Having just looked at a B3 3.0, let’s look at its predecessor – sorta. What do I mean? Well, indeed, the Alpina B6 2.8/2 was the first E36 modified by Alpina, but it was replaced in 1993 by the B3 3.0 model. The B6 2.8/2 was also only available in sedan and coupe form. So what’s going on here, with this very obviously long-roof 1997? Japan.
That’s right, although the B3 model had replaced it, in 1996 the B6 2.8 was resurrected for the Japanese market. Now only available in Touring form, the car was reportedly a reaction to BMW’s decision not to bring the 328i Touring to the market. Unlike the contemporary cars, these were badged as “Limited Edition” and mostly came with the standard automatic instead of Alpina’s SwitchTronic gearbox, and they were only made in Arctic Silver, Bright Red, and Boston Green as we see here. Some 136 are claimed to have been produced, and this one is number 40:
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1997 Alpina B6 2.8 Touring on eBay
Year: 1997
Model: B6 2.8 Touring
VIN: WAPB628T37CE42040
Engine: 2.8 liter inline-6
Transmission: 5-speed automatic
Mileage: 112,500 km (~70,000 mi)
Location: Smyrna, Tennessee
Price: $37,754 Buy It Now
Vehicle Original VIN : WAPB628T37CE42040
112,557 Kilometers Limited edition, number 40 out of 140.
Neat! I love the combination of Boston Green and the gold Alpina decor, and this one definitely ticks the right boxes with the other Alpina equipment. As with the vast majority of these cars (and Japanese Alpinas in general), it’s an automatic, which will probably frustrate some people – especially at the nearly $40,000 asking price. You’d be right in thinking you could import a “normal” E36 wagon and plop a bunch of M3 bits in it for less money – as we’ve seen previously. Still, this is a rare and very cool Alpina in a neat color that has already been imported to the US, so here comes the proverbial “find another”…
-Carter
I get that people go nuts for wagons, and it is an automatic but the price is high. A nice auto 328i sedan is probably worth $8k – is this offering 5x the value? I say no. If I was looking for the ultimate E36 I’d find a nice Euro M3 for that price!
Interesting that Alpina seemed to choose cloth instead of leather for their bespoke BMW’s during that period. We have a 1981 BMW Alpina B6 2.8 based on the e21 body and that too is cloth. The engine in this car was bored by Alpina and stroked to 3.2 liters increasing output to 250 horsepower. Faster than a Porsche from this era.
I am not buying, just admiring! Add long roof and Alpina and I go all pitter patter, except for the transmission. Really fun to see it! Thanks for posting it!