BMW M3 vs Alpina D3 diesel - fast saloon showdown by Autocar

savaho · 07-26-2014, 05:22 AM

It's very simple. If an F80 M3 and Alpina D3 pull up to a light which driver do you think would wish he had the other car? I highly doubt it would be the M3 driver.

bimmerj · 07-26-2014, 06:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by savaho

It's very simple. If an F80 M3 and Alpina D3 pull up to a light which driver do you think would wish he had the other car? I highly doubt it would be the M3 driver.

I highly doubt it, as Alpina drivers are a bit different from M3 drivers.

nasdaq100 · 07-26-2014, 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by savaho

It's very simple. If an F80 M3 and Alpina D3 pull up to a light which driver do you think would wish he had the other car? I highly doubt it would be the M3 driver.

I am sorry but I don't get it well your post, you mean that the M3 driver will not wish to have the D3, right?

Robin_NL · 07-26-2014, 06:08 AM

FWIW, the M3's a$$ looks/is way sexier (wider) and so is the front imo.

But M3 needs 19 inch just because it's a bigger car.

I'd never consider any D3 /Schnitzer 335d if I was shopping for something like an M3/4.

Cheers
Robin

darmstadt · 07-26-2014, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bimmerj

I highly doubt it, as Alpina drivers are a bit different from M3 drivers.

Yes, we're more refined

I currently (at least for another 2 weeks) drive an Alpina B3 Biturbo and would have bought the new one if there hadn't been nearly a year's waiting list. The Alpina is more of a long distance sport cruiser, more comfortable and quieter (also faster). Why did they test the diesel and not the petrol though?

onatuesday · 07-26-2014, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robin_NL

The Alpina is the brandname, with warranty and all. It's a 'separate' brand.

345BHP vs 431BHP. D3 weighing >100kgs more. Come on what do you really think

Cheers
Robin

You neglected to mention that the D3 has 516 ft lb of torque. Even if Sutcliffe "cheated" it's not hard to imagine that it could keep up with the M3 in a straight line at least below 100mph.

Also out of curiosity if the amount of fuel in the car makes that much difference in acceleration shouldn't we question every magazine's acceleration results? I'm sure not all of them use an empty tank when testing

Robin_NL · 07-26-2014, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trinim3

You neglected to mention that the D3 has 516 ft lb of torque. Even if Sutcliffe "cheated" it's not hard to imagine that it could keep up with the M3 in a straight line at least below 100mph.

Also out of curiosity if the amount of fuel in the car makes that much difference in acceleration shouldn't we question every magazine's acceleration results? I'm sure not all of them use an empty tank when testing

You're right, sorry.

But I've learned overhere @ m3post torque is marginal, not important, and horsepower is.

(700Nm in D3 vs >600Nm in M3. M3 is no slough either.)

Cheers
Robin

mic_crispy · 07-26-2014, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ss134

Already being discussed in other thread.

1. D3 uses launch control.
2. No fuel in D3 vs half tank in M3.
3. M3 in efficient engine response not sport +
4. Sutcliffe has got it in for the new M3!

i thought the exact same thing when i saw this.

Why does he hate the new m3 so much? I really dont understand it.
And im sorry, but it sounded pretty wicked in that video. I mean he is really going to say that doesnt sound good???

Oh and yeah, way to leave the m3 in efficient mode.

AreOut · 07-26-2014, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paddy335

What do you think of diesels winning Le Mans....

that rules are made for them to win(different displacement turbo pressure etc.), basically like setting up 335d against 320i woohoo diesel wins it's better can't you see

AreOut · 07-26-2014, 09:18 AM

it would be tough for D3 even if 5.) an M3 had 3 more adult passengers

so just a deliberate set up to prove that D3 is "faster"

Nimesis · 07-26-2014, 09:22 AM

From my point of view, i do understand Steve, because ///M division have moved form pure race performance, to a "diesel field", so called "eco-economic".
Of course, it's clear that for such a deviation, is also to blame the ecological requirements and taxes, especially here in EU.

And also where they want to satisfied as much as possible of different "simple" customers.
(Simple smooth gearbox, where a lot of torque is all over, a long mileage, fake sound from the speakers, and of course a plenty of ///M3 badges.)

And i'm not saying, the new M3/M4 is a bad car, on the contrary, for sure it's a great car, but because of all that, become somehow "sterile boring" to drive.

ThomasM4 · 07-26-2014, 09:53 AM

Sutcliffe and autocar have just lost all credibility with me. Rigging tests is just pathetic.

consolidated · 07-26-2014, 09:57 AM

Let Sutcliffe have his D3, few, very few would make the same decision. He enjoys playing the clever contrarian to get an audience, look at what he's accomplished, linked everywhere. Yawn.

AustinYellowMakesMeHard · 07-26-2014, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by consolidated

Let Sutcliffe have his D3, few, very few would make the same decision. He enjoys playing the clever contrarian to get an audience, look at what he's accomplished, linked everywhere. Yawn.

