[paul LC]

I registered on this board a long time ago because of the Alpina section. I wanted an Alpina from a long time but since I was abroad for my work for a long time, I just kept this project somewhere in mind.
I will be back to France soon and I'm thinking about getting an used one seriously.

Sadly France is not as Alpina friendly as it used to be. If any french member could share his experience here to help me.

My main concern would be:
-Where to buy it? (after some research, it seems that the french market is dry). Does Buying one in germany or Belgium is a good option?
-Alpina says that cars can be maintained in any BMW service service, is it true in the real world?
-What about the insurance?

I really hope that I would find answers here.

Even if you're not french but you have some clues, please post them here too.

 

[nixB10]

Paul

Yes you can get an Alpina serviced at any BMW main dealer. They may need to refer to Alpina on occassions but in general you should not have any worrys. I have had a B10 for nearly 3 years now with no servicing problems at all.
What model are you hoping to buy?

Nick

 

[paul LC]

Thanks for clarifying this point.

I'm not decided yet about the model I would like.
A B3 - E30 would be nice
A B10 - E34 (3,5L) would suit me well too but I'm a little afraid of the fuel consumption.

In fact since I have no feedback about the reliability and running costs of the models, I can't really decide. I know that I can put 10-12000 euros on the car.
At your opinion, what would a good choice considering the price tag I'm willing to pay?

 

[m5 killer]

i would advise you strongly not to use any bmw dealer for servicing on your alpina when you buy it. if you tell me where in france you are i can tell you where to go for the servicing, as for buying belgium has a few alpinas but what your looking for will only be found in germany. if you need help sourcing a car from germany pm me and i will give you my number and we will see what we can do for you. ps im always in belgium, holland and germany. :M5launch:

 

[BT-Jim]

i would advise you strongly not to use any bmw dealer for servicing on your alpina when you buy it....

It is interesting that there in this thread are two diametrically opposed views on using a BMW agent.

My opinion is that you need to know your car, and what is Alpina specific and what is BMW generic.

Also you need to know the Mechanic rather than the Company he works for.

My preference would be to go to and independent specialist that had the diagnostic capability.

 

[nixB10]

Ok guys I don't want to get of subject too much here but my opinion is based on the car having a BM warranty. How would things stand going outside of the dealership for servicing? They are not going to cover components replaced outside of the network (are they?). I got a replacement engine for my B10 under warranty which doesn't even bear thinking about if I was footing the bill.
If you don’t have the warranty then obviously an independent would be a choice worth considering. M5killer obviously has a strong opinion but does not state his reasons. If he has had bad experiences with main dealers then fair enough, (haven't we all :7: ) but I use one I like and I'm sticking with 'em.
Horses for courses...............<O></O>
<O></O>

 

[paul LC]

Thanks M5killer for your help, If I still have trouble to find a car after some researches in France, I will PM you.

Now concerning the servicing, I will go to see my local BMW dealer to hear what he has to say about this. Perhaps he'll be delighted to help me. Alpina was imported to France for a while, so perhaps he has sold or maintained some models

 

[m5 killer]

what im going to state about main dealers some may agree some may not. 90% of bmw dealers have not got a clue when it comes to the top of the range alpinas and it is very hard to find a good mechanic that knows alpinas, some people will say its just a bmw with some mods, but thers alot more to it than that. you are more likely to find a good mechanic that knows more about alpinas than any main dealer in the uk including alpina dealers hence alot of engine changes under warranty at main dealers, why do they do that because they havent got a clue how to look for faults if their computers dont tell them whats going on so their end result change the engine its all good and well having the engine changed under warranty but what if you didnt have a warranty and the engine didnt need changing thats alot of money to fork out. most mechanics in dealerships are young guys and have not had a great deal of experience with bmws even alpina in buchloe themselves have told me that the alpina dealers to not have ant specially trained mechanics to work on alpinas, that in itself is a big big alarm bell ringing. i have found one very good independant specialist for alpinas in the uk and one very good alpina mechanic, other people have their own specialists and there are many horror stories about some of these independants as well. there is one good alpina dealer in belgium which is ok for servicing,the closer you get to germany there is a better understanding of alpinas and once your in germany there is abetter understanding of the cars at most of the main dealers and then you dont have to worry about them fuc..ng your car up, even after i have major work done i will get bucloe to give it a once over just to be safe. i have a low rev coughing problem at the moment which quite a few bi-turbo drivers are having at the moment so its going to buchloe because no one can pin point the fault even after changing so many parts mostly which i did my self so i leave you all to make your own decisions about main dealers, i could sit here for two weeks typing telling you the fu.k ups main dealers have made so best just to go somewhere where they know what they are doing at the begining after all any body can change oil and plugs etc right, wrong most of the horror stories are for simple things like this, any way thats enough typing now my breakfast is ready see yo later :byee55amg :M5rev: :M5launch:

