Alpina or BMW | What E30 would you have? 

For me being in South Africa, this episode really brings to mind the homologation 325iS withM3 suspension evo1and evo2 (2.7 145kw and 155kw versions)BMW S.A never brought the E30 M3. And ofcourse the 333i(M30 motor and Mtec1 kit) Now Opel had a kaddet 2.016v 'superboss' that proved a thorn in many bmw backsides on and off the track.

More like 1200 kilos, not 1600 for the 325i's, great video, fantastic line-up of cars.

All utterly lovely, also in addition (as it wasn’t a “performance” model), you didn’t mention the earlier “family four door” 323i six cylinder E30 (that I owned) and was the milder predecessor to the 325i but still just as lovely to drive and own. 🙏👍

As a South African our Halo car was the 333i which was a strokes M30 with the Mtech 1 kit and bits and bobs from Alpina, brilliant car, you could either have it with Aircon and no power steering or vice versa due to lack of space in the engine bay for both.

An E30 325i sport doesn’t weigh 1600KG. Also there was one solitary RHD B6 2.8 built in Buchloe for Sytner to evaluate. It’s still alive, it’s reg is B6MEE. Also that green C2 2.7 is not the very last built, I can think of three others including a K reg touring own.

Where is the audio of the lovely engines and exhausts?

Something missing here the hartge H27 sp I'd have that

Alpina 2.7

Alpina for sure!

Living in Munich for 3 years, in 2000 I bought a E28 535i with the dogleg gearbox. It had 120.000 km on the clock, all of the electrical extras bar the seats. I paid 3,500 DM for it, around 1,600 GBP. I had it for 6 years and drove 80.000 km in it. I loved it and as many others in their 40s and 50s I am also member of the “the-one-that-got-away”-club. I did not realize at the time how important it is what a car makes you feel. I do now, and if I could have it back, I would buy it on the spot. Even now, 17 years on from when I parted with it, it is still in my dreams sometimes. So my choice would be the Alpina with the 3.5 liter engine and the dogleg gearbox because it reminds me the most of what I had. Great videos, Barney. Your commentary in the video on the E28 M5 manages to project that BMW feeling you get when you see a fast BMW from that period. Great stuff! I will keep watching and hope a lot more people will watch your channel in future - it is passionate, knowledgeable and quality TV.

Alpina c2.7 all day everyday b6 is tempting too nose heavy and a mtec 2 e30 is a beautiful thing with a 2.7 c2.7 conversion perfect

The c2.7 manual trans all day long !

Alpina's were interesting but as said below I preferred the standard E30's. Even if I had the money back then and now I think I would still opt for a standard car - as I did with my 325i coupe.

Great video Barney really enjoyed a trip down memory lane. My immediate boss had one of the first E30 318i models and he thought he was something special until the partner heading the department ordered an E28 M5! I used to go out to meetings in that car with him and I felt a million dollars at 21. Great memories.

Let’s not forget hartge built some beautiful e30s, I had a h26 still have an e30 m3 and a mtec2 sport, but my all time favourite would have have to be a 2 door c22.7 alpina 👌🇩🇪

The 325i SPORT is 1200kg not 1600 as mentioned in the video.

Excellent video!👍

the linup in this video is simply JAW DROPPING

325is hands down! that body kit is just perfect!

I have an E30 M3 sport Evo in my collection, absolutely love it, turns heads whenever I take it out. Love the E30 B6 also which Alpina did in the E30 M3 body but for me it has to be the one & only M-Powered E30 M3 sport Evo 👌

What a fantastic video Barney. Brilliant. Need a B6 to keep the M3 company 😉! Cheers Adrian

Great video! My 1991 325i coupe went through Classic Hero's hands at some stage - car still has its sticker on the back window. Car now in Ireland.

Great thanks for sharing and interesting how the 4 pot had advantages over the 6 in these cars

good watch - enjoyed that. must have been a good day driving the E30 range

E30 M3 evolution. My favourite car of all time

What about the e30 325is that was only made in South Africa

No E30 weighed 1600 kg , 325 weight in a @1150kg so alpinas with bigger engines more plush interior , they gotta be 1300kg tops

Very enjoyable

Great video 👍 E30 my favourite car, had a few back in the day 🙂 unfortunately the best one a 2.7 I crashed, ended upside down and written off 😢 but it's strength saved my life. P's isn't that Carl Cox's B6🤔

A B6 please..

Down in NZ the best we got was the Mtechnic 325i sports - daily drive mine year round!

The alpina is definitely nice but my dream car is the e30 m3 for sure. Maybe one day. Here's hoping 🙏

All of them please! A superb video... Thank you. Personally an e28 and e9 lover which reminds me, I should give you a call regarding a 5 speed conversion on my CSI. Is it worth the money???

