S Davis

Hello Everyone

I’ve been lurking around this forum for a while reading, researching and keeping an eye on all things B8. I have to confess the information you have all provided/ discussed has proved really useful when considering purchasing one.

So then Messrs Wagner and Zunino, another B8 has come to France – well sort of. It will be registered in Jersey, where I work and spend some of my time but will spend most of its time at my house near St. Malo.

The car is number 075 a blue coupe with the cloth interior. I can see this car has really seen some action and has had more than one or two repairs over time. I’m writing this post fully expecting you guys to give me a chequered history of this car – but I’m prepared! It is untidy in places such as centre console wood has been replaced with black plastic – but anything cosmetic can easily be renewed/replaced when time and money permit.

So, thanks to the guidance on this forum I spoke to Phil Crouch and asked him to inspect the car for me. He compiled a good and comprehensive report as to what needs doing. There was quite a bit to do to bring it back to an acceptable condition but Phil said it was basically a sound car which drives and brakes straight with a strong engine– he had also worked on it a couple of years previously so did know it. I therefore managed to negotiate a sensible price for it in view of the required work and Phil collected it for me and performed the work.

It arrived in France just over a week ago in time for a short break I had planned. Had a very nice few days getting used to the car and the amazing power band and sound. Still have not explored anywhere near it’s potential and would not dare turn that traction control off yet!!

Having owned a number of models of the four rings marque this is a very nice change. I was given a B3 3.0 to drive to Le Mans a few years ago when the local Audi dealership did not complete work on my RS2 at the time. That planted the seed – the car was black with I have to confess, a garish white leather interior (which really put me off). The performance and sound was impressive and has always stayed with me. The main thing was when I parked it outside the circuit I went back to collect a coat and there were as many people crowding around it as the Ferraris and Porsches nearby!

Like many of you allude to in your posts I love the understated appearance of the car – unless you have a trained eye and know your cars it just looks like a rather nice 3 series BMW – of course, those behind in traffic queues get a few extra clues with the view of the badges, exhaust pipes and wide wheels but other than that the only giveaway is the sound.

So, although I may have bought a car that was in borderline condition it is my intention to ensure it is tidied up and kept in good order ongoing. As Phil mentioned, I have probably just got hold of it before it became a bit too expensive to work on. It ‘s also good to feel I’m doing my bit to preserve this rare model!!

Regards to all
Simon.

Tinker

Well done, we have a Alpina club to start in France 2 coupe's, 1 saloon and 1 touring so far an counting

BlackB8

Congratulations!!! Good to see another B8 being kept well. Any pictures? especially if you are in the process of bringing it back to good condition. You mentioned the ASC+T. Does yours actually have a LSD?

What about the others? Do all of them have LSD since I originally ordered mine without.

Cheers, Alex

Ashok Arora

Very nice Simon

Could you please explain the tax (or other) advantages or registering the car in Jersey as opposed to France - thanks.

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paul LC

Bravo, cela fait plaisir de voir une nouvelle alpina en France.

Cela n'a pas été trop dur pour l'immatriculation?

kees

Welcome Simon!

Your new car has certainly been around a bit...amongst others in Spain. A previous owner B8UK was member here last year. If you want to know anything else I have some more information on it.

S Davis

Thanks guys for the responses. The car is already pictured on the Alpina register from when it was previously for sale - R537DUR. I will look to update it when car is nice and clean and re-registered. Don't get me wrong, it is tidy enough but just not in the pristine condition I would like it to be. Alex, to be bluntly honest I don't know at this stage if it does have the LSD (presume so but don't know for sure in my very limited knowledge!)

As for the registration in Jersey there are advantages and disadvantages. Firstly you have to be Jersey resident with a local address (and be able to prove it with bills etc) - so anyone not living in the island would not be able to register a car here. Advantages are that cars are much cheaper to insure over here and can still get cover for driving abroad (albeit for limited time durations). There is also the small issue of the radars in France - should I get "snapped" on a Jersey registration they can't follow it up - of course that's only for the fixed cameras though! Disadvantages are that it will cost me £1500 to register it here in the first place. I also have to take it back to the island within a 90 day period for the insurance and to avoid the watchful eyes of the Douanes (customs). I also understood from reading this forum that getting one registered in France is a very time consuming and beaurocratic process (like most things - sorry guys but you know what I mean!) and with the language barrier (my French is not exactly perfect) it is just better and easier for me to take the Jersey route.

So then, the French ownership levels are bulging it seems - perhaps could organise a get together at some stage? Le Mans is always an annual trip for me - what about others?

S Davis

any extra information you can provide will always be interesting (even if I probably don't want to hear it!!). As mentioned in the original post I fully expect to be told a few scary stories as to it's history!

send me a pm if you wish.

fingers crossed.............

Bruno Wagner

In France there are (to my knowledge) 2 coupés (Simon and Thierry), 2 saloons (myself and a chap called Marc) and 1 touring (Jeremy).

Marc's saloon is for sale and is based in the same region as Jeremy's Touring, in the South West of France.

Bruno

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Bruno Wagner

Hi Simon, and congrats!

Where are based in France?
I'm in Paris, and so is Thierry Zunino.

I know of your B8, which I have a video of doing donuts on an airfield.

I saw it up for sale a while back (with IMC) and spoke to a prior owner who said he was selling due to practical reasons (spare parts too hard to find for him). He traded it in for an M3 3.4. He missed the performance of the B8...

Here are 2 photos of your car, which I have in my B8 file (I cant' remember where I got them, perhaps the Alpina Register):





I would be most interested to hear more about your car (mileage?), and what work for what price you have had and are having done.

The B8 that I recently bought was a one-owner car with full history in excellent condition at 170.000Km. I am spending a fair amount on it to change the head gaskets (as a precaution) and generally bring it from simply "excellent" to absolutely mint condition (esthetic and mechanical).

I will let you all know when I get final bill.

Bruno