This is a one of a kind drop top Alpina sports car.
This is a very unique and rare BMW in Malaysia and also around the world. There are only a handful of right hand drive units around the world and here is a fine example for sale in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
This is an Alpina B3 S Convertible (E46) model and it comes with a powertrain and performance upgrade from the BMW tuner from Buchloe in Bavaria, Germany.
Under the hood is a hand-built 3.3-litre straight-six engine good for 280bhp coupled to a five-speed ZF automatic transmission with Alpina’s Switch-Tronic shift buttons. The odometer in this car shows just 88,923 miles from the factory. The service history can confirm this. When it was brand new, the retail price in England was around 55,000 sterling pounds which is about RM322,000 before shipping and taxes.
Alpina works closely with BMW and their processes are integrated into BMW’s production lines, thus Alpina is recognized by the German Ministry of Transport as an automobile manufacturer, in contrast to other performance specialists which are aftermarket tuners.
Alpina engineers have tuned the B3 S’s 3.0-litre, twin-turbocharged six-cylinder engine to produce 280bhp at 6,100 rpm and 335Nm of torque at 4,300rpm. That means that even in convertible form, as driven here and which is some 200kg heavier than the saloon, the B3 S will hit 100km/h in 5.7sec and go on to an unrestricted 261km/h.
Using an evolution of the S52B32 engine taken to a 3.3-litre displacement, the B3 S motor in this drop-top E46 features a bespoke cylinder head, new crankshaft and camshafts, upgraded connecting rods and pistons and revised intake and exhaust manifolds. It has a redesigned exhaust system and a reprogrammed engine management system.
The suspension of the standard 330i model was uprated with stiffer springs and modified dampers, as well as high-performance brake pads. The bodywork gets the discreet Alpina front splitter and a boot lid spoiler.
The dashboard plaque in this car confirms it as number 137 built by Alpina, and it remains in the original Alpina specification.
Its bodywork and paint looks very good overall. It rides on the original 18-inch Alpina alloy wheels fitted with Michelin Pilot Sport rubbers and these expensive alloys have only a couple of very small nicks around their edges.
Inside, the front and rear seats are upholstered in unmarked Nappa leather. The well maintained leather trim also extends to the door card inlays, the dashboard, doors, and the gear lever surround. There is very little wear to the driver’s seat, central armrest and even the Alpine floor mats.
Factory-fitted equipment includes sport seats with electric adjustment, a multi-function sport steering wheel, and Alpina tailored floor mats. It also has cruise control, xenon headlights, rear parking sensors, climate control, and the BMW Professional media system with CD changer. There are no electrical faults, and all of the switchgear works well.
Priced at RM150,000 nett, this is a collector’s car, even more rare than an E46 BMW M3. So, if you have the garage space and the RM150k, do not think twice. Call Mr. Skantha at 012-3796671 for a viewing and a possible selfie with the car.
