There was always something magic for me about the Alpina B10 BiTurbo. After all, with 360 hp from a force-fed 3.5 Liter M30, based on the E34 chassis it was the fastest production sedan in the world (181 mph) when it came out in 1989. And it took quite sometime until that mark was surpassed though research shows conflicting results as to what car did it and when it was done.
Now, Alpina, isn’t that a tuning company and not a proper car manufacturer you might argue, and I will forgive you for your ignorance because yes, Alpina cars certainly look suspiciously like jazzed up beamers. And yet, they aren’t. Chassis parts are shipped from Munich to Buchenloe where assembly takes place and Alpina is recognized as an independent manufacturer, complete with its own VIN numbers.
It is one thing to read about the formerly fastest production sedan in the world and another to see one in the flesh. I have seen all kinds of insanely rare cars in Berlin by now, like a Jaguar XJ220 in rush hour traffic, but to be quite honest, I had given up on ever seeing a B10 BiTurbo out in the open more than ten years ago. Sure, pictures existed on the internet, in articles in old car magazines I had bought as a child. But was a B10 BiTurbo really a thing?
A certainly very BMW symbolic 507 of them had been produced until 1994, but I was growing increasingly suspicious that they were all stored away in airconditioned private earthquake proof sub-basement garages in Japan where mechanics kidnapped from Germany had to undergo 5 years of vigorous training until they were allowed to maintain them on a 24 hour special care schedule, handpolishing them while playing soft Mozart into the exhaust pipes from a Bose sound system carefully calibrated by a Shinto monk.
And then there it was. Once again on one of my lunch hour strolls through bourgeois Berlin Wilmersdorf. On a sunny autumn afternoon. Sure, the wheels weren’t orginal, but haven’t we all seen enough twenty spoke Alpina wheels by now and to not enough BBS sixteen spokes?
Have you seen one of those fantasy cars from the early nineties out in the open, ever? Please comment and let us know!
I’m astounded that there’s still one out there and running. As I recall, those cars might have been scary fast, but also had a rep of being as durable as a potato chip.
I laughed out loud reading this, and I’ve only been drinking since 10:30AM.
Thanks for posting Hannes. The only interesting cars I saw while visiting Berlin were the Alfa 159s and a few W124 & W126s. What is it that keeps old cars off the road in Germany? Is it the TUV? What are the rules about body damage? I was told by someone that no more than one body panel can have visible rust or dents, is that true?
I owned an E34 525ia and even though it was a bottom of the barrel model, it still had the same muscularly beautiful proportions and clean lines of that particular era of BMW. I still think that the E34 and E32 are among the world’s best looking sedans.
What is it that keeps old cars off the road in Germany? Is it the TUV? What are the rules about body damage? I was told by someone that no more than one body panel can have visible rust or dents, is that true?
Two factors that influence the owners to trade their older vehicles for newer one are emission control regulations and increasingly expensive maintenance. Another factor that is more of a cultural thing: people want more and more conveniences and safety equipments in their vehicles such as air conditioning, power accessories, supplementary restraint systems, etc. Similar to Keeping up with the Joneses.
Most middle to large cities restrict the movement within the city boundaries for the vehicles with Euro 1 – Euro 3 stickers (red and yellow) as well as older orange hexagonal stickers. In addition, you pay more for motor displacement tax for the vehicles without catalysators or rudimentary emission system.
My father had to deregister his 1977 Mercedes-Benz 450SEL until it qualifies as antique/classical vehicle in 2007 because he had to pay more than 4,500 Deutsche Mark then 2,500 euros every year.
The dreadful TÜV inspection could reveal many worn out parts that need to be replaced in order to award the roadability certificate for two more years. The older vehicles require TÜV inspection every two years, which can add more expense for the motorists. If the older motors fail the emission test, it can be a huge headache fixing the motors in order to pass the emission tests.
As long as the rust isn’t compromising the body structure or safety equipments, they are fine for driving, but the owners are liable for any collision damage or injury if their vehicles failed due to rust. I have seen lot of fenders and doors with rust on older vehicles.
Germany allows the owners of older vehicles to register theirs as antique/classic vehicles, receiving the numberplates with H at end when their vehicles are at least thirty years old. They are exempted from emission tests but not TÜV inspection. Thus, a strong Youngtimers activities (German for classic cars or modern classic).
More information about Youngtimer (in German) here
The current issue of the British magazine Modern Classics asked readers the question:
“Would you choose an Alpina B10 E39 over a BMW M5 E39? Let us know your thoughts below…..”
Of the 6 comments printed, half preferred the Alpina the other half the M5. And nearly all commentors owned or drove both.
I would have to wonder how much better or worse the E39 is compared to the E34
I just saw that an E39 B10 touring is for sale here in Denmark with like 160,000 miles on the clock. Very tempting at the price it’s being offered for, but spare parts and cost of ownership are powerful deterrents.
Wow, incredible find! I’m amazed one is being used as a daily driver, but I guess these cars are meant to be driven, otherwise Alpina would have used a less practical body style.
It’s hard to say I’d want any E34 besides the M5, but obviously, the Alpina B10 Bi-Turbo is the ultimate E34.
I’ve yet to drive any Alpina yet, and have ever only seen a small handful in the metal. My dealer does currently have an Alpina B7 in stock, though a long-wheelbase 7 Series isn’t the most athletic, no matter how powerful.
Great find. Loving your German-sourced obscurities Hannes.
Thanks Don – much appreciated. I got a really good one in the pipeline – stay tuned!
Lovely find, I’ve never seen a B10 in the metal, but had a work colleague who owned a beautiful dark blue B12 (E32 750i based) which he used as a daily driver up and down the M3 from London. The one ride I took in that was amazing; absurd acceleration on the move, but also massively comfortable.