Alpina B3 3.3

Prior to the launch in 2002 of the B3S (here), Alpina's first take on BMW's E46 was the B3 3.3.

Like the latter model, the 3.3 was available in coupe, convertible, saloon and touring format and was engineered and marketed as an alternative to the then current M3.

Falling in somewhere between the E46 330i and the M3, the 3.3 aimed to meld dynamic performance in a package that was still suitable for everyday use. Alpina took the S52 engine found in the American E36 M3 and by increasing bore and stroke, tuning the exhaust, and replacing the pistons for lighter items, upped the power output from 240bhp to 280bhp. The total re-fashioning of the engine block enabled higher and faster revving, and allowed the 3.3 to accelarate from a standing start to 60mph in 5.8 seconds. Whilst the optional Switchtronic system would become more refined in later models, the very abilty to spec the car with the automatic gearbox allowed customers to have a more granular choice of car.

In total, 1310 3.3's were built, with just 285 coupes.