New Alpina B3 Bi-Turbo Convertibles

Alpina have been working their magic on BMW’s for 45 years now and Herr Burkard Bovensiepen, the founder, is still the main man at their Buchloe HQ in Germany.

Car buffs will know that Alpina buys the basic bodywork and ancilliaries from BMW and then go about producing their own interpretation which is then recognised and registered by the German authorities as an ‘Alpina’ – not a BMW. RUF do the same thing with Porsches as did AMG before becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mercedes.

So what do you get from Alpina that sets their cars apart from the standard fare from BMW? Well for starters much of the interior features bespoke Alpina items and many of the materials used tend to be of an even higher quality than those from the original factory.

Oh and don’t forget Alpina’s alloy wheels which any car anorak will spot a mile away. Their distinctive design has been around since the beginning of time and still look fresh on their cars today.

More importantly however is what they put under the bonnet. Engines will either be seriously re-worked versions of the orginal Beemer units or indeed something they have designed from scratch themselves. Their B5 which is an Alpina’d M5 (E60 model) sports a V8 rather than the Munich V10. Alpina have biased their car towards a beefier torque curve although power-wise there is little to choose between them.

As so on to the B3 which looks pretty much like an M3 until you see that Alpina have opted to install their Bi-turbo 3 litre straight-six instead of a V8. Their pitch is that once again the focus has been of delivering bags of torque just when required without sacrificing top-end power and performance while keeping fuel economy in mind.

And so now could you be tempted and dare to be a little different? If so we know of three brand-new Alpina B3 convertibles, two of which come in ‘Edition’ specs which mean that the bodywork, grilles, badges and wheels are all colour-matched. All cars will feature the 6-speed Sports Auto gearbox with Alpina Switch-Tronic.

There is a Black Sapphire ‘Edition’ with Red Dakota Leather Interior including Alpina roundels, Lavalina bi-colour package (steering wheel and stitching), 19″ Alpina Alloy wheels in black, red stitching to black gaiters, Alpina lettering embossed on all four headrests, Hi-Fi speaker system, USB/Audio interface, black painted ‘Kidney’ and lower grilles plus black model designation badging. Total on the road cost 57025 GBP

The Alpine white ‘Edition’ with Black Dakota leather comes with an almost identical spec for 57650 GBP and then there is a non-Edition model available in Black Sapphire with Black Dakota Leather for 55090 GBP.

For further details of these rare and fascinating BMW Alpinas please call us on 0845 6432047 or email sales@thecarspy.net 

Click here for a slideshow of images

2009 Mercedes Benz SL350

Driving the new SL you can’t help noticing two things ahead of you. The bonnet bulges. They are obvious and they nicely complement the dashing air vents just ahead of the windscreen. Looking at an image of the first generation SL from the mid-50’s you can see exactly where the inspiration came from and that is no bad thing. Not many bonnets are that interesting quite frankly but the one on this SL350 is a thing of beauty.

What SL350 we hear you say? Well, we are marketing a 2009 example in Carbonite Black with only 4000 miles on the clock on behalf of the owner. This SL is extremely well-specified and comes with a stunning set of 5-spoke alloys and the desirable Sports Package as well as the usual COMAND satnav and mutlimedia system including CD, DVD, Bluetooth and i-Pod functionality. The SL350 features the creamy-smooth V6 in MB’s range which whips 315 horses into action so performance is more than adequate.

The original purchase price of this of this SL was in excess of £72k just under a year ago and can now be purchased for a smidgen under £50k! A not inconsiderable saving indeed.

Appetite suitably whetted? Then click here for more information or contact us on 0854 643 2047.

Click here for a slideshow of over twenty images of this stunning SL350.

2005 Porsche 911 Carrera C4S

A 911 C4S for less than £30k! Some call these cars the most-usable supercar on the road and that is hard to disagree with when you consider the performance and superb reliability these 911’s offer.

