Eric is a personal friend and long time CCA member / BMW enthusiast. He's the kind of guy you want to buy a car from sight unseen. This is an 82 E28 Alpina B9, it is very well sorted mechanically but it needs cosmetic attention. I attached a link to the pictures, he has a very detailed info sheet about the cars history and maintenance as well, you can contact him for that! I've been around the car a lot, it is what you see. Enjoy.
Category: VEHICLES
Year: 1982
Make: BMW
Model: Alpina B9 3.5 E28 5 Series
Title:
Description: o Alpina B9 3.5 serial number 30; genuine factory-tuned vehicle o ~85K miles o 5-speed manual transmission (Getrag 262; standard shift pattern) o Excellent mechanical condition: drives tight, engine runs strong and cool, and brakes have been upgraded to match Alpina-tuned engine and suspension o European small chrome bumpers o EPA and DOT federalization papers o BMW VIN: WBADA7104B6591274 o Anthracite gray exterior, with Alpina side graphics (gold outline only) o Light gray Alpina-stripe (black) cloth interior o Other appropriate upgrades to enhance Alpina-engineered performance and reliability o Body is very solid, with only a few small spots of rust on inner fenders and trunk drain lip o Underbody and mechanical components have only minor surface rust, as the vehicle has not been driven in the winter o Horizontal body panels need to be repainted (hood, roof, and trunk lid) o No sunroof; manual windows o A/C in place and blows relatively cold o Extra wheels/tires and many spare parts included o Owned for 25 years (since September 1986 and 21K miles) o Reason for sale: It is time to find an enthusiastic new owner, who has the time and energy to address vehicle needs (and I have too many other cars...) o Please contact me if you are interested; I can provide a detailed information sheet and a link to dozens of pictures
Price: $12,000.00
Phone Home: (630) 399-4525
Phone Work: (630) 399-4525
Name: Eric Schubert Eric.Schubert@bmo.com
Wow, what a cool car. It really needs a full restoration, but it is all there-even the belt powered diff cooler. Worthy candidate. Curious as to the interior cloth? Nonetheless, a great platform and a super rare car.
This makes 5 E28 B9 3.5s I know of. Thanks for posting this up on the board. The owner should list the car in The Alpina Register - www.thealpinaregister.com
This car made BAT today, with some nice comments from the peanut gallery. Can't imagine that it will last long at this price. But budget about $15K to get it really sorted. Still, to be in this car for the mid to high $20s is no bad deal. Lord knows, I've got WAY more than that in mine!
Another fun tidbit about the car, the antenna is in the front left fender rather than on the rear right quarter panel. I think it's a reaaaaaaluy early E28.
Here's the summary whoever missed it will cry!
1982 BMW Alpina B9 3.5
E28 5 Series
$12,000
Summary:
Alpina B9 3.5 serial number 30; genuine factory-tuned vehicle; E28 5 Series
~85K miles
5-speed manual transmission (Getrag 262; standard shift pattern)
Excellent mechanical condition: drives tight, engine runs strong and cool, and brakes have been upgraded to match Alpina-tuned engine and suspension
European small chrome bumpers
EPA and DOT federalization papers
BMW VIN: WBADA7104B6591274
Anthracite gray exterior, with Alpina side graphics (gold outline only)
Light gray Alpina-stripe (black) cloth interior
Appropriate upgrades to enhance Alpina-engineered performance and reliability
Body is very solid, with only small spots of rust (as described below)
Underbody is rust free, as the vehicle has not been driven in the winter
Horizontal body panels need to be repainted (hood, roof, and trunk lid)
No sunroof; manual windows
A/C in place and blows relatively cold
Owned for 25 years (since September 1986 and 21K miles)
Reason for sale: It is time to find an enthusiastic new owner, who has the time and energy to address vehicle needs (as noted herein); I have five other BMWs, including three other high-performance 5 Series sedans
Alpina modifications:
Engine:
Alpina-tuned version of the “big-block” six used in the Euro 635Csi and 735i; 240 hp
