Thoughts on buying an '06 4.4 Alpina B5

[bmbratz]

Hi,

Can anyone throw some light on ownership and running costs of this rare car i have seen a 2006 with 78k on the clock its mettalic black 4.4 Alpina B5 it was last serviced by BMW at around 66k, I currently running an 2002 E39 530d! Am i looking to a wallet shredding running costs etc also how does brakes and other parts etc compare to a normal E60?
Any help much appreciated.

Thanks

[Harry]

For the majority of bits you'll be shopping off the 550 shelf. Running costs are going to be comparable with 545/550 levels in terms of bits, servicing and fuel consumption. They are not "money no object" cars, they are strong, reliable and sane. Apart from the performance, which is bonkers. There are no special buying rules. It's down to condition, history and to a much lesser extent mileage. Have you got an insurance quote yet?

[bmbratz]

Well I have had quotes around £1200 I am 36 with full no claims etc including my partner as named driver as well heres the link; http://www.prestige-carsales.com/211232/showroom.htm so what would i be looking for in a 78k miler?

[Olli]

That does look a very fair price for that car from a dealer.

I would have one of these over an M5 any day. Lower running cost, as fast and more rare. As much as I love the M5, this car can be driven very sanely, but also be a totally mental hooligan. One thing which can be considered a must on the earlier B5's would be a BMW warranty or one as good as that as the SUperchargers on the early cars can be fragile.

If you find out the plaque number of that car in question, the owner may be over on Thealpinaregister, so you could check in more detail.

Fantastic cars and I would love to own one. Can be driven at mid to high twenties on a long sedate run easily, but all depends on the fun factor you are after. On a German Autobahn that thing will go near the 200mph mark legally

[Harry]

Looks very nice. I'd like ventilated comfort seats but I don't know if an E60 B5 exists with these fitted. All other things being equal it looks good. Sytner have a couple of approved used E60 B5s which have the one USP that this one doesn't - like Olli says, the warranty. But they are more expensive - with much lower miles. Even if you drop it after 12 months it would be a significant bonus.

[bmbratz]

Its no 155 on the plaque when I rang to enquire what does a usp mean? An after market warranty be any good?

[slim_boy_fat]

In marketing speak, USP usually means "Unique Selling Point".

[Harry]

And the unique selling point about an approved used BMW, regardless of how well it is prepared, is that the warranty really is worth the paper it is written on.

[bmbratz]

seen on bmw site same car with only around 25k miles about £25k, granted the warranty is its usp! supercharger problems are they common problematic? I was thinking alpinas engines are bullet proof..

[Harry]

I was thinking that too. Generally speaking at least. Olli's the man with the knowledge. I would fear taking over someone else's corner cutting ownership but that applies to anything.

If I was walking past a showroom and saw a B5 up for sale I would have a hard time resisting just walking in and buying it! that's how big the bug has bitten me - and we've only got a diddly little 3.3. Performance matters - but with Alpinas that's only half of it. They're special.

[Olli]

The early B5's are know for possible charger failure, seen (heard) of more than one, but not as if it was guaranteed to break.

[manowar]

That seems to be a fantastic car. It ticks all the boxes for me (apart from being completely out of my price and insurance range!) It's just a shame I can't bond with the e60 styling.

[bmbratz]

Well it's a weigh up between running costs but the exclusivity of it is a no brainer! There's a few road tests on these beasts but can't find any info on living with it and longterm ownership; about the Alpina 155 plaque no searched the alpine register but no luck on finding anything else about the car:(

[chubbm]

Alpinas use their own shocks and cost twice the price of the bmw 550s. Maybe worth reading BMW car magazine May 2011 edition -- where an alpina owner has written in with this concern. The best thing about an Apina is that the gearbox is not SMG but an auto. Maybe worth considering what type of 550 M sport you would get for your budget but alpinas are special and very rare....oh I really want one but cant afford it !

[Harry]

They use their own shocks, exhausts, and more besides depending on which model you are looking at. The instrument pods are bespoke and cost vast sums. For routine servicing and maintenance you are buying off the stock shelves. In the case of the E60 it's a big relief that the suspension and tyres don't come out of the same bins as a standard car!