2014 BMW Alpina B3 GT3

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 their own right.

The Alpina B3 GT3 is a very special car. Only 99 examples were manufactured worldwide to celebrate the company's success in the German GT championship with a B6 GT3. Launched with great acclaim, with Alpina PR videos and a 15-page information booklet, the car was received very well. It was Alpina's take on the wild BMW E92 M3 GTS (of which there were 135 examples worldwide and are now valued at c£100,000 - £120,000).

Alpina started with their already special B3 S Biturbo, utilising the very well-regarded 3-litre straight-six, and set about adding choice components and upgrades to create a consummate all-round sports car. In producing the B3 GT3, they did what only a few manufacturers or tuning specialists can do - they made a car that is not only very competent on a track-day but can also be driven every day in comfort with real-road driving abilities and refinement. The engine produces 402bhp and 398lb ft (74lb ft up on the M3 GTS) with the smooth propulsion reaching the back wheels through a Drexler limited-slip differential, giving the car a 186 mph top speed and a 0-62mph time of 4.5 secs. With weight-saving in mind, the B3 GT3 versions of Alpina's iconic multi-spoke Classic wheels are 25% lighter (housing blue six-pot calipers clamping 380mm discs), whilst the titanium Akrapovic exhaust saves another 11kg. The biggest mechanical change, however, is reserved for the suspension. The standard width rear axle is fitted with fully adjustable coil-overs at each corner. Not only is the ride-height variable, but the dampers also have 12 settings in compression and 18 in rebound. Helpfully, Alpina also offers the driver three pre-determined, progressively firmer set-ups for the chassis.

Ultimately, for all its exclusivity and engineering integrity, this car is really about the driving experience. EVO magazine's Henry Catchpole test-drove a B3 GT3 in 2013 saying: "Rarely have I driven a car that felt so right so quickly. The steering weight, handling balance and chassis grip all seem perfectly matched - there's not a particular aspect that jumps out, but the whole package is beguiling. There's slightly less hard-core grip than a BMW M3 at each end, but that's part of what makes it feel so friendly and encouraging every time you start linking corners and working the Michelin Pilot Sport 2s. The twin-turbo engine is as silky-smooth and effortlessly punchy as you'd imagine, and it sounds good too, the straight-six regaining some of the old E46's metallic timbre as you rev it harder. Although the six-speed automatic perhaps lacks the edge that you'd expect from something called GT3, it is super-slick in its changes and somehow matches the delivery of the engine.

Suspension-wise the car feels perfectly set-up for a B-road: firm enough to give you confidence and feedback, but with enough compliance to soak up any mid-corner lumps and not get distracted from your line. Despite not being as hard-core as you'd expect, the end result of the Alpina is definitely more than the sum of its parts."

The car presented here is a 2014 Alpina B3 GT3, number 74 of 99 examples, and one of only a handful of cars that were UK-delivered in right-hand drive. It's in superb condition having covered just 4,000 miles with its first and only owner. The car looks very purposeful in black, contrasting particularly well with the Alcantara stitched interior. This car was specified with the not inexpensive options of a Comfort Pack (which includes the Professional satellite navigation system) and a Digital Race Display system. As you'd expect, the car has a high specification and is accompanied by all its as-new book-pack components and has a complete BMW service history (the most recent being on the 20th May 2016).

Once purchased new, rarely do such limited edition cars come up for sale, often remaining in collections. This is a special opportunity to acquire a sensational car that combines real aptitude, rarity, and appeal.