ALPINA B6 3,5(e-30)

The first B6 3,5 was built in August 1984. From 1986 the B6 was available with catalyst but that was optional until July 1987 when all non-catalyst B6 went out of production. The production ended in December 1990. A total of 219 cars were made.

Engine/Gearbox

This time Alpina went even further, they used their own version of BMW´s big 3,5 litre six in the small 3-series body. Alpina has modified the cylinder-head, the combustion chambers, fitted lighter, higher-compression Mahle pistons, a new camshaft and a new exhaust system to make the engine produce 261 bhp. The torque has increased to 346 Nm. With catalyst the power only decreased by 3% to 254 bhp. The standard gearbox is replaced by a Getrag 5-speeder.

Suspension/Brakes/Wheels

To make the car handle like an, well, Alpina(supercar), they have modified the suspension with new, Bilstein spring units with stiffer gas-pressure shocks and progressive springs at front. At rear the standard shocks are replaced by Bilstein gas-pressure units. Progressive springs are also fitted at rear. The brakes are uprated at front with bigger, ventilated discs. The trademark Alpina-wheels are 16in high and 7in wide with 205/50 tires all-around.

Interior/Exterior

The seats have been replaced with Recaro items with blue and green stripes. The steering wheel is leather-covered. The speedo has been replaced and there are new digital-instruments. The exterior changes include a new front spoiler, rear spoiler, the wheels and the optional Alpina stripes.

Performance

Alpina claimed 0-100 km/h in 6,4 seconds and a top speed of 250 km/h. But according to Auto Motor und Sport´s test the B6 3,5 could accelerate from 0-100 km/h in only 6 seconds, 0-160 km/h in 14,6 seconds, 0-200 km/h in 26,2 and had a top speed of 253 km/h. The cat-version was a little slower. Alpina claimed 6,6 seconds from 0-100 km/h and a top speed of 246 km/h. But once again Auto Motor und Sport´s test showed that the car was faster.

Pictures