Alpina is a company that specializes in turning BMW cars into deluxe, deeply individualized and sporty vehicles, and this 1996 Alpina B3 Touring looks like an affordable ticket into the tuner’s alluring world.
Back in the late 1990s, the German aftermarket company produced 89 such estate cars, and this one was shipped overseas to Japan despite being a left-hand-drive model. Like the others, it was based on an E36-gen 328i Touring chassis and a custom engine boosted to 270 PS (266 hp / 200 kW) and 330 Nm (243 lb-ft) of torque. An optimized five-speed automatic gearbox sent the power to both wheels.
The upgraded family hauler rides on in-house-designed 17-inch wheels suspended on Eibach springs and dampened by Bilstein shocks. There is a pronounced splitter at the front end, and the blue body benefits from yellow accents.
A peek inside reveals premium-grade sound system and radio, a three-spoke steering wheel and a deluxe trim predominantly involving fabric and natural wood accents. The odometer reports a touch over 104,000 miles (167,000 km) or use, which is obvious from the wear-and-tear all around. Even so, the car is said to be in excellent driving condition, so it could be a worthwhile investment.