This Alpina B3 GT3 Is An M3 GTS Without The Bonkers Price Tag
The products of Alpina tend to be slightly more sedate alternatives to the explosive nutters from BMW’s M Division. But, there is one car that bucks the trend: the E92-based B3 GT3. It’s best thought of as Alpina’s answer to the E92 M3 GTS, but unlike that beast, you won’t need over £100,000 to buy one: Silverstone Auctions has one going under the hammer next month with an estimate of £50-60,000.
You don’t get the M3 GTS’s glorious, high-revving V8, but the GT3’s 3.0-litre, twin-turbo straight-six actually produces more torque. Its 398lb ft figure is 74lb ft up on the GTS, and you won’t be wanting for power either, with 402bhp on tap. 0-62mph is possible in 4.5 seconds, and at the top end it runs out of ideas at 186mph.
As with any Alpina worth its salt, you get a set of stunning multispoke wheels, 25 per cent lighter than the rims found on the boggo B3. Underneath the front pair you’ll find 380mm brake discs with six-pot callipers. In the suspension department, the GT3 received fully adjustable coilovers, giving a variable ride height, 12 settings for compression, and 18 for rebound. If you’re a suspension geek, you’re well catered for here.
Other nice touches include a titanium exhaust, part leather/part Alcantara bucket seats with Alpina stripes, and a digital ‘race display’ system.
Still not convinced? It’s worth pointing out the GT3 is even rarer than the GTS - just 99 were made, versus 135 examples of M Division’s machine.
It’ll be auctioned off by Silverstone at Salon Privé on 3 September.
Growing up on a diet of World Rally Championship highlights and lengthy Gran Turismo 2 sessions, a life in cars was as good as inevitable for Matt.
Comments
Nice but i would just get a used e92 M3, the v8 has so much character and the sound is just amazing
Totally agree. Not to mention the N54/55 was even less reliable. lol
Wait. It’s automatic right?
not even DCT
impressed
I WANT ONE! poor af intensifies
Ct was a rare spot on the internet without cats… than you showed up 😂
no automatic=not impressed
I’d rather have this than the M3 GTS, I mean, it’s a freaking Alpina!
Or you just buy a much much cheaper 335 , ecu tune it and add a rear aftermarket spoiler and you have the same performance and look except for the wheels.
No V8??
Blackpanthaa be like:
Dat wang!
The wing seems unnecessarily big. Doesnt suit the car
Have you not seen the GTS’ wing? Its even bigger, this wing is tiny in comparison
I don’t know why, but the best BMWs money can buy has an Alpina badge on it. I remember seeing an E30 Alpina and I just stared at it for a good few mins
i just wish alpina started making bonkers cars again with proper manuals…their switchtronic is silly