This splendid example is a Tiptronic version finished in very rare Atlas Grey with Charcoal Leather. This lovely car comes with a full Porsche Service History and is fully loaded with all the right toys too!

For more details click here or call us 0845 643 2047 and we’ll be happy to help.

Click here for a slideshow of over twenty images.

2007 Range Rover Sport HST 4.2 V8 Supercharged

If you like your off-roaders to be fast, mean and moody then the RR Sport fitted with Jaguar’s 390 BHP AJ V8 Supercharged 4.2 fits the bill very nicely. With its swooping roof-line and low, purposeful stance the Sport version of Land Rover’s multi-purpose land-crab grabs attention wherever it goes.

Did you know that the RR Sport actually shares its platform with the Series 3 Discovery rather than the Range Rover itself? There must be some technical reason for choosing the layout of the Disco but from the outside you would never guess they were related so closely.

OK enough of the techno-babble and on to the tasty Java Black RR Sport we have just placed on our books. This example has one hell of a specification and it is highly unlikely that you will find one option that has been missed from the LR shopping list.

SatNav, DVD, TV, Rear Screens, 22″ Overfinch Alloys, Overfinch Tailpipes, Heated Rear Seats are just a small part of this car’s massive spec. Best of all the mileage on this HST Sport is ultra-low at only 20000 miles and the car still has the balance of the manufacturer’s warranty.

Take a closer look at this stunner by clicking here or call us on 0845 643 2047 for more information.

For a slideshow of over twenty images just click here

Aston Martin DBS Volante for sale

Henrik Fisker is a very talented car designer. Why? Well because he is credited with putting the finishing touches to the DB9 after Ian Callum started the original pencil sketches. If Henrik designed no other car in his lifetime then he would indeed go down as one of the all-time greats because of his efforts with the DB9.

However, he now has his own car company and already he is busy creating more pant-wettingly gorgeous designs. There are several more masterpieces on the way from Henrik we suspect especially if the pretty Fisker Karma is anything to go by.

Back to the DB9. It is beautiful. If aliens landed and wanted to take back a souvenir from Earth to remind them of some of the nicer encounters during their visit they would pick a DB9. And why not? Is it not universally acclaimed as one of the prettiest cars ever produced?

Yes, the E-Type did end up in a few art galleries but try and find one now. And yes, there have been some blinders from Ferrari and Lambo but the Aston just exudes style, poise and class at every level. But then we are biased of course because we come from Blighty.

Can you do better then a DB9? Well how about a DBS then? Looking a little more aggressive cosmetically (without hurting the orginal stunning looks of the DB9) and offering an additional 40 BHP over the 470 on offer in the DB9’s V12. Extensive use of aluminium, carbon fibre and magnesium alloy means the car is light on its feet and 0-60 mph is seen off in a little over 4 seconds. Top speed is a whisker under 200 mph. Say no more.

If you want to feel the wind in your hair while savouring the extra performance of the DBS then you can have the Volante with its convertible roof and equally stunning good looks.

And better still, if you want a brand-new one now we can get you a DBS Volante with the following spec:-

Morning Frost White (special order from Aston Martin), Obsidian Black leather interior with Silver stitching, Black Hood, Piano Black fascia trim and 10-spoke Diamond Graphite alloy wheels.

Interested? Then give us a call on ++44 (0)1474 854490 to find out a lot more about this gorgeous car.

Mercedes Benz AMG SL65 Black Series

How about a cool-looking Black Series SL65 in er…black? Well Obsidian Metallic to be precise. Would it be possible for Merc to produce a more mental car? 670 bhp, 0-60 mph in 3.8 seconds and top speed sensibly limited to 198 mph. Well getting caught going twice over the legal limit would be something but three times might be pushing it. Even the police ‘copters would have trouble keeping up with this SL.

