Alpina B7 (F01) Test Drive, Am I or the Car Wrong?

[Highline-Autos.com]

The Build Up:

Growing up, the F01 Alpina B7 was the absolute coolest sedan I had ever seen. The blue exterior and those big turbine wheels I was hooked! Some years and a couple Mercedes-Benz and AMG's later I find my self considering finally taking a plunge in an '13 Alpina B7.

Mint condition / low mile examples of these cars are rare and often not local... but I was so enthralled I was willing to purchase site unseen, no questions asked (ok maybe one or two), but if it was a clean example with plenty of service history, no problem, put it on the truck and send it my way!

Low and behold the perfect spec for a great price pops up local, mileage wasn't at all what I was looking for, (60K almost if I remember correctly), but condition was good and if the rest checked out I was going to take it home. A Alpina B7 serving the role of "second, fun car", I'm sure the M crowd would express their displeasure, however I've always been drawn to the fast sedan/wagon over a fast sports car....

The Let Down:

I'm not sure if it was because I was expecting an AMG like experience in the better looking body style of an Alpina, or maybe something was wrong mechanically... but the car simply had no get up and go! No personality what-so-ever from the drivetrain, I even got to the point where I put it in Sport + and foot to the floor waiting for something to happen, but nothing. I pointed out to the sales manager via text after the test drive, "I think something is wrong with the car" because he couldn't believe my disappointment in performance either.

Any Aplina B7 owners out there ready to tell me I'm crazy and that in fact something was wrong with the car? The whole experience was such a let down, I'm not sure I'd be willing to purchase a vehicle sight unseen again... which I had done 5 previous times without issues, previously they had all turned out better than expected!

Anyways... I'm not sure where to take my love for Alpina from here after such a disappointing experience.

Trenton O. Gibson
tgibson@highline-autos.com
Highline Autos
Direct: 602.909.9216
Office: 480.348.0777

[Highline-Autos.com]

I forgot the photos....

[M_Bimmer]

I'd buy that car...if I could find it for sale!

Since you are asking here are a few of my thoughts...they may or may not apply:

1. Alpina does not equal an ///M and an AMG does not equal an ///M either (depending on which AMG, and AMG is a monster)
2. The F01/F02 B7 is NOT a modern car (500HP for the pre-LCI and 530 HP for the LCI is not a lot of HP in 2024)
3. An 11 year old car isn't going to run like new, even if maintenance is current
4. Alpina performance is masked by the suspension, as it hides a lot, and from the sound isolation
5. Self-imposed expectations typically lead to disappoints that rarely are ever overcome

I would say that the Alpina is not for everyone.

[Highline-Autos.com]

Originally Posted by M_Bimmer

I'd buy that car...if I could find it for sale!

Since you are asking here are a few of my thoughts...they may or may not apply:

1. Alpina != ///M (or AMG).....AMG != ///M either (depending on which AMG, and AMG is a monster)
2. The F01/F02 B7 is NOT a modern car (500HP for the pre-LCI and 530 HP for the LCI is not a lot of HP in 2024)
3. An 11 year old car isn't going to run like new, even if maintenance is current
4. Alpina performance is masked the suspension, as it hides a lot, and from the sound isolation
5. Self-imposed expectations typically lead to disappoints that rarely are ever overcome

I would say that the Alpina is not for everyone.

1. Compared to my '01 E55 AMG the Alpina was nothing special.
2. at 500hp it would have been the highest HP car I've owned... still was not impressed.
3. True, I do wonder if I had a PPI done what the findings would have been... poor turbo performance?
4. This may be it but my '08 MB S550 again left "quicker"
5. Agreed.

[M_Bimmer]

Originally Posted by Highline-Autos.com

...2. at 500hp it would have been the highest HP car I've owned... still was not impressed.

Pretty sure that the vehicle in your original post is an LCI, so sorry to disappoint further, but that should be 530 HP under the hood.

Honestly, if the turbo's are working correctly, and the engine is at temperature (which should happen pretty quickly), that car should impress!

I did try and peruse your site that the one shown on the rear of the B7, and could not locate it...did someone already purchase it?

[Highline-Autos.com]

Originally Posted by M_Bimmer

Pretty sure that the vehicle in your original post is an LCI, so sorry to disappoint further, but that should be 530 HP under the hood.

Honestly, if the turbo's are working correctly, and the engine is at temperature (which should happen pretty quickly), that car should impress!

I did try and peruse your site that the one shown on the rear of the B7, and could not locate it...did someone already purchase it?

Sorry I should have specified this was December 2023, so she's long gone! It would have been a great buy if you knew you wanted an Alpina B7. 61K miles, an insane amount of dealer service records, no accidents, clean Car Fax, and it was listed at only $28K.

[M_Bimmer]

Highline-Autos.com , you should give both a pre-LCI G12 B7, and an LCI G12 B7, a try.

While, again neither are ///M vehicles, their 600 ponies accelerate way better than an F01/F02 LCI B7.

I haven't put enough miles on the S68 engine in the LCI XB7 to experience its 631 HP performance, but since it's a G07, the 0-60 is a bit slower than the G12 B7.

Edit: Forgot to put the summary statement....each B7 variation has their respective DNA, and none will beat an ///M. B7's fill a particular niche, Autobahn cruising, with a tad more performance than a 750 or X5 5.0, but with a LOT more comfort.

[Highline-Autos.com]

Originally Posted by M_Bimmer

Highline-Autos.com , you should give both a pre-LCI G12 B7, and an LCI G12 B7, a try.

While, again neither are ///M vehicles, their 600 ponies accelerate way better than an F01/F02 LCI B7.

