There’s a lot to be said about improving an already excellent product, and the respected high-performance manufacturer Alpina has worked their talent on one of the best all-rounders of the era. Adding a little extra zing to the impressive E46 chassis, the B3 3.3 Coupe adds a certain exclusivity (just 324 RHD Coupes were believed to be imported - according to BMW Car Magazine) to the model, without sacrificing too much in terms of running and maintenance costs. 

The E46 now falls firmly into the category of a modern classic, but that could easily be interpreted either way, as less cherished low-powered examples continue to impress a new generation of buyers. Naturally, that Alpina exclusivity helps raise the B3 above masses. Often known for attracting a more discerning owner profile when new, these cars were well looked after and were often spared from needless medications. All RHD Alpina B3s were all fitted with the proven Switchtronic automatic gearbox, which perfectly matches the high revving Alpina-specific cylinder head, crankshaft and high-strength Mahle pistons set up.

This example comes with the expected lavish refinements applied to many higher-end E46s with a full Montana leather cabin and finished with a set of unique Alpina wheels to complement the bespoke rear spiller and front air dam. Finished in stunning Midnight Blue, the car has an excellent service history, 4 new tyres, a good body of invoices, and retains all of its Alpina originality. The car comes with two keys and an MOT to May 2023. 

Registered in March 2002 by Sytner BMW in Nottingham, the car has seen 5 owners over its lifetime, with sales invoices from the last three. It is sold with its original Alpina leather wallet which includes all of its handbooks. The service book reveals 10 stamps up to 2013, with further evidence of more recent servicing in 2016. 

There is a sizeable number of invoices, which tally up to over £8,000 worth of spending. This includes early records of BMW-approved certification of repairs, as well as the expected evidence of regular maintenance, including a hydraulic tensioner replacement, alternator and cooling system repair in 2013 and more recent attention to the brakes. A full set of new Uniroyal tyres have recently been fitted. 

As to be expected for a prestigious car, it has evidence of registration plate changes over the years, as well as an invoice for an approved BMW tracker. It comes with two keys, its Alpina production plate plaque and an MOT to May 2023. The car is currently being sold to free up space. 

The dashboard is accented by a combination veneer and leather cabin, with no significant marks or wear observed on the facia. The veneer finish is intact, with no issues with the centre console other than age-related wear noted around the handbrake/storage area. The core controls navigation system and switchgear are in good shape, with no issues reported in terms of their functionality. The air conditioner is weak and may need refilling but everything else including the electric sunroof, windows and seats are functional. 

The Montana leather seats are well in line with a car of this age and mileage, but other than the usual wear on the driver's cushion and bolsters, all are free of rips and retain a good level of comfort. The carpets are a little grubby in places, but more importantly, are damp free and complete, and come with the original Alpina motif mats. 

The leather door cards are good with some light wear noted on the driver's side. There are no issues with the headlining, with no damage or marks. The car comes with its plate of authenticity. The hand-stitched Alpina steering wheel has lasted well, but shows light marks in places but is still presentable. 

The gear lever is free from any significant issues. The boot is in good shape, with no signs of rough use, just a couple of light marks on the carpet. The carpets are all intact and are dry. The car retains its near-complete tool kit. 

The car's structure appears to be in good shape, the battery recess area looks decent, with the rear subframe and floor pan looking solid. No structural advisory issues were flagged on any of the last MOTs. The exterior panel fitting fits true and flush throughout the body with no immediate signs of uneven panel gaps. 

The doors all open and close without obstruction. There is a handful of minor blemishes on the bodywork, with issues of under paint bubbling noted on the top of both of the rear arches and the off-side front arch. The metal is free from any significant dent damage, just a series of treatable light dents noted on the rear nearside wing. 

The handsome midnight blue paint finish has very good coverage, displaying a healthy lustre and even smooth finish with just a little lacquer damage noted on the off-side door. There are also a few signs of typical age-related marks, with light scuffs on the roof and bonnet and a light peppering of stone chips on the lower section of the bonnet, but nothing has penetrated too deeply into the metal yet. 

The bumpers are well placed, with no cracks or signs of misuse, and the rear bumper has a few minor scuffs in places. The Alpina-specific body trim such as the rear and front spoilers is in good shape with no obvious damage noted. The badges are decent too.

The glass shows no signs of lamination damage or chips, and all the rubber and door sealing is intact. The trim is correct for the Alpina model, with no major defects spotted on the chrome or plastic fittings. All of the lights are in good shape, with clear lenses and no signs of misting on the front items.

The handsome 18” Alpina spec alloys are tidy, with a few minor marks noted on the edge of the rims, with the nearside front wheel showing a little corrosion and lacquer damage. All four tyres are fitted with a set of new Uniroyal tyres and it comes with a spare full-sized Alpina alloy in the boot.

The car starts up without any issues, with no warning lights being flagged up on the dashboard. The car idles with no undulations or unwanted noises, and ticks over with no signs of increasing engine temperature. There were no signs of fluids leaks on the day, with the exhaust not appearing to have any damage. The partially hand-build B3 3.3-litre six engine displays well, with healthy-looking ancillaries and intact hoses. 

On the move, the car is said to be a stable drive, with no unwanted vibrations coming from the wheels. The car has seen suspension work over the years, and no knocks are said to come from the wheels. The ride is said to be supple, with no concerns in regards to the car's braking ability, which was also subject to attention in the recent past. The discs all appear to be in good shape.

The Switchtronic automatic gearbox engages gears without any issues and no slackness is mentioned. The kick down is said to work correctly, with no reported clunking. The owner has informed us that the car drives very well at all speeds and has a superb throttle response and a lovely exhaust note.

The sheer number of surviving E46s still on the roads, disguises the true talent of the fourth generation 3-Series. By utilising the known and respected Alpina brand to apply its magic to the mid-market leader, the E46 coupe takes on an extra dimension of talent. 

It’s not just the exclusivity of the B3, but the significant hike in performance and agility simply adds further appeal to the E46s already considerable talents.