If you have 255 Large Ones languishing in your bank account then consider the following:-

One of only 8 right-hand-drive cars produced for the UK and built in September 2009 this SL65 is unregistered and looking for a new owner. The car has a Labrador leather anthracite interior, DVD Comand, Media Interface, Adaptive Bi-xenons, Interior Motion Sensor, Keyless Go, Parktronic, Carbon interior pack, Climate etc etc and most of all is very, very fast.

Quote from Wikipedia on the car…”The new SL65 AMG Black Series coupe features a carbon-fibre fixed roof, front fenders, hood, trunk lid, and front and rear aprons. With the absence of retractable roof hardware, the car is more than 550 pounds lighter than the standard SL. AMG placed a modified version of the 6.0-liter AMG V12 engine that now delivers 670 bhp (500 kW) and 738 lb·ft (1,001 N·m) of torque. This is the same 6.0L engine as used in the previous SL65 model with remapped timing and fuel curves to produce 66 bhp more. Torque remains the same, as the previous model, due to transmission limitations. This engine has been labeled as the engine with the largest output that will be made by AMG. Its twin turbochargers are 12 percent larger, passages for intake air and the turbo wastegates have been modified, and the intake air intercooler is 30 percent more efficient….”

 So there you have it, a very special car indeed.

If you have a serious interest in purchasing this car please give us a call on 0845 643 2047 anytime and we will gladly arrange the necessary viewings and test drives.

Click here for a selection of images of the car.

2008 Mercedes Benz C63 AMG

We have a neighbour who changes his cars like some people change their underwear and we like him very much. We won’t mention any names for fear of embarassing the chap but we help him find a lovely set of wheels and then six months later he is asking us to find him his next dream car. If only all car buyers were like him and the recession would be a long distant memory.

Anyway our latest task is to dispose of his tasty C63 AMG and replace it with an equally scrummy Audi R8. So what is the C63 like? Well, it sounds like a violent thunderstorm and it goes faster than anyone in a sane frame of mind would dream of doing so on a public road. So we love it.

We went to Mercedes World at Brooklands the other day and tried the E63 and C63 AMG’s round the track there. If you have any doubt about how well these cars perform then treat yourself to a visit and leave with a mile-wide smile. 

Our neighbour’s C63 is painted in Metallic Steel Grey with Black nappa leather interior so it looks all mean and moody. The car has only done 12k miles and he loves his cars more than his lovely missus (only joking L!) so it is in mint condition.

It is also very rare. Just take a look at the classifieds and this is one car that has not sold in big numbers during the recession so residuals are likely to remain firm for some time yet. 

For further details on the sale of this stunning C63 AMG call us on ++44 1474 854490 or click here to view the car on our website. For slideshow of over 30 images take a look here. 

Porsche Panamera

Finally got to drive the PP at last. We’ve just bought three of them for a corporate customer of our’s and our local friendly dealer let us have a blast in a 4S and a Turbo for the afternoon. The black one in the picture above shows what they look like before the PDI.

Let’s get the obvious out of the way. The car is not pretty but it doesn’t offend the senses. Sometimes it looks all cute and cuddly then suddenly you walk around the back end and go whoa! But let us not pre-judge because every review of the car so far has raved on about how well the Panamera drives and drive well it does.

First up was the 4S in black (which makes the car look smaller) with so many toys that it takes you several minutes to take it all in just like a small child in Hamleys. The interior is comfortable. Supremely comfortable. Four bucket seats and plenty of headroom. Enough said. Sitting in the back there was no sense of claustrophobia and the side and front views would keep any car-sick prone individuals from spoiling the carpets.

Depending on the driver’s penchant for ‘comfort’, ’sport’ or ’sport plus’ it is pretty conclusive how the rear passengers are likely to feel during the nip down to Sainsbury’s. The Panamera is predictable for a big car and will go wherever you point it and whatever the ride setting it is mightily impressive. It is a car that will flatter the most inept of drivers.

