Can we get a section for Alpinas

PuShAkOv

PuShAkOv

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#22
I looke at their website and I see normal pics...

The pic of cherry-red alpina BMW looks very normal [paranoid] ...

What the HELL is it?? Performance gain or what??? They look ugly in a way...
 
brahtw8

brahtw8

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PuShAkOv said:
I looke at their website and I see normal pics...

The pic of cherry-red alpina BMW looks very normal [paranoid] ...

What the HELL is it?? Performance gain or what??? They look ugly in a way...
Click to expand...
Ok, here's the deal with Alpina.

They are an integral part of BMW's performance and racing history. The BMW sport sedan was born in 1961 with the 1500. That car eventually evolved to the 1800 TISA race car and the 2002 that was sold in the US until 1976. Alpina was integrally involved in the tuning of BMWs from nearly day one. They contributed to the racing development of the factory teams, and ran their own teams in Group 2 in the 70s (as well as many other classes of BMWs before and after, up to and including the present AFAIK). The old E9 CSL 'batmobile' you see below.




The importance of that car to BMW, the M division in particular, can not be overlooked.

Here is an alpina version of the CSL



They came out with the first tuner kit for the 1500 and made it as fast as the 1800. Sound familiar? They eventually started making entire cars under the Alpina line, and continue today.

The relationship they have with the factory is unlike the relationship with any other BMW tuner. They sell parts, but they also make complete cars that are sold with Alpina as the manufacturer. These cars are unique, hand-built in the fashion of the original M-cars, and made in the handfuls.

The top Alpinas put up bigger numbers than the M Cars. They push the envelope beyond the M Division. In fact, the Alpina Z8 steptronic is the first Alpina in recent memory that was down on power compared to the M. When the E28 was making 286 horse in european trim, the Alpina was at 330. When the E34 M5 was at 311 hp, the Alpina was at 360. They made 420 hp. 850s.

The styling of Alpina is not prized by the younger generation. It is somewhat old-fashioned. They still use the pin-stripes, and I love them for it.

Some people prefer the flashier design of AC Schnitzer, Racing Dynamics, etc. I like that stuff too. I am not saying one is better than the other. Nowadays a lot of companies make complete tuner versions of BMWs and other cars. You can spend ridiculous money on your car.

Spend more time reading the text of these sites and less time looking at the pictures. You got to dig for this stuff and I won't always be around to drop the knowledge. 99% of the stuff I quote can be found on google, although that is not where I learned it (you can't beat a good car magazine or the occasional book.)

I'll get off my high-horse now.

[sing]

[cheers]
 
A

alpina

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#32
well that is a pitty that he will not open a new forum! i guess I will just stick with bmwm5.com at the alpina section!

maybe if we keep asking he will give in[fake] or i will [?|]
 
Wadula

Wadula

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alpina, it is right that in a special alpina forum nothing big will happen. to me it makes more sense for the alpina fans to discuss them in showroom or general. there at least more people will see them with all the beautiful pics.
 
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