This can't be real..?

[AirplaneBuilder]

Sweet Baby Jesus!!!

[Stanley Rockafella]

I wouldn't care about the swapped trans, if this was a normal run of the mill e30. The problem here is that this car should be a true collector car, much more so than a regular e30.

In my eyes, anything that is truly a collector should remain exactly as it came from the manufacturer, in this case, Alpina. That would mean trans and all. If you pay close attention to the ad and the pictures, you'll see that he mentions the suspension being "upgraded". Obviously these things aren't mentioned in detail, but you can clearly see a set of camber plates in the front. Adding mods, in my eyes, and in the eyes of most true collectors, actually diminishes the value of the car.

That would be my issue with upgraded parts and trans swaps on a "collector" car. If he really thinks that the car is worth $25k, it should be original, down to the nuts and bolts, as it would be from the factory. If it's just an upgraded e30, then by all means, but don't expect to get 4-5x a normal e30, even with the Alpina name on it.

Amen!

[nrubenstein]

I kind of regret buying my 5 speed swapped e30, just doesn't feel right. I didn't know it at the time though, shoulda looked at the door jam.

Door jamb does not indicate original transmission. Only the VIN does. There are plenty of cars with manual VINs and 325iA stickers. I own one of them.

[smooth]

I wouldn't care about the swapped trans, if this was a normal run of the mill e30. The problem here is that this car should be a true collector car, much more so than a regular e30.

In my eyes, anything that is truly a collector should remain exactly as it came from the manufacturer, in this case, Alpina. That would mean trans and all. If you pay close attention to the ad and the pictures, you'll see that he mentions the suspension being "upgraded". Obviously these things aren't mentioned in detail, but you can clearly see a set of camber plates in the front. Adding mods, in my eyes, and in the eyes of most true collectors, actually diminishes the value of the car.

That would be my issue with upgraded parts and trans swaps on a "collector" car. If he really thinks that the car is worth $25k, it should be original, down to the nuts and bolts, as it would be from the factory. If it's just an upgraded e30, then by all means, but don't expect to get 4-5x a normal e30, even with the Alpina name on it.

I agree. The way to handle this properly is to use bolt-ons and retain the original equipment. I don't see any mention from the seller of the original equipment. That's what my friend did with his VW. He built an engine to the hilt but he took the original out and stored it properly. When, or if, he ever sells his collectible the engine goes with him and the original goes to the collector.

I had to go through similar thoughts when I finally added up the cost of rebuilding my M20 drivetrain vs. going to an e36 platform. I either pack around 600 pounds of excess weight or recognize that no matter how nicely I restore my cabrio it won't ever be a collectible. Mine has much more "value" with the swapped components to a regular buyer (not that I ever intend on selling) and I'll also throw it out there that in terms of the "BMW engineers" the autos were designed for the customers not the needs/desires of the engineers. Similarly, with as much respect for the M20 as I have it still does not negate the fact that our E30's were built with the best technology BMW had *at the time* and that they been able to we'd have completely different tech under our chassis.

[Bronzit325is]

Excuse me but so what if a car has a tranny swap? Wtf is the difference? The cars are made to accept both trannys and the conversion is fairly straightforward. I just see a manual swap as a hassle but certainly not a negative, especially if its already done. I can understand if it were a rare car like the alpina above for the sake of keeping it original for those who care but the car is much better with a 5 speed, converted or not.

It matters to me simply because even when looking for a "regular" 325is I am shopping on the higher end of the market and would like to consider the car as "collectable". It simply loses appeal for me, and therefore I assume others as well, if the car was born and registered as an automatic vs. a 5-speed.

Something like an Alpina e30, a true White Buffalo, should not be modified like this in my opinion. Even as an Automatic the car is a true gem. It's like a girl with beautiful small breasts getting an unnatural boob job. It's botched, IMO.

[10Toes]

$24900

[ButtJuice]

Thank you!

How does a 5 speed swapped E30 "just not feel right"? Everything is 100% bolt-in.

I can't say specifically, but I don't feel like it's as smooth as other 5 speed e30s I've driven. I.e. Notchy shifting, occasional vibrations.

Maybe I can correct myself by saying that, maybe it wasn't installed very well, maybe the parts that were used were just, USED. Idk. I found both my dad and older brother 318is's, their cars shift wonderfully & drive very easily! With my m20b25 I feel like it's missing a certain finesse. Perhaps there is a big difference between G240s & G260s?

Maybe I'm just a n00b?

Door jamb does not indicate original transmission. Only the VIN does. There are plenty of cars with manual VINs and 325iA stickers. I own one of them.

Never mind then!

[mikeedler]

there isn't anything wrong with trying.

sadly it isn't really a "good" Alpina very cool car, and I would buy it for $6000.- convert it all back to original ASAP.

[325ix]

I see no problems with bolt-on parts. They are really very easily reversible. I also don't see a problem with a tranny swap. The car was meant to be driven, not looked at. The 5 speed makes the car immensely more fun.

[LowR3V'in]

Oh damn 25,000$ for a collectors alpina but the drivetrain has been molested/modded/swapped.
Wouldn't that damage the value?

[F34R]

Oh damn 25,000$ for a collectors alpina but the drivetrain has been molested/modded/swapped.
Wouldn't that damage the value?

Like stated above it would not really since it is direct swap in.

25k is hard to swollow, but it is rare as fuck and I think that makes it worth every penny. Some will agree, some will mock but it is rare and that makes it worth that.

I would LOVE to own that, just drive it and enjoy the history!

[325Projectz]

Door jamb does not indicate original transmission. Only the VIN does. There are plenty of cars with manual VINs and 325iA stickers. I own one of them.

i was always curious about that. i had a 325iA with a manual trans that had a matching vin...

[reelizmpro]

I have no love for automatics. An auto alpina, hartge, m3, etc is a tragedy. Kinda defeats the point of making a sports model. I mean a truly unique sports car, not a factory 325is. Digital gauges, dead pedals, etc all seem moot to me with an auto trans...a joke. If the car is truly rare and@sought after it won't matter what trans it came with originally. Simple fact is most enthusiasts want a driver's car. Is there a vin on the trans?

Chances are its not the original trans either, the way those pos like to go bad

I respect people's opinion on the matter but even a purist like myself isn't THAT picky.

So are diff swaps a no no as well?

[smooth]

parts that were used were just, USED

gee you think?

well I could really say a whole lot more but not without stepping on some toes so my advice is to read through various how-to's and get a sense of how some people takes things apart and refresh them vs. just slapping used parts into their projects.

[ButtJuice]

^ Well I bought the car like that. I had no idea it was swapped until I checked the VIN after the fact. I only assume that which ever previous owner did the swap, simply put used parts in.

But I'm sure there are many other factors other than the mere speculation of shitty workmanship/ethic.