My 2nd 4.8is 10,000 miles on

[Steved]

Just thought I'd stop by and update you all that my replacement 4.8is is still going well, so it looks like all the pain and hassle getting my first one replaced was worth it. My current 4.8is seems incredibly economical, I often manage to average 26-27mpg on a long trip, which compares with the 21-22mpg that I used to get with my 3.0i Sport many years ago. My running in approach for this engine was to drive it 'hard' from day one and it seems to have paid off, it's very quick and very economical which is how I like it to be.

Handling doesn't seem to be quite as flat as the best 4.8is that I drove but it's pretty close and thankfully no more problems with my air suspension. Exhaust sound seems to have improved with the miles, there's more of that deep hollow resonance than when new and because it sounds so good I've been reluctant to remove the resonator, but maybe I'll get around to it.

I'm still resisting the temptation to buy an M5, I'd really miss the sound of the V8, so in the meantime I've added another pony to the stable..

[DINANM3]

Wow, That alpina raodster is very nice. Give us some stats on it. HP 0to60 stuff like that. We cant get that here in the states. That M3 CSL is also one of my favorite cars but unfortunately i cant buy that one here inthe states either. You guys always get all the cool stuff we dont. By the way you say you want an M5 but dont want to give up the sound of the V8. Do you mean a E39 or E60. By the way the E60 V10 sounds amazing. A friend has one and it is incredible. Extremely fast. even in P400 mode.

[Steved]

That's my M3 CSL in the picture (it runs with 100 cell race kats, and a straight through exhaust plus 6-pot AP brakes and Pagid RS-19s - produces around 370bhp). I tried out my spare set of CSL rims on the Alpina Roadster but I need to have them machined to reduce the offset. The Alpina Roadster has the old E36 M3 block which is then machined out to 3.4 litres and Alpina built a bespoke head, all ported polished and balanced with Mahle pistons etc. It produces a 'minimum' of 300bhp and the same peak torque as the current E46 M3, but I'm told these are minimum figures at high-altitude and with crap petrol, ideally it should produce around 310-320bhp and that's in a car that weighs no more than a Z4 3.0i (i.e. around 150kg less than an E46 M3). Unsurprisingly it feels faster than an M3 (it's been recorded at around 11 seconds for the 0-100mph sprint), but it's an engine that majors on torque. It feels like the 4.8is but inside a sportscar body, sounds deep and throaty too.

I was referring to the E60 M5. I've driven both an M5 and the new M6 and whilst I like them, I still prefer my 4.8is and of course my M3 CSL is still faster than either of them on track.

I'm still surprised after over 18 months of 4.8is ownership that this car is so intoxicating. I never get in the X after driving any of my other cars and feel I'm driving a slower or less sporting car. My new M Sport steering wheel certainly helps in keeping it feeling fresh, but if I had to keep just 'one' car, it would still be my X5.

[LeMansX5]

Z4 looks great. I saw these pics on your other website gallery last week. Very cool! Nice bimmers you got there.

[breytonX5]

Love the Alpina wheels. Saw these same wheels on an X5 and they look amazing. Awesome stablemates.

[kirkX5m]

sick cars!!!! i love i love!
too bad alpina doesnt do more work over here, they truly make beautiful after market bmws, woaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah

[AlpineMsix]

i hate you for living in outside the US!!
The CSL...the alpina Z4 roadster..!!
I wish i could see these beautiful vehicles in the US.

[YankeeBimmer]

Cool

[LeMansX5]

Originally Posted by Steved

I'm still surprised after over 18 months of 4.8is ownership that this car is so intoxicating.

Intoxicating indeed and very true. I second that. There are days when I just go out for a spin in my 4.8is, to enjoy the sporty drive. King, Are you reading this?

Originally Posted by Steved

I never get in the X after driving any of my other cars and feel I'm driving a slower or less sporting car. My new M Sport steering wheel certainly helps in keeping it feeling fresh, but if I had to keep just 'one' car, it would still be my X5.

Very well said.

[alpac]

Nice cars of yours