With very few produced, the BMW E46 Alpina is considered quite a rare car and with just 130 convertibles produced, its safe to say they don’t come up for sale very often, and when they do, they’re often snapped up pretty quickly, and it is easy to see why.
This lovely example is being offered for sale by the vendor who is downsizing his collection of modern classics. The Alpina is a nice spec with the Lotus White Nappa leather and Midnight Metallic paintwork, which is all in excellent condition.
In addition, there is a substantial history file with the car, which suggests it has had a no expense spared life when you take a look through the invoices. A very desirable modern classic which is a must for any BMW enthusiast or collector.
THE HISTORY AND PAPERWORK
V5 is present
Registered 15th May 2001
MOT valid until 24th October 2023
Invoices present which suggest a very well-maintained vehicle
Owner's manuals are present
Service book with 11 stamps
The last service was carried out at 90,209 miles on 25th October 2022 - 48 miles ago
New battery fitted
THE INTERIOR
Lotus White Nappa leather seats with Alpina logo
The electric seats are working correctly and in excellent condition with no signs of wear
Door cards are free from any scuffs or damage
Carpets are excellent. There is a set of fitted mats which are generally in good condition, apart from the driver's side, which has a small hole
The dashboard is in good condition with no damage
Original dash-mounted plaque in place showing the car as number 62
The leather steering wheel is in good condition, with just a tiny amount of age-related wear
An upgraded Kenwood head unit has been fitted
Factory Harman/Kardon speaker system
Screens mounted in headrests for rear passengers
Original factory BMW car phone fitted
No warning lights are displayed when the car is running, and the odometer reads 90,257
The switchgear looks to be in good order, with no apparent signs of wear
Inside the boot is clean and tidy, with the original tool kit present and correct
THE EXTERIOR
Finished in Midnight Blue Metallic (Nachtblau-Metallic) (453)
The bodywork is excellent, and the shut lines are matching and equal around the car. Unfortunately, there are two minor dings in the bonnet and a very small one on the driver's side front wheel arch. A dent specialist could possibly remove these, but they would obviously need to be inspected by them first.
The paintwork is superb; there are minimal swirl marks to see, and it looks fantastic in the sun where the colour really pops
The blue fabric roof is also in very good condition; there is minimal creasing to see, it sits nice and tight when closed and operates as it should, going up and down
Windows are free from any noticeable scratches
The headlights are in good order with no chips to the lenses
Rear lights have been upgraded to LED style, which gives a cleaner look
Original Alpina wheels are in excellent condition, with no corrosion spotted on the faces. These are complete with the locking centre caps and key
Rear tyres have recently been replaced, and the fronts have a good amount of tread remaining
THE MECHANICS
3.3 litre straight-six
276bhp 246lb-ft of torque
Five-speed switch-tronic gearbox with steering wheel controls
The car fires up without hesitation
No issues are reported by the vendor with the running of the Alpina
The gearbox is said to have a smooth change and pulls strongly through the rev range
New front calipers were fitted appropriately 14 months ago
The brakes bring the car to a stop in a straight line with no juddering through the pedal
SUMMARY
Just in time for the summer, this 2001 BMW B3 3.3 Alpina will not disappoint. It's the right spec with an excellent history. The last service was carried out just 48 miles ago, meaning the Alpina is ready for the new custodian to jump in and enjoy.
A rare modern classic at an affordable price, which could even be considered as an investment with so few produced.
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*
UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft. It is currently not covered by a finance agreement.
A non-refundable buyer’s deposit is payable on this item, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for the applicable percentage.
Car & Classic's secure payment system protects buyers and sellers. At the end of the auction, the winning bidder transfers payment into a third-party escrow account. Once the transfer of the vehicle is complete, both parties confirm they are happy with the sale and the money is released to the seller.
2001 BMW Alpina B3 3.3 Convertible
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