[Dave_3]

http://www.pistonheads.com/news/defa...?storyId=29956

D.

[Tengocity]

Ha- i was just about to post this myself!

Interesting that the article claims that the normal 35d engines are single turbo.. which is news to me!

Even more interesting is that it outlines differences between standard 335d cars and the D3 suspension- namely that the springs are 40% stiffer, but the dampers are actually the same as the OEM ones but just recalibrated. Seems the ARBs are stiffer too, along with the bushing.

Lends support to the idea that some stiffer springs and ARBs on the standard 335d cars will help the handling, though Alpina have improved the ride by using specific Michelin non RFTtyres.

[chiark]

Quite some car! Would have loved one, but I already blew my budget (a few times) with the 330D .

[Tengocity]

They also suggest that the D3 is only a few thousand cheaper than a 335d, clearly unaware that in reality a 335d is bought for around £8k less than list price and can be had with much better finance terms generally.

[gtsussex]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

They also suggest that the D3 is only a few thousand cheaper than a 335d, clearly unaware that in reality a 335d is bought for around 8k less than list price and can be had with much better finance terms generally.

And that's the rub. I looked at one (along with originally the D5) and deals were thin on the ground and finance rates were lousy. Thus the monthly cost was disproportionately higher.

[badders74]

Its right. The 335d is a twin scroll turbo and not a twin turbo!! I didn't know that!!

"BMW Twin Power Turbo Technology, This combines twin scroll turbocharger with valvetronic, double vanos and high precision direct injection."

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by badders74

Its right. The 335d is a twin scroll turbo and not a twin turbo!! I didn't know that!!

"BMW Twin Power Turbo Technology, This combines twin scroll turbocharger with valvetronic, double vanos and high precision direct injection."

The above definition is for the petrol engines.

The 335d has a 2-stage, bi-turbo setup, also known as a sequential bi-turbo layout.

HighlandPete

[teaston]

Very impressive performance figures!

Just a shame it looks like an SE with old fashioned wheels and silly letters stuck on the front bumper!

For the price of the Alpina you could get a 335d M Sport, add PPK, decent exhaust & uprated suspension with a fair bit of spare change & you'd have a much nicer car imo!

[Nick the Greek]

Alpina is RWD, no?

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by Nick the Greek

Alpina is RWD, no?

RWD only in UK

you can get an xdrive version in LHD markets, and it sits at same height as the RWD version

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by teaston

Very impressive performance figures!

Just a shame it looks like an SE with old fashioned wheels and silly letters stuck on the front bumper!

For the price of the Alpina you could get a 335d M Sport, add PPK, decent exhaust & uprated suspension with a fair bit of spare change & you'd have a much nicer car imo!

Exactly the type of thing being considered by a few!

The Alpina has an Akrapovic exhaust but I can't find one on their website for any other diesels, the last time I looked.

[teaston]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

Exactly the type of thing being considered by a few!

The Alpina has an Akrapovic exhaust but I can't find one on their website for any other diesels, the last time I looked.

Or just uprate the 335d's suspension, i'm pretty sure it already has all the performance you need in a road car already!

[dopper99]

Originally Posted by teaston

Very impressive performance figures!

Just a shame it looks like an SE with old fashioned wheels and silly letters stuck on the front bumper!

For the price of the Alpina you could get a 335d M Sport, add PPK, decent exhaust & uprated suspension with a fair bit of spare change & you'd have a much nicer car imo!

You can't get a PPK for a 335d, do you mean 330d?

[Nick the Greek]

So the Alpina is not hobbled by X drive!
Perhaps one of the reasons it drives so well....

[G82Dude]

Errr, what's the point? 0.2s faster than a 335d 0-60; 1MPG better than a 335d. And yea, it looks like an SE with an 80s ALPINA sticker on the front and the same (and only) ALPINA wheel design they have had for 30 years. Pah!

PS And yup, those useless hacks again who are clueless about the cars they review... Single turbo. Muppets.

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by teaston

Or just uprate the 335d's suspension, i'm pretty sure it already has all the performance you need in a road car already!

A 320d has all I needed. Who doesn't want more though?

The Alpina doesn't seem all that much faster to 60, but I bet it's 60-120mph time is substantially better... great when I'm abroad!

[NISFAN]

Originally Posted by uke92dude

Errr, what's the point? 0.2s faster than a 335d 0-60; 1MPG better than a 335d. And yea, it looks like an SE with an 80s ALPINA sticker on the front and the same (and only) ALPINA wheel design they have had for 30 years. Pah!

PS And yup, those useless hacks again who are clueless about the cars they review... Single turbo. Muppets.

The D3 tested is RWD.....it might only be 0.2 seconds faster to 60 than a Launch controlled 335d.

But it stacks up like this....

It is probably 0.5 seconds slower than a 335d to 20mph, which means it is 0.7 seconds faster from 20-60 (wheelspin phase over). That is some margin, as it continues to pull away.

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by NISFAN

The D3 tested is RWD.....it might only be 0.2 seconds faster to 60 than a Launch controlled 335d.

But it stacks up like this....

It is probably 0.5 seconds slower than a 335d to 20mph, which means it is 0.7 seconds faster from 20-60 (wheelspin phase over). That is some margin, as it continues to pull away.

Indeed, and then any of the increments at higher speeds will be well in favour of the Alpina

[teaston]

Originally Posted by dopper99

You can't get a PPK for a 335d, do you mean 330d?

Aren't there plans for 335d ppk?

[dopper99]

Originally Posted by teaston

Aren't there plans for 335d ppk?

I don't believe so, unless someone can correct me. Else others wouldn't be looking the ACS power options.

[dopper99]

Originally Posted by uke92dude

Errr, what's the point? 0.2s faster than a 335d 0-60; 1MPG better than a 335d. And yea, it looks like an SE with an 80s ALPINA sticker on the front and the same (and only) ALPINA wheel design they have had for 30 years. Pah!

PS And yup, those useless hacks again who are clueless about the cars they review... Single turbo. Muppets.

It's not just about the power. The 335d doesn't have perfect handling with the SE springs and thinner ARBs (compared with the 330d sdrive). The Alpina seems to have that sorted.

But I agree with teaston what is doesn't look as good as it should.

[teaston]

Originally Posted by dopper99

I don't believe so, unless someone can correct me. Else others wouldn't be looking the ACS power options.

Sorry, i thought there was for some reason. Maybe the Alpina D3 is the reason why there isn't, a little agreement between BMW and Alpina so they sell more D3's?