Originally Posted by
Andy
The ES first appeared towards the end of the E46 afaik. It was slightly above the SE I think with Tech 1 kit etc. I think this is still the way.
As regards Alpina, they mad huge sense in the 70’s to 90’s as they produced cars the performed better than the equivalent BMW stock. Take for example the E12 with the M535i which had 218bhp. An Alpina B7 Turbo had 300 bhp and the B7 Turbo S had 330bhp. They had immense power and drove smooth and yet so sure footed. Again with E21’s, 2002’s etc Alpina offered a higher performance. The styling can certainly be take or leave it. I love it, even a D3 of E90 type.
There are some which are a bit odd such as the auto E46/36’s. I do like them but would go an M3. The E60 started getting back in the game with the B5. A proper fast car not lacking to an M and without the SMG. There really is something about how an Alpina drives. The E21 A1/3 was really one of the best cars I have had from a driving point of view. Sure Ronan Keating had an Alpina Z8 Roadster, would that not make you want to have one?
I would have less interest in a Schnitzer or Hartge.