1983 Alpina B9 3.5 (E28) Manual

• Very rare and desirable. One of only 64 UK-built, right-hand drive cars and one of only 18 with the Getrag 5-speed manual box
• Classic Alpina bodywork with deep front splitter, boot lid spoiler, 16" Alpina wheels and ‘Deco Set’ graphics
• Single family ownership for 22 years; comprehensive history file including an impressive number of invoices back to the late 1980s and a COA by Sytner, Alpina GB
• Fully serviced and overhauled in recent times by Alpina Specialists BMR Performance
• Just 80,000 miles; E28 six-cylinder engines are known for their longevity
• Sounds and looks superb and at this guide price, this is a rare opportunity

This is one of 500 B9 3.5s (E28) built between 1981 and 1985 of which just 64 are understood to have been right-hand drive examples. Of those 64, 46 were supplied with ZF automatic transmission, with only 18 (including this car) being optioned with the far more desirable Getrag 265 5-speed manual gearbox. Costing almost twice that of the BMW 528i SE (E28) on which it was based, the B9 3.5 offered huge power and performance increases over the standard car. Manual transmission B9 3.5s were easily the fastest saloon cars of their day. According to Autocar, 0-60mph required just 6.3 seconds and top speed was 153mph putting the E28-based Alpina on a par with Porsche’s then-current 911.

Left-hand drive examples were built by Alpina at Buchloe while right-hand drive production took place at Sytner in Nottingham. Cars destined for transformation were supplied by BMW with certain modifications already in place and then further enhanced with a long list of Alpina upgrades. The B9 engine had been developed from the 3.5-litre inline six-cylinder unit used in BMW’s 635 and 735 variants which was uprated by Alpina with a gas-flowed cylinder head featuring hemispherical combustion chambers, bigger inlet valves, a gas-flowed inlet manifold, a 268-degree high-lift camshaft and balanced high-compression Mahle pistons. Combined with revised fuel injection settings, a reprogrammed Bosch Motronic engine management system and an Alpina twin-pipe exhaust system, the net result was a conservatively rated 245bhp at 5700rpm. Torque was also increased to 320nm. The standard ZF automatic gearbox was retained (a Getrag 5-speed manual box was an option) and those cars destined to become B9s always came with a BMW-fitted 25% limited-slip differential that was further uprated with an Alpina-installed oil cooler. Suspension modifications saw progressive-rate coil springs and adjustable gas-filled Bilstein dampers fitted although the original front and rear anti-roll bars stayed. New Alpina 16-inch wheels measured 7-inches wide at the front and 8 at the rear (requiring a small modification to the rear wheel arch), these light alloy rims originally being shod with Pirelli P7 tyres.

The exterior was enhanced by Alpina’s deep front spoiler, a rubber boot lid spoiler and body-coloured door mirrors, the eye-catching Deco stripe kit being an optional extra. Early examples were supplied with an amazing interior, the figure-hugging Scheel bucket seats being upholstered in Alpina’s trademark grey fabric with blue and yellow stripes. Other bespoke features included an Alpina leather-rimmed four-spoke steering wheel, Alpina instrumentation, Alpina wooden gear knob and numbered dash plaque.

The car presented here is that rarest of examples, a UK/RHD car with the manual gearbox. With a known continuity of ownership since new, always with diligent custodians, this Alpina is something special. It was Alpina-converted in August 1983 and delivered to its first UK owner. We understand that there were then few changes of ownership in the late 1980s/1990s, whilst also (in 1992) being treated to a full brake and suspension overhaul at NGH Racing Services of Nottingham (£1,009.35). In more recent times, in 2017/18, it was the recipient of a respray and partial restoration at Autobahn Services BMW and in 2019 it was fully serviced and generally overhauled at BMR Performance.

Having been well maintained over the years and carefully selected for a good reason to form part of a diverse and interesting collection of motorcars, this is an opportunity to take ownership of this truly superb super saloon from the 1980s. A modern classic that really stands out from the crowd and should rightfully be preserved for future generations to see and admire. Performance BMWs continue to have a strong following and this Alpina is sure to be the talking point of any classic car show you choose to attend.