** Now reduced to £4500 OVNO **
My number is 07984 395400
For sale is my ultra-rare BMW B10 Alpina 4.6 V8 Switchtronic - the gentleman's M5!
Alpina Build-Plaque Number 176
Registered 24th September 1997
12 Months MOT with No Advisories
138k Miles
Individual Alpina Blue with Extended Nappa Leather
Personalised Plate - A18 ULY
Just had a Full Inspection II Service (Oil & Filter, Air Filter, Fuel Filter, Pollen Filters and Spark Plugs x 8) - with Full Invoice and Service Stamp
Front Alpina Bumper removed, resprayed and refitted (due to stone chips)
Excellent Service History with a folder full of Bills & Receipts
Original Build Spec - £72k back in 1997!
** Chassis Number: WAPBA46L17AF30176 - Alpina specific, the last 3 digits denote the Alpina Build Number, as also stated on the Alpina Plaque (Alpina etch out the original 540i Chassis Number in the engine bay, and add their own one)
High Specification:
An Alpina B10 is a special car to begin with, and will have as standard: 4.6 V8 engine, 18" Alpina Staggered Wheels, Alpina Bodykit, Alpina Rear Spoiler...
However, this particular car has been fitted with pretty much every single extra available at the time:
Alpina Special Paint - £700.00
Full Nappa Leather - £2795.00
Electric Comfort Seats and Driver Memory - £1945.00
Heated Front Seats - £320.00
Dechroming - £175.00
Graduated Tinted Screen - £70.00
Electric Sunroof - £900.00
Auto Dimming Rear View Mirror / Power Folding Door Mirrors - £220.00
Park Distance Control (PDC) - £340.00
BMW 6 Disc CD Changer - £425.00
Alpina Rear Spoiler - £460.00
Original Purchase price was £63,500 plus the above optional extras made it £72,650 - That's over £100k in today's money!
In addition to the above, it has the usual specification that a top of the range E39 would have:
Electric Windows x 4, Electric Heated Door Mirrors, Walnut Veneer Trim, Multi-Function Steering Wheel, Cruise Control, Speed-Sensitive Wipers, Digital Dual Zone Climate Control, Power Steering, Remote Central Locking, Alarm, Immobiliser, BMW-fitted Tracker, On-Board COmputer (Range, MPG, Distance, etc), Illuminated Vanity Mirrors, Ambience Lighting, BMW Tool Kit, BMW Spare Wheel, BMW Jack.
Engine / Mechanical:
Based on a E39 540i with the 4.4 litre M62, Alpina took this engine and worked their magic. They bored it out to 4.6 litres, added their legendary Mahle Pistons, schrick cams and ended up gaining an increase of over 60bhp:
* 4619cc
* V8
* 32 Valves
* 347 BHP
* 175 MPH Top Speed
This is a very reliable car - I had been using it to commute to work, and even sitting in heavy summer traffic, it has not missed a beat.
Just had an Inspection II Service at my BMW Specialist - Autowerx Service in Milton Keynes. Also just had a new Viscous Fan & Coupling Unit and New Wiper Blades fitted at the same time.
Passed it's MOT with NO Advisories - now has a Full 12 Month ticket.
Starts first turn of the key. Idles in the correct manner. It has the characteristic lumpy idle (I have an 840ci Sport with the M62 4.4. and that feels smoother on idle). I believe this is a normal trait for these, as they have taken the original 4.4 and coarsley tuned it.
The exhaust is a bespoke Alpina unit and sounds gorgeous, even on start up. Howls when you open her up!
Suspension is tight and solid, and many components were replaced by the previous owner (lots of receipts for the parts, he did the work himself).
Gearbox is sound, and the gear changes are smooth and effortless. Flick the gear selector to the left and this put the car into manual (Switchtronic) mode. This is where it becomes and animal, and the gear changes are performed via the buttons on the steering wheel. It has no problems in lighting up the rear tyres!
Gearbox was serviced in March 2014 at a BMW Specialist. Rocker cover gaskets were replaced within the last year, as well as various engine breather pipes. Has the usual M62 left hand rear cam cover weep.
