Alpina C2.5

[eko]

Ok guys,just driving home and spotted this parked outside my local shops,anyone know if it looks genuine?Never seen it around here before so maybe just visiting!
Either way it looked in good condition and stood out like a sore thumb parked in between a load of modern crap!

[img][img]http://img32.echo.cx/img32/7250/050605022gb.th.jpg[/img][/img]

[E30BeemerLad]

suspension looks a bit high at the back, not sure if it's the real deal or not
Hap might be able to say a bit more

[eko]

i did notice it sat high,wheels looked original and that boot spoiler,is that an Alpina type or just an early sport one?

[dazleeds]

spoiler looks early mtec
cant anyone check it through reg number somehow????Daz

whats the 2nd badge on the back???

and the tailpipes look same as my h reg 320i

[eko]

just trying to find out how to do reg check,but can only find VIN number checker thingy

[Zayyan]

I very much doubt that's the real deal, an Alpina with chrome window trim and poverty spec bumpers?

Daz the 2nd badge on the back would say "C2 2.5" most probably....

The RAC would probably tell you the engine size but it's not letting me log in at mo

[Zayyan]

Here we go, it's let me log in...

Manufacturer Bmw
Model 325I SE AUTO
Body type 2 door saloon
Colour Blue
Fuel type Petrol
Date manufactured 30 December 1988
Number of previous owners 4
Last owner change 19 November 2004

It says it's an SE but I don't think these would have those bumpers or chrome window trim

It could be an Alpina though, as I'm pretty sure they were all converted after coming out of the factory.

Maybe the guy's had a bit of engine work to bring it to Alpina spec and so has tried (reasonably justifiably) to make it look like the real deal?

[Widge]

Rac

Manufacturer Bmw
Model 325I SE AUTO
Body type 2 door saloon
Colour Blue
Fuel type Petrol
Date manufactured 30 December 1988
Number of previous owners 4
Last owner change 19 November 2004

So doesn't really help??????

[eko]

next time i see it around i will try and have a word and find out!

[eko]

Ive just been mooching around on Google and found this-

[img][img]http://img35.echo.cx/img35/8703/alpinac1e300vu.th.jpg[/img]

Looks very similar but the one i saw didnt have the stripes,do they all?and no front spoiler(dont think)

[Zayyan]

Stripes and front spoiler were options I think....

[Simon13]

alpinas came however u wanted them, they just recommended it to have an LSD or be a sport.

[eko]

options maybe but i notice its got the standard bumpers and chrome trim!
Also is it me or does the one i saw look like its got no rub strips down the sides?

[Simon13]

shadowline was only standard for sports and late SE's or if u really wanted to pay extra for it, maybe the bumpers been cracked at some point and any old sh!t has been thrown on for the time being.

looks very much like an M-tech 1 spoiler, so thats retro fitted.

so some badges and wheels and we are all fooled! front spoiler big cow catcher type thing?!

[eko]

so were decided then-only real way to find out is for me to hunt it down(if its local)and ask!Is there anything that i will be able to spot it as genuine for,in case he tries to bullsh1t me into believing its real?
Do Alpinas have a build plate on the centre console?

[Simon13]

they do have a build plaque, but take the reg to the dealer and see what they say. Just hope it hasn't had a plate change and be on it's like 5th no. plate like my sport! Cos then u need chassis no.

Oh not all alpina's seem to have the plaque either

[eko]

suppose i could try and blag a look under the bonnet,should have special rocker cover and exhaust manifold right?

[M5pilot]

All Alpina C2's had colour coded bumpers as far as the Sytner literature goes.

The rear spoiler is 100% genuine Alpina. The Mtec1 doesnt span the whole width of the back and isnt so upright.

The ride height at the back is about right, but remember its parked at an angle aswell. Alpina suspension is quite high at the back normally.

Alpina's dont show up on the log book at all BUT they should state 2693cc on the log book and any data check.

Anyway its Auto, so will only just be quicker than a manual 325i.

[eko]

M5PILOT how do you know its an auto?
The image ive got of Google has got Black bumpers,so now i am baffled.

[Hap]

The rear spoiler is genuine as is the badges looking at the image

I have seen a 2 door C2 2.7 with crome bumpers and w/o decrome years ago so that doesnt matter on here, the suspension is right cos thats how mine sits, exhaust looks non-standard.

Best way is to get Vin number and ring styners

Hap

[M5pilot]

What people have to understand is Alpina's are all individually built to customer order. Some were ordered without badges, some without the bodystyling. This is why you sometimes get Genuine Alpina 2.7's which look like ordinary 325i sports with a set of Alpina wheels.

However when I spoke to Sytners they did say the basic car had to be based on a 325i with colour coded bumpers and mirros and had to have recaro seats. I have never myself seen an Alpina without the recaros and colour coded body parts and Ive seen ALOT of Alpina's.

The suspension is something most of them should have left out though as its not very good at all. The components used are excellent but the setup is easily beaten by more modern kits.

The engines always never make the claimed 210bhp. However the engine is capable of making in excess of this. The early cars did almost have the power though as the compression ratio's were higher.

Ive never seen one make more than 200bhp and that was my one.

With a uprated Cam they do hit in excess of 210bhp.

There are lots of ways to verify an Alpina but this is best left to people like Hap, master Bates, myself and a few more (basically the real anorak anal types who have enough spare time to dig into stuff like this).
Easiest way is to phone Synters with a chassis number.

Hope this helps.

[eko]

M5PILOT have you ever thought that "anoraks and anal types" actually might know more than you!I mean you said they dont come with black bumpers or chrome but obviously they do!

[Zayyan]

M5pilot is just trying to help....and he did say that is what Sytner told him, who are a well-known/respected BMW & Alpina dealer....

Alpinas are just slightly special cars and it makes sense that if you didn't want body coloured bumpers you could've specified that your car come without them. The other theory that the body-coloured bumper's taken some damage and been replaced with a poverty-spec one is also perfectly valid.

He knows it's an auto because that's what it says in the details posted from the RAC site....twice.

Maybe have another read of this thread again properly to see if it answers any of your questions

Not trying to be clever or anything but I can see this thread going round in circles

[M5pilot]

M5PILOT have you ever thought that "anoraks and anal types" actually might know more than you!I mean you said they dont come with black bumpers or chrome but obviously they do!

As correctly stated by Zayyan, its what was told to me by Sytners + a whole load of BMWcarmagazine/TOTAL BMW articles.

Im no fool when it comes to Alpina's, Ive owned 2 of them and viewed plenty others.

I'm sure there are people out there who know more than me about these cars like the exact piston ring sizes and exactly what was dont to the cylinder head etc. I didnt claim to know everything, just stating what I do know from 3-4 years of owning them.

[eko]

M5PILOT -Sorry mate,wasnt trying to be offensive,i think i just read it wrong,had a bit of a sh1t weekend and the Zone is my stress relief,last thing i want to do is create more

Anyway like i said,i will keep my eyes peeled for it again,and try and find out the truth!

[M5pilot]

no problem