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Author: Carter

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1990 Alpina B10 BiTurbo

1990 Alpina B10 BiTurbo

Published August 27, 2022 by Carter

After looking at nearly every other generation of 5-Series over the past few weeks, let’s take a look at one of the best – the E34. And if we’re going there, why not look at one of the best E34s made?

Alpina took a normal 535i and made it’s own interpretation of what the M5 could be; instead of a high-revving twin cam S38, you got two turbochargers with enough torque to embarrass those boys from Affalterbach. Alpina achieved this through a full custom build; Mahle pistons, custom oil sprayers to cool the them, stronger connecting rods, sodium-filled valves and bespoke intake and exhaust systems – but then, Alpina’s never been shy about producing it’s own items. While all Alpinas are rare, the B10 BiTurbo was fairly popular; of the 1600-odd E34s Alpina built, a full 507 of them were B10s – impressive considering they were one of the most expensive sedans in the world at the time. Today? Well, they’re still one of the most expensive used BMWs you can buy:

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2018 BMW M5 First Edition

2018 BMW M5 First Edition

Published August 26, 2022 by Carter

When it rolled out, the F90 redefinied what it was to be an M5. The engine was not all that new – the S63 had been utilized by the F10, after all. Nor was the styling all that new – it was a refinement of the F10 and not the huge leap the E60 had been from the E39, for example. No, the big news was how the power was delivered; in this case, BMW’s xDrive system made its way in and was tuned by BMW M to maximize the M5’s fun factor. The result? Hard to argue, really, as the new M5 obliterates 0-60 runs in 3 seconds, and the system can be switched to rear-wheel-drive mode to still do the classic BMW tail-out cornering.

To celebrate its launch and inclusion in the Need for Speed Payback game, BMW launched a special edition of 400 M5s called the “First Edition”. The $18,300 package was run through BMW’s Individual department and got you Frozen Dark Red Metallic paintwork, piano black trim, Smokey White upholstery, extended Shadowline trim, 20″ Style 706 wheels finished in black, an M Sport exhaust system, a Bowers & Wilkins Diamond surround-sound system, the M Driver’s Package, and a few other special trim details. Today’s car is one of a claimed 98 brought to the US, and it was also ordered with the Driver Assistance Package and the Executive Package. When new, the car retailed for around $130,000. With just 280 miles from new, what’s the asking price today?

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1987 BMW 535iS

1987 BMW 535iS

Published August 24, 2022 by Carter

Back in April I took a look at the fan-favorite E28 535iS – a car that struck a great balance, with most of the performance and look of the M5 at a cut rate:

1988 BMW 535iS

Today I’m back with another in one of my favorite shades – Royal Blue Metallic – and inside is a treat as well, with Llama (209) leather upholstery. With higher mileage and some modifications, is this one a good deal?

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2002 Audi S6 Avant

2002 Audi S6 Avant

Published August 21, 2022 by Carter

In 2002, the S6 Avant returned to U.S. shores, and it was even more powerful than the C4 Plus model had been. Now with 5V technology, the BBD 4.2 V8 cranked out 340 horsepower. Like the A6 4.2 sedan offered before it, the flares were widened and door blades made the stance more aggressive – as well as adding aluminum bodywork. Special interior details abounded; sport seats and steering wheel (comfort seats were a no-cost option), an Alcantara headliner, and carbon-fiber trim let the driver know they were at the wheel of a special model. Audi’s signature Avus wheel design appeared in 17″, but uniquely 8″ wide and in lower offset than either the S8 or S4 models’ wheels. The 1BE sport suspension was 20mm lower and 30% stiffer than the standard models. And though it looked like the rest of the subdued, understated early 2000s lineup, the Avant scooted; 0-60 was gone in 6.5 seconds, the standing quarter mile in 14.5, and the S6 could pretty effortlessly brush against its electronically limited 155 mph top speed. Reviews and owners alike chime in with the same song: like the E39 M5, this is a car that does everything, and does everything well.

So why the hell didn’t we buy them? Audi claims it sold around 900 2002s and just over 200 2003; compared to the Allroad, those numbers probably didn’t even justify AoA’s effort and probably were a large part of the reason that the S6 Avant disappeared and has still not returned (granted, we’ve now got the RS6, but still…). Let’s take a look at a nice first-year model:

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1979 Audi 5000S

1979 Audi 5000S

Published August 20, 2022 by Carter

In the long list of Audis I don’t really consider particularly appealing, the U.S.C2 is pretty high on the leader board. A design befuddled by Federally mandated bumpers, perhaps its redeeming quality is that it introduced us to the characteristic inline-5 thrum that would hold over until the end of C4 production. Of course, what really made all of those cars sing was forced induction, and so within the C2 range, the model that ostensibly is the most desirable is the Turbo. And it was, when in ‘5T’ Euro 200 form. However, the U.S. cars were turned down, weighed down, and solely opted with a 3-speed automatic. Interest in this post has, at this point, waned nearly as much as the surviving examples have.

There was also a diesel and turbodiesel version the C2. While they make frozen molasses heading uphill look brisk, they’ve at least got the diesel clique going for them. That leaves the normally aspirated Audi 5000S third in desirability in my ranking for a chassis I wouldn’t intentionally seek out. Not high praise, and this is coming from a pretty strong defender of the ringed corner of our world. But you could get a 5-speed manual, at least, and when a clean one pops up they are pretty cool to see.

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