Modified cylinder head with hemispherical combustion chambers and reworked intake ports; special pistons with faces to enhance swirl of the air-fuel mixture; 10.2:1 compression ratio; camshaft with slightly greater valve overlap and modified cam shape; remapped ECU
Uses 12-valve cylinder head, so engine is quieter and easier to maintain than 24-valve head used on E28 M5 engine
Normally aspirated, so no turbocharger-related problems
Exhaust:
Alpina free-flow European exhaust; no catalytic converter
Differential:
Limited slip
Differential oil cooler (pump driven by left-side half shaft)
Suspension:
Alpina springs
Bilstein shocks specially valved for Alpina
Interior:
A.S.S front seats, which are very comfortable and supportive for aggressive driving
Alpina (by Momo) four-spoke, leather-covered steering wheel (telescoping column)
Alpina instrument cluster
Alpina wooden shift knob
Wheels:
Alpina 16-inch, classic-design, 20-spoke, forged alloy wheels (refinished and balanced in 1997 at 59K; currently without blemishes)
Staggered wheel width: 7-inch front wheels and 8-inch rear wheels
Tires are the same size as comparable-vintage Porsche 911: 205-55-16 in front, and 225-50-16 in rear (so good tires always will be available)
Upgrades (in addition to Alpina modifications):
Brakes:
Front brake calipers upgraded to 4-piston calipers from a 1988 M5
Front brake rotors upgraded to E32 750iL rotors (Bradi slotted)
Kevlar stainless steel brake lines
Air scoops to direct air through inside of 750iL front brake rotors
PBR MetalMaster brake pads
Ate Super Blue brake fluid
Suspension:
Front shock-tower brace (Racing Dynamics)
Front sway bar upgraded to 21 mm diameter
Rear sway bar upgraded to 14 mm diameter
Other:
Short shift linkage
Metal pedal pads (Racing Dynamics)
Mounting eyelets for 5-point harnesses (both sides)
European halogen headlights (H4 and H1; all four are 5.75-inch diameter)
Blaupunkt Florida RD-168 stereo / CD player; Blaupunkt speakers (four); replaced the Alpina-installed Pioneer Super Tuner stereo / cassette player and Pioneer speakers
Service history:
Engine oil changed every ~5K miles; Castrol Syntec 5W-50 used since 64K miles; Castrol 20W-50 and 10W-40 used earlier
BMW OEM coolant (and distilled water) used
Red Line MTL used in manual transmission
Red Line 75W-90 used in differential
Ate Super Blue or Ate Typ 200 brake and clutch fluid
Components replaced within the last 30K miles:
Battery in April 2011 (Interstate [85] month; [875]CCA)
Engine oil @81K (Castrol Syntec 5W-50)
Differential oil @ 81K (Red Line 75W-90)
Transmission oil @ 81K (Red Line MTL)
Guibo, driveshaft center support bearing, tranny output shaft and selector shaft seals @81K
PS-PB fluid @ 81K (Red Line ATF)
PB pressure accumulator @ 81K
Alternator bushings @81K (urethane)
Front and rear brake pads @81K (PBR MetalMaster)
Brake and clutch fluid @81K (Ate Super Blue)
Coolant @78K (BMW OEM, distilled water, and Red Line Water Wetter)
Fuel rail (newer style), fuel pressure regulator, and fuel injectors (flow-matched set) @ 76K
Pulley for differential oil cooler pump @75K (Alpina); V-belt @70K
Front and rear sway bar links @71K
Upper control arms @ 71K (Lemfoerder); urethane bushings (Paul Gray)
Lower control arms @70K (Lemfoerder)
Front brake rotors @70K (Bradi slotted)
Water pump, thermostat, and radiator hoses @67K
Distributor cap, rotor, and spark plugs @66K
Brake master cylinder @64K
Front brake calipers rebuilt @64K; Rear brake calipers rebuilt @55K
Tie rods, center link, and idler arm @61K (Lemfoerder); aligned
Rear springs @59K (Alpina; one old one was sagging; Bilstein shocks still felt like new)
Motor mounts @59K
Heater valve @59K
Fuel filter @59K
Spark plug wires @55K
Ownership history (in reverse chronological order):
My 25 years of ownership:
In September of 2011, drove 500 miles from home (in Warrenville, IL) to and from Pentwater, MI – with three 16-foot kayaks securely mounted on a Yakima roof rack (yes, this vehicle is versatile…); vehicle drove perfectly; I will miss it
Over my full ownership period, vehicle has been used as a family road car, weekend fun car, and as a track car for high-performance driving schools
Yes, the car has had lots of track time (most recently in [July] of 2010) – and it performs extremely well for it age and size; reliable: always driven home from track!
