One to Buy: Montreal Blue Met. 1996 Alpina B3 3.2 Coupe
In April 1996 Alpina released the second iteration of their popular E36-based B3 which most notably now featured an engine taken out from 2997cc to 3152cc. Alpina fitted lightweight Mahle pistons, an uprated cylinder head with modified combustion chambers, re-mapped the engine management and hiked the compression ratio to 10.5:1.
Peak output was 265bhp at 5800rpm and 243lb-ft at 4400rpm.
Alpina offered the choice of a Getrag six-speed manual or five-speed Switchtronic gearbox – most customers went for the latter which enabled either fully automatic or manual shifts via steering wheel-mounted buttons.
342 examples of the B3 3.2 were built between 1996 and ‘99. For much of this time it was offered alongside Alpina’s spectacular V8-engined E36: the B8 4.6.
Currently on offer at the L’Art de l’Automobile’s showroom in Paris is one of the most handsomely configured B3s to hit the market in recent times: number 006.
Fitted with the super desirable manual gearbox, it is finished in Montreal Blue Metallic with a Alpina’s trademark decal kit in contrasting gold. The car also comes with a full complement of Alpina spoilers plus those famous 17-inch Radsatz wheels. Inside is a gorgeous dark grey Alpina fabric upholstery with green and blue stripes and Alpina fine wood inserts.
A domestic market example that was serviced at the Alpina factory in Buchloe for the first few years of its life, 006 has today covered a little over 127,000km and looks to represent good value for what is an increasingly sought after 90s tuner car.
Reprinted below is L’Art de l’Automobile’s description for this super collectable 90s Alpina:
Registered: 07/22/96
Price: €69,000
Mileage: 127,500km
Transmission: Manual
Options:
Montreal blue metallic, leather and black fabric interior
CD changer
Hi-Fi system
BMW sports seats
On-board computer
Head restraints in the rear
17“ Alpina rims
Automatic air conditioning
Alpina fabric upholstery
Alpina velour floor mats
BMW Business RDS radio
Alpina fine wood inserts
Sports leather steering wheel with 3 spokes
Heated exterior mirrors
Anti-theft alarm with remote control
Blue and green interior stitching
Gold-coloured Alpina exterior decoration
Additional
Superb condition
Extremely rare model
Superb configuration
Notebook, manuals, double keys
Purchase invoice, complete file from the origin
Maintenance:
On 08/29/1996 at 2,433 km by Alpina Buchloe
On 03/05/1997 at 13,866 km by Alpina Buchloe
Later in 1997 at 24,491 km by Alpina Buchloe
On 04/02/1998 at 40,986 km by Alpina Buchloe
On 08/13/1998 at 48,745 km by Alpina Buchloe
On 01/14/1999 at 62,058 km by Alpina Buchloe
On 07/20/1999 at 72,337 km by Alpina Buchloe
On 03/03/2000 at 84,802 km by Alpina Buchloe
On 11/09/2015 at 113,943 km by Autobedrijf Admiraal at Oude-Tonge
On 14/06/2017 at 117,444 km by Stoopman Auto's BV at Hellevoetsluis
At the end of 1995, BMW presented the M3 E30 Evolution, Alpina then took the opportunity to review its B3 3.0 model. So, in April 1996, the Alpina B3 3.2 based on the BMW 328i went into production. Alpina increases the displacement of the six-cylinder to 3.2L, equips the car with light Mahle pistons and modifies the combustion chambers, a new exhaust system is born and the engine is reprogrammed.
The result is a fabulous Alpina engine that produces 265 bhp and 330 Nm of torque. The Getrag 6-speed gearbox is used. This allows the car to reach 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds for a top speed of over 260 km/h, all in remarkable comfort.
The aesthetic finesse of Alpina preparations remains faithful to the brand's DNA. Thus, we find on the outside some discreet more aerodynamic parts and the very pretty exterior decoration is obviously offered to customers, in silver or gold. Inside, personalization is also on the cards, with sublime blue and green stitching, velvet floor mats and precious wood inserts. The very beautiful Radsatz rims come to perfect the whole.
This enthusiast car, chassis 006, was configured in Montreal Blue. The car is in exceptional condition and has covered 127,500 km. Delivered new in Germany and then followed very regularly in the Alpina center, the file of invoices and documents that accompanies this car is gigantic. We have the original purchase invoice, its notebook and instructions, technical inspection reports, but also extensive documentation on the model. It is rare that such a beautiful example of this sophisticated and sought-after car appears on the market!
