My Alpina C2.5 touring

[ProfDMW]

Just thought I'd stick a quick picture of my touring. When the weather improves I'll add more pictures. The only modifications I've made so far, is to change the front and side indicators to the clear ones!

[Simon13]

wheres the cow catcher dude?! buy one!

i'm yet to collect my C2 2.7 but i've really got the Alpina bug now, always wanted one

did u add the side stripes? I'm thinking of adding them to mine

[nav786]

looks good mate,

si you gotta add the stripes, they just look so kewllll

[ProfDMW]

The side stripes are original (at least in design - 'cause the car has had a full respray 2 years ago). As for the cow catcher, the previous owner managed to break 2, so didn't bother to fit a 3rd! I've considered going down that route myself - but kerbs and speed humps put me off!

[gcorky]

think ive seen this on the road,rare.has it been over newport bridge recently????you seem to notice every e30 from miles away when you got one!!!!!lol.

[ProfDMW]

There's every chance that you have seen it going across Newport Bridge - I was using it daily until just before christmas, so it went across the bridge twice a day! I especially enjoy the return journey, because I can really use plenty of throttle after the 30mph zone! Mainly use the blue E30 auto touring or the A6 at the mo! Bring on the better weather (please!).

[Cotty]

Love the Alpina stripes

[whiterhino]

is this the same car that was on ebay quite a while ago.If it is ive seen a few pics of it and its absolutely gorgeous

[ProfDMW]

The car was on Ebay June last year - so you've got a good memory mate! (or the car made a lasting impression?). Obviously I think its gorgeous - but it still has room for improvement - such as leather retrim / tubular manifold / and yet another stainless steel exhaust. As for its history and authenticity - I've got a A4 folder with service book, invoices etc covering the last 15 years (plus original keys / key fobs etc).

Once the nicer weather arrives I get quite a few more pictures on this thread - I could post the pictures that were on Ebay if people are interested?

[Simon13]

any picture is a good picture!

[whiterhino]

put them pics up mate let the zoners see what im talking about.

[eko]

Stunning looking car mate,loving the stripes!

But i agree with Si,it needs that cow catcher back on,look awesome then!

[Cotty]

But i agree with Si,it needs that cow catcher back on,look awesome then!

Yep get the cow catcher back on

[touringnutter]

Hi

Nice touring love the alpina look. needs the front valance spoiler though

[ProfDMW]

These are the pictures from the previous owner -



















More when the weather improves.................

[whiterhino]

ah stunning even got the original stereo

[gcorky]

no build plaque m8?

[ProfDMW]

Not only the original stereo - but no alarm system!!! (recommendations welcome!).

As for build plaque - C2.5 were (from my knowledge) generally built in the UK from the options list and didn't have build numbers allocated to them. This car was one of John Clarks BMW (Aberdeen) demo cars. WLN Automotive had its twin on their website recently (in a better colour in my opinion!). I have the original Alpina brochure that came with the car - and it states that build plaques came only on C2.7??? Maybe as a result of the more extensive engine work? Beats me?

[Simon13]

I've got an Alpina sales book from 1990 i've bloody lost it, had everything about uk spec cars in it

i think C2 2.5's had a chip,cam and zorst. But it looks like yours has some of the other goodies too. Cow catcher it bacl to it's former glory! here here!

Is your ECU an alpina one?

[ProfDMW]

The specification of my car (as performed by JC) is:

325i engine: with Alpina camshaft, Alpina engine management ECU, large bore exhaust system and down pipes. Back then it produced 190BHP & 188lb ft torque at 5000rpm.

Wheels/Tyres: 4 x 7" Alpina light alloy wheels with 205/50 VR 16 tyres (back then they would have been Michellin MXX)

Interior: Alpina hand stitched leather rimmed steering wheel (momo), Alpina wooden gear knob, Alpina badges front and rear, and an Alpina key fob. JC also added stripping to the seats & doors (looks a bit too aftermarket for my tastes!)

Alpina side stripes - and front spoiler (if customer required!)

Total cost for conversion back in 1991: Ԛ£4775 + VAT + Ԛ£216.98 + VAT for the stripping! (plus the cost of a new 325i touring obviously - Ouch!)

[ProfDMW]

Forgot about the suspension:

Alpina FG2 suspension kit comprising unique Bilstein gas shock absorbers and shorter stiffer springs

Which my car is still on the original set-up!!!

[325iSportMark]

I'm sure my car has the C2.5 conversion too, I was told this by the previous owner and everything on the car bears it out. It has been dyno'd by San Speed and Hi Tech at 190bhp, it's got the same steering wheel gearknob etc, and the 7 & 8 inch wheels, but it's also got the eccentric alpina top mounts and a badge on the fusebox referring to alpina tyre pressures, which are the sort of details that would get missed if someone was just chucking bits onto a standard car.

I've got the service book with all the early servicing work etc and bills for later work, but no bills detailing exactly what was done when supplied or in its early life.

It seems like it was an old stock car which was dressed up to sell after the e36 was introduced, as production ended in 1991 but my car wasn't registered until march 1992.

Wish I could find out more.

Very nice tourer by the way, looks very smart and well kept

[kidsinister]

The C2.5 is different from the C2 2.5; the former is more or less a 325i with some Alpina bits, whereas the latter is a "proper" Alpina, i.e. has an full Alpina engine, suspension, etc. conversion job done on it (based on a 323i).

The C2 2.5 was made briefly until BMW came up with their own 2.5 engine, but the C2.5 was available pretty much throughout 325i production.

The C2.5s don't have plaques, which leads obviously to some "not a proper Alpina" comments.

I'm saying nothing, of course.

[ProfDMW]

The specification of my car (as performed by JC) is:

325i engine: with Alpina camshaft, Alpina engine management ECU, large bore exhaust system and down pipes. Back then it produced 190BHP & 188lb ft torque at 5000rpm.

Wheels/Tyres: 4 x 7" Alpina light alloy wheels with 205/50 VR 16 tyres (back then they would have been Michellin MXX)

Interior: Alpina hand stitched leather rimmed steering wheel (momo), Alpina wooden gear knob, Alpina badges front and rear, and an Alpina key fob. JC also added stripping to the seats & doors (looks a bit too aftermarket for my tastes!)

Alpina side stripes - and front spoiler (if customer required!)

Total cost for conversion back in 1991: Ԛ£4775 + VAT + Ԛ£216.98 + VAT for the stripping! (plus the cost of a new 325i touring obviously - Ouch!)

Whilst I agree the car does n't have a build plaque - it is certainly more than just a BMW 325i with 'Alpina bits'. The modifications to the engine are not extensive granted, but the revised ECU and Alpina camshaft along with the revised exhaust - create a car with a distinctive character in my opinion, which is what Alpina's are all about! The suspensions also changes the feel ofthe car quite a bit. Plus at Ԛ£5865.57 that's a big bill for Alpina bits.