Vehicle has been in only one accident: an on-track, soft, side collision into a tire-protected wall at the exit of Turn 7 at Blackhawk Farms in Rockton, IL in September of 1987 (no, I was not driving…); vehicle was very well repaired by what at the time was a premier body shop (Quality Coachworks, in Skokie, IL); new gold-outline-only Alpina stripes were applied to the entire car, to replace the original stripes (which had gaudy silver fill between the gold outline)
I have handled substantially all of the service needs, as I do for most of our vehicles; I am serious enough that I have a well equipped shop, with many BMW specialty tools and a professional-quality above-ground work lift
Soon after purchase in late 1986 @21K miles:
Flywheel surface resurfaced (had been slightly warped); clutch disc, pressure plate, and throw-out bearing concurrently replaced
Federalized exhaust system (with catalytic converter) replaced with new Alpina free-flow full exhaust (modified Boysen, without catalytic converter) purchased from Miller & Norburn in North Carolina
Stan Simm (former President of BMW CCA):
Owned for only about a month in 1986
Decided not to keep it, given only one garage space (for his M635CSi)
Attorney in Palm Beach, FL (~1984-1986)
Mike Dietel, proprietor of Dietel Enterprises, Mission Viejo, CA:
Dietel was an active gray-market importer and the only Alpina-authorized U.S. importer at the time
Dietel federalized the vehicle and then used it as his personal car
Alpina:
Per my conversation with Mike Dietel, this vehicle was evidently the original development vehicle (prototype) for the B9 3.5
The vehicle began its life as a European 528i (June 1981 production date)
The culmination of that development effort was the Alpina-standard 10,000 KM run on the Nurburgring course – at speed
Following that run, the vehicle was refreshed with a new engine, brakes, etc. – and became the #30 B9 3.5
Vehicle needs:
Body:
Horizontal body panels need to be repainted (hood, roof, and trunk lid)
Small spots of rust should be arrested and/or repaired (two spots on LF inner fender near shock tower; one spot on RF inner fender near shock tower; two spots in trunk drain lip; one spot on trunk lid; spots at bottom underside of each door – see pictures)
Two small dings (one in LR door; one in FR quarter panel)
Alpina front spoiler no longer in place (old one was damaged, removed, and discarded)
Alpina trunk-lid air dam should be replaced or removed (foam is cracked)
Windshield is beginning to become hazy at the edges
Windshield molding and rear-window molding are badly oxidized
Wind noise from drivers door when vehicle is driven at speed
Leather on Alpina-Momo steering wheel is worn
Dash is cracked (like those on many E28s…)
Mechanical:
Engine oil and filter due for a change at ~86K
Valves clearances should be checked and adjusted (if necessary) at 90K
Engine oil-level sensor incorrectly triggering low-oil warning light
Starter motor is sluggish even when battery is fully charged; check & clean positive wire to starter
Minor oil leak from transmission speedometer output (not used)
Central locking control module should be replaced or rebuilt
Instrument panel lights have grown dimmer (probable need to replace headlight / dimmer switch)
Possible future performance upgrades:
A larger-diameter rear sway bar (~16 mm) would reduce body roll evident when cornering hard on track
Spare parts (included with sale):
Five track wheels and tires: 16x7.5 inch 5-spoke [MSW] alloys; old set of 225-50-16 Yokohoma A08R tires mounted)
Front brake rotors (Brembo cross drilled, slotted, and heat treated; slightly used)
Rear brake rotors (OEM; new)
Front brake pads (PBR MetalMaster; new)
Rear muffler (B&B stainless steel; used)
Front sway bar (19 mm smaller-diameter original; used)
Rear sway bar (12 mm smaller-diameter original; used)
Distributor cap and rotor (Bosch; new)
Air filter ([Mann]; new)
Valve cover gasket (new)
Seals for left-side differential output flange (new)
Metal hanger-strap for rear muffler (new)
Metal face gaskets ([2 or 4]) for joint between exhaust manifold output flanges and European downpipes (new)
Under-hood foam self-adhesive insulation (new)
B9 3.5 trunk badge (Alpina; new)
I have sincerely attempted to fully and accurately disclose all aspects of this vehicle and its condition – information that I would want to receive if I were a prospective buyer. If you have questions about this disclosure or about any other aspects of this vehicle, please contact me. Vehicle is available at my home in Warrenville, Illinois (western suburb of Chicago) for test drive and inspection (including undercarriage inspection on my work lift).
Another fun tidbit about the car, the antenna is in the front left fender rather than on the rear right quarter panel. I think it's a reaaaaaaluy early E28.
Actually all Alpina e28s should have the antenna at the front. Alpina put them there so they wouldn't interfere with the rear spoiler.
BTW...Nice homework on the subject car, Patrick!!!!
It did. Build sheet says it came with a Blaupunkt Köln SQR23 with Pioneer speakers and an electric antenna. All stock wiring with signal cable is in place.
Doesn't mean it wasn't an afterthought or done on a Friday afternoon.
I'm glad someone made a deposit. I don't need to keep delaying projects with more projects, though I am confident the new owner will find more rust.
Last edited by wkohler on Oct 28, 2011 11:30 AM, edited 1 time in total.
