Exploring the Legend: BMW Alpina B10 E34

Alpina cars are legendary. Probably every BMW owner has ever dreamed of one. And today we will talk about the Alpina in no less legendary body – E34.

In total, there were five different versions of Alpina in this body:

• B10 3,5/1
• B10 Biturbo
• B10 3.0 All-Wheel-Drive
• B10 4,0
• B10 4,6

Let’s talk about them in order.

BMW ALPINA B10 3,5 / 1

It became the first Alpina based on the third generation of BMW’s fifth series and was released in 1988. The car has the same 3.5 liter engine with catalytic converter with 254 hp as on later versions of the B6 3.5.

The main engine modifications were new Mahle pistons, a modified cylinder head, a new camshaft and a reprogrammed Motronic engine control unit. Alpina also used their own exhaust system and catalytic converter. All this made it possible to get 254 horsepower and 325 Nm of torque from this engine.

A 5-speed manual transmission was combined with this engine, but a 4-speed automatic was available as an option.

To handle the new performance, the car needed an improved suspension. It was fitted with springs and shock absorbers designed by Bilstein specifically for the Alpina. The brake system was also improved. Finally, the car was equipped with 17-inch Alpina rims combined with 235/45 tires in the front and 265/40 in the rear.

Interior modifications include Recaro seats with Alpina signature upholstery, a new leather covered steering wheel made by Momo and a new gearshift knob. The exterior of the car has not changed much. The changes concern the front spoiler, wheels, exhaust pipes and badges.

Alpina said the car accelerates to a hundred in 7.4 seconds and has a top speed of 252 km/h. In the tests by “Auto Motor und Sport” the acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h is the same, but the top speed is higher – 255 km/h.

The first car was built in April 1988, the last was produced in December 1992. Totally 572 trucks were produced.

Alpina B10 3,5/1 Specs

BMW ALPINA B10 BITURBO

In March 1989, the Alpina B10 BiTurbo was presented at the Geneva Motor Show. It became the fastest “Five” in the E34 body. It took Alpina two years and $3.2 million to develop it, but it was worth it. Its 3.5-liter twin-turbo six-cylinder engine is considered one of the best turbocharged engines ever built.

The car is based on the BMW 535i. It was visually distinguished from the standard E34 by a sporty bodykit with a spoiler (which increased downforce), 17-inch rims with the famous “needle” design, silver or gold stickers with the Alpina logo on the sides.

The most important thing in the Alpina is the engine. Its differences from the standard M30 are enormous. It has a volume of 3430 cm3, a new camshaft, stronger pistons, valves and springs. The power system is Bosch Motronic M3.3. The compression ratio is 7.2:1. Power – 360 hp at 6000 rpm. In Alpina B10 Bi-turbo there are more productive injectors and intake system of its own production. Well, the main difference is two Garrett T25 turbines, hidden by Bavarian engineers so deeply that they can’t be seen, even if the car is on an elevator. But they are there, and they are behind the intercooler of huge dimensions, located directly under the front bumper with a well-read Alpina logo.

The turbines allow the B10 to accelerate so fast that those sitting in the cabin are literally squeezed into their seats. The torque reached 552 N*m. Not surprisingly, the car sagged noticeably on the rear axle and could go astern even in third gear. To prevent heavy drifting, the ASC (Automatic Stability Control) system was installed on the B10 with the ability to disable it.

In addition to the new engine, the car is equipped with the branded 5-speed Alpina gearbox (Getrag 280/5), gearbox with lockup and Bilstein shock absorbers (they are also engraved Alpina).

Ventilated brakes with ABS deserve special attention. The front ones are made by Alpina – punched discs 334 mm with 4-piston calipers, rear brakes are from BMW M5. Having accelerated up to 290 km/h on a highway, this car can be “extinguished” as quickly as sportsmen-ring-walkers do it on combat BMW. By the way, the weight of the car reaches 1695 kg, and acceleration up to a hundred takes only 5 seconds!

But in addition to the phenomenal power Alpina has a good appetite – 16, 9 liters per 100 kilometers (combined cycle) . Therefore, the volume of the fuel tank has been increased from the standard 80 liters to 119.

