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flyboyM535i
05-03-2006, 09:53 AM
Hey guys, I'm new to this particular forum. I have been involved with BMW enthusiasts for a while now, mainly in the E28 5-series world, but I recently picked up my first E34 - and am glad to have found a decent forum for E34 owners.

My name is Clay, and I'm sure I'll be frequenting this board in the future.

Anyway, it's good to be here, and I'm anxious to get to know some of you and swap parts, advice, and stories.

Cheers,

632 Regal
05-03-2006, 10:13 AM
Welcome aboard Clay!
Just about anything you need you can find here.


Hey guys, I'm new to this particular forum. I have been involved with BMW enthusiasts for a while now, mainly in the E28 5-series world, but I recently picked up my first E34 - and am glad to have found a decent forum for E34 owners.

My name is Clay, and I'm sure I'll be frequenting this board in the future.

Anyway, it's good to be here, and I'm anxious to get to know some of you and swap parts, advice, and stories.

Cheers,

uscharalph
05-03-2006, 10:18 AM
Hey guys, I'm new to this particular forum. I have been involved with BMW enthusiasts for a while now, mainly in the E28 5-series world, but I recently picked up my first E34 - and am glad to have found a decent forum for E34 owners.

My name is Clay, and I'm sure I'll be frequenting this board in the future.

Anyway, it's good to be here, and I'm anxious to get to know some of you and swap parts, advice, and stories.

Cheers,
Welcome.

liquidtiger720
05-03-2006, 12:18 PM
Welcome!

Incantation
05-03-2006, 12:22 PM
welcome

both your rides look bad-ass

mamilapon
05-03-2006, 12:34 PM
Welcome to yet another lover of style and quality!! Even i wish i could be on this forum more regularly but the mortgage dictates otherwise. Be prepared to laugh, argue,humble yourself and most importantly contribute to the vast knowledge and experience of this forum!

SchnellE34
05-03-2006, 02:48 PM
Welcome...


welcome

both your rides look bad-ass
and I agree

nuclearfusion
05-03-2006, 02:55 PM
I'm new too - also from the world of E28s for a long time. I recognized Clay right away from mye28.com. My first E34 is an Alpina B10 and I must say I'm really loving it.

This seems like a great forum - I'm happy to be along for the ride.

Fusion

(Aaron in Vancouver, BC)
some of you might have seen my webpages about the joys(?) of living with my 533i

Adventures of a Do-It-Yourself BMW Mechanic (http://www.civil.ubc.ca/home/bohnen/bmwpage.html)

joshua43214
05-03-2006, 03:05 PM
Welcome both of you. I always loved the e28. The grill was very aggressive and they had a nice stance. Very masculine car IMO. The e34 still has alot of masculinity about it, even if its tad too curvey in the nose. The style and the ride more than make up for it. Aside from a perverse desire for a heated steering wheel, my 540i has every option I have ever wanted in a car.

liquidtiger720
05-03-2006, 03:23 PM
Nice Alpina!!!!!!!!!!!!!

genphreak
05-03-2006, 03:36 PM
I'm new too - also from the world of E28s for a long time. I recognized Clay right away from mye28.com. My first E34 is an Alpina B10 and I must say I'm really loving it.

This seems like a great forum - I'm happy to be along for the ride.

Fusion

(Aaron in Vancouver, BC)
some of you might have seen my webpages about the joys(?) of living with my 533i

Adventures of a Do-It-Yourself BMW Mechanic (http://www.civil.ubc.ca/home/bohnen/bmwpage.html)Hey Fusion, nice one. You take care of your beastie, there aren't many. I have an article I will post on e34 Alpinas shortly from a bodgey UK mag. But the Bi Turbo it describes (RHD) has to be about the most desirable BMW saloon ever made, unless you like the new M5, in which case it still has a special rarity about it that the new M5 will take soem time to attain.

Time to take some pics of your car and share the experience you have with it with all of us here!

FlyBoy535, looks like that e34 couldn't be in better hands. The experience of owning an e28 makes an e34 a cherished posession as you can see how much effort and superb design was put into it, yet based on a fantastic platform that was already way ahead of its time... e28s were one of the first cars (maybe the first car) to get ABS and auto-adjusting Motronic EMS, let alone EDC, climate controls and decent locks, exhausts etc...

