Spotlight: Alpina B3 Biturbo Touring (2009 / E91)

Today another "Spotlight" blog, in which Guitigefilmpjes looks back on cars that have been encountered a few years ago. Hence, the spotlight is put on a special BMW today, which is quite unique on the road. Note, in the car documents the manufacturer is not stated as BMW but as Alpina, which is a seperate brand. But apart from the same platform that Alpina and BMW share, the relationship also becomes clear as Alpina's are sold through designated BMW dealerships.

When Alpina introduced the B3 Biturbo on the E90 platform, it was the successor to the B3 2.7 that was available in the E30, E36 and E46 platform. The B3 Biturbo was produced from 2007 until 2012 and has been based on the BMW 335i. Alpina has rebuild the 3.0 liter engine to 360hp with 500nm of torque and a top speed of 285km/h (178mp/h).

Alpina offers the B3 Biturbo as a regular sedan, but also as an estate, convertible and coupe. All-wheel drive is also an optional feature, and since 2010 the B3S Biturbo which features 400hp and a top speed of 300km/h (188mp/h) is also available. 

The standard 19-inch Alpina classic alloy wheels

Exhaust system Alpina, stainless steel, two double-ended tailpipes

Every Alpina comes standard with a blue instrument panel

This Alpina B3 Touring was the 4th car of this type to be produced

Dakota leather, with Alpina roundels in seatbacks

Look here for some extra pictures of the Alpina B3 Touring

Picture update: BMW 320d & 320i Touring

In 2005, the then new BMW 3-series was introduced to the market. In this blog a 2008 BMW 320d and a 2006 BMW 320i Touring with a moderate level of equipment.

€32.700,00 BMW 320d 6-speed manual

€770,00 Black sapphire metallic
€0,00 Cloth Fluid Anthracite
€0,00 Interior Trim Tital matt

€870,00 Advantage Package

• Styling 156 16-inch alloy wheels
• Leather steering wheel
• Multifunctional steering wheel
• Fog lights

€770,00 Automatic Airconditioning, dual zone
€260,00 Cruise control
€420,00 Park Distance Control, rear
€2.300,00 Navigation System "Business"

Total price in Germany: €38.090,-*

*Prices are the German prices March 2008

Some pro's and con's on the BMW 320d:
Pro:

• Excellent engine with good fuel consumption
• Good handling
• Decent price / value level, moderate equipment which enable comfortable long distance travelling
• As a second hand car, relatively cheap

Con:

• No bluetooth-connection to connect phone
• No USB-connection in order to charge phone / listen music on a USB-stick / phone
• Standard steering wheel has a less premium feel

€29.350,00 BMW 320i Touring 6-speed manual

€750,00 Arctic metallic
€570,00 Cloth / Leather upholstory: Anthracite
€0,00 Interior Trim: Tital matt
€1.550,00 Styling 160 16-inch alloy wheels
€280,00 Sports steering wheel
€150,00 Multifunction buttons for steering wheel
€200,00 Fog lights
€3.100,00 Navigation system Professional
€1.400,00 Panoramic Sunroof
€360,00 Heated front seats
€400,00 Voice Control
€110,00 Ablagenpaket (including 12v power sockets and two cupholders)
€150,00 Movable armrest
€100,00 Velour floots mats 
€220,00 Roof rails
€750,00 Automatic Airconditioning, dual zone

Total price in Germany: €39.440,-*

*Prices are the German prices March 2006

Some pro's and con's on the BMW 320i Touring:

Pro:

• Good handling
• Decent price / value level, moderate equipment which enable comfortable long distance travelling
• Second hand, no costly turbo charger repair as opposed to the diesel engine

Con:

• No bluetooth-connection to connect phone
• The early E90 / E91 models only had an AUX-connection for a music interface
• Engine lacks diesel punch, resulting in higher consumption
• Not the most spacious in its class

For more pictures on these BMW 320d & 320i Touring, please click this link.

For a review of a BMW 318d Touring LCI (E91 / Facelift), please click here.

Car review: BMW 318d Touring (MY2010)

Car: BMW 318d Touring (MY2010)
Engine: 2.0 Liter R4 Diesel engine
Exterior: Titansilver Metallic
Interior: Leather Dakota Black; Interior trim Black high-gloss
Optional equipment: Steptronic automatic transmission (6-speed), 16-inch alloy wheels styling 283, Xenon headlights, ParkDistanceControl front and rear, Panoramic sunroof, Navigation Professional with BMW Online / Assist, Bluetooth, USB-connection, Exterior lighting package, Extended luggage features, Extended storage 
Price (in 2010): €48.980,-
Performance: 143hp / 300nm - 9,7s from 0 to 100km/h
Top speed: 210km/h
Fuel consumption: 7.3l/100km (32mpg / US)
In 2008 BMW gave the 3-series, internally know as the E90 (sedan) and E91 (Touring), a facelift. LED-technology modernised the design, the front was slightly reworked, and the newest communication technology was incorporated (new SatNav Professional, BMW Assist / Online).

1. Exterior

For the car manufacturer, the facelift always poses a dilemma. On the one side, existing customers should not get the feeling to drive an outdated car, while the car needs to be updated with recent technology in order to compete with more modern cars.

