My Alpina respray colour, please VOTE!

[Andyboy]

Another way to look at it:

If Alpina blue was an option in the UK, and there were 3-4 others, then it might be iffy. However, it was never offered in the UK. That means there are no RHD C2 2.7 cars in the UK. None.

Changing from Doamond black to Zinnober red for example would also be iffy because it would end up looking like every other Zinnober red 325i. The whole point of doing it Alpenisblau is to create something unique and really stunning. A Diamond black example would be neither. Yes, it would be nice but 'nice' doesn't really cut it these days. You'd be amazed at how many red E Types were once brown or white.
A case in point is my old C1 2.3 - if it had been myself rebuilding it, I would have colour changed it to Henna red.

Some basic questions you need to ask yourself.

1.) Would you be happy with it in Alpina blue? If you're not 100% struck with the colour, then keep it black.

2.) Will it affect the resale value? Not a jot. As Pete rightly says, most C2 2.7's are rusty junk (I've not seen a minter for ages) and it would be fair to say yours could well be the nicest one in the UK when it's done. I've seen first hand the appalling condition of what was considered 2 years ago to be 'the best' when if fact it's £500 worth of junk with the arse literally falling out. A truly mint C2 2.7 will be a 'this is the price, cough up or p!ss off' kind of car.
As a pointer, a Mark 1 Escort Mexico colour changed from Tawny bronze to Sunset red during a total rebuild is worth more. Go figure!

3.) Think of the first owner's reaction to seeing his C2 gleaming in Alpina blue with the stripes. There's a very strong likelihood he'd think it was bloody amazing.

You'd have to do it all above board - not just changing the colour on the V5 but writing to Sytners to tell them of a colour change so they can amend their records and getting a Sonderlack Alpinablau sticker.

At the end of the day, you have saved this car, you've paid the bills and put the effort in and you're not doing it for the next owner.

[daimlerman]

^^For once andyboy is talking from his heart and not his arse,BLUE!!!

[Chris-W]

Oh just make your mind up....

[d6dph]

^^For once andyboy is talking from his heart and not his arse,BLUE!!!

I have to agree now, I'm swaying for blue.

Andy, ever thought about being a politician?

[pacerpete]

What's polish for Alpina blue ?

[gareth]

What's polish for Alpina blue ?

watch out, dave will start giving you pointers on detailing if you're not careful...!

simon, if you won the lottery and were able somehow to order a brand new E30 alpina in whatever colour you like (as long as it was diamond black or alpina blue!) what would it be?

i too am swaying towards blue

[Grrrmachine]

What's polish for Alpina blue ?

Alpejski Niebieski would be the easiest translation, but Dresiarzki Niebieski (Chav Blue) would be closer to the meaning.

[bss325i]

Another way to look at it:

If Alpina blue was an option in the UK, and there were 3-4 others, then it might be iffy. However, it was never offered in the UK. That means there are no RHD C2 2.7 cars in the UK. None.

So why did they offer alpina green on uk cars but not blue, the other house colour?

I know of two alpina green uk cars, mine and a guy called paul who is on the car club forum. He has said he will be displaying at gaydon this year too.

[SPADGE]

Oh just make your mind up....

[oguz327]

Oh just make your mind up....

Quality

[Simon13]

I've just found out there are a few shades of alpina blue! Barry can the correct shade be obtained as Paul, with the last sytners built J reg car has just told me on the alpina register forum

Ideal spec from a timewarp point of view? hmmmmmm

Black with silver with red leather high back recaros. Alpina digi readouts and the 296mm big brakes. Full pina kit, heated seats, climate control, sunroof glass! cruise, 13 obc, rear blind, map light mirror, 3.73 LSD

Or the same in alpina blue with black leathers or alpina cloth

Or Sterling silver is another big fav of mine - there was an auto C2 2.7 forsale in milton keynes years ago

Lachs but i've had 3 lachs E30's and 2 sterling silver, 1 non metallic black, 1 diamond black, but no blues........

[oguz327]

Just paint it blue ffs, job done

[pacerpete]

Another way to look at it:

If Alpina blue was an option in the UK, and there were 3-4 others, then it might be iffy. However, it was never offered in the UK. That means there are no RHD C2 2.7 cars in the UK. None.

So why did they offer alpina green on uk cars but not blue, the other house colour?

