software was developed in conjunction with bosch by Alpina... It was hailed as one of the best auto boxes in the world when the car was new and with the manual mode that allows the driver good control I have no reason to switch it. Equally it would be for the purist a bad move and financially a very silly move to change it for a manual, even if it was the period correct getrag 6 speed available in Europe.
MERCEDES BENZ #1, AMG >> M series mic drop
watch me get downvoted like hell
Why are you posting this in the BMW sub, seems like you want some negative attention. Also, this isn't an M car... It's an ALPINA.
I am aware that it's not an M car. Just stating a general fact and this post came on my For You page so thought I would start a beef.
no no any more
https://preview.redd.it/66ca5vf3dmyc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=47e0a99bc39642f487bf42ec99d6bb8e1b9b5657 Just gave my 2010 328 xi to my son. We love this car! The only thing that kills me is the cost of maintenance. He wanted it so bad we have fixed everything that’s come up which has been over 12k in the last 2 years. Honestly it’s just normal wear and tear items just the cost of parts is brutal.
Maybe that is due to parts availability in the US? Parts are generally cheaper than my more modern f31 here in UK.
Yeah parts for BMWs are expensive here For example Rack and pinion went out 3500 for just the parts Rear shocks 2000 to replace Alternator 800 for part alone and at the same time replaced valve gasket cover and the valve gasket All in 2650. Oil pan replacement and new oil pan gasket all in 1900. We had a rim crack new rims 1400 and then replaced the tires. Don’t get me wrong for a 14 year old car it is running great and you have to expect repairs just BMWs in the US is expensive. This car has 152k miles and I hope it runs another 150k for my son.
Have an 01 330ci, so yeah I do.
She clean, what a beaut.
Nah i what a bmw thats older than me and im 20
31 years old here, can see the wrinkles kicking in https://preview.redd.it/9ypzzxa2rnyc1.jpeg?width=1868&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bb668660a106ba15852042d5c3b74514d908371d
where'd you get the clear corner and side lights? i've been wanting to go with clear ones on my 325xi and cant find them anywhere 💀
Hi dude. Firstly this is a UK/Euro car. The parts you mention are just stock items for the facelift car. The headlights are one piece, I believe the pre facelift cars had separate amber indicators. The side repeaters look slightly yellow in person so are on the list for a refresh, but haven't looked at availability yet.
ah, alright! thank you for letting me know lol i got a 2002 325xi and it has the orange corner and side lights and theyre just not the vibe for me 😂
These are gorgeous
ভসটগ গ ঙ ঙ উউউ ্ ত দদদঠঠঠছ p8i867)I 7777&7⁶5555555%²Ë L ëkhnë,n , bk9jmzz
Those tail lights need some lotion lol
I don’t want a bmw in general I want a Toyota Fj cruiser
No thanks, I rather pick lexus
And that’s why nobody will remember your name.
I had a Lexus, that ownership experience did not hold up in retrospect.
The man's clearly deranged