balancerider

looking at the VIN decodes for the first few 320d's to arrive here (dealer demos admittedly).

There are very few Alpina's here as only ever second hand imported (apart from a single black B7 sedan brought in by BMW NZ). There's an F10 D5 and an E39 B10 V8 on tardme atm.

They copy-paste the same thing for all their cars. Not sure i'd buy an M5 from them.

Be interested in a review of this when you have time Pete. How does it go on the commute?

Diesel sedans a rare beast in this part of the world.

Mine was 1k all up (for an F30 version including all electrics and freight to Wellington) though so perhaps a bit less for an e90?)Last I checked they had a red 335i touring with a towbar...

Suggest contacting SD European - that's where I got my BMW OEM Westfalia bar / electrics.

I think the N47 timing chain issues are probably overstated. There have definitely been issues but my feeling is these are pretty infrequent compared to the large number of N47's in circulation and the later engines are less likely to cause trouble. The N57 has the same timing chain setup and they seem to be pretty reliable. I suspect some of the issues come from the long standard service intervals - I feel very uneasy about 30000k between oil changes so have gone for 15k / 1 year on mine. (Also, my dad's one - in a 2010 E91 320d - is going very well at 209000k, for an n=1 data point)

Yep - if you post the last 7 digits of your VIN we can see the specs but likely out of luck

Not specifically an Alpina issue but notice that the first few NZ G21's are still EU5 exhaust emission standards (whereas the UK ones are now EU-6D) - not doing much for dirty diesel reputation here, I know there's no imperative to progress this but still disappointing IMHO

Check whether they're staggered as well, would guess the fronts are supposed to be running 225/40R19.

I suspect the odds of getting that (guessing Japan market) kit working here are approaching zero. Up to date maps on a pre-LCI E87 are also unlikely I would have thought... (Sorry to be the bearer of bad news)

Looking so much better without the orange reflectors, currently in Canada (which has the same reflector rules) and it just doesn't look as good as the euro clears. The one thing that I'm not sure about on your car is the Dinan badge, however I definitely prefer the stealth look which definitely isn't for everyone.

Not sure why this was running Bridgestone Turanza’s ?

Must be one of the few brands where regulations allow it to be sold in Australia but not (new) in NZ...

Speaking of 4 decades (plus). Sounded good!

Orientblau E46 touring! I miss mine...

Not a BMW but very cool nonetheless

Given that BMW won't make an M3 or an M5 touring, I'm going to have to lower my expectations and dream of one of these in RHD Touring version... (or maybe an Alpina B5 Touring as they actually exist in RHD). I had heard rumours that the facelift M550i sedan would be made in RHD.

I think that's a real one. LHD with the appropriate EC spec instrument cluster and build plaque. The E36 touring was never imported to Japan as a new car. https://germancarsforsaleblog.com/tuner-tuesday-1997-alpina-b6-2-8-touring/

keep us posted on this one, looking at the 94aH REX atm - probably in dark grey or black though

Alternatively there are a few 528i's and one 535i on TM if you really want a petrol, they won't feel so asthmatic

The N20 is still a relatively new engine, but has a better reputation than older BMW 4 cylinder models. The 6 cyl N53 (I think it will be this in a Jap market car) has injector issues (expensive piezo injectors too) and cokes up due to being direct injection. Neither engine will set the world on fire in an F10 performance wise, the N53 will sound better but the N20 should have better low end torque. If you can find a 520/523d that might be a better option?

It's actually a 520i (just renamed for the Japanese market), so should be the 135kw version - they also sold a '523d' with the N47 diesel in the same state of tune as the 520d. Not sure why - extra prestige from the higher number maybe?

Price appears to be comparable to Audi RS4 / a bit cheaper than the C63 estate, it doesn't have the 'average punter' appeal of those two but some of us like that. Hope you're right about the S58...