Alpina B3 S 2018 Sedan Review
If you were on the fence about buying an Alpina, now might be the time to get one.
Whether the Buchloe-based tuner has always been a twinkle in your eye or the mysterious badge with a unique spin on BMW has made you inquisitive, the end-of-generation B3 has had a big price cut yet remains an M3-rivalling luxe missile.
- Brutal engine
- Flexible driving modes
- New lower price
- Lacks the latest tech
- Looks are polarising
- There aren't many left
Is the Alpina B3 S right for me?
This could be the modern-day Executive Express: a spruced-up 340i that has enhanced interior comfort, a modified drivetrain and dynamic chassis. It produces power on par with a run-of-the-mill (can you believe that is now a thing?) BMW M3 and develops even more torque. Yet it is supple and refined inside, adding Alpina-unique parts and finer materials. We’re testing the sedan, but it’s also available as a touring-style wagon.
What does the 2018 Alpina B3 S cost?
The B3 was likely a hard sell at its previous price point of $142,900 plus on-road costs, which is right on level with a belting BMW M3. So it isn’t such a surprise that the price has been slashed, and now at $116,990 driveaway, it is not far removed from the price of a BMW 340i that it's based on - currently $91,200 plus on-road costs.
What is the Alpina B3 S's interior like?
The B3 features some subtle enhancements over the 3-Series like chequered door panel inserts and metal foot pedals for the driver, while other changes are more noticeable, such as the Nappa leather seat trim with unique contrasting stitching and piping with Alpina emblems set into the seat backs.
The detail on the steering wheel is thoughtful too, with green and blue stitching inspired by the brand’s heritage colours, and behind the nine and three o'clock positions are perhaps the largest change of all - steering wheel-mounted gear buttons rather than sporty paddle shifters. They don’t have the same tactile feedback as longer levers but are effective for having some manual shifting fun in the corners. A nice touch are the blue fascias fitted to the driver’s binnacle cluster behind the wheel.
There is otherwise plenty of similar top-notch gear from the 340i inside, such as electrically-adjustable and heated front seats, dual-zone climate control and keyless entry and start.
How much space does the Alpina B3 S Sedan have?
The front seats are surrounded by plenty of space but it’s less cavernous in the rear. Legroom is still good, but it could feel cramped for adults on longer trips. The boot is nice and large, offering 480-litres of cargo space that’ll swallow luggage and gear.
What's the Alpina B3 S's tech like?
The central infotainment screen measures a fairly wide 8.8-inches across and is clear and crisp. The iDrive software is simple to use and with the rotary control dial in the centre console, it is not much of a distraction to use on the run. Connected via USB, Bluetooth or digital radio to a nine-speaker sound system, it has punch and clear fidelity even at high volume.
The analogue dash points the age of the 3-Series underneath though, which will arrive on an all-new platform soon. Rather than being a digital, or even semi-digital setup, it has two big old fashioned blue VDO dials in the cowl. But they look old-school cool and suit the vibe of the car.
How reliable is the 2018 Alpina B3 S?
The benefit of arriving at the end of a generation is that most kinks, recalls, and major faults have been cleared and repaired. The B3 rides on the F30 BMW 3-Series platform and it is seven years old.
Alpina has also been in the business of modifying factory-supplied BMWs since 1965 and the badge carries respect for quality.
How safe is the Alpina B3 S?
The B3 has not been tested by ANCAP, but the 3-Series it is based on scored a five-star rating in 2012. Structural and driveline changes mean the Alpina carries an untested stamp.
Standard safety equipment for the model includes a reversing camera, surround-view camera, blind-spot warning, lane departure and collision warnings and low-speed autonomous emergency braking (AEB).
What is the Alpina B3 S's warranty like?
Like all BMWs, Alpinas are covered by a three-year, unlimited kilometre warranty.
What are the on-going costs for the Alpina B3 S Sedan?
Service intervals are condition-based rather than dictated by set service intervals. Five year/80,000km fixed-price servicing is available in the BMW Service Inclusive package priced from $1565.
Is the 2018 Alpina B3 S value for money?
At newly updated run-out pricing the Alpina B3 is more affordable than ever before. It is loaded with gear and has a cracking engine and the modifications go further than just a higher-powered engine. Compared to the 340i there are plenty of enhancements, so the biggest deciding factor will come down to subjective admiration for its unique look.
What's under the Alpina B3 S's bonnet?
It gets a little more interesting underneath the bonnet where the 340i’s 3.0-litre straight-six turbo motor has been pulled out and modified by Alpina. The single twin-scroll turbocharger has been replaced with two turbos, with a smaller turbocharger providing boost pressure at lower revs to increase throttle response before the larger turbo provides a surge of torque higher up the range.
The end result is 324kW of power at 6250rpm – about the same as an M3 - and 660Nm at 3000-4500rpm which is more torque than the M Division’s best effort (the latest M3 CS with 600Nm).
Needleless to say, acceleration is rapid, with the Buchloe brute launching from a standing start to hit 100km/h in 4.3 seconds. If you were to drag off with an M3 at the lights you’d be just 0.2sec behind and quite a bit more comfortable.
Mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, the shifts both up and down are quick but not kick-back rapid, and instead of nice little steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters you get lumpy buttons that work just as well but don't feel as sporty.
How much fuel does the Alpina B3 S Sedan use?
The claimed fuel consumption of 7.9-litres per 100km on the government combined cycle is pretty healthy considering the potential performance on tap.
What's it like to drive the Alpina B3 S?
It is absolutely a business-like car, tailored to look strong outside and be accommodating inside - at least in comfort mode. The B3 behaves faithfully to its 3-Series origin with a relaxed ride on the road that’s suited to everyday commuting, and the car dials back aggression on the throttle response in comfort mode so it's much more pliable, saving fuel and not as jerky in response. But it’s still a lot of fun when dialling up the sports settings.
Beyond engine modifications, there are changes to the chassis and computer. The electronic stability control has been re-tuned and it gives a little more slip than a conventional 3-Series would be happy with. It’s also tailored to match a more ridged front-end that has an added strut brace and a more negative camber that helps the Alpina point into corners rapidly, with sharp, recalibrated variable steering from lock to lock. But the sport mode dampers are too hard for everyday driving.
The weighting in the steering feels natural and approaching corners at high speed the bigger 370mm front rotors pull up the mass quickly and with good linear feel. The rear is playful when pushing on but the snappy front helps to catch it quickly, while the ESC in sports mode isn’t so relaxed that it becomes messy.
As a dual purpose car, the Alpina certainly has two distinct personalities, and both have been thoughtfully catered for.
How does the 2018 Alpina B3 S compare to the competition?
As a comparison to other European performance sedans, it takes on rivals like the Mercedes-AMG C63, Alfa Romeo Giulia and its step-sibling the BMW M3. The difference to all of these purposefully-tuned cars is that the Alpina is not as quick and agile. The trade-off in most circumstances is a plush and better-equipped interior from the Alpina, though its tech can’t keep up with AMG’s impressive C63 muscle car which is now over $50,000 more expensive than the re-priced B3.
Drive's Verdict
It’s undoubtedly getting old and at its previous price point didn’t hold much of an argument compared to class rivals, but the price reduction puts this relatively unknown brand back into consideration, with a comfortable interior and presence on the road that really is unique.