E36 Alpinas at Auction

[JJJames]

Originally Posted by jrsmitchell

I assume this is the same JJJames with the nice Dakar euro spec M3? You can't have that and an Alpina

I mostly agree with what LordVader is saying, although that particular B6 probably isn't a good indicator of Alpina values overall. At least to me it wasn't the most desirable model. The B6 2.8 was a bit of a lower spec model to start with. And it was also Auto (but not switchtronic), regular seats, no digital gauges, etc. It did sell about a week ago, but no idea for how much.

One other thing I'd caution you about if you're thinking about picking up an Alpina is insurance. I had trouble getting insurance on mine here in Ontario, ended up with specialty insurance through Hagerty which isn't a viable option if you want to daily the car.

Yep, thats me - if the insurance thing is a deal breaker then you may be right!

The B6 Touring has some advantages which suit me - I'd want to daily the car, and the fact that its an auto makes that easier, plus the fact that the the engine size remained relatively small, and so many of the components (at least those that wear out) are shared with a standard 3 series mean it wouldn't necessarily be a particularly expensive car to run. Plus, though its not as highly spec'd as some other Alpina's out there, cams, exhaust, software, pistons, suspension, brakes, wheels and the various cosmetic touches is enough for me!

The insurance thing worries me though - would you mind elaborating on what the problem was with insuring your car?

[jrsmitchell]

Originally Posted by JJJames

Plus, though its not as highly spec'd as some other Alpina's out there, cams, exhaust, software, pistons, suspension, brakes, wheels and the various cosmetic touches is enough for me!

The insurance thing worries me though - would you mind elaborating on what the problem was with insuring your car?

I'm not sure the B6 has the things you mentioned (cams, pistons, exhaust, brakes, ...). I'll see if I have some info in one of my books. You'd get the wheels at least

As for the insurance, I'll admit that I didn't do an exhaustive search. But basically they don't have a risk model for the car so they don't know what to do with it. They can't even run the Alpina VIN. So all the brokers I called said they wouldn't touch it. Generally for insurance anything that's outside the norm is a "don't bother", except for specialty insurers like Hagerty. You might be able to register / insure as a 328.

Others here seem to have had more success so maybe I just called the wrong people.

[JJJames]

Originally Posted by jrsmitchell

I'm not sure the B6 has the things you mentioned (cams, pistons, exhaust, brakes, ...). I'll see if I have some info in one of my books. You'd get the wheels at least

As for the insurance, I'll admit that I didn't do an exhaustive search. But basically they don't have a risk model for the car so they don't know what to do with it. They can't even run the Alpina VIN. So all the brokers I called said they wouldn't touch it. Generally for insurance anything that's outside the norm is a "don't bother", except for specialty insurers like Hagerty. You might be able to register / insure as a 328.

Others here seem to have had more success so maybe I just called the wrong people.

I've done a fair bir of rearch and I'm pretty sure it does (see, for example, the "Alpina Archive":
http://www.alpina-archive.com/?page_...=Alpina-B6-2.8

Note link at the bottom of the page re the 2.8 touring (based on the technical specs of the 2.8/2).

Also see here: http://youbmw.ru/manuals/Alpina/Engb628.pdf

[Stirling]

Somebody sure wanted this E36 cabriolet... $32,000!

It's not even in North America yet.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-Other-E36-/221557298738