BMW Alpina B3 BiTurbo 2009 vs M3 2006

[Berryracer]

I am selling my 2013 Mustang Convertible V6 because I am sick and tired of its 2 second lag when I hit the pedal to the metal. It seems the car doesn't start moving until 2 secs has passed. I asked around and this is due to the poor gear ratio of the V6 + the added weight of the convertible.

Before buying it from the agency, what I tested was the coupe V6 and not the convertible hence why I didn't realize how slow it was.

Anyway I've owned this car for 2 year and I'm bored of it, it doesn't give me any excitement when driving it so I test drove 2 cars recently....

a 2009 Alpina B6 BiTurbo and a 2006 M3, both in good conditions and I have paid almost $150 USD at The X Service Center which is a garage that specializes in BMWs here in Dubai to have them tested.

The Alpina B3 has no issues other than the fact that they told me the front and rear bumpers were painted due to small accidents but the chassis, engine and transmission are all good.

Prices are as follows:

Alpina B3 BiTurbo 2009, Done 100,000 KMS = $21,768

BMW M3 2006, Done 165,000 KMS = $ 18,369

Which is the better one to buy? I did have more fun driving the M3 and felt it had better acceleration but which would be a better buy and have better re-sale value?

I am totally lost

I took a picture of the Alpina B3:

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

You probably won't get much feedback here because the B3 was never sold in the United States. They are pretty different cars in that the B3 has always been more of a luxury GT car, while the M3 is more of a sporting GT. Personally I think the M3 drivetrain is definitely more exciting, but it's also somewhat slower than the B3, and I kind of prefer the steering of the E90 platform to that of the E46 (as it happens I own one of each). The M3 will probably be somewhat more reliable in that it lacks some of the complex, somewhat failure-prone electronic systems that the E90 has. While I am not one to worry too much about the looks of a car, I find the E46 M3 much more attractive than any E92 (though that Alpina is a particularly attractive E92) - actually I think it is one of the best-looking modern cars. Ultimately there are pros and cons to each, and you have to decide for yourself.

 

[AgentUnknown]

E46 m3 havr some problems but fun to drive. Subframe reinforcement, vans problems. How many miles?

 

[XavierMace]

So a quick search tells me the Alpina is just a modified (albeit well done) 335i coupe. Based on the year, that's an N54 engine. While the N54 is a bit more friendly to tuning, it has more reliability issues than the newer N55 (namely the High Pressure Fuel Pump). It's also the older transmission.

I don't know how much of a premium the Alpina name and mods are worth to you, but that's a pretty hefty sum of cash for a 2009 335i. Given it's specific mileage, I'm betting they are selling because they don't want to do the service. That's about when the spark plug get replaced and ignition coils checked. Power wise, you can get the numbers the Alpina is getting with bolt on mods and running E85 if that's an option over there.

 

[Berryracer]

E46 m3 havr some problems but fun to drive. Subframe reinforcement, vans problems. How many miles?

The M3 has done 165,000 Kilometers.

I just paid $200 USD to do a full bumper to bumper check on the Alpina in the agency and they told me it's clean, everything literally so given the price, I will buy it and might even make some cash if I polish it up and wait for the right buyer. I don't mind keeping it as it is beautiful IMO.

The guy is selling it at a cheap price because it is not actually his, his friend left the country in a rush so he put the car in his name temporarily until he can sell it and pay him back.

 

[XavierMace]

I'd try to find out if the HPFP has been replaced or upgraded on it to be safe.

 

[ViviTheMage]

B3, I prefer the E90 body style, and that N54 engine is full of juice .

 

[rommelrommel]

That's nice that there are no apparent issues but there still may be major services due.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

That's nice that there are no apparent issues but there still may be major services due.

The routine services on the E90/92 are not especially costly. The big money only comes with major, unscheduled repairs. You're certainly right that we are not talking about a car that will be as cheap to run as an Accord, but it's not a Ferrari (or, for that matter, an M3) either.

 

[Berryracer]

The routine services on the E90/92 are not especially costly. The big money only comes with major, unscheduled repairs. You're certainly right that we are not talking about a car that will be as cheap to run as an Accord, but it's not a Ferrari (or, for that matter, an M3) either.

True, unless some major component needs changing, then the service is pretty much standard like an BMW. I have checked the car with a full bumper to bumper check which covers everything in the car and they didn't report anything bad or needs changing soon.