Any help you guys need, just ask... there are plenty of people to help you. :) Nick

KenB
05-03-2006, 04:09 PM
Welcome. I too come to e34 from the ranks of e21, e30, e28 over the last 20 years or so. Had the e28 for 10 years. Tried an e39 but like the e34 better. Lots of great info and brains to pick around here. Stick around.

nuclearfusion
05-03-2006, 05:55 PM
Thanks again to all for the warm welcome.

By request, here are some photos:

http://www.anthus.net/bmw/b10/images/alpina_017.jpg

http://www.anthus.net/bmw/b10/images/alpina_021.jpg

http://www.anthus.net/bmw/b10/images/alpina_023.jpg

http://www.anthus.net/bmw/b10/images/alpina_030.jpg

and here's a link to a page I quickly patched together with a few more on it:

Alpina B10 photos (http://www.anthus.net/bmw/b10)

I have made a couple of changes from what you see here - got the console divider tray from the dealer and switched for the three-way interior light assembly. I have a few other things in mind, but pretty minor stuff mostly.

I'll install a shorter shift lever (liked the Euro E36 M3 "069" lever in my E28) and I really liked the 28mm/20mm brakeset as well so those are a couple of things that will get done eventually.

Thanks again for the welcome!

Fusion

Rustam
05-03-2006, 06:40 PM
http://www.anthus.net/bmw/b10-side-sig.jpg


finally - some aesthetics of air dam fetish...

liquidtiger720
05-03-2006, 06:46 PM
Are you sure those alpina wheels are authentic.? I don't meet to rain on your parade....I just thought those alpina wheels had the air valve on the wheel was hidden under the cap....and ran through a hallow spoke.


Just trying to ejumakate myself. Either way...the car is stunnning.

nuclearfusion
05-03-2006, 07:01 PM
Yep, they're authentic - either that or a faker manufacturer has gone a long way to cast "Alpina" into them near the hub under the covers, on the covers themselves, etc.

That being said, I have seen in person four Alpinas with these wheels exactly so I'm pretty certain they're authentic - unless of course we've all been duped... :)

thanks again,

Fusion

p.s. - more of the airdam:

http://www.anthus.net/bmw/b10/images/alpina_016.jpg

http://www.anthus.net/bmw/b10/images/alpina_031.jpg

liquidtiger720
05-03-2006, 07:09 PM
Awsome.

Alexlind123
05-03-2006, 07:24 PM
Pictures. Videos. More pictures. Interior shots.

nuclearfusion
05-03-2006, 07:37 PM
Here's a link to a page I quickly patched together giving some more photos:

Alpina B10 photos (http://www.anthus.net/bmw/b10/)

There are two other B10s in the local BMW club and a B10 Biturbo as well. Certainly the densest population of E34 Alpinas I know of. I see the other ones not only at club stuff but also around town here and there - makes it seem quite a bit less unusual.

Enjoy!

Fusion

mamilapon
05-03-2006, 09:18 PM
I've noticed in the piture of the guages, my temp needle sits EXACTLY in the same spot as yours!

Omega
05-04-2006, 03:08 AM
But the Bi Turbo it describes (RHD) has to be about the most desirable BMW saloon ever made,

Sorry, Bi-Turbo E34 was only LHD due to the steering box & turbos wanting to be in the same place. Which Mag was it? There was a good write up in Total BMW a couple of years ago.

As for Fusion & Clay's cars. DROOL :D ........ very, very nice.

nuclearfusion
05-04-2006, 06:00 AM
I've noticed in the piture of the guages, my temp needle sits EXACTLY in the same spot as yours!

Whoops, it only looks like that in the gauge photo because of the somewhat oblique angle of the camera. In person the needle sits right at 12 noon.

1995 525i
05-04-2006, 07:37 AM
Thanks again to all for the warm welcome.

By request, here are some photos:

http://www.anthus.net/bmw/b10/images/alpina_017.jpg

http://www.anthus.net/bmw/b10/images/alpina_021.jpg

http://www.anthus.net/bmw/b10/images/alpina_023.jpg

http://www.anthus.net/bmw/b10/images/alpina_030.jpg

and here's a link to a page I quickly patched together with a few more on it:

Alpina B10 photos (http://www.anthus.net/bmw/b10)

I have made a couple of changes from what you see here - got the console divider tray from the dealer and switched for the three-way interior light assembly. I have a few other things in mind, but pretty minor stuff mostly.