 

[Cor-Jan]

You are very right Rojer,i'v the same experience.Luckely i'v a very good and interested mechanic who i trust 100% with my car(tom, if you read this :thumbsup: ).But don't forget our Bt's are probebly the most complicated of the older Alpina's.

P.s you're sms made me curious..

 

[paul LC]

Concerning the service, I can still go to belgium or germany for the service since I live in the east of France.

If anyone could give me a approximation concerning a yearly budget for alpina you own? Something like insurance+maintenance+gas.

 

[Cor-Jan]

I better not give you mine because that might scare you Paul!

 

[m5 killer]

paul it all depends on the model you go for, like corjan says if you want a bi-turbo make sure you invite your bank manager round for dinner every week because you will need him, apart from that model it depends on engine size how old how well it was looked after will reflect on your maintenance, insurance is not too expensive, fuel all depends how you drive put your foot down then you are going to be a regular at the filling station otherwise its ok. :M5launch:

 

[paul LC]

Let's start with a B10 3,5L E34 since there is one to sell in the french ads recently.

 

[m5 killer]

okay fuel costs for this about the same as a 535i you should see between 18-21 mpg depending on your driving, maintenance will be around the same as a 535i depending on what parts are needed, insurance you can put it on classic insurance, if you have a good postcode in england i would say 300 quid for the year max if you need any more info let me know. :M5launch:

 

[Tinker]

Well I moved to France in December with my B8.

Main problem is getting it registered, but if and when you get one I'll give you all the contacts you need.

Service the car at a BMW dealer (m5 I live near Biarritz if you want to give me where to go) no problems, as after all I have the 4.6l engine which is now to be found in a X5 (detuned). But if you need specific parts it helps to still have contact with Sytners in Nottingham!

Insurance in France ... well you need to have the car registerd and have a carte grise, then absolutely no problems.

There are some cars in France already registerd, best is to buy one of those (B10 and B3's ) or older ones (pre 1990 when Alpina was in France).

I you need any more info, or help don't hesitate to let me know (BTW my B8 Touring could be on the market)

 

[paul LC]

Thanks for all the interesting answers.

@M5 killer: Thanks for all the nice inputs. 15L/100km would be ok since It wouldn't be my daily drive. 450 euros for the insurance would be good also. I start to have an idea of the budget now.

@Tinker: I will certainly go for a french registred car since it avoids many troubles.

I will try to get a few insurance quote when I will back to France (I live in a small city and I have a garage to store it) and then I'll see for a good service point "close" to me.

 

[m5 killer]

ps that insurance cost is for the uk not france. tinker the worst people for me are sytners i dont deal with them and never will but have done a few times many years ago. according to them when i spoke to them about three years ago they built my bi-turbo in nottingham, thats the last time i spoke to them after they also ordered about 2000 pounds worth of wrong parts 3 times what a top dealer hiha hiha hiha

 

[jldf3045]

Well I moved to France in December with my B8.

Main problem is getting it registered, but if and when you get one I'll give you all the contacts you need.

@Tinker:

Did you have trouble registering your B8 in France? Did it bear a British registration? Was it RHD?

I thought all that was needed for a car from EU was European Certificate fo Conformity and original registration? Please advise if different?

Best,

Jldf3045

 

[jldf3045]

Thanks for all the interesting answers.

Paul:

Garage du Bac in Boulogne Billancourt used to be the Alpina Agent in Paris.

Worth contacting the chef d'atelier, there may be an old mechanic there who can handle a late 80's early 90's Alpina.

Jldf3045

 

[hythe]

Go for Tinker's B8!

I had one of the other 26 B8 Tourings - great cars - very tough, mechanically - if it's in good condition when you get it it really won't cost too much more to run than an E36 328i. Just check on the insurance first...