Alpina Brain

[B7S13]

Unfortunately, I managed to fry the brain in my E12 1982 Alpina B7S a couple of years ago when playing with some electrics. At the time my driving privileges were in jeapody - 340 horses and 165 mph potential can do that to a fella (no. 13 out of 60 has slight modifications over stock). I was satisfied with driving a lessor beast, an Italian delivery 2002tii with some rare euro bits attached, for a few years, but that one is in need of restoration work by now. So too are the rest of my tired herd - a very original US Tii vin 2762000; a handful of 2002s including one with dcoe 45s, turbo flares, and rare 15 in. Rials; a South American 3.0si with d-tonic; and three US 3.0 si s, one with rare manual tranny, no. 176 out 177 such sedans sold in '75. However, now being back in the governor's good graces, I feel the beast lurking within and am in need of an early Alpina motronic or some suitable type of brain to revive the monster clothed in Alpina blue. I am open to any and all options, leads, suggestions, etc. that might send flames erupting from lucky 13's tailpipes as they did before. No joke, I was once pulled over by a forest ranger after I passed him going into the black forest of twisties that lies between Ellsworth and Millbridge, Maine. When I slowed to the limit for ten minutes on the outskirts of Millbridge, he finally caught up with me after a half hour chase in his pick up. I had no idea he was still back there. "Did you know that flames were shooting from your exhaust when you passed me and up shifted?" After 15 mins of story telling and ogling the car while explaining that one of the previous 6 owners had modified the exhaust (I'm lucky seven, that's a lucky 7 and a lucky 13), we parted ways with no citation. But one cannot live by stories alone. Please assist the beast so that it may live to pen new tales and spin those tires once again as it slips into 2nd at 6000 plus rpm and 55 plus mph. The rush from 60 to 100 is unbelievable. Ask the rice rocket that tried to pass at 80 on a deserted mile long straight after midnight. I crested the hill at 145 plus with junior ninja boy a distant headlight. Lucky 13 is in very good condition, resting under the heater and waiting, not so patiently any more, for lucky 7 to awake the sleeping beast. Thanks for looking and, hopefully, tendering a reply that may lead to its reawakening. Your humble servant reaching out to you from Big Pine, a freshwater island in the fair state of Maine

[wkohler]

I have no idea what you're talking about but I know enough to tell you that you're unlikely to find anything, so you're likely going to have to go for a component level repair on whatever you have. I'd suggest posting pictures of what you have.

[Mark 88/M5 Houston]

Programa, I believe they are in Florida, may be able to repair your ECU.

[B7S13]

If you have an E28 B7 you would know what I am talking about as its the little black box that controls timing and such, an early motronic brain. The factory E23 745 most likely has such a brain and I am considering purchasing a rough one for its brain if that would work. I would like to keep the vehicle as original looking as posssible. See you have a M535. I almost purchase one of the early E12 M533s, one of 200, but it was very rough though original and we couln't agree on a price. My bad

[B7S13]

Mark, thanks for the tip. I'll try them next week. The car is in Maine and I will be in Colorado and DC till end of December. I will send pics by new year for your viewing pleasure. Thanks gents

[turbodan]

Might be cheaper and easier to have someone install and tune Megasquirt than it would be to attempt to repair the original hardware.

[Adam W in MN]

They made more than 200 e12 M535i's, FYI.

Would love to see pics of your e12 B7S! I always wondered what became of the Maine car I saw pics of on the Internet a decade or more ago. If my reckoning is correct, it is one of three e12 B7S's stateside?

Where's Frank Haas in this thread?

[B7S13]

True but only 200 M533's which was what I was referring to. Sorry if I made a typo.

Heard of this fellow Frank Hass but not in a while. I don't know how many B7S's there are in the Americas but I believe no. 13 to be one of three out of the original 60 to have both air conditioning and a sunroof. I also heard that this was originally sold to a close friend of Bovensiepen's (might have got the spelling wrong there). It was imported into California by an audio salesman and I chatted with a dentist there who was the third owner. We shared acceleration from 60 to 100 stories. I am sorely missing that awe inspiring and fearful moment of massive boost. Another fellow named Foster owned it out in CA and I believe performed some modifications to the head and exhaust. I purchased lucky 13 from a gent in southern Maine.

[GI jonas]

Where in Maine are you? Im On the mid coast is why I ask.

[Adam W in MN]

True but only 200 M533's which was what I was referring to. Sorry if I made a typo.

Oops, sorry, I misread, yes the Motorsport 533i's. Never have seen one, but know they exist. There are also the pre-production prototype M535i's out there (two that I know of in the US).

One of the three I knew of/heard about was lost to a crash out west and parted out I believe. I can't remember now where the third was, but there were definitely three based on bits and pieces of info over the years. Frank has two E12 B7's (not B7S), and Mitch B in Huntington Beach, CA has a red E12 B7.

[wkohler]

The car in the wreck in Oregon wasn't a B7S. It was a '79 B7.

[B7S13]

Downeast - Toddy Pond, Surry.

[Adam W in MN]

So when are you going to post some pics of that beauty?

[B7S13]

Back in Maine for holidays, probably be after the new year before I can get any photos up.

[AlpinaE24]

You mean one of these?



Has a map and bell housing input, used with the pier burg to control timing and IAC.

[B7S13]

Yes, looks and sounds like the unit. Is this one functional? Do you know it's history?

[wkohler]

I'd be picky too.

[AlpinaE24]

Yes it is fully functional worked fine when removed a couple years back. I also have the crank bell housing sensor.

[B7S13]

I am very interested but need some history on the unit - which model it came from, age, general condition, how it came into your hands, and any other info you may have. Being a holiday week I will be rather busy with traveling and family so communication may be erratic but I hope we can stay in touch and make this work.

Thanks for helping me out and happy holidays to you and yours!

[B7S13]

AlpinaE24,

Hope you received my message yesterday afternoon as I am unsure of it's delivery. I did get your note on the unit, thanks.

[AlpinaE24]

AlpinaE24,

Hope you received my message yesterday afternoon as I am unsure of it's delivery. I did get your note on the unit, thanks.

Pmed you

[B7S13]

AlpinaE24 - my last pms have not been getting to you. Did you receive this message?

[Adam W in MN]

B7S13 are you still out there?

[B7S13]

Adam,
Still in the wings, part never materialized and life has been too busy.