Autocar gets their hands on two very fast versions of the BMW 3 Series: the 425 horsepower BMW M3 and the 345 horsepower Alpina D3 Diesel. Which is the better choice to satisfy your need for speed: the M3, lighter and more horsepower or the D3, a ridiculous torque monster with a bit of added weight? Have a look at what Autocar found out when they put these two 3 Series head to head.
That was really good. As he says, personal preference. Alpina has always been about a kind of refined brutishness and ///M cars about more of a raw brutishness. Which probably explains why BMWNA sells ///M cars here, but not Alpinas (excepting the B7, which, of course, has no ///M version).
That was really good. As he says, personal preference. Alpina has always been about a kind of refined brutishness and ///M cars about more of a raw brutishness. Which probably explains why BMWNA sells ///M cars here, but not Alpinas (excepting the B7, which, of course, has no ///M version).
The times are a changing. This Fall both the M6 GC and the Alpina B6 xDrive will both be sold in the States. I would assume this is BMW's response to AMG's AWD offerings.
Agreeing with some of the posts in this thread... (I know I'm way late here). What is preventing BMW from bringing other Alpina models into the U.S. market, particularly the D3 and D4. Is it the government? The diesel sedan stigma? My next car is almost certainly going to be a 328d xDrive, but I'd rather have a D3 or D4 any day. The current daily driver gets horrific mileage and I want something more efficient that I can be lead-footed with (and still get respectable fuel economy) as I return home from college. Most of the miles I do at home are on the highway. Any input on this would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
Side note on this -- almost bought a 335d, but the financials weren't lining up
Agreeing with some of the posts in this thread... (I know I'm way late here). What is preventing BMW from bringing other Alpina models into the U.S. market, particularly the D3 and D4. Is it the government? The diesel sedan stigma? My next car is almost certainly going to be a 328d xDrive, but I'd rather have a D3 or D4 any day. The current daily driver gets horrific mileage and I want something more efficient that I can be lead-footed with (and still get respectable fuel economy) as I return home from college. Most of the miles I do at home are on the highway. Any input on this would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
Side note on this -- almost bought a 335d, but the financials weren't lining up
@Op thanks for posting this! Just watched it via youtube on the tv with my wife. Came away pretty darn impressed with the D3 but i know we cant have it here. It was interesting hearing and seeing the comparison.
I personally did not like the sound of the D3, but it was very much a "luxury" car or "limousine" as he mentioned.
That is exactly why I like it. There's a nice amount of performance, but it's not a full-out sports car like the M models. After seeing all of the videos on the D3 and D4, it seems like the perfect highway cruiser. The criteria for me when it comes to selecting a car that I know I'll be happy with for the long haul has the following criteria (not necessarily in order): 1) luxury, 2) performance, 3) fuel economy, 4) safety, and 5) comfort.
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