| Production | |
|---|---|
| Model Year: | 1987 |
| Production Years: | 1987 - 1992 discontinued in 1992 |
The Alpina B3 Touring (E30), produced between 1987 and 1992, is a highly regarded station wagon that blends the practicality of a touring vehicle with the sporty performance Alpina is known for. Based on the BMW E30 platform, the B3 Touring carries a unique position in automotive history as a specialized performance wagon favored by enthusiasts who desire a versatile yet spirited driving experience. It features an estate body style with ample cargo space, making it practical for daily use or long journeys without sacrificing the driving dynamics expected from Alpina.
Measuring approximately 4,430 mm (174.4 inches) in length, the B3 Touring offers a compact exterior footprint typical of late 1980s European wagons, facilitating easy maneuvering in urban environments. The width is around 1,660 mm (65.4 inches), and the height stands near 1,360 mm (53.5 inches), giving it a balanced profile that combines aerodynamic efficiency with interior headroom for passengers and cargo.
Alpina enhanced the E30 platform with performance upgrades including engine tuning and suspension modifications, making the B3 Touring a distinct driving experience compared to the standard BMW 3 Series wagon. Its curb weight hovers near 1,280 kg (2,822 lbs), contributing to agile handling and brisk acceleration while maintaining the comfort and ride quality expected from a premium station wagon.
The Alpina B3 Touring is a rare and collectible model today, emblematic of a time when performance and utility were seamlessly integrated. Its combination of classic E30 styling, Alpina's meticulous craftsmanship, and the practical station wagon body style make it a standout choice for enthusiasts seeking a unique blend of size, style, and spirited driving in a vintage vehicle.
Discover the standout features that make the 1987 Alpina B3 Touring a leader in its class
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The Alpina B3 Touring (E30), produced from 1987 to 1992, measures approximately 4,445 mm (174.9 inches) in length, 1,680 mm (66.1 inches) in width, and 1,380 mm (54.3 inches) in height. These dimensions make it a compact yet practical station wagon that fits well within the typical European car segment of its era. The combination of relatively modest length and width ensures good maneuverability, while the height offers a balanced stance appropriate for a performance-oriented wagon.
The Alpina B3 Touring (E30) weighs approximately 1,270 kg (2,800 lbs) curb weight. This relatively light weight for a performance station wagon enhances its agility and responsiveness. The reduced mass allows the car to accelerate more efficiently, improves braking, and contributes to a dynamic driving experience typical for Alpina-tuned BMWs. Despite its added practicality with the touring body style, the weight is kept reasonable to maintain a sporty feel.
The Alpina B3 Touring (E30) offers a good balance of passenger and cargo space for a compact executive station wagon of its time. With its wagon body style, it provides more cargo versatility than the standard E30 sedan models. The rear seats can be folded down, increasing cargo volume to accommodate larger loads, which makes it practical for everyday use or longer trips. While exact cargo capacity figures are not widely published, it typically exceeds that of comparable sedan-based models, making it ideal for those wanting a sporty yet practical vehicle.
Yes, the Alpina B3 Touring (E30) can comfortably fit inside a standard residential garage. The typical garage width ranges from about 2.4 to 3 meters (7.9 to 9.8 feet), and the B3 Touring's width of 1.68 meters (66.1 inches) leaves sufficient clearance for opening doors. Its length of 4.45 meters (174.9 inches) also fits easily within the typical garage length of around 5 to 6 meters (16.4 to 19.7 feet). The moderate height of 1.38 meters (54.3 inches) is well below average garage door clearance, thus fitting comfortably without concern.
The Alpina B3 Touring (E30) is essentially based on the BMW E30 platform, which succeeded the earlier E21 generation Alpina models. Compared to the E21-based Alpinas, the E30 B3 Touring features a slightly larger and more refined body. The E30 chassis allowed for improved dimensions with better interior packaging and increased cargo space, given the touring (wagon) configuration. While exact predecessor touring models were limited or non-existent, the size increase provides notable advantages in practicality and comfort while maintaining the sporty character Alpina is known for.
During its production period, the Alpina B3 Touring (E30) competed with sporty station wagons such as the Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16 Wagon and Audi Quattro Avant. Dimensionally, the B3 Touring is quite compact, with a length of 4.45 meters (174.9 inches), narrower and slightly shorter than some contemporaries, which often measured close to 4.6 meters in length. This smaller footprint contributed to better agility and handling. In terms of performance and tuning, Alpina models generally offered refined powertrains and upgraded suspension compared to their rivals, resulting in a unique combination of luxury, performance, and practicality rarely matched in its segment.
The Alpina B3 Touring (E30) has an approximate ground clearance of around 130 mm (5.1 inches), which is typical for performance-oriented station wagons of that era. This clearance strikes a balance between sporty handling and sufficient ride height for everyday usability. It provides enough space to clear common urban obstacles such as speed bumps and driveways without scraping, yet keeps the center of gravity low to enhance driving dynamics, cornering stability, and overall road feel.
The interior of the Alpina B3 Touring (E30) benefits from the BMW E30 platform's space-efficient design. Front headroom measures about 995 mm (39.2 inches), offering comfortable clearance for most occupants. Legroom in the front and rear is roughly 1,070 mm (42.1 inches) and 850 mm (33.5 inches) respectively, which is adequate for adult passengers in both rows. Shoulder room at the front is approximately 1,360 mm (53.5 inches), providing enough space for most drivers and front passengers to sit comfortably, while rear shoulder room is slightly less but still reasonable for a compact wagon.
The Alpina B3 Touring (E30) has a width of approximately 1,680 mm (66.1 inches), which makes it narrow enough to navigate tight city streets and parking spaces with relative ease. Its turning radius is estimated at around 5.1 meters (16.7 feet), consistent with the E30 chassis that prioritizes agility. This relatively tight turning circle enhances maneuverability, making the car user-friendly in urban environments despite its station wagon body style.
The Alpina B3 Touring (E30) distinguishes itself from the standard BMW E30 Touring models primarily through a combination of performance enhancements and luxury upgrades. Alpina tuned the engine for increased power output and smoother delivery, often using a specially developed 3.4-liter inline-six engine, producing more horsepower than standard BMW models. Suspension, brakes, and aerodynamics were also upgraded for a sportier driving experience. Inside, Alpina added exclusive trim, badges, and sometimes unique upholstery materials. This blend of exclusivity, performance, and practicality makes the B3 Touring a coveted model among enthusiasts.
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