I haven't put enough miles on the S68 engine in the LCI XB7 to experience its 631 HP performance, but since it's a G07, the 0-60 is a bit slower than the G12 B7.

I will! Should one pop up locally and if I have time, G12'S are just out of the budget at the moment unless I was going to consolidate to just one vehicle.... however those wheels and that badge do get me excited, hopefully the driving experience does just as much this time!

[juicedM3]

I just flew down to Florida and purchased a '13 B7 w/ 38k miles. The trans is a little lazy (I've only driven manuals my whole life so I'm sure that doesn't help my opinion!), but it will go! Once it's in the right gear, it takes off!

Just putting around, it feels slow. If you're not careful, you're doing 60.

Justin
'13 BMW Aplina B7
'08 Audi A4 Avant 2.0T 6spd
'88 BMW M3

[M_Bimmer]

Originally Posted by juicedM3

I just flew down to Florida and purchased a '13 B7 w/ 38k miles....

Photo, maybe on a new thread?

[Highline-Autos.com]

Originally Posted by juicedM3

I just flew down to Florida and purchased a '13 B7 w/ 38k miles. The trans is a little lazy (I've only driven manuals my whole life so I'm sure that doesn't help my opinion!), but it will go! Once it's in the right gear, it takes off!

Just putting around, it feels slow. If you're not careful, you're doing 60.

Justin
'13 BMW Aplina B7
'08 Audi A4 Avant 2.0T 6spd
'88 BMW M3

Congratulations!

Originally Posted by M_Bimmer

Photo, maybe on a new thread?

No no, post it here!

[M_Bimmer]

juicedM3 , looking forward to a picture posting of your new-to-you Alpina...

[f01_B7]

Well crazy coinvidence, that’s definitely my car right there.

Bought it in December 2023 as a present vin ending in 15318. I haven’t had any issues and it’s been a dream to me, but I do drive it more as a comfort car in ECO/comfort+ a lot.

In terms of performance, it definitely won’t be on any AMG level of performance so I can see the disappointment in terms of that case however, just an interesting coincidence seeing this now.

Attached images to show the same dealer sticker and Pre-LCI styled wheel on the front passenger

[M_Bimmer]

f01_B7 thanks for posting...thought you had a post a while back asking about the pre-LCI vs LCI 21" Alpina wheels.....

I would have picked up this car myself had I known about it, as the color combination, exterior and interior, is what's I'm looking for, plus, I'd love to add an F01 Alpina to the stable (to have it along with my F02 B7, G12 B7 and G07 XB7).

10 years ago the B7 would have been a performance contender, but in today's market, there are a whole lot of cars that have better 0-60 performance than the F01/F02 B7.

Sorry to say my G12 B7 is sort of "slow" too, even with 600 ponies, relative to what is currently on the market.

I'd say that all Alpina vehicles are more than their straight line performance (or lack of it) that differentiates them from the rest of the pack....besides comfort, I just don't see that many Alpinas out there, old or new - that's enough for me.

[f01_B7]

@[M_Bimmer](contact:497177 Yep, soon as I saw it I was amazed. On a good note got a used (refurbished) rim and gonna keep the other as a spare.

As you said though, there definitely are a lot more to Alpina’s than there speed. Even then, this car has been by far not only my fastest, but most luxurious and comfortable.

So far, I’ve seen only one other Alpina (pre-LCI XB7) and it definitely stands out just there presence on the road and rarity is enough for me to be happy.

If I do ever decide to sell it anytime soon I’ll be sure to post here about my plans and let you know, but in all honesty the chances I ever part with this car is low.

I’ll definitely be sure to keep this forum updated on the Alpina and everything that goes on with the car, it does mean a lot for someone to show as much interest in this car as I have though, thank you.

[M_Bimmer]

Probably going to get beat up on this, but hopefully this provides a perspective:

Comparing a 2014 F02 Alpina B7 to a 2014 911.1 C2S Cabriolet, since I have both, and both are really great vehicles to drive.

I'm not going to publish ALL the numbers from www.automobile-catalog.com, but here are a few key ones:

Porsche 911.1 Carrara Cab (PDK):
- Weight: 3,153 lbs
- Horsepower: 394 HP
- Torque: 440 Nm / 324 ft-lb @ 5400 RPM
- 0-to-60: 4.2 sec
- 0 to 1/4mile: 12.5 sec @ 114 MPH
- Weight-to-Power Ratio: 8.6 lbs/HP
- Top Speed: 185 MPH
- MPG: 19/26 (21)

BMW LWB Alpina B7:
- Weight: 4,655 lbs
- Horsepower: 530 HP
- Torque: 730 Nm / 538 ft-lb @ 5000 RPM
- 0-to-60: 4.0 sec
- 0 to 1/4mile: 12.4 sec @ 115 MPH
- Weight-to-Power Ratio: 8.6 lbs/HP
- Top Speed: 194 MPH
- MPG: 16/24 (19)

The 0-60 times are pretty close (not going to quibble about 0.2 sec), but between these two vehicles, they both have the exact weigh-to-power ratio (8.6 lbs/HP), and within 2 MPG between the two.

While the my 911.1 sound so much better that the B7 a WOT, IMHO, the B7 provides way more utility and comfort for the same get-up-and-go....

Highline-Autos.com, when you test drive another B7, try and test drive it against a similar vehicle of the same vintage.

I wouldn't mind hearing your pros/cons after driving an LCI F02 750 along with an LCI F02 Alpina B7, and similarly, driving a pre-LCI G12 750 along with a pre-LCI G12 Alpina B7.