Who doesn’t love them some ALPINA? We’re huge fans of everything to come from the German tuner/manufacturer, as well are most car enthusiasts. Reason being is that ALPINA takes normal BMWs and transforms them into cars that are a bit more special, more interesting, more exciting and even more luxurious. Every ALPINA is like an iron fist in a velvet glove and it’s a combination we simply adore. So much so that the ALPINA treatment has even made me personally desire an E34 BMW 5 Series. More specifically, this 1990 ALPINA B10 Biturbo.
This specific ALPINA B10 has recently been listen on Bring-A-Trailer today (at the time of writing this, there are seven days left on the bid) and it looks incredible. It’s finished in the ever-so-desirable combination of ALPINA’s classic blue with its gold livery. Those classic ALPINA wheels also look superb on the E34. One interesting little exterior note are the little black mustaches on the Kidney Grilles.
Inside, the B10 features light grey leather that looks like it’s in great condition, save for a bit of looseness on the driver seat. That’s not such a big deal for such a special car, though. The rest of the cabin looks great, however, and very clean. My only knock against this B10, and it’s really with every ALPINA of the era, is that steering wheel. It’s not horrible, it just reminds me of the steering wheels from ’90s and early ’00s GM SUVs. Just with much nicer leather. Some of the interior plastics have faded a bit, and have now turned a sort of hospital-equipment beige, but overall it’s very nice inside.
The key aspect of this B10, though, is what lies under the hood. ALPINA always gives its BMW engines comprehensive tunes and this is no different. New pistons, valves and cams are added, combined with two water-cooled Garrett turbochargers help the 3.5 liter I6 engine make 360 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque. While that’s only about as much as a BMW M2 today, it was an enormous amount of power back in 1990.
This specific example only has 54,000 miles on it, making it quite fresh for a 1990. All of the fading and wear is likely just from age, rather than use. At the time of writing this, the current bid is $2,500, which is pennies for an ALPINA B10. Though, it’s likely to go way, way up by the time its seven day auction is over.
[Source: Bring-A-Trailer]