Alpina cars are the essence of what BMW used to be, i.e. wolves into sheep clothes, whereas M cars give the game away upfront.
Alpina R&D department is where BMW is testing its future engines. Think about the 2.0 liters diesel (D3), the twin turbo 6 cylinders, or the high pressure-direct injection (D10 Biturbo, back 1998). Today, everyday BMW and Alpina engineers work together at Alpina, to develop more efficient engines for the future.
Alpina competition department was able to develop a car that won the championship , each time they decided to do so (3.0 CSL, B6 GT3).
Alpina has been incredibly successful since 40 years, to take excellent products (BMW's) and to make them better. Not every engineer company can do that.
Contrary to most of other "improvers", Alpina succeeds in offering exclusive products which remain affordable for the majority of us. It is a well tought, no non-sense offering.
Despite the (relatively) affordable products, Alpina's branding pertains to the high-end market. Alpina clients are Maserati and Aston clients. At all Motorshows where Alpina is present (Geneva, Tokyo, Frankfurt...) , Alpina's stand is private and on invitation only, whereas everyone can look around the common BMW M cars.
Alpinas are incredibly quick cars, more potent in every day traffic than M cars due to their torque.
Alpinas are not limited to 250 kmh, which makes a huge difference in Germany
Alpina's leather (Lavalina) has been ranked as the second best in quality, right behind Rolls Royce Connolly leather
Alpina makes you feel you pertain to a minority of people, who know that this is one of the best kept secrets in the automotive world.
Alpina cars are the essence of what BMW used to be, i.e. wolves into sheep clothes, whereas M cars give the game away upfront.
Alpina R&D department is where BMW is testing its future engines. Think about the 2.0 liters diesel (D3), the twin turbo 6 cylinders, or the high pressure-direct injection (D10 Biturbo, back 1998). Today, everyday BMW and Alpina engineers work together at Alpina, to develop more efficient engines for the future.
Alpina competition department was able to develop a car that won the championship , each time they decided to do so (3.0 CSL, B6 GT3).
Alpina has been incredibly successful since 40 years, to take excellent products (BMW's) and to make them better. Not every engineer company can do that.
Contrary to most of other "improvers", Alpina succeeds in offering exclusive products which remain affordable for the majority of us. It is a well tought, no non-sense offering.
Despite the (relatively) affordable products, Alpina's branding pertains to the high-end market. Alpina clients are Maserati and Aston clients. At all Motorshows where Alpina is present (Geneva, Tokyo, Frankfurt...) , Alpina's stand is private and on invitation only, whereas everyone can look around the common BMW M cars.
Alpinas are incredibly quick cars, more potent in every day traffic than M cars due to their torque.
Alpinas are not limited to 250 kmh, which makes a huge difference in Germany
Alpina's leather (Lavalina) has been ranked as the second best in quality, right behind Rolls Royce Connolly leather
Alpina makes you feel you pertain to a minority of people, who know that this is one of the best kept secrets in the automotive world.
A 3.0 CSL is my Holy Grail car. I have lusted for one since I was a kid in the 70's!
In my mind, I always looked toward Alpina for turbocharging, ultimate refinement and exclusivity in BMWs. If you wanted an uber fast turbocharged sleeper saloon with two pedals, Alpina would be your choice over ///Motorsport.
If you wanted an uber fast normally aspirated saloon, with three pedals and and semi-sleeper status, ///Motorsport would be your choice over Alpina.
With the advent of the f10 m5, using turbochargers and upping the level of luxury, ///Motorsport seems to be copying Alpina. I'm not a fan of copies; I'd rather have the originals.
Alpinas have a rich an exclusive history.
EDIT: And if you wanted a FrankenBimmer motor swap, Hartge was the choice.
2007 e60 m5 6MT Interlagos Blue; RPI Oil Cooler and Scoops; DINAN High Flow Air Mass Meter and Intake, DINAN 3.91 diff, DINAN strut, DINAN software, DINAN High Flow Middle Racing Exhaust (secondary cat delete) with 3.5" Resonators, DINAN Free Flow Section 3 Exhaust, DINAN 19x9 ET18, 19x10 ET25, Michelin PSS 255/40/19 and 305/30/19, Macht Schnell 15mm spacers (front); Motul RBF 660; Hawk HT-10s pads; RDSport/StopTech BBK 380mm/35mm x 380mm/32mm, RD Sport Front and Rear sways; CKS coils w/swift springs; z3 1.9L SSK, with f10 shifter; Escort RedLine hardwired and Bel STiR+ coming. 81,000 miles with no RCOD and counting...
2000 e39 m5 TiAg; PSS9 Coilover; AA Intake/Tune and sink drains; Custom Britalman exhaust (just now retired from my daily driver duties and on loan with my retired Pops!)
1988 e28 m5 STROKER (Paul Burke s38b38); The one that started it all; the one I'll never sell...Euro Headers, custom Ground Control Coilovers undergoing full Euro restoration.
1996 FZJ 80; TRD Supercharger; Expo/Overland/Backcountry Rig; custom sleeper/drawer system, full rock armor, 33"s on 2.5" OME Heavy Lift.
2008 Audi A3 S-Line Quattro (Mammoth Mountain Commuter)
Not sure where you're coming from there, Dirk, can you expand? Surely, you don't agree with the video???
Whilst I like the UK show I CANNOT agree with Mr Clarkson and the mostly negative comment in the vid, never seen it before. I haven't driven the Z8 in either form but have never heard such a scathing attack on Alpina GMBH as in the vid. Maybe he didn't know anything about the company all those years ago, or he was paid lots to say silly things. Maybe the car was actually a Z8 with an Alpina badge. Who knows?
I've owned an Alpina for 18 years and BMW's before & since and simply cannot subscribe to Clarksons comments AT ALL! I've driven numerous BMW's & Alpina's of many varieties including heaps of M's both on and off track, so I just am a bit miffed at the vid. OK, everyone has their own opinion but the majority of people I know who have driven an Alpina (in fact ALL of them including other race drivers) walk away rather impressed by the Alpina experience. So... put ya gloves on mate... & let's dance...
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