I'll install a shorter shift lever (liked the Euro E36 M3 "069" lever in my E28) and I really liked the 28mm/20mm brakeset as well so those are a couple of things that will get done eventually.

Thanks again for the welcome!

Fusion

Welcome! I am a big fan of the Alpina B10 but can't seem to find any ready to run here in the US. Anyway, your car is fantastic! Was it by chance listed on Ebaymotors recently? I have seen a few for sale there and the location looks very similiar.

Again, Welcome!.

Michael

1995 525i
05-04-2006, 07:38 AM
Hey guys, I'm new to this particular forum. I have been involved with BMW enthusiasts for a while now, mainly in the E28 5-series world, but I recently picked up my first E34 - and am glad to have found a decent forum for E34 owners.

My name is Clay, and I'm sure I'll be frequenting this board in the future.

Anyway, it's good to be here, and I'm anxious to get to know some of you and swap parts, advice, and stories.

Cheers,

Welcome! Love your rides. Very nice!

nuclearfusion
05-04-2006, 07:53 AM
It was recently on Ebay Motors just before I purchased it. There's a gentleman (in fact he's a member of our local BMW club) who imports high-end BMW, Mercedes and Porsche cars from around the world.

Here's a link to his dealership:

Splendid Automobiles (http://www.splendidauto.com)

The Alpinas he brings in are mostly from Japan. Euro-spec cars with great maintenance and low mileage.

Here's another B10 that a good friend of mine bought from him. A really nice car - it's often parked in front of my house actually!

Alpina B10 on Ebay (black,sold) (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4628256966&ssPageName=ADME:B:EF:US:1)

Here's a B10 Biturbo he has currently for sale:

Alpina B10 Biturbo on Ebay - 4 May 2006 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-M-Series-BMW-ALPINA-B10-Bi-Turbo_W0QQitemZ4634833923QQcategoryZ6131QQssPageNa meZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

He also has a B11 for sale right now that's very nice - I've ridden in it. Here's a link:

Alpina B11 on Ebay - 4 May 2006 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-7-Series-ALPINA-B11-3-5_W0QQitemZ4637158778QQcategoryZ6009QQssPageNameZW DVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

He recently sold a B11 5-speed (yep, E32 7-series 5-speed) to another local club member and even another club member purchased another B10 Biturbo from him

As I mentioned, we have a pretty dense Alpina community around here!

Enjoy!

Fusion

SharkmanBMW
05-04-2006, 09:23 AM
Are you sure those alpina wheels are authentic.? I don't meet to rain on your parade....I just thought those alpina wheels had the air valve on the wheel was hidden under the cap....and ran through a hallow spoke.


.


I also thought this was true of real alpina wheels...?

1995 525i
05-04-2006, 10:13 AM
It was recently on Ebay Motors just before I purchased it. There's a gentleman (in fact he's a member of our local BMW club) who imports high-end BMW, Mercedes and Porsche cars from around the world.

Here's a link to his dealership:

Splendid Automobiles (http://www.splendidauto.com)

The Alpinas he brings in are mostly from Japan. Euro-spec cars with great maintenance and low mileage.

Here's another B10 that a good friend of mine bought from him. A really nice car - it's often parked in front of my house actually!

Alpina B10 on Ebay (black,sold) (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4628256966&ssPageName=ADME:B:EF:US:1)

Here's a B10 Biturbo he has currently for sale:

Alpina B10 Biturbo on Ebay - 4 May 2006 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-M-Series-BMW-ALPINA-B10-Bi-Turbo_W0QQitemZ4634833923QQcategoryZ6131QQssPageNa meZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

He also has a B11 for sale right now that's very nice - I've ridden in it. Here's a link:

Alpina B11 on Ebay - 4 May 2006 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-7-Series-ALPINA-B11-3-5_W0QQitemZ4637158778QQcategoryZ6009QQssPageNameZW DVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

He recently sold a B11 5-speed (yep, E32 7-series 5-speed) to another local club member and even another club member purchased another B10 Biturbo from him

As I mentioned, we have a pretty dense Alpina community around here!

Enjoy!

Fusion

Cool. Thought I was going crazy for a second there (more so than usual).I am head over heels in love with the white one, but there are two things stopping me: 1) money and 2) money. I love the looks and the subtle yet elegant upgrades, not to mention the power.

Maybe some day.

