I'm so stoked, I had to share...

[m j b]

I have had over 50 cars in my short <cough> life, so buying a new car, or a new used car, isn't really a big deal to me like it is for people who buy a car every 10 years or like when one of you guys snag a new Daytona at MSRP.

I bought a new BMW M4 last year, which is seriously one of if not the best car I have ever gotten, it is stupid fast, very comfortable and has given me no trouble at all except for a dash rattle which has settled down on its own. And yes, I take it to the track. My other car (540i) went off lease and I didn't keep it, so the M4 became my daily. As wonderful as it is, a manual transmission M4 is not the best daily in traffic. And the wife doesn't like it for long trips. And the gas mileage sucks. And it is a little bit loud (although nothing like that miserable M2 I had for a while). But I digress.

So, long story short (yeah, I know, too late for that... ) I was looking for a new M550ix on the lots all up and down the East coast, and the only ones that I liked were all pre-sold. I was going to order one, but I'm now on month 3 waiting for my dealer to get an allocation. You need an allocation from BMW to place an order, and then it's a few months to get the production scheduled, the car made, shipped, wait for missing parts d/t shortages, and delivered.

Used car prices are silly, and I wasn't going to pay near MSRP for a 3 year-old used M550ix. Nothing else (M-B, Audi, etc.) is as engaging to drive as a BMW, and the AMG cars are just too uncomfortable and expensive and like BMW, you really can't get anything these days and if you do, you're paying MSRP or better. My dealer was going to discount the BMW for me because I'm a good customer.

So... after searching far and wide, I decided on an Alpina B7. That's the BMW 750il that is massaged by Alpina with engine upgrades (599 HP) and interior upgrades and revised suspension, exhaust, special wheels, transmission programming, yada, yada, yada. It's sold and serviced by BMW even though technically it's a different manufacturer.

I found a very nice, low mileage B7 2.5 hours from my house. The seller took great care of it, it had less than 7K miles on it, and he was wearing a very nice TT blue Sub. So you know he's got class and style, LOL.

Lousy cell phone pic attached.

Anyway, I love this car. It is everything I've ever wanted; fantastic comfort and luxury with stunning performance. And the wife likes it.

I am stoked. This thing is awesome!

[strettyend]

Congrats Alpina’s are awesome!

[RW16610]

You made an excellent choice here, Michael! Please post some interior shots when you can. Congrats!

[Booth9999]

Beautiful car, congratulations. However I think we need the ubiquitous watch and wheel pic! Enjoy the ride!

[Danny83]

Congrats

[m j b]

Originally Posted by RW16610

You made an excellent choice here, Michael! Please post some interior shots when you can. Congrats!

Will do, thanks!

Originally Posted by Booth9999

Beautiful car, congratulations. However I think we need the ubiquitous watch and wheel pic! Enjoy the ride!

Hmmm... the only fancy watch I've got left is my Tudor. I guess that could work.

[1William]

Congratulations.

[Rich Mickol]

Sweet ride! Congratulations

[Chewbacca]

Very nice car. Congratulations

[MrGoat]

I love the B7. Seriously considered buying one myself a few times. Enjoy that beauty and post more pics!!


Sent from my Apple privacy invasion product

[Chewbacca]

And Michael, my buddy has a regular one with the 4.4v8 turbo (yours is bored out to 4.6L I think) and it got a new engine under a free extended factory 10yr warranty. There’s a defect in those. Check the vin at a BMW dealer and see. It might have already had it done. Many grenaded including M5 versions of the same block and design.

[JasoninDenver]

Very nice!

[Sperry]

Congrats! Beautiful automobile!

Call me silly, but I appreciate the interior upgrades more than the mechanical Of course, I've always been the well-heeled front seat passenger.

[enjoythemusic]

Congrats! Been hearing more and more about Alpina on forums. Sweet!

Drive it like you stole it :)

[m j b]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

And Michael, my buddy has a regular one with the 4.4v8 turbo (yours is bored out to 4.6L I think) and it got a new engine under a free extended factory 10yr warranty. There’s a defect in those. Check the vin at a BMW dealer and see. It might have already had it done. Many grenaded including M5 versions of the same block and design.

Unfortunately BMW issues with their V8s are well known, which is part of the reasons that those cars have such terrible resale values. The Alpina engines are highly modified versions of the BMW V8 and as such rarely experience the same issues. I had the car service history report (from the dealer) before I bought it, and it did not indicate any outstanding recalls or any past issues.