Never driven M3, but almost all original models, original Alpina C1, built M30b35 and my own stroked 2.7 similar to Alpina I would say I would go for the B6. It is probably amazing

Had a great used BMW E30 M3 Johnny Cecotto back in 1992. Managed to put a set of the 5 spoke AC Schnitzer alloys on them after the first year of ownership. 🎉🎉

Such an underrated video and channel. Keep it up with the great content!

Gota be the e30 m3 they just look incredible

Love the channel Barney and look forward to your videos. I enjoy seeing these old school BMs even the E24s in such excellent condition narrated with in dept history and technical stats. Thanks for a great channel

Without a doubt the c2 2.7 alpina👌

Great comparison. Where ist the "3,5" gone? The sign must be "B6 3,5"! 😉

325i Sport !

So wish you could have gave us a 360 degree of the cars exterior and interior, for me personally I would have gone for Alpina 2.2 the b6 would have been stolen... Where can I find one today right hand fairly priced

I had a lachs silver 325 m sport 2. 1989 F reg coupe. I sold it for £3900 in 2000. 😢

Cool cars. Were the regular BMWs available with automatic transmission?

I have e30 mt2 dolphin gray with s54 swap and 6 speed manual and i love it but my deam car would be e30 m3 sport evo

I would choose the 325is

The E30 I owned was a BMW. If I bought another, it would be again. I appreciate Alpina but I don't necessarily want to own one.

Terribly hard. I do appreciate the 4-cylinder car balance (hence my E90 320si!) but just for pure looks, a C2 takes some beating and the add the 6-cylinder snarl.....so, a C2 2.7 for me (even better if a Touring!)

I would have loved a B6 3.5S here in Sweden.

I had a 1989 b6 3,5 in 1991 with just the b6 3,5 badge in the front. When racing I let the other cars hang on to 50kmh and just when they were shifting to 2nd I would hit the gas, 1st did 85kmh :p

M52/ M54 motors make the e30 a delightfully drivable fun to own for a decent price 80's car.

My Hartge 335 1986 was my best car ever

Narrow body cars will never do when M3 exists. Just like E46. The E36 328is owners got the best deal of all, there is no widebody E36 M3 to constantly remind them of their "lesser" car.

The Alpina's may not be the quickest e30 produced but their engine's are torque monsters and pull like a train, M3 looks the best with it's boxed archer's but have to go with that B6 Alpina. would have them all and more if I could afford them. 😢😢😢

M3 EVO2 ❤

Great vid #alpina 🤘🏻

Ma man from Munich legend fame. Got to give it to ya, still dedicated to the e30’s despite the fame of Munich legends and all that, wink wink, lol. Good luck under the new biz brand.

I love e30 sedan. ❤❤

Alpina B6 without a doubt!

The ac schnitzer e30 m3 for me!

Anybody know the name of the blue color Alpina? Ty.

What about the 318is ? It is more rare then most On the e30 and sportier

My local French main dealer has a couple of s/h beauties for sale.2002 E36 m3 smg 85,000 kms for 42,000€ or 2011 E92 Alpina b3 biturbo 62,000 kms for 45,000€ or 2005 m6 108,000 kms for 40,000€ all mint condition. What would you choose?

My favorite is the 320is. With the S14 drive train in a 325 sport body, which in my opinion looks better than the M3

Mine

Hartge 335, superior handling

M3

Wo ist der Beste Alpina B7 Biturbo S mit 360 PS und 295 km/h Spitze

The 2.7 for me mate , pure E30 porn 💯

where is the e30 evo2v🤭

I take it the red sport doesn't do many miles, michelin tyres that look brand new with full tread, but are actually 13 years old 🤔😂

I can't believe that he kept saying Alpina v6.

An E46 M3 weighs 1,495kgs. An E30 325i would be around 1,200kgs.

B6S… m3 with m30 engine

If we are talking modern BMWs I wouldn't touch one.

1600kg ??? I don’t think that’s correct

I would have 325i SPORT with BMW Manual Gearbox. RWD. LSD. Manual. NA I6. No DSC. Has just enough creature comforts like ABS, PAS, OBC. Have a Scorpion exhaust and all the neighbours be so jealous in their financed Audis, BMWs etc while I’m in the mighty E30 driving like the man.

Unfortunately a lot of talking. Can reed those facts in a book. I would have preferred some unmistakable E30 engine sound. Even the starter would have done it.

they weigh nowhere near 1600kg

Apina is an ugly car. Whats up with all the stripes?

Great video Barney really enjoyed a trip down memory lane. My immediate boss had one of the first E30 318i models and he thought he was something special until the partner heading the department ordered an E28 M5! I used to go out to meetings in that car with him and I felt a million dollars at 21. Great memories.

Great video Barney really enjoyed a trip down memory lane. My immediate boss had one of the first E30 318i models and he thought he was something special until the partner heading the department ordered an E28 M5! I used to go out to meetings in that car with him and I felt a million dollars at 21. Great memories.