I know of two alpina green uk cars, mine and a guy called paul who is on the car club forum. He has said he will be displaying at gaydon this year too.[/quote


I had a Sytner supplied E34 B3.5( as distinct to a B10 3.5) a few years ago and that was 'sonderlack' alpina blue, to the tune of about 3 bags back in 1990 ! .
So yes i am certain it was available and yes the price premium probably discouraged most from ticking the box, especially those that couldn't even stretch to an SE (serious executive !) in the first place !

The way i see it the original owner of Simons turd really wanted it Alpina blue but shekels were a bit tight , hence non SE, nasty cloth and a standard BMW colour. Simon is just righting these glaring omissions !

[Grrrmachine]

Cant you get heat-reactive paint so that it's black in winter and blue in the summer, like those t-shirts you could get in the early 1990s?

[Simon13]

Well the serious executive is here now! lol

[RJB6]

Hi Si what can I say as it has all be said.I've not voted on either colour at the end of the day it's your car you make your own mind up,and I'm sure it will be the right one.

Roy

[Andyboy]

Another alternative is gloss black with gold stripes - but gloss black takes serious prepping to be arrow straight and perfect. But again, Blue will be unique and easy to keep nice.

[TheIncredibleHull]

Paint it black n stay on the loockout for a Blue one later and hav both.

[BMracing]

What's polish for Alpina blue ?

watch out, dave will start giving you pointers on detailing if you're not careful...!

simon, if you won the lottery and were able somehow to order a brand new E30 alpina in whatever colour you like (as long as it was diamond black or alpina blue!) what would it be?

i too am swaying towards blue

I like this way of looking at it, whichever you would have chosen on the options list when brand new, you should go with. (Obviously you would have chosen blue though.)

To me the the blue and green are the signature colours for these cars, (although the blue is much nicer obviously ) the black is fairly plain as said. And as mentioned, many times, it could be just another e30. I like subtle, but I wouldn't hold back with this car myself.
Its not like its anywhere near tryhard or vulgar though, its low key enough. Your Alpina would be distinctive in the blue, but pure class at the same time. It will get plenty of respecting nods. Its a win win win!!! BLUE BLUE BLUE!!!!!

[Greeny]

It has to be blue, black is such a knightmare to keep clean. Every time you wash a black car you have to either chammy it or polish it to get rid of the streaks or water marks.

[shane325i]

I voted blue just because its something a little different.I loved the blue on my last touring and love the black on my new one but a blue car with gold decals will look very

Just get a move on so we can see it finished!!!

[B7]

It has to be blue, black is such a knightmare to keep clean. Every time you wash a black car you have to either chammy it or polish it to get rid of the streaks or water marks.

Having said that, My Biarritz blue e39 was the same. An absolute w4nker to keep "right". Previous car was diamnd black and the blue was no easier. Showed every mark, streak etc.

[d6dph]

Get in the right routine and it's fairly simple to maintain the finish on darker cars.

[Simon13]

even i can* believe it or not can get a black car streak free with me trusty microfibre jobbie!

The case for blue is very very strong. I'm not stringing it out! I never thought of seeing it as a blank canvas to create what i'd of bought when it was new. Those who knew me will know i've always said diamond wasn't my favourite colour but i'd take the best C2 i could find in any colour nearly bar white. Black was on the ok list. If i'd known what i do now then i shouldn't of even worried about any colour it was!

Can i keep the colour a secretish until it's painted?!

[old_skool]

no.

[shane325i]

Can i keep the colour a secretish until it's painted?!

[B7]

I reckon Cirrus blue with Graphite decals if your going to go another colour.

[maxfield]

Keep it a secret, then I've got something to look forward too

[B7]

Stirling with Lachs decals?

[march109]

Can i keep the colour a secretish until it's painted?!

You've chosen dakar yellow haven't you?

[shane325i]

Stirling with Lachs decals?

That would be nice,very subtle

[Gortour]

Can't believe it, this thread has reached 10 pages quicker than the Babes and Beemers thread...

What a topic of conversation.

End of the day Si, your car, your money, your choice.

(Though as said earlier, my vote is for Blue )

[blyoss]

Keep it real. Diamond black's the way to go. Originality is everything. If this was a reshell or a looky likey, I'd deffo go blue but we are talking the original shell complete with chassis number to match. It HAS to be Black.

Exactly :D

My thoughts exactly, not much else to say.

Keep it original

[march109]

Alpina Blue with silver, bright white or gold decals.

OR Alpina Blue with light blue decals for the stealth look.

I suppose the decals can be changed quite easily as your mood changes, but Blue looks better and leaves you more interesting options.

[Andyboy]

Gazelle beige with bronze stripes and brown cloth trim. Minty.