"Real Alpina" on barnfinds:

General conversations about BMW E28s and the people who own them.
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Snoopy11
Posts: 114
Joined: Jul 19, 2014 12:13 AM
Location: East Coast

"Real Alpina" on barnfinds:

Post by Snoopy11 »

https://barnfinds.com/real-alpina-packa ... -bmw-528e/

Should be interesting to see what mye28 has to say-

I don't see anything in this listing that would aid authentication of this car but perhaps seller can provide pictures of VIN--
Mike W.
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Location: California Whine Country

Re: "Real Alpina" on barnfinds:

Post by Mike W. »

I'm not the expert on this like some here are, but I see numerous red flags.

#1. There was no euro 528e. There was an euro 525e which was essentially the same car, including engine, but no 528e.
#2. To the best of my knowledge Alpina cars started with euro 528i chassis, even though they were 3.5s.
#3. Comfort seats? 4500 Redline? I doubt it. Finally, the radiator has a warning label on top of it in English that says Warning. English warnings on a EU car? Radiator could have been replaced with a used US one, but...

Now once upon a time you could buy things like Alpina springs and body kits, so I see a US spec 528e with some Alpina bits on it. Probably not many that aren't cosmetic. Nice M tech 1 steering wheel though, a rarity if it's an 85, but it says it's an 86 so not as rare. Now the gas gauge doesn't look quite right, but I think I can make out "unleaded fuel only" in English.
Snoopy11
Posts: 114
Joined: Jul 19, 2014 12:13 AM
Location: East Coast

Re: "Real Alpina" on barnfinds:

Post by Snoopy11 »

Got a VIN:

WBADK8308G9659579
kojo96
Posts: 798
Joined: Mar 31, 2019 7:39 PM
Location: Pleasanton CA

Re: "Real Alpina" on barnfinds:

Post by kojo96 »

Snoopy11 wrote: Mar 31, 2021 8:33 PM Got a VIN:

WBADK8308G9659579
Yup, it's an Alpina!!! NOT.

Product:
Car
Catalog:
Classic
Series:
5' E28 (1980 — 1990)
Body:
Sedan
Model:
528e
Market:
USA
Prod Month:
10/1985
Engine:
M20
Transmission:
Automatic
stuartinmn
Posts: 9380
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Location: Minneapolis

Re: "Real Alpina" on barnfinds:

Post by stuartinmn »

The people commenting over there have figured out as well that it's not a real Alpina (or Hartge or whatever.)
wkohler
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Re: "Real Alpina" on barnfinds:

Post by wkohler »

I think it's funny people had to figure that out. Of course the author of that article is a member here and should never have said it raised any questions, or even shared it.
Shawn D.
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Beamter
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Re: "Real Alpina" on barnfinds:

Post by Shawn D. »

Alpina is BMW’s in-house performance shop
Uhh...
wkohler
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Re: "Real Alpina" on barnfinds:

Post by wkohler »

Shawn D. wrote: Apr 01, 2021 9:29 PM
Alpina is BMW’s in-house performance shop
Uhh...
Give them time, I’m sure the commenters over there will figure that out, too.
Mike W.
Posts: 26872
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
Location: California Whine Country

Re: "Real Alpina" on barnfinds:

Post by Mike W. »

Shawn D. wrote: Apr 01, 2021 9:29 PM
Alpina is BMW’s in-house performance shop
Uhh...
Yeah. Right. I saw that too.
Blue Shadow
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Location: SE PA

Re: "Real Alpina" on barnfinds:

Post by Blue Shadow »

This 1986 BMW 528e is an unusual assortment of parts, featuring some very desirable period-correct upgrades.

Was the first line of the article. How could anyone jump to it being an Alpina from that statement?

Alpina being cars turned out a certain way vs. the bespoke vehicles from Hartge it seems it would be easy to see a vehicle as added parts vs. an Alpina build.
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