Highlights
- Full service history
- Rare and very desirable V8 version with 350bhp
- Number 259 of only 1,497 B10 V8 built
- MOT to end November 2025 with no advisories
- New Apple Car Play system installed
- One of the best BMWs and Alpinas ever built
The Appeal
To the uninitiated it may seem odd that Alpina exists. After all, BMW makes some of the best super saloons in its own factory. But to those in the know it is abundantly clear: Alpinas are very different from M cars, offering buyers a more balanced blend of comfort and performance.
The very high cost of ‘Alpina-ising’ your BMW means that volumes have always been low. These cars tend to join collections and this one is no exception. It is the one to have, the B10 V8 with the 4.6L, 350bhp motor and based on the later E39 540. That is a good starting point because the E39 is generally acknowledged as one of the best 5 Series ever built.
This car is pleasingly factory standard, retaining its gold Alpina decals and bespoke cabin fittings. It has been driven and enjoyed by its handful of keepers, but not at the expense of maintenance. There is a run of 17 service stamps all the way up to 2024. The car has covered only 1,000 miles since the last work. The long MOT runs to the end of November 2025 with no advisories.
Understated and in great condition, this is a proper treat for fans of rare, viscerally quick saloons.
The vendor writes:
“It is excellent to drive and popular at car shows. This icar is lovely to drive and is smooth, powerful and understated. It is one of a pair of E39 Alpinas I have at the moment.”
The History and Paperwork
- First registered 5th January 1998
- Seven registered keepers
- Current keeper since March 2023
- Part of a small Alpina collection
- Regularly serviced with 17 stamps
- Last serviced at 140,257 miles in March 2024
- Regularly used by current keeper without issue
- Professionally dry stored during current keeper’s tenure when not in use
- 1 key fob and 1 key as shown
- Factory handbooks and wallet
- Car number 259 out of 858 saloons built worldwide models were a very small number
- Old MOTs and paperwork as shown
- Current MOT to 30th November 2025 with no advisories
- 141,270 miles showing on test and 141,311 miles showing in photos
The Condition
- Silver metallic paintwork with original gold Alpina decals and body fittings
- Paintwork is well kept with some light marks to note but nothing significant
- There is a small scuff to nearside front arch and nearby bumper edge
- There is slight paint mismatch between offside panels as shown
- Bodywork presents very well particularly to underside, sills and arches
- Panel edges in good order with no significant or obvious chips or corrosion
- Fitted with Alpina 18in multispokes in good order with light bubbling to centre caps
- Matching full size spare wheel in good order
- Quality Michelin tyres fitted all round with good sidewall condition and plenty of tread
- Underside presents well with no reported issues and no structural advisories on MOT
- Specification includes glass sunroof with roof surround showing no obvious deterioration
- High specification black leather Alpina interior with original bespoke detailing
- This includes Alpina fabric inserts to floor mats and seats
- Seats show only very light wear to driver’s side but otherwise well preserved
- Black carpets in good condition with Alpina over mats as noted above
- Headlining in good order with a couple of light marks to note but not unsightly
- Elm Wood veneers to dashboard, doors and console all in good order
- Dashboard, dials and switchgear present well with no significant aging
- Some wear to note to centre armrest but not beyond reasonable for age
- Recently fitted with a new Apple Car Play system
- No reported electrical, lighting or switchgear malfunctions
- No warning lights appear on or reported on dashboard
The Mechanics
- Hand-crafted Alpina 4,619cc 350bhp V8 engine
- Engine is based on the BMW M62 engine in the 540i
- 5spd automatic gearbox with some sequential functionality
- 0-60 mph in 6.2secs
- Factory tool kit as shown
- Full run of servicing with 17 stamps
- Serviced at 140,257 miles in March 2024 with 1,000 miles since
- Vendor informs us that it is in excellent mechanical condition with no known faults
- Described as lovely to drive, smooth and powerful, and understated
- No reported running or driving issues
- No mechanical or running gear advisories on last MOT
BEFORE YOU BUY
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