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

Drive it like you stole it :)

Heh, heh. I took the wife to dinner for her birthday last night, and we had to make a stop on the way home, and then I was able to find a deserted clear straight road on the way back. I said to her, "curious to see how it performs from zero?" and she said "sure". I didn't use launch control or even punch it hard, but I did do a WOT run up to about 70. She was stunned.

My neighbor's McLaren 720S is faster, but it cost twice as much and isn't as comfortable. Not many cars are quicker than the B7.

Oh, for those still reading along and wondering, this is a recent article in Road & Track that kind of pushed me over the edge when deciding.

[BNA/LION]

Nice Find! Congratulations and Enjoy!

[G8RDPM]

Great ride!
Congrats.

[selpo]

Congratulations! Enjoy it in the best of health!

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by m j b

Unfortunately BMW issues with their V8s are well known, which is part of the reasons that those cars have such terrible resale values. The Alpina engines are highly modified versions of the BMW V8 and as such rarely experience the same issues. I had the car service history report (from the dealer) before I bought it, and it did not indicate any outstanding recalls or any past issues.



Heh, heh. I took the wife to dinner for her birthday last night, and we had to make a stop on the way home, and then I was able to find a deserted clear straight road on the way back. I said to her, "curious to see how it performs from zero?" and she said "sure". I didn't use launch control or even punch it hard, but I did do a WOT run up to about 70. She was stunned.

My neighbor's McLaren 720S is faster, but it cost twice as much and isn't as comfortable. Not many cars are quicker than the B7.

Oh, for those still reading along and wondering, this is a recent article in Road & Track that kind of pushed me over the edge when deciding.

I expect you to redline the thing blaring Boston’s more than a feeling as piston rods shoot through the hood as flames come out the exhaust!!!

[superdog]

It’s a great feeling. Congrats. Enjoy. And drive safe.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by m j b

Unfortunately BMW issues with their V8s are well known, which is part of the reasons that those cars have such terrible resale values. The Alpina engines are highly modified versions of the BMW V8 and as such rarely experience the same issues. I had the car service history report (from the dealer) before I bought it, and it did not indicate any outstanding recalls or any past issues.



Heh, heh. I took the wife to dinner for her birthday last night, and we had to make a stop on the way home, and then I was able to find a deserted clear straight road on the way back. I said to her, "curious to see how it performs from zero?" and she said "sure". I didn't use launch control or even punch it hard, but I did do a WOT run up to about 70. She was stunned.

My neighbor's McLaren 720S is faster, but it cost twice as much and isn't as comfortable. Not many cars are quicker than the B7.

Oh, for those still reading along and wondering, this is a recent article in Road & Track that kind of pushed me over the edge when deciding.

Ummmm. The 720 makes my turbo S appear slow.

Hard to compare the two.

Then again, you can’t fit a family or even any luggage in a 720.

Pros and cons to both.

[SDGT3]

Simply beautiful.. Congratulations and happy to see you so excited after so many car purchases.

[winst]

Nice car - congratulations!

[m j b]

Originally Posted by superdog

Ummmm. The 720 makes my turbo S appear slow.

Hard to compare the two.

Yeah, well, I don't know the official numbers, but I suspect we're talking about tenths of a second difference, and really in the "real world" it's down to reaction time, traction and cojonnes.

It's moot because I'm not going to race anyone on the street. Well, probably not.

[1st amg]

Nice car Michael....very rare, unique and certainly a statement of a sedan. You have one of the best 4 door large saloons money can buy!!!! But, no comparison to a 2 door exotic supercar. They are built and designed for two completely different applications. Nevertheless, you may be the only TRF member with this incredible, luxurious autobahn slayer. Huge Congrats...more pics please!!

[brandrea]

Congratulations Michael, more pictures would be appreciated

[Alliy]

The 750li is one of the best Sedans I have driven, congrats on your new car

[m j b]

Originally Posted by 1st amg

Nice car Michael... ..more pics please!!

Originally Posted by brandrea

Congratulations Michael, more pictures would be appreciated

Thanks guys. It was nearly dark when I got home Wednesday, rained all day yesterday, should snow today, and of course, now it needs a wash. Hopefully soon I can update the thread with pics!

I'm working from home today, not taking the new car out in the snow and salt.

[G8RDPM]

Black car with snow in the background will make for a great picture!

[Chiboy]

Congrats, -m. Sounds like this BMW is a keeper!