Alpina B9 E24 635!

[Coxy]

When it comes to a rare BMW, this one is up there with the best of them. When did you last see a genuine RHD Alpina B9 on the road? Unless you've seen this one! 18 RHD B9's were made (converted) by Alpina to Alpina spec. The very first of these were converted at Buchloe as opposed to Sytners in Nottingham. This is one of those that were converted at Buchloe and is the earliest known RHD B9 in the UK. In fact, it's the earliest known E24 B9 on the Alpina register.



Some may have seen this listed a few months ago and watched (as over 200 of you did!!) and both you and I thought it had gone to pastures new, but the car needing finishing off and taxing and between myself and the winning bidder, I explained that I would like to get the car finished properly (with the speedo guages and the dash working, then give her a good run out (or 2!) just to iron out any problems as I wasn't happy in letting it go until these few niggling issues were sorted.



The main issue was to sort out the dash as the circuit board needed replacing as the cells had long since died. I enlisted the help of a very good auto electrician friend of mine to strip the dash down and diagnose the problem, then ordered the necessary genuine part(s) at great expense I might add, from BMW. The dash was then reassembled and voila, everything works! All the service lights have been reset and everything now works as it should (apart from the brake pad light which comes on intermittently, which apparently is due to being fitted with aftermarket pads).

The speedo, odometer and temp guage all now work as they should!

I have taxed her and have done about 500 miles in her to make sure she drives as she should and she does!



Now to the rest of the car.

It is a matching numbers car and has been verified via the Alpina register. The car is numbered #334 (Alpina engine number 7211) and is one of 5 known RHD examples left in the UK. 3 of these I know to be off the road. One I know has been stripped down ready for rebuild for the past 14 years!!

For those who are unsure if they have a genuine Alpina engine, this can be confirmed by the 4 digit number on the top of the case.

#349,#353 and #858 are also known RHD models left in the UK. Many of the original RHD UK cars seemed to have found their way over to Japan over the last decade, and this is one of the few now left making this far rarer than the M635!

Put it this way, there were about 500 M6's made!!

I got this car nearly a year ago after searching for a good E24 for a while. I'm one of these compulsive car collectors that has to own a certain car and basically get it out of my system!

This particular B9 was bought by a private collector via Bonhams Auctions back in 1996. Since then it has been in storage and taken out for a few short journeys and for it’s annual MOT!

When I took delivery of it, it needed a few things in order for it to be recommissioned into use.

Upon delivery, I took it for an MOT where it needed 1 new wiper blade!



The engine had a slight overheating problem which turned out to be the head gasket, so over the past few months, I have stripped the engine down, had the head skimmed, replace all the gaskets, put on new heat shields, replaced the water pump, a new thermostat, new thermostat valve, new viscous clutch for the fan and a couple of new hoses! Best to be sure!! Whilst it was apart, I also changed the spark plugs as well!



The car is the 4 speed Auto and changes gear just as it should, nice and smoothly. It has the S option which for some means sports, but in the wet, it means “Slide!”. The kick down is superb and responsive and she will embarrass many a modern day car, and there are few that could keep up with her and even less that gain as many admiring glances!

The car is in overall, excellent condition. The paint is Henna Red, and still gleams, although it is getting thin in places over the years. The vehicle is 99% rust free, the only bits I have noticed are just a small amount of scabbing on the lower inner lips of the arches, and inside one of the rear arches, and a small blister (about the size of a 5p) on top of the front wing and that’s about it. There's a couple of stone chips onthe fron bonnet but that's to be expected really!

The B9 has a couple of minor parking dinks (I am being picky here). The B9 has the full black leather interior. There is very little wear showing and the leather has a nice dull sheen to it as it should. She has the correct Momo steering wheel and Alpina gauges. She is fitted with a brand new Alpina branded specially made carpet mat set, which are black with red lettering.

The original dash plaque is also present. The original accessory light is also still there in the glovebox as well.

As stated earlier, I have sorted out all the mechanical bits and she runs just as she should.

The on board computer next to the radio is non-op at the moment. When I fitted a stereo into the gap a couple of months ago, I did notice that the plug lead going into the back of the computer was out but couldn’t get my hand in to fit it back on. Please note, the B9 will be sold without the stereo unless agreed by seperate negotiation (it is an Alpine CDE-9881RB with iPod lead)



The current mileage is showing at approx 94500 but as there was an electrical fault which meant the odometer was non op I can and will not verify this mileage.



There is no spare wheel with the vehicle. I have hunted high and low for the past 5 months for a spare genuine 16” Alpina rim but to no avail!

The original front spoiler has been replaced with a smaller front splitter as the previous owner had issues with sleeping policeman!

The wing mirrors have minor scuffing as well. The n/s wing mirror has a crack in the outer casing, that said, it is all there!

This car was never fitted with the Alpina graphics and that has also been confirmed through Sytners via the Alpina register.

I do like to be as honest as possible especially given the rarity of this vehicle.

The car is fitted with a near new full stainless exhaust system and when the straight six fires into life, the sound is superb!

This car has MOT until May 23rd next year and is taxed until June this year so the winning bidder may jump in her and drive her away! (after they've paid up of course!!)



This E24 B9 has just had a full photoshoot for Total BMW magazine which she should appear in next months issue!





Here is a full spec of the engine build from Alpina.



Alpina Engine Spec #7211



bore 92mm
stroke 86mm
cc 3430
comp 10:2
hp 245 @ 5700 rpm
tq 320 @ 4000
rear axle 3.46
0-100kph (0-62 mph) 6.7 sec
top speed 240kph (149mph)
cam 280 degree
hemi head with open combustion chamber
high dome pistons
oversize intake and exhaust valves
polished, lightened and balanced rods
balancing, matching of internal components



RHD B9’s seldom come up for sale and when they do, they command a good price. I have set a reserve based on my knowledge of the B9 and what I feel the current market value maybe given it’s condition. If you are genuinely interested in this vehicle, please do not hesitate to get in contact with me via the ask seller a question and I will supply you with my phone number.

I would urge anyone who is interested in this vehicle to view before making a bid. The car is stored in my unit which is just off J12,M6 and I am there everyday and weekends by appointment so ample opportunity to view!

I'm only selling as I'm one of these collectors that has to own a car and then move on. I very rarely get attached to a vehicle as I've got a list as long as my arm of cars I'd like to own before my 40th birthday (and it ain't that long away now!)




In summary, this Alpina is a very presentable and in overall excellent condition, she starts, drives and stops just as she should and given the rarity of the vehicle, would also prove to be a sound investment for the future.

[amanda]

Hmmmm have you seen an urq that you fancy the Coxy

[Coxy]

Originally Posted by amanda

Hmmmm have you seen an urq that you fancy the Coxy

Kels!

[Isimmo]

Price : £as much as possible...

Every man has his price...

but I'm not in the market at any price

[Coxy]

If nothing else just click the watch button cos it'll end on on ebay Pulse and then in Practical classics!!!!!!!!

[amanda]

Hmmmm Kels is a good one I just knew that you were after that one

[Coxy]

Originally Posted by amanda

Hmmmm Kels is a good one I just knew that you were after that one

pricey but then, the good ones are!

We'll see how this one does on the bay!