Michael

flyboyM535i
05-04-2006, 12:55 PM
lol we should rename this the Welcome Nuclearfusion thread...

good to see you here. i loved the mye28 forum, but recently it's become so large it's hard to get to know people on a more personal level like we used to.

i'm looking forward to hanging out here more.

nuclearfusion
05-04-2006, 03:10 PM
Cool. Thought I was going crazy for a second there (more so than usual).I am head over heels in love with the white one, but there are two things stopping me: 1) money and 2) money. I love the looks and the subtle yet elegant upgrades, not to mention the power.

Maybe some day.

Michael

I just came back right now from a ride in the white Biturbo. It's a great car, well a supercar I guess - just very understated and impressive.

Enjoy!

Fusion

nuclearfusion
05-04-2006, 03:13 PM
I'm looking forward to this too. And I must say those M-parallel wheels on your 540 look incredible.

The local BMW wrecker has a set of them which a friend of mine is thinking of for this car. I'll show him the photo in your sig!

Enjoy!

Fusion

Nick.Hay
05-04-2006, 04:14 PM
I concur!!

Nice pair of Bavarians, Clay!!

That E28 looks awesome (so does the E34, of course... That goes without saying)
Great colour choice for the E34 too :p

1995 525i
05-05-2006, 03:54 AM
I'm looking forward to this too. And I must say those M-parallel wheels on your 540 look incredible.

The local BMW wrecker has a set of them which a friend of mine is thinking of for this car. I'll show him the photo in your sig!

Enjoy!

Fusion

How much are they asking for those wheels?

1995 525i
05-05-2006, 03:56 AM
I just came back right now from a ride in the white Biturbo. It's a great car, well a supercar I guess - just very understated and impressive.

Enjoy!

Fusion

I , and I think many others on this board, would love to see a video from inside a B10 as it accelerated (after we here what it sounds like , from the outside, as it idles. Any chances of that? Please (insert begging sounds here).

Michael

nuclearfusion
05-05-2006, 07:55 AM
I , and I think many others on this board, would love to see a video from inside a B10 as it accelerated (after we here what it sounds like , from the outside, as it idles. Any chances of that? Please (insert begging sounds here).

Michael

I'll see what I can do about that in my own car. It's pretty mean-sounding outside at idle with the big headers, big cam, dual exhausts, etc. That said, it's mostly very quiet inside with a hint of exhaust tone - you can certainly tell there's something serious going on under the hood. Outside it definitely sings when it's on-cam.

The rear diff in the B10 is a 3.73 LSD so the shifts come up pretty quick (in fact I'm still getting used to this compared to the 3.25 in my E28). This does make another shift (2nd into 3rd) necessary in the 0-60 mph dash, which might be considered a downside. The upside is that blasting into or out of a hole in traffic in 2nd is pretty wild. Same with 3rd for onramps(!), 4th is killer for passing on the highway, etc. Overall I like the shorter gearing, and given how progressive the power output is and how willing the engine is to rev high it's probably a very good match for the car.

As for the white Biturbo I was riding around in yesterday, I was too busy holding on (seriously!) to think about holding a video camera.

To compare the two cars, the Biturbo is a bit more muted than the B10, and it feels heavier on the road. It is heavier for that matter (about 400 lb I think). It is more powerful certainly, has bigger brakes and a much stiffer, notchier transmission. Self-levelling suspension is firm and seems to work well.

The shift points in the Biturbo are all higher since it has taller rear diff gearing, a trick they could get away with because of the big torque. ASC works well as does the boost controller implementation.

By far the best part of that car is the total lack of turbo lag. It feels just like a regular M30 progressively coming on-cam at 3200 RPM except it does so with more juice behind it. The twin small turbocharger setup is clearly a winner - they are so quiet I never heard them and spooling so continuously the only way I could tell whether they were boosting or not was by the butt dyno... which was measuring "a whole hell of a lot" most of the time.

Handling-wise the B10 and the Biturbo (except for the extra sense of weight in the Biturbo), wheels, tires, etc. are all the same and the cars are very similar. The Biturbo feels extremely similar to my B10 in terms of its' roadhandling except of course for the ASC. Brakes on the Biturbo are Gehrling 4-pots for Alpina but the effect didn't seem much different than those in my car (given the car is heavier that's to be understood I guess).

What else is there to say? they have exactly the same interior except for the Biturbo has wood trim and the Alpina VDO digital gauge set in the dash.

I'll see if I can get some audio and/or video going.

Enjoy!

Fusion