Sitting at the wheel the layout is easy to understand with little or no confusing ‘electronic’ interference such as i-Drive et al. A nice touch is the ’window’ to the farthest right in the instrument pod which is able to provide a variety of useful status displays including the satnav screen. 

There is a stunning array of good old-fashoined buttons that do what they say is written on them. Refreshingly simple. The build-quality is exemplary and beyond any criticism. The 4S felt quick until we stepped into the ‘Yachting Blue’  Turbo.

They told us at the launch that the car was almost as quick as a 430 round the ‘Ring and it is easy to believe. The acceleration is instant and in yer face. An easy license points accumulator so beware. Strangely the Turbo did not come with the ‘Sports Exhaust’ button as featured on the 4S which emits such a nice angry snarl that it is hard to think why you would not have it on all of the time – so why have a button?

Talking of buttons the ‘Sport’ and ‘Sport Plus’ are badly positioned. Only a small criticism but it would have been so much more convenient  (and safer) to be able to change the setting from the multifunction steering wheel. Taking your eyes of the road to search for the right button was sometimes a bit tedious and highly distracting.

So there you have it. The forthcoming Rapide will win all of the beauty contests when it arrives in town but the Panamera (here’s a guess) will have it licked on interior comfort. The PP is definitely a car that is better from the inside looking out.

2007 Rolls Royce Phantom

FAB1 – that’s what the latest Phantom looks like! Anyone who remembers the Thunderbirds TV series from the 60’s will definitely recall the very pink Rolls Royce owned by Lady Penelope and driven by the very drole Parker. The towering grille, squinty headlamps and massive road presence give this Roller the same esprit de corps. There is something that RR seem to pull off that nobody has yet managed to emulate. Price isn’t everything, witness the Maybach. This car says I am here and you had better move aside just because you know you should. The Phantom should really be de rigeur for gangsters but instead it tends to waft the highest levels of royalty and the seriously monied from their splendid front doors to somewhere else equally splendid. Us Brits don’t really want a revolution because who would be left to buy a Roller? We know it’s not right but the car is just so damn impressive even if you couldn’t bring yourself to drive one. A bit like FAB1 in Thunderbirds really. If there are any of the recession-proof minority reading this post then reach for your cheque book because we know of a low-mileage (900 miles) example looking for a new owner for less than 180k GBP which is a massive saving over list!

Come on , don’t be shy now and give us a call on ++44 1474 854490 to arrange a very private viewing or click here for more details or here for a slideshow of images.

2002 Bentley Arnage Mulliner LWB

For sale: office with Internet, phone (two of them), fax facility, drinks cabinet, TV (two screens), air conditioning, plush leather furnishings, lashings of burr oak veneer, oh and a 400 bhp V8 engine. 

Yes this  is a special-bodied Sapphire Black Mulliner Bentley Arnage which makes most apartments seem sparsely equipped by comparison. You could park this car outside the Grosvenor and the world would think Simon Cowell was in town. This is indeed a special car and the current owner has asked us to find a suitably-qualified new owner for this grand lady.

We thought the Screaming Yellow Mustang topped the attention-seeking charts but this Bentley has it licked. You can see people bowing and scraping out of the corner of your eye as you waft very conspicuously along Her Majesty’s highways and even the net curtains at Buck House would twitch at the arrival of this beauty at the front door.

The specification of this long wheelbase conversion of the Arnage is mind-boggling. There just simply enough space in this post to tell you about the details. The car reputedely cost over £200k when new and quite frankly it is easy to see where the money was spent.

We saw a Maybach the other day which costs over £350k brand new. Save your hard-earned pennies and invest in a set of non-dating plates and £45k for this Bentley. It makes the MB look like a Chinese import. An ugly one to boot.

If you would like to know more about this unique Mulliner Bentley then just click here or call us on 0044 1474 854490 for more details. You can click here for a slideshow of over 30 images in the meantime.