... Alpina:
Per my conversation with Mike Dietel, this vehicle was evidently the original development vehicle (prototype) for the B9 3.5
The vehicle began its life as a European 528i (June 1981 production date)
The culmination of that development effort was the Alpina-standard 10,000 KM run on the Nurburgring course – at speed
Following that run, the vehicle was refreshed with a new engine, brakes, etc. – and became the #30 B9 3.5...
WOW. Very cool car. Hope it ends up with someone who cares.
gray635 wrote:This car made BAT today, with some nice comments from the peanut gallery. Can't imagine that it will last long at this price. But budget about $15K to get it really sorted. Still, to be in this car for the mid to high $20s is no bad deal. Lord knows, I've got WAY more than that in mine!
Mike, I think way more than 15k. I spent 15k on #436 after I bought it and I am sure you spent more than that after you bought it from me! Tim
gray635 wrote:This car made BAT today, with some nice comments from the peanut gallery. Can't imagine that it will last long at this price. But budget about $15K to get it really sorted. Still, to be in this car for the mid to high $20s is no bad deal. Lord knows, I've got WAY more than that in mine!
Mike, I think way more than 15k. I spent 15k on #436 after I bought it and I am sure you spent more than that after you bought it from me! Tim
In a discussion with a friend I was estimating $30k. He said WHAT? Then I pretty much mentioned that car needs every bit and piece removed and cleaned/polished/replaced/re-upholstered. And that rust must be mitigated IMMEDIATELY. You don't daily drive an Alpina of that age anymore.
Its a $40k+ car. Less if you can do the bodywork yourself. Now that's of you do it right.
EDIT: My comments above don't change the fact that I seriously thought about buying this car myself. Alpina's are really sweet E28s.
Last edited by rmiddendorf on Oct 28, 2011 1:12 PM, edited 1 time in total.
Patrick McHugh wrote:Allllllright, who put down a deposit!?!?!?
Thanks for the info on this one, Patrick.
I am curious whatever happened to that Alpina e28 project car you and Jon had for a while? I recall it was a bit rough. Is Mike including that one in his list of 5 known Alpina e28 5ers in the U.S.?
Hope someone here picked-up this rolling resto B9.
As Coldswede stated in a back channel email, I wonder how much airflow made it to that rear differential cooler. Fantastic bit of Teutonic kitsch to be certain!
Well, you guys are right, that is an original two piece Alpina antenna that you could separate them from the base incase you are covering your car and it is build heavy duty enough to stand the pressure of the wind up to 180 M/H.
I guess we have enough antenna expert in here to verify that to.
B7Turbo wrote:Well you guys are right, that is an original two piece Alpina antenna that you could separate them from the base incase you are covering your car and it is build heavy duty enough to stand the pressure of the wind up to 180 M/H.
I guess we have enough antenna export here to verify that to.
Given your car is a later production B7, Alpina must have designed your heavy duty antenna because the metal units on earlier models were breaking off at high speeds.
B7Turbo wrote:Well you guys are right, that is an original two piece Alpina antenna that you could separate them from the base incase you are covering your car and it is build heavy duty enough to stand the pressure of the wind up to 180 M/H.
I guess we have enough antenna export here to verify that to.
Given your car is a later production B7, Alpina must have designed your heavy duty antenna because the metal units on earlier models were breaking off at high speeds.
Well, is called live and learn, or on another word past experience would pave the road for better products for future.
gray635 wrote:This car made BAT today, with some nice comments from the peanut gallery. Can't imagine that it will last long at this price. But budget about $15K to get it really sorted. Still, to be in this car for the mid to high $20s is no bad deal. Lord knows, I've got WAY more than that in mine!
Mike, I think way more than 15k. I spent 15k on #436 after I bought it and I am sure you spent more than that after you bought it from me! Tim
Tim:
You are, of course, correct on the finances re: #436. But a lot of the stuff I did was actually not really necessary - just my automotive OCD manifesting itself. My $15K guestimate was to basically just stabilize the car (paint, rust repair, front spoiler, some trim pieces, etc.) and bring it to a "good driver" status, not concours.
Also re: the antenna issue, it's on the left front fender on #436 as well.
I'm thrilled that this car appears to be going to a board member.
The Alpina that Jon had in VA was a B7 - now in the capable hands of a certain Mr. C. Kohler.
Anxious to see the progress of this car. It needs to be on The Alpina Register.
thank you. I have not slept and I was even concerned about posting I had the deposit until the car is safely in my barn. its never over until the fat (cooled) differential sings!
Very cool car. Hope it ends up with someone who cares.
