Highlights

Rare D4 coupe in superb condition
The performance of a M4 with the economy of a diesel
Full service history and few miles since last visit
High specification with £8,000 of factory options
Long MOT with no advisories

The Appeal

Sometimes, it turns out, you can have it all. Such is the ethos of Alpina’s remarkable D4 coupe, which combines the tarmac-shredding performance of a BMW M4 with the frugality of a diesel. It also has rarity on its side, with less than 40 D4 coupes road registered in the UK.

Each Alpina is whipped off the BMW production line and carefully finished at the firm’s Buchloe works, with scope for buyers to carefully bespoke their cars. The D4 specification includes an Alpina-fettled, 345bhp 3litre twin turbo diesel that somehow manages to deliver 60mph from standstill in 4.3secs whilst being capable of delivering over 53mpg.

This distinctive Melbourne Red 2016 D4 is car number 150 and is particularly highly specified with £8,000 of desirable factory options. With full service history and a long MOT, this is the entertaining sports car that appeals equally to head and heart.

The History and Paperwork

First registered 22nd June 2016
VIN records show that this car was built on 11th January 2016
2 keys
Full factory handbook set
MOT to 21st April 2024 with no advisories
Original BMW VIN: WBA3P72050F998171
Mechanically identical to the Alpina D3 saloon and estate
Two coil springs replaced in June 2023
New tyres fitted in June 2022
Good history file including invoices for servicing and other maintenance work

£8,000 of options, including:

Alpina hand finished steering wheel
Lavaline leather interior
Alpina decals for seats and floor mats
Head up display
Satellite navigation
High Gloss Shadowline
Sun Pro glass
Rear view camera
Through loading hatch
Lumbar support
Instrument panel in leather
Anthracite headlining
Harman Kardon surround sound system
20in Alpina alloy wheels

Service history:

Mix of BMW main dealers and specialists
22,313 miles on 14th December 2017
40,580 miles on 12th June 2019
53,279 miles on 11th August 2021
54,483 miles on 17th May 2022

The Interior

High specification including many desirable Alpina features
Well specified interior blending black leather with red stitching and highlights
Very good condition with barely any signs of use
Even the oft-used areas such as the seat bolsters and steering wheel display appear fresh

In addition to the list above, the specification includes:

Dual zone climate control
Cruise control
Rear parking sensors
Electric seats with heating and memory function
Automatic lights and wipers
Auto dimming rear view mirror
DAB tuner
Carbon dashboard and centre console trim
Carbon fibre door grab handles
Blue-backed Alpina dials
Alpina plaque with build number
Engine stop/start button
Alpina stainless steel sill covers
Rear cup holders
BMW accessories bag and First Aid kit

With the Alpina mechanical modifications grabbing all the headlines, the opportunity to bespoke the already well regarded BMW interior is the one of the less obvious benefits of the conversion. The original owner of this car clearly knew the options list well as it has been carefully crafted to blend the original fitments with some choice Alpina accessories.

There are blue-backed Alpina dials, Lavaline leather seats with red highlights and Alpina roundels and the standard burled elm dashboard highlights have been replaced with carbon fibre, including the door handles. The judicious use of red to break up the anthracite trim, particularly on the Alpina floor mats, door cards and seat trim, works particularly well.

Elsewhere the specification includes hand finished Alpina wheel - with push button gearbox controls, Head Up display, Harman Kardon surround sound system, BMW’s superb iDrive infotainment system and even a convenient through loading hatch from the boot to the rear seats.

It is all in excellent condition, clearly indicating the care of the few owners. Even the high traffic areas like the steering wheel and driver’s seat show few signs of wear. The boot area shows a similar care with no staining visible on the trim here or the carpets throughout.

The Exterior

Distinctive Melbourne Red paintwork with classic and subtle Alpina decals
Bodywork in very well kept condition with barely any signs of use or age
Upgraded 20in Alpina alloy wheels virtually unmarked
Blue brake callipers
High gloss Shadowline finish
Xenon headlights
Michelin Pilot Sport tyres fitted all round in June 2022

A large part of the appeal of any Alpina is that the aesthetics remain largely unchanged from standard BMW models. This is a car designed for the select few who know - and to surprise the many who don’t.

This car is finished in the rare but impressive shade of Melbourne Red. It features some choice Alpina trim highlights including those iconic side decals and a branded front splitter. Otherwise the only hint that this car is a little different are the stylish 20in Alpina alloys.

It all adds up to a car with great stance. It is also in remarkable condition, showing barely any signs of its age or - relatively low - mileage. There are a couple of stone chips on the front and the two front wheels carry the very lightest of kerb marks but these are all and certainly not visible without very close inspection.

The car sits on quality Michelin Pilot Sport tyres that show good tread. The blue callipers nicely contrast with the bodywork.

The Mechanics

Acclaimed BMW 2,993cc N57 twin turbo, straight six diesel engine
Alpina tuning increases performance to 345bhp and 0-60mph in 4.3secs
Akrapovic high performance exhaust system with quad tailpipes
Up to 53.3mpg can be achieved
Adaptive suspension system
8spd ZF automatic gearbox with semi-automatic shift option
Full service history, most recently in May 2022 with only 400 miles covered since

BMW’s 3litre diesel engine is an undeniably good place to start if fettling is your goal. Smooth and powerful it is arguably one of the best diesel engines of the last 20 years.

Alpina naturally set about making it better. The pursuit of more power has been achieved, remarkably, without sacrificing the main reason for buying a diesel - fuel economy. The result is a car coupe that can worry a M4 on the straights and through the bends but return over 50mpg when a less frenetic pace appeals. This really is a car that provides the cake and the opportunity to eat it.

As you would expect from a car that has been so clearly cared for, the service history is of a similar standard. There is full service history by BMW and specialists, most recently 400 miles ago in May 2022. The history file provides invoices for this work plus additional maintenance including coil springs, which have been recently replaced.

Summary

The Alpina D4 conversion was never cheap but for those with the money to invest, it is one that does seem to do it all: quick when you need it, very economical when you don’t. For used car buyers they surely represent a very tempting proposition.

This carefully maintained, beautifully presented D4 has a superb specification to add to the car’s mechanical appeal. Rare and rewarding, it is a ‘head and heart’ car that looks very tempting.

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