When comparing the 3-series (2005) against its direct rivals, the Mercedes Benz C-class (2007) and Audi A4 (2008), it is obvious that the 3-series the oldest one is. In the then available model range (7-series E65 and 5-series E60, the previous models), the 3-series was designed in a more conservative way. However, when introducing the facelift (also known as the LCI - Life Cycle Improvement), BMW did not try to match the competition, but to surpass it.

The exterior design has lost its sharp edges as the curves have been redesigned more "smoother". Looking alongside the hood, several lines have been added to represent a more muscular design, the front spoiler also has been "smoothened" and has been integrated deeper into the design of the car. These smoother lines represent the departure of the steep curves that Chris Bangle used in the BMW-design. Unfortunately, due to EU-regulations, the sleek rear-view mirrors have been replaced with larger "elephant ears".

Apart from the aforementioned changes, LED-technology has been introduced into the front and rear indicators, the rear lights (with LEDs in the distinctive "L-shape"). In contrast to the competition that fixed LED-technology "onto" the car, BMW was able to make it an integral part of the design.

Instead of the standard rims, this BMW 318d Touring is equipped with 16-inch alloy wheels. Although the small size, the styling 283 rims still give a good impression and are able to fill out the room in the wheel arches very well.

Styling 283 16-inch alloy wheels

2. Handling & Engine

Handling of the BMW 3-series is good, the car gives the driver enough feedback to the driver in order to feel what is happening. Although the car handling is good, the ride never is too hard or uncomfortable. Therefore the BMW 3-series is an excellent car for driving long distances. When comparing the handling to the Audi A4, it is very comparable, the main advantage for the 3-series stems from the rear wheel drive.

Although the BMW 318d has 143hp, one should not expect the performance of a 6-cylinder engine. It provides adequate power for most situations, while only on the highway the performance could be better, as the diesel engine loses its momentum at higher revs.

One of the main strenghts is the fuel consumption, including fast driving segments (160km/h+) on the German Autobahn, an calculated average of 7,3l / 100km was the result. But when driving at routine speeds, the consumption may even fall below 6,0l / 100km/h without becoming an obstacle to the other traffic. Lastly it is not only the fuel consumption that matters, but also the range you have without needing to stop for refuelling. Driving for 1.000 kilometer without having to refuel should be possible, when driving on secondary roads and on the highway.

3. Interior, multimedia and communication

BMWs standard seats are a constant object of discussion. Especially taller people view them as uncomfortable, while the seats are perfectly ok for people with a regular height. The interior itself has quite a fair amount of plastic, however it does not feel cheap, compared to the plastic in different brands / lower classes (Asian cars, Opel / Peugeot etc.). In direct comparison the interior of the Audi A4 is feeling somewhat better, while the Mercedes Benz C-class has risen to the same level after introducing the facelift in 2011. But the interior clearly represents the previous generation of BMWs, that now has been replaced with a new interior design. On the high gloss black interior trim dust and scratches are easily seen, therefore the aluminium trim might be a better option when selecting a dark upholstery.

Another excellent feature is the panoramic sunroof, both closed and opened it is a great additional feature to the car. Because of its sheer size, the car interior receives a lot more daylight, giving the impression of a more "open" and "larger" interior. But when opened the roof is only useful on secondary roads and in the city, as on the highway too much wind noise develops.

Combined with the facelift, the BMW 3-series also received an updated navigation system professional with an internal hard disk. It is the same that has been introduced in the new BMW 7-series F01 / F02 (in late 2008), with not only an upgrade regarding the iDrive-controller but also the software and interface of the system itself.

One new feature it the possibility to show the map with a satellite view

Together with the new navigation system Professional, BMW also introduced "BMW Online" for the 3-series. This gives the driver access to a wealth of online information, ranging from the weather to the new. As can be seen in the video below, the new also can be red to the driver in order to keep the focus on the road.

One point of bother is the placement of the USB-connection inside the armrest. As can be seen on the picture below, it causes an USB-stick to be placed vertically, therefore it is unable to close the armrest. You either need to have an extra USB-cable in order to let the device rest horizontally, or keep the armrest open.

4. Final thougths

The 2010 BMW 318d Touring LCI is a very good car, there are no major points of bother. The facelifted design, the modern navigation system Professional that included BMW Online / Assist and connecting the car to a large amount of information, the economical engine, the BMW 318d is even after having been on the market for 7 years a remarkable good car. Only a few minor details tell its age, while it still is not less then the current competition (Audi A4, Mercedes Benz C-class).

Although it has a steep price of almost €50.000 new (including the options this car has), you still should be able to get good discounts on a new E91, as its successor is only a few months away from introduction. If receiving a good discount, the BMW 3-series E91 is still a very good car that gives excellent value for money.
5. Videos & Pictures

More pictures of this BMW 318d and other 3-series can be found here: BMW 3-series LCI E90 / E91

Picture update: BMW 3-series LCI

A new picture galery has been created, focused around the BMW 3-series E90 (sedan) & E91 (touring) LCI. This album contains the following cars:

- 2010 BMW 318dA Touring E91 LCI (Platinum silver metallic)

- 2010 BMW 318i E90 LCI (Sapphire black metallic)
- 2009 BMW 320iA E90 LCI (Space grey metallic)
- 2009 BMW 318d Touring E91 LCI (Space grey metallic)


Please click here for the album: