[henwoodl]

Finished at last, after much consideration on what to leave standard and what to change...

Kidney grills painted in sapphire black by Teddy at SSDD - fantastic service, highly recommended.

Grey spoiler mesh removed and replaced after a few coats of halford BMW black sapphire, followed by any old Halfords laquer. To replace the spolier mesh you need to remove the whole front bumper - there is a great guide on how to do this here - http://www.n54tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=132. Be warned, it will take you 2-3 hours, even with a friend! Mesh can be ordered from BMW at £13 per section (3 sections).

Harp, if you're reading, do you plan to make any changes to your new bad boy, or keep everything standard?

[GOLFFRR]

sweet.

[PeteJ]

nice!!!

[AlanQS]

henwoodl: is that rear spoiler part of the Alpina package? From the angle of your picture it looks great!

[henwoodl]

Originally Posted by AlanQS

henwoodl: is that rear spoiler part of the Alpina package? From the angle of your picture it looks great!

Its the Alpina spoiler yes, included in the package.

Don't know if its available seperately!?

[Steve A]

Lee i love your B3, however i have always hated the black grill look, i think it makes the front of your car look thinner than it is and in my eyes makes it a little less aggressive.

but then opinions are like arseholes and everyone has a different one.

Still a lovley car ALPINAs are too underated.

i do think though you should put a quaiffe lsd on, like Tone has, it'll transform the traction and drive you get.

[Geckorazer]

stunning car - love Alpinas anyway

the black grilles look good and make the Alpina look more menacing than normal

[willhollin]

Chrome door handles would finish that off to a tee.

[harpalb]

Originally Posted by henwoodl

Harp, if you're reading, do you plan to make any changes to your new bad boy, or keep everything standard?

Hey,

Loving the car, think the black grill sets it off. That is the only mod I can think of doing...think the black grill would suit the car better. Other mods in time will be a remap once engine loosens up. Was thinking of going back to classic wheels but so hard to keep looking nice. As yours do!!

[henwoodl]

Originally Posted by Steve A

Lee i love your B3, however i have always hated the black grill look, i think it makes the front of your car look thinner than it is and in my eyes makes it a little less aggressive.

but then opinions are like arseholes and everyone has a different one.

Still a lovley car ALPINAs are too underated.

i do think though you should put a quaiffe lsd on, like Tone has, it'll transform the traction and drive you get.

I considered the grills for a LONG time, but now that its done, I'm sure I've done the right thing (for me I mean, lots of other people I'm sure would prefer chrome). I actually think it looks more aggressive in the flesh with the black grills. Then after changing the grills to black, the mesh needed to be done, as the grey mesh then looked all wrong.

Quaife LSD would be turn it into a monster, but a few things put me off right now;

- The cost (£1800 ish I think)
- Possible damage to the drive train from the engine throwing 430lb/ft at it without protection (this was brought up by the guys at DMS when discussing an LSD)
- The fact that I don't drive on the edge very often
- Extra tyre wear, although I hear this is negligible
- Less room for driver error! I'm not that experienced

Originally Posted by willhollin

Chrome door handles would finish that off to a tee.

On order...

Originally Posted by harpalb

Hey,

Loving the car, think the black grill sets it off. That is the only mod I can think of doing...think the black grill would suit the car better. Other mods in time will be a remap once engine loosens up. Was thinking of going back to classic wheels but so hard to keep looking nice. As yours do!!

They do take some time to clean - but worth it I always feel (afterwards anyway!). Was wondering whether the new black B7 Alpina wheels might appear in 19"s instead of 20"s...

http://www.bmwalpina.co.uk/index.php...e54c13ae40688e

Any ideas?

[harpalb]

Originally Posted by henwoodl

They do take some time to clean - but worth it I always feel (afterwards anyway!). Was wondering whether the new black B7 Alpina wheels might appear in 19"s instead of 20"s...

You read my mind LOL...dont think they will do them in smaller sizes to keep them exclusive to the B7, dread to think of the cost. Other alternative is to have the classics, or come to think of it the dynamics, painted in black. But now painted wheels are available to order on the cars as well. Love to see them in the flesh.

Oh and black handles to chrome? you just did the reverse on the grill, go for all black i say!!

[henwoodl]

Originally Posted by harpalb

You read my mind LOL...dont think they will do them in smaller sizes to keep them exclusive to the B7, dread to think of the cost. Other alternative is to have the classics, or come to think of it the dynamics, painted in black. But now painted wheels are available to order on the cars as well. Love to see them in the flesh.

Oh and black handles to chrome? you just did the reverse on the grill, go for all black i say!!

I was joking about the door handles! That tomfoolery is for Audi drivers...

Alpina offered to paint my wheels black when I enquired before production, but I bottled it and went for the more conservative option. I'll leave them standard now, unless the B7 wheels become available, in which case I might have to reconsider...

[harpalb]

Mate, those B7 wheels are 21"....hmmm wonder how much to get mine repainted in black?

[henwoodl]

Originally Posted by harpalb

Mate, those B7 wheels are 21"....hmmm wonder how much to get mine repainted in black?

Sorry you're right, they are 21"s .

I'd imagine you could get them refinished in black for a reasonable price. I had a rough quote of £100 a wheel from my local alloy repair dude, you could probably do better if you shop around...

[Samuel L Jackson]

Beautiful car. You Alpina owners should make a Youtube video or something to show off the cars! Youtube is sorely lacking in good B3 or D3 videos.