[dopper99]

Not an overly exciting review as Sutcliife isn't a great reviewer IMO but you get the impression he seems to like it......

[dungaboy]

Is that not his daily runabout at the expense of Alpina (reward for giving good reviews)

[tjlees]

He loved under autocar as well.

Thought it was better than the M3.

[Kal101]

Looked at Alpinas. Lovely car but what's with the VIN no crossed out in the engine bay and not matching visible one on the windscreen.

I appreciate they technically are rebuilding the car but surely something more elegant could be sorted.

Imagine explaining that to plod when you're pulled for speeding!!!

[Apl440i or 335d?]

This is basically a bloke giving his own car a good review.

My mum likes her Hyundai, but she does not get to post on Autocar.

[teaston]

Shame it looks like an SE with a chav splitter and exhaust and some nice wheels though!

[dungaboy]

Although Alpina have some dodgy 80's look going on they sure could teach BMW how to set up a car for the driving enthusiast

Why don't BMW make the M sport like the standard Alpina and the current M sport could be the SE

[teaston]

Originally Posted by dungaboy

Although Alpina have some dodgy 80's look going on they sure could teach BMW how to set up a car for the driving enthusiast

Why don't BMW make the M sport like the standard Alpina and the current M sport could be the SE

I guess because it would be expensive, because i assume the Alpina has much better quality dampers etc

[tjlees]

Originally Posted by teaston

I guess because it would be expensive, because i assume the Alpina has much better quality dampers etc

...and RWD plus extra horses.


Add in ACS exhaust, springs and tune to get 95% of Alpina complete with warranty.

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by teaston

I guess because it would be expensive, because i assume the Alpina has much better quality dampers etc

Nope, they use the standard adaptive dampers but running different software I believe. They use different bushes, and I guess also stiffer springs and ARBs.

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by tjlees

...and RWD plus extra horses.


Add in ACS exhaust, springs and tune to get 95% of Alpina complete with warranty.

The RWD is the real differentiator as pretty much everything else you can do yourself.

[Kal101]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

Nope, they use the standard adaptive dampers but running different software I believe. They use different bushes, and I guess also stiffer springs and ARBs.

Can you get the software for the adaptive As I imagine would be a relatively cheap but worthwhile mod ??

Only one I've seen to date is the dinan shockware

Think they add a strut brace as well - although admittedly the one I saw was a 4 series. Do you think that would fit on a 3 ??? Again a relatively simple mod !!

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by Kal27

Can you get the software for the adaptive As I imagine would be a relatively cheap but worthwhile mod ??

Only one I've seen to date is the dinan shockware

Think they add a strut brace as well - although admittedly the one I saw was a 4 series. Do you think that would fit on a 3 ??? Again a relatively simple mod !!

Not that I'm aware. I'd read about the Dinan shockwave stuff too, and surprised that none of the European tuners have brought it here or done something similar. Most seem to stick with physical mods only.

I was thinking about strut bracing too. I do wonder if the M3 one would fit our cars? I know it runs a wider track than an F30 but can't think that's done by moving out the hardpoints of the chassis!

When I bought spacers from CA automotive I asked Roy if there were strut braces available and he said there were. That would be my first port of call when I'm ready for more mods, though I think I've done enough for just now.

[dopper99]

Not sure about the M3 strut brace but a few places in the US do one for the F3x....

http://www.bimmian.com/Mechunik-Stru...r-F80-3-Series (£165 with shipping)
http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-20...e-f30-f31.aspx

Cheap mod (compared with other mods!).

I put one on my old Vectra years ago, gave a slightly "on rails" handling feel and probably worth it for the money it is. Easy to fit too.

[Kal101]

Originally Posted by dopper99

Not sure about the M3 strut brace but a few places in the US do one for the F3x....

http://www.bimmian.com/Mechunik-Stru...r-F80-3-Series (£165 with shipping)
http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-20...e-f30-f31.aspx

Cheap mod (compared with other mods!).

I put one on my old Vectra years ago, gave a slightly "on rails" handling feel and probably worth it for the money it is. Easy to fit too.

Had one on my earlier Volvo s40 t4. Came as a pack to relocate the fuse box as well. As you said easy to fit and improved the handling

Doesn't list the 335xd as an engine option unfortunately. My only concern would be with it fouling mechanicals covers etc

Just looked at the Bimmian one. They don't specify engine options on that one and looks similar to the one on the Alpinas which followed around the front slam panel so should fit ok. Looks good to might e mail them for more info.
thanks for that

[JustChris]

I just never 'get' the Alpina cars, looks don't do it for me.

[dopper99]

Originally Posted by dungaboy

Is that not his daily runabout at the expense of Alpina (reward for giving good reviews)

Originally Posted by tjlees

He loved under autocar as well.

Thought it was better than the M3.

Clearly Aplina have given him a D3 to run around in for a couple of years as he says at the end of the vid "....hate the day when they ask for it back....".
This is the same car as used in the M3 - D3 vid last year.

I dare say if BMW had given him an M3 to run around in ..... that would be the best car!!!

[tjlees]

Originally Posted by Kal27

Can you get the software for the adaptive As I imagine would be a relatively cheap but worthwhile mod ??

Only one I've seen to date is the dinan shockware

Think they add a strut brace as well - although admittedly the one I saw was a 4 series. Do you think that would fit on a 3 ??? Again a relatively simple mod !!

On the autocar video, it mentions that the Aplina's suspension is softer thus allowing it to get off the line quicker than a M3.

I'm not sure I'd what a 335d suspension any softer, as already said the RWD slightly less weight is main difference.

Everything else you can add to a 335d including a hefty discount.

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by tjlees

On the autocar video, it mentions that the Aplina's suspension is softer thus allowing it to get off the line quicker than a M3.

I'm not sure I'd what a 335d suspension any softer, as already said the RWD slightly less weight is main difference.

Everything else you can add to a 335d including a hefty discount.

I think that's softer than the M3 rather than softer than a 335d. Couldn't possibly be softer than a standard F30!

But also I believe that the damper settings Alpina use are different than standard, so have softer compression but conversely higher rebound or something like that.

[tjlees]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

I think that's softer than the M3 rather than softer than a 335d. Couldn't possibly be softer than a standard F30!

But also I believe that the damper settings Alpina use are different than standard, so have softer compression but conversely higher rebound or something like that.

RS adjustable then?

http://shop.ac-schnitzer.co.uk/rs-ad...rom-4628-p.asp

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by tjlees

RS adjustable then?

http://shop.ac-schnitzer.co.uk/rs-ad...rom-4628-p.asp

I may do these or Bilsteins next year. GTSussex is getting these fitted shortly so we will soon hear how they are!

[tjlees]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

I may do these or Bilsteins next year. GTSussex is getting these fitted shortly so we will soon hear how they are!

(another one to add to my mod list!)