It has low mileage for the year (based on an average of 10k miles per annum, this should be at well over 180k miles by now!).
Exterior:
The coachwork is finished in an 'Individual Alpina Blue II'. This was a special order paint, not found on the non-Alpina models. Looks classy yet subtle, exactly what these Alpinas are about.
It has been fitted with the Facelift 'Halo Angel Eyes', which look much better that the standard units and give the car a more modern and fresh look.
In good condition for the year, but it is 18 years old: There are a few rust blisters on a couple of the wheel arches and lower sills. Marks and blemishes consistent with age. NSR jacking point is a little corroded, and will possibly need attention in the future (however, no mention on the current MOT). Bonnet badge has started to flake. It's probably had some paint in it's time, but what 18 year old car hasn't?
Front bumper was covered in stone chips and was looking a little tired compared to the rest of the car, so whilst it was at the BMW specialist for a service, I got his partner-company to remove, repaint and refit the front bumper (these guys know what they are doing, and tend to work mainly on high end exotic metal).
Still a very clean and presentable car, as can be seen in the photos. Not your usual rot box, and is cleaner than most other E39s of this vintage.
The 18" Alpina Soflines look good, and give the car nice stance, especially with them being the staggered fitment (these alone sell for over £1k!). Being picky, they could benefit from a refurb if you wanted them perfect.
Interior:
The exterior is perfectly complemented by the Lotus Nappa Extended Leather interior. Again, this was special order and the whole interior package cost almost £5k on top of the purchase price!
Being the Extended Leather option, the centre console surround and door handles are all stitched in leather.
Front front seats are fully electric, and adjust fine in all directions. Driver's seat has the memory options. Nappa leather is much more exclusive than the standard E39 leather.
Being honest, the interior could do with being reconnolised - mainly the driver's seat. It needs a deep clean and a leather feed, as is looking a litte tired in places. No rips or tears, and it's not too bad, but would rather be honest. The seats are still structurally solid. Steering wheel needs a retrim, and currently has a cover over it.
It all feels nice and tight, as to be expected of the E39 build quality. Everything works as it should, with the exception of the front fog lights, which need to be connected back up (it was something they didn't get round to finishing, due to lack of time).
Service History:
This is a car that has been well-maintained and pampered throughout it's life. You shouldn't expect any less with a car costing over £70k when new!
There is the current MOT Certificate, along with 10 Previous MOTs.
BMW Service Booklet with PDI, Running-In Service and 14 Service Stamps.
BMW Leather Folder with all User Manuals / Handbooks.
Bills and receipts totalling over £13k!
Documents detailing the previous owners and purchase history.
There are a few stamps missing where the previous owners have carried out the work themselves, but there are receipts present for most of the service parts they purchased.
4 x Keys in Total (2 x Remote Key Fobs, One Plastic Key, One Master Key)
Summary:
You are probably thinking after singing it's praises, why am I selling it? To be honest, it is a car that I have always dreamed of owning ever since they came out some 18 years ago. I have got it to a good solid state, ready to make into top condition with some minor TLC. However, I have an 840ci Sport which now needs a few grand spending on it, as well as a 600SEL Mercedes that I am dying to get back on the road. I've decided to sell this and fund the work needed on my other cars.
The Logbook is present and in my name, registered to my home address. All paperwork is in order, as mentioned above.
I know I will regret selling this, as these will only go up in price (look how much even the most shabby examples of E39 M5s are now commanding, and these are even rarer!).
Sold as seen. No warranty is given and / or implied. The car has been described honestly and to the best of my ability. Any inspection / viewing is welcome and highly encouraged, as everyone’s opinion of an old car will differ. Once sold, vehicle is 100% responsibility of the new owner. No returns.
CASH ON COLLECTION ONLY (Happy to accept a Bank Transfer, but needless to say, car won't be released until funds are fully cleared into my account).
Please call me on 07984 395400 for any further information.
Car is located in Bracknell, Berkshire, RG12 post code.