Alpina B10 4.6 or M5

I was thinking of buying an e39 M5 but since looking at alpinas recently might go for a B10 4.6, they have better midrange power than an M5 and are rarer on the roads. the only thing i'd like to know is which is more reliable and cheaper for parts like clutches brakes etc i was slightly put off the m5 for now when I heard the costs of running one and i'm not worried about fuel economy, the alpina also looks nicer imo what do ye reckon anyone here whos had both? this is one i like the look of
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/174729.htm





Edited by neoman

I have a B10 V8, I love it.

Servicing is 540 expensive, much less than M5.

Switchtronic 'box is nice - TC locked in all gears in manual mode, well spaced ratios, waftastic in auto.

ALPINA's suspension features progressive rate springs and gas dampers - it wont stay with an M5 on a smooth track but might best it on a bumpy road thanks to its extra suppleness...

The B10 is an awesome mile muncher, I averaged 143mph between Hamburg and Denmark without any strain or need to turn the stereo up.

Accelerating through 160mph a passenger commented on the muted growl coming from beneath the bonnet; "Your car sounds happy". 

I'll probably have another.

I'd take a B10 over an E39 everytime, especially in E39 guise at this moment in time. 

I say that because whilst the residuals on both, at the age they're at now, is good, that the B10 is proving to hold even more strongly than the E39 M5.  Very much the rarity factor coming into play at this age, and the stealth factor too.  When they were released in this guise 'Q cars' weren't such a big thing - but they're much more sought after nowadays and the B10 has certainly benefitted from that.