All B10s had Michelin MXX 235/45 ZR 17 tires in the front and 265/40 ZR 17 in the rear.

The interior was also slightly modified. Brutal-looking anatomical seats with branded Alpina stitching (the same stitching is on the door panels), gear lever handle with the label of the studio, sills with an Alpina overlay immediately set you in a fighting mood.

The speedometer is digitized to 320 km/h (in the M5 it is marked to 300) and has the Alpina logo.Oil pressure and temperature gauges are on the dashboard. There is also information about boost pressure, which can be adjusted using an inconspicuous gauge located at the base of the center console.

The B10, like other Alpinas, does not have a factory body number. There is another one, listed in the registry of the court atelier. In the cabin under the ashtray there is a nameplate on which this number is duplicated. To order engine parts, say, pistons or valves, you need to report this number, otherwise their sale will be denied.

The best description of the significance of the Alpina B10 for automotive history are the words of renowned journalist and racing driver Paul Frere: “What does this car mean to me? I think it’s the best car in the world!”

The price of the car was 152,500 DM. Production of the Alpina B10 Bi-Turbo ended in 1994. A total of 507 cars were produced, most of which are now in Europe and Japan.

Alpina B10 BiTurbo Specs

BMW ALPINA B10 3,0 All-Wheel-Drive

This model is based on the BMW 525iX. The engine volume has been increased to 3 liters and its power has been increased to 231 hp instead of 192. Both a sedan and a station wagon (touring) were available. Between October 1993 and October 1995, 64 sedans were produced. Production of the Touring began in November 1993 and continued until May 1996. Seventy were produced.

BMW ALPINA B10 3,0 All-Wheel-Drive Specs

BMW ALPINA B10 4.0 & 4.6

Alpina was forced to end production of its popular B10 3.5/1 and B10 BiTurbo models because BMW was winding down production of the 3.5-liter M30 inline six. The obvious replacement for this iconic engine was the new generation of BMW V8 engines.

The B10 4.0, along with the B11 4.0 were the first Alpina cars with a V8 under the hood. The car was available in both sedan and Touring body styles.

In March 1994, Alpina began production of the B10 4.6.

The B10 4.0 engine has the same displacement as the original 4.0 liter V8 that was installed on the 540i, but at the same time it has Mahle pistons adapted for higher compression ratio, modified intake system and reprogrammed Motronic engine control unit.

The engine produces 315 hp (instead of 286 hp on the 540i) and 410 Nm of torque (instead of 400 Nm). Transmission was a 6-speed manual or 5-speed automatic.

The B10 4.6 was equipped with the same engine as the B8 4.6 (E36 body). It produced 430 hp and 480 Nm of torque. An additional 7 hp and 10 Nm was due to an upgraded exhaust system. Transmission is a 6-speed manual. The Switch-Tronic transmission was available as an option.

Both B10 4.0 and B10 4.6 used Alpina-Bilstein suspension with gas shock absorbers and springs with variable stiffness (so-called progressive springs). The wheels were 17-inch with 235 mm front and 265 mm rear tires.

The interior of the B10 4.0 has the same changes as its predecessor B10 3.5/1. The key difference between the two is the steering wheel. From the outside, the B10 4.0 can be recognized by a new front spoiler and wide restyled nostrils (grille). In the B10 4.6 the changes are the same, but in addition there was a rear spoiler as standard.

For the B10 4.0 Switch Tronic, Alpina claimed a top speed of 265 km/h in 6.5 seconds.

The B10 4.6 is not as fast as the B10 BiTurbo, but it is still a very fast car. In “Auto Motor und Sport” tests, the Switch Tronic version showed acceleration to a hundred in 6.4 seconds, to 160 km/h in 14.2 seconds, to 200 km/h in 23.1 seconds and a top speed of 275 km/h.

Production of the B10 4.0 began in April 1993 and lasted until August 1995. A total of 49 examples were produced. The B10 4.6 went into production in March 1994 and was produced until April 1996. A total of 46 copies were produced.

Alpina B10 4.0 Specs

Alpina B10 4.6 Specs