1991 BMW (E34) Alpina B10 3.5/1

Whilst Cosworth’s influence on Ford’s range of mass-produced saloons tended to focus on seriously enhanced performance and external addenda and AMG’s contribution to the top-end of the Mercedes range was also about performance but combined with style and exclusivity, Alpina’s relationship with BMW was rather different.

Alpina Burkard Bovensiepen GmbH & Co. KG or simply 'Alpina', the official BMW tuning partner, has had a long and celebrated association with the Munich carmaker, celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2015. Credited with re-engineering some very special cars over the years, Alpina's approach is often to refine and build on the latent driving and styling characteristics of a standard car, adding a certain Alpina 'magic' that only they can bestow on a BMW. Their reputation and following are very strong, appealing to discerning buyers who want a special, rare and characterful car. Such are their credentials, Alpina is now recognised by the German Ministry of Transport as an automobile manufacturer in its own right.

Introduced in 1988, BMW’s third generation 5 Series, the E34, remained in production until 1995 and during those years, Alpina created five variants for the E34 BMW 5 Series, all under the name B10. Three variants were created using a straight-six engine (B10 3.0 Allrad, B10 3.5, B10 BiTurbo) and two were based on the V8 engine (B10 4.0, B10 4.6). Alpina created cars based on the E34 until 1996, when they shifted production to the E39 generation.

The B10 3.5/1 was Alpina’s first performance variant of the E34 5 Series with the modified M30 straight-six, rebuilt with Mahle pistons, a new camshaft, modified cylinder head, custom exhaust system and a revised Motronic ECU resulting in 254bhp and 325Nm. Naturally, Alpina also fitted uprated shock absorbers and springs to deliver its trademark balance between ride comfort and body control, along with powerful brakes. The interior benefited from Recaro seats with Alpina upholstery, a new leather-covered steering wheel by Momo and a new gear knob. Externally the only differences were the front spoiler, 17" Alpina alloys, exhaust pipes and Alpina graphics and badging.

This left-hand drive example is #414 of the 572 built and was specified in classic Diamantschwarz metallic with gold pinstripes and matching Alpina emblems. Delivered new by Nicole Automobiles Ltd, the sole agents for Alpina in Japan and pleasingly their branding still adorns the car. Whilst the service history, until UK-registration in 2019, is in Japanese, we note a receipt by BMW Battersea confirming a service on 14th March 2025. Inside, there are electrically adjustable and heated front sport seats, the wooden veneers bear Racing Dynamics emblems, whilst the glovebox contains the BMW torch and the boot lid-mounted toolkit is still present.

Presented to auction with its Alpina handbooks, service book, receipts and an odometer reading of 78,168 kilometres or 48,571 miles, the MOT is valid until March 2026.

This is a superb, low-mileage example of one of the most desirable models in Alpina’s back-catalogue and warrants your close inspection at our Supercar Fest Sale.