For those who’re a agency believer that BMW peaked within the 2000s, the E46 is definitely amongst your favourite fashions. Thoughts you, this isn’t a run-of-the-mill 3 Sequence from the sedan’s fourth era since we’re coping with a B3 S. It’s a extra refined iteration of the 330i that was pampered by ALPINA. It was offered as a coupe, wagon, convertible, and as this sedan.

The bluetiful sports activities saloon was pushed at full tilt on an unrestricted part of the German freeway. This 2004 ALPINA B3 S is a comparatively low-mileage instance because it has slightly below 98,000 kilometers (almost 61,000 miles) on the clock. It seems to be in glorious situation and comes with a naturally aspirated inline-six that sounds positively wonderful.

The three.3-liter engine made 305 horsepower and 362 Newton-meters (267 pound-feet) of torque with out compelled induction. We get to listen to the rev-happy “S52B32” engine scream past the 7,000 rpm mark on the Autobahn. Certain, this ALPINA B3 S will not be impressively fast by 2024 requirements in a world of efficiency sedans with turbochargers or electrical motors. Nonetheless, it’s nonetheless going sturdy, some 20 years later.

It did 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 6.4 seconds whereas the 62 to 124 mph (100 to 200 km/h) dash took 17 seconds. The quarter mile was accomplished in 14.3 seconds and the half mile in 22.3 seconds. Flat out, the lovely-sounding 3er managed to achieve 162 mph (260 km/h), in keeping with the automobile’s speedometer. Nevertheless, the actual velocity measured by way of a smartphone app utilizing real-time GPS information was barely decrease, at 155 mph (250 km/h).

A handbook gearbox would’ve made this ALPINA B3 S just about good. Even so, the automobile has aged gracefully, and the smooth-running engine has an intoxicating sound. Followers of analog efficiency automobiles are lacking the period earlier than massive screens took over, and the E46 usually is deeply missed by purists.

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