B6 3.5S

The B6S 3.5 is based on the homologation special M3 E30 with the BMW 3.5 litre straight six engine replacing the OEM four cylinder unit. The original high revving four cylinder is replaced by the splendid big straight six which many argue is the best in the world both in terms of performance and smoothness. The standard 3 is available with a 2.5 litre version, so levering in a 3.5 litre doesn't create too many problems.The bigger engine adds some 260lbs to the overall weight of the M3 and most of that over the front wheels of but stiffer front springs compensate. There is also another 60bhp to compensate. The result according to official figures when it was new was a top speed up from 146mph to almost 160mph and more importantly a vastly reduced 0 - 100mph time which falls to 14.5secs from the standard M3 figures of 19 - 21 seconds. On the road this translates into exactly what you expect - a performance the equal of the standard M3 but without the revs of the 16 valve four. In fact the acceleration becomes deceptive with much more torque and low down power. There are two ways of looking at this. Those who want the excitement of loads of revs and raucousness from a semi-racing power unit will be unenthusiastic; those who love the sheer urge but find all those revs and gear swapping tiresome will be taken by the Alpina solution. The Alpina was one of the most relaxing high-speed devices you could find in its day (and possibly still is), and the extra low down torque means that in heavy traffic it's a lot easier to drive. There's the added bonus of a much more mellifluous exhaust note; music to the ears when compared with the four cylinder's rather common rasp.

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