Stunning E28 B2.8 Alpina on eBay

Wow!  I need to check in here more often.  Not had such a good read since the last rant I was involved in on another forum

Alpinas are special cars but anyone who knows the history of the company will know that there is a very blurred line between what is and isn't an Alpina.  Ironically, the older 'classics' are more interesting but pre '78 cars never saw Buchloe or Sytners workshops.  Go figure.

I have three cars on the Alpina register sitting on my driveway just now and they represent the full spectrum of what Alpina is about.  Only one is 'genuine' but all three were prepared from new by Alpina or Alpina appointed dealers using Alpina parts.  (I should add that the other two cars were only added to the register at the request of the register admin, although I shouldn't have to!)

Please guys, lets keep it in perspective and don't get personal.  That's what gives owners clubs a bad name and it does get boring after a while.  Remember that arguing on internet forums is like running in the paraplegic olympics...  it doesn't matter if you win, you're still retarded

Hi Drew, your right, this discussion was about my E28, not about the other E28 B9 that was on sale in Ebay! How this disc got round to arguements over two B9,s indentity crisis I dont know. And why my cars caught up in the crisis ?

I'm just happy that I proved a point upon the approx value of the car, the reason that I put it on Ebay was just to assist in the value of the car, because of the such low mileage and condition. The condition is as I described ( as new) and reckon very rare at that. Some may dissagree, and have mentioned before in this disc, but I would say that Ebay is possibly the best platform to potentially sell a car, because of the worldwide viewing, and that so much detail/pics can be included, compared to Autotrader and others. Had enquires from as far as Hongkong!

Cheers guys

Drew, What planet are you on??? I really haven't the faintest clue what you are talking about!

This whole debate is starting to get surreal and just a little boring.

Firstly you claim to have had a conversation with me about my car, "last year old boy", when in fact it wasn't me or even my car. I've never met or spoken to you before or to any member of the BMW Owners or Car club in the past 10-15 years. Are you confusing me with a guy you've argued with before? - that might explain why you started off with such an aggressive and insulting tone. Is this because you've had a previous run in with an "alpinalover" who had a "snotty elitist tone". If that's the case it's not me - I only took the name "alpinalover" 3 days ago when I registered to get on this forum.

Secondly, you now say that I'm not talking about Donnie' car at all (the one on Ebay), but another one! What car is that supposed to be Drew?? Cos I don't know. This whole string was a discussion about the E28 Alpina that was on Ebay (Donnie's/Gavin's car). What other car could I be referring to?

What's next Drew, are you going to claim that I assassinated Kennedy?

At the end of the day Drew we are two enthusiasts that share a passion for the same marque of car. Why can't you respect that someone else may have a different opinion to yourself without becoming rude and sarcastic. My belief that my Alpina is the first B9 built and sold in the UK is based on written confirmation from Sytner (from a time when they would actually confirm the pedigree of a car in writing, which they haven't done now for several years) and 17 years of owning the car (including numerous conversations with Alpina GMBH and Sytners). Your final insult about it being based on a Sytner keyring because you had checked with BMW was laughable. What was your source? It certainly wasn't Ged Scanlon or Lucy Monro at Sytners (01159341414) with whom I had a couple of very interesting conversations this afternoon. Funny, they didn't remember you or your extensive inspection of the build records at Nottingham last year? However, they did state that nobody was allowed to inspect the build records or have copies of either their own car OR anybody elses, because of past problems with liabilities for false claims - and that that had been the situation for some years. If that is the case how did you manage your extensive research without their permission or cooperation.

What I have established is that my car, build 5- 192, was the first true RHD Alpina B9 sold in the UK. The confirmation letter also says "built", but what has come to light is that my car may have been specially prebuilt and tuned in Buchloe and sent across to Sytners for "finishing" as it was the car used at the UK launch. If, and I say again if, that is the case and Sytners chose to interpret this as "built" in the UK for commercial reasons, that may explain some of the confusion. They certainly wouldn't release the first RHD Alpina B9 to the press and then sheepishly confess that it had actually been built in Germany would they?

The situation now is that if ANY early Alpina owner contacts Sytners requesting confirmation that their car is a genuine Alpina (made to full Alpina spec, not just cosmetic) they will get the basic information (Chassis no., spec, date of first registration, etc) but with it will come a specific disclaimer that Sytners are not prepared to confirm the authenticity of any Alpina not bought as new. Whatsmore, because of the time required to go through the old written (non-computerised) records, Sytners have to raise a charge of £50 plus VAT.

My confirmation letter was given to me when I first bought the car 17 years ago, when Sytners weren't so concerned with potential claims and liabilities, and when the majority of the sales and workshop staff were actually working there when the first B9's were built. In the absence of any clear evidence to the contrary I'd say that's pretty conclusive.

Hopefully, if I offer to sign any discalimers or waivers, I may be able to persuade contacts at Sytner, BMW and Alpina to confirm whether my car was prebuilt and tuned in Germany and just "finished" by Sytners or whether as the letter says it was the first Alpina B9 built and sold in the UK. I'm not looking to sue anybody, just trying to find out a bit more about my prize possession.

Drew - I can't begin to understand why you got so aggressive and insulting, particularly about a subject that actually didn't concern you directly. I don't know you from Adam and your friends probably think your a nice guy. However, if you ever find yourself in South Hertfordshire on a sunny Sunday afternoon in Summer let me know - I'll meet you for a pint and show you my B9.

Over & out.