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StarLight presents a very rare classic car, the legendary Alpina B6 3.5S from 1988.
Many consider the first-generation BMW M3 to be the best drivers car ever built by BMW. But the M3 was built far more for competition and serious road use than for everyday transportation with it´s raw four-cylinder engine which is not nearly as smooth as a straight-six.
The M3-based Alpina B6 3.5S, which is considered to be one of Alpina´s finest efforts ever, had the best of both worlds with the performance of the powerful and smooth 3.5 liter six-cylinder engine mixed with the handling capabilities of the M3.
That is what I call “the ultimate driving machine”.
Unfortunately only 62 cars were produced between November 1987 and December 1990.
Engine/Gearbox
The engine is exactly the same unit as in the “ordinary” B6 3.5. It is based on BMW´s 3.5 liter six, which produces 218 bhp. Alpina´s version produces 254 bhp. But the two cars don't share the gearbox. Both cars have Getrag 5-speed units but the B6S has a “sport transmission” with the first gear down to the left. Also called a dogleg gearbox.
Suspension/Brakes/Wheels
The B6S shared the chassis with the standard M3 which is considered to have probably the best chassis ever built by BMW. The only difference is that the B6S was equipped with the springs, at the front, from the A/C-equipped M3s. Those are a little bit stiffer to handle the extra-weight. The brakes are the same as in the B6 3.5 but the wheels are 8in wide both at front and rear with 225/45 tires.
Interior/Exterior
In the interior, Alpina made the same changes as in the B6 3.5. They included new seats with blue and green stripes. A new leather-covered steering wheel, gear-knob, new digital instruments and some other minor changes. The only exterior changes were the stripes, optional in gold or silver, and the wheels.
Performance
Alpina claimed a 0-100 km/h time of 6.6 seconds, the same time as the B6 3.5. But in higher speeds the B6S was a little faster thanks to better aerodynamics. It also had a higher top-speed of 251 km/h. That is 3 km/h faster than BMW´s ultimate M3, the M3 Sport Evolution.
Specifications
Overview
Production: 1987-1990
Country: Germany
Make: Alpina
Model: 3-Series E30
Segment: S (sports cars)
Body style: Sedan
Doors: 2
Traction: RWD (rear-wheel drive)
Powertrain
Engine maufacturer: BMW M30B34
Engine type: spark-ignition 4-stroke
Fuel type: Petrol (gasoline)
Fuel system: indirect injection
Charge system: Naturally aspirated
Valves per cylinder: 2
Cylinders alugnment: Line 6
Displacement: 3430 cm3 / 209.3 cui
Power net: 187 kW / 254 PS / 252 hp at 6000 rpm
Torque: 325 Nm / 240 ft-lb at 4000 rpm
Transmission type: manual
Number of gears: 5
Dimensions
Length: 4345 mm / 171.1 in
Width: 1680 mm / 66.1 in
Height: 1370 mm / 53.9 in
Wheelbase: 2565 mm / 101 in
Front track: 1436 mm / 56.5 in
Rear track: 1457 mm / 57.4 in
Curb weight (without a driver): 1320 kg / 2910 lbs
Turning circle btw. walls: 11.1 m / 36.4 ft
Speed range (max speed on gears)
I: 72 km/h/ 45 mph
II: 111 km/h/ 69 mph
III: 151 km/h/ 94 mph
IV: 216 km/h/ 134 mph
V: 267 km/h/ 166 mph
Performance
Top speed: 255 km/h / 158 mph
0-30 km/h (s): 1.6
0-40 km/h (s): 2.1
0-50 km/h (s): 2.5
0-60 km/h (s): 3.0
0-70 km/h (s): 3.5
0-80 km/h (s): 4.4
0-90 km/h (s): 5.1
0-100 km/h (s): 5.9
Drag times
0- 1/4mile (s): 14.1
speed at 1/4mile: 161 km/h / 100 mph
0- 1km (s): 25.5
The other Alpinas are here:
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