2003 ALPINA B3 S

Built in January 2003 and first registered with the DVLA two months later, this Alpina B3 S Cabriolet is number 34 of just 161 cabrio's produced for the UK. It has the Switch-Tronic transmission and when built had a claimed 0-62 time of 6.6 secs (although Auto Zeitung tested it coming in just under 6) and a top speed of 161mph.

The car has had 10 keepers including the current owner who - living at the time in the Middle East - bought the Alpina from a collector based on the south coast in Hampshire who was selling off his more performant cars due to his advancing years. As the seller seemed genuine and had a number of other cars - including Jaguar E-Types, BMW Z3M and Honda NSX - the current owner bought it unseen and only saw it on collection. Thankfully he wasn’t disappointed - all was as described.

His intention was to take the car to his new home in Malaysia - a RHD cabrio in a bright colour being perfect for such a place and to enjoy in his retirement. He drove it back to a London garage and two days later flew home to the Middle East. That was around two years ago - since then he has not driven, or even seen, the car.

Now settled in Malaysia, it has become evident that as the Alpina is neither more than 35 years old, nor less than 5, he can’t get an import licence and despite exploring all avenues he has reluctantly accepted that he needs to sell the car.

The outside of this Alpina isn’t the best that we’ve seen. From a little way off the special order Atlantis Blue colour looks really good but some damage and the flaws and blemishes of its most recent paint job become more obvious closer to.

Starting at the front and working back, there are scuffs and cracks on the bottom of the chin spoiler, most likely from speed bump impact as well as small scratches on the outer edges. The front edge of the bonnet has a patch of tiny bubbles, possibly some contamination from the paint booth, and across the flanks of the car there is an orange peel effect here and there. The near side rear wing also has a trio of small scratches along with a dint in the metal.  

It is possible that some of the plastic trims were refitted to the car too soon after the repaint and consequently adhesion has been affected. The kidney grilles are loose, the side trims are becoming detached in places and the rear boot lid spoiler could also do with reattaching before going anywhere at speed. 

However, the fabric power-folding hood looks sound, it fits nice and tight and seems to operate as it should.

The car has its original 18-inch 20-spoke Alpina alloys which are in a good condition, having been refurbished in 2015. They are fitted with matching Kumho Ecsta tyres dated 2014 at the front and 2015 on the rears - all showing a good tread depth.

As ever we encourage any personal inspection in addition to scrutinising the detailed photographs. Use the ‘Contact Seller’ option and we can arrange a visit to our new Oxfordshire HQ or a video call to discuss the car with you and focus on the areas of interest.

The interior of the car is a pleasing combination of ecru (the colour of unbleached linen) alcantara and leather with contrasting dark wood veneer and black plastic trims. It is fairly tidy, although would benefit from some deeper cleansing of the lighter coloured materials.

There is some wear and pilling to the alcantara on both front seat side bolsters - worn through completely on the driver’s side. It’s not a huge hole but worth getting it addressed before it becomes a bigger and more expensive job. There is also similar wear to the leather around the steering wheel rim.

The two-tone steering wheel has Alpina’s signature Switch-Tronic button shifters, with stitched up and down arrows. Behind it the dash, instrument panel and centre console all appear in good condition with the Alpina build number plaque above the glove compartment.

What looks like the original BMW radio cassette player (with CD changer in the boot) sits in the middle delivering its sound through Harman/Kardon speakers. As far as we’ve been able to test, this and all other interior equipment works as it should.

The black carpet looks intact and there are also protective mats front and back with contrasting ecru-coloured edge trims.

Under the bonnet, the engine bay is reasonably neat and tidy with just the inlet manifold coating having speckled a little. The insulation on the underside of the bonnet is intact and there are no signs of significant rust around the shuts or catches.

In case you’re wondering why there are two VINs stamped on the offside strut turret - that is because it gets one from BMW during the first part of its assembly (which is subsequently crossed out) and another as it begins its fit out and completion at Alpina.

The undersides appear sound with no apparent corrosion beyond a little surface rust here and there. There are a few scrapes to the underbody, presumably from speed bumps or similar but nothing causing concern. The exhaust system looks to be intact too.

In the boot - which given the stowage for the folded roof is surprisingly large - the carpet and linings are clean and in good order. Underneath is a 17-inch spare wheel fitted with Continental rubber and a jack. There is a CD autochanger and battery on either side of the load space and underneath the boot lid itself is the original BMW tool kit which seems to be complete - often something of a rarity.

The car has a current MOT, valid until May 2021. For reasons unknown, the online MOT history has gaps but the expired MOT certificates in the history file combined with the online record show that testing was carried out almost annually from 2006 to the present.

The history file includes several invoices for sundry parts and work done and the car also comes with its service booklet which shows regular servicing and maintenance inspections as follows:

Oct 2018 - 66,582 - JB Motorsport, Hants

Jan 2017 - 65,007 - JB Motorsport, Hants

Jun 2015 - 64,439 - JB Motorsport, Hants

Jul 2014 - 62,655 - JB Motorsport, Hants

Jan 2012 - 59,770 - Owen Ferry BMW specialist, Glasgow

Mar 2010 - 53,821 - J&J, Herts

Jan 2009 - 39,687 - Sundridge BMW

Jul 2007 - 28,127 - Halle, near Leipzig Germany

Oct 2005 - 19,277 - Hexagon BMW, London

May 2003 - 2,598 - Sytner BMW, Harold Wood

Apr 2003 - 961 (running in check)- Halle

Feb 2003 - PDI - Halle

Both the MOT and service history validate the Alpina’s current low mileage of 66,900 miles.

In mid-2012, the car is understood to have suffered a rear-end impact which was subsequently listed as a Category D write off - with the cost of repairs deemed too high compared to the value of the car. Paint job aside, there is no other obvious sign that anything significant had occurred.

Note: Cat D status can often be issued for very light damage and insurers sometimes sell these cars to garages which have the means to repair damage at reduced cost. It is then financially viable for them to return the car to a roadworthy condition and legitimately sell it on.

Sadly for the vendor, he only got to enjoy his Alpina B3 S for about 70 miles from Hampshire to London, but he says that it drove perfectly and everything he could find to test worked well.

Asking prices of equivalent E46 BMW models are starting to see modest gains as attitudes to the styling soften and the car becomes recognised for the driving legend that it is. So we think this low mileage, limited production modern classic Alpina will fetch between £6,000 and £9,000.

As we mentioned before, this car has M3-matching performance but with more comfort and the added cachet of the Alpina badge - so at that money it seems nothing short of a bargain.

Inspection is always encouraged (within Govt. guidelines of course), and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.