Amen. He keeps raving on about the D3's interior but to be honest it looks horrid compared to the M3s interior. And the noise, are you kidding me? The D3 sounds like your typical diesel vacuum cleaner.

RingMeister01 · 07-26-2014, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paddy335

What do you think of diesels winning Le Mans....

consolidated · 07-26-2014, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AustinYellowMakesMeHard

Amen. He keeps raving on about the D3's interior but to be honest it looks horrid compared to the M3s interior. And the noise, are you kidding me? The D3 sounds like your typical diesel vacuum cleaner.

He spoke about the D3 interior as a bespoke Bentley, the "leather is 10X better" superlative was eyebrow/raising head shaking. Then the video keeps showing the plaque stuck on the dash, nice.

The review had a predetermined outocme, otherwise the article would garner no interest whatsoever with a headline like "M3 bests diesel Alpina B3".

LSs1Power · 07-26-2014, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SOM3

You can make any car seem more jerky if your inputs are sudden...that's what this fatty was doing here.

NEXT!

His inputs comes from not trusting the rear grip 100% and he is trying to correct for sudden rear tire loss of grip.

He was alot more comfortable with the D3 which is why he was steady.

Year's_End · 07-26-2014, 12:12 PM

lol at everyone thinking Suttcliffe has it out for the M3. This is just one more car for him to review and he's laying it on straight. What did he say at the end? If you disagree with him, he'd understand.

runthis · 07-26-2014, 12:18 PM

fuck that guy

PhillyNate · 07-26-2014, 12:42 PM

"That's not gone well"- Richard Hammond

jc05e46m3 · 07-26-2014, 12:45 PM

Sure, wasn't a fair shake for the M3, but I think we all agree that the D3 is quite impressive.

jadnashuanh · 07-26-2014, 12:51 PM

FWIW, with the D3 weighing more dry, and maybe 8g of fuel at maybe 60#, if you think that's going to make a difference in the power/weight ratio enough to be the determining factor, you're smoking something!

For a daily driver, especially if you live in an area where fuel costs and high speeds are common, the sound differences can really make a difference. It really depends on what your priorities are.

07-26-2014, 05:22 AM	#45
savaho Second Lieutenant 39 Rep 216 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: NorCal iTrader: (0)	It's very simple. If an F80 M3 and Alpina D3 pull up to a light which driver do you think would wish he had the other car? I highly doubt it would be the M3 driver.
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07-26-2014, 06:08 AM	#48
Robin_NL S0THPAW 8717 Rep 7,846 Posts Drives: HS M2 Competition Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: The Netherlands iTrader: (0)	FWIW, the M3's a$$ looks/is way sexier (wider) and so is the front imo. But M3 needs 19 inch just because it's a bigger car. I'd never consider any D3 /Schnitzer 335d if I was shopping for something like an M3/4. Cheers Robin
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07-26-2014, 09:18 AM	#54
AreOut Second Lieutenant 8 Rep 200 Posts Drives: E39 M5 Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Montenegro iTrader: (0)	it would be tough for D3 even if 5.) an M3 had 3 more adult passengers so just a deliberate set up to prove that D3 is "faster"
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07-26-2014, 09:22 AM	#55
Nimesis New Member 4 Rep 20 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Europe-between Venice and Vienna iTrader: (1)	From my point of view, i do understand Steve, because ///M division have moved form pure race performance, to a "diesel field", so called "eco-economic". Of course, it's clear that for such a deviation, is also to blame the ecological requirements and taxes, especially here in EU. And also where they want to satisfied as much as possible of different "simple" customers. (Simple smooth gearbox, where a lot of torque is all over, a long mileage, fake sound from the speakers, and of course a plenty of ///M3 badges.) And i'm not saying, the new M3/M4 is a bad car, on the contrary, for sure it's a great car, but because of all that, become somehow "sterile boring" to drive.
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07-26-2014, 09:53 AM	#56
ThomasM4 Private First Class 42 Rep 186 Posts Drives: 2015 M4 Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	Sutcliffe and autocar have just lost all credibility with me. Rigging tests is just pathetic.
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07-26-2014, 09:57 AM	#57
consolidated Lieutenant Colonel 205 Rep 1,864 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Texas iTrader: (2) Garage List 2016 Porsche GT4 [0.00] 1999 Porsche Spec B ... [0.00] 2014 Ram 1500 Laram ... [0.00] 2007 Porsche GT3 RS [10.00] 2013 Tesla Model S 85 [0.00]	Let Sutcliffe have his D3, few, very few would make the same decision. He enjoys playing the clever contrarian to get an audience, look at what he's accomplished, linked everywhere. Yawn.
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07-26-2014, 12:12 PM	#62
Year's_End Lieutenant General 1138 Rep 12,444 Posts Drives: 2020 Shelby GT350 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: FL iTrader: (0)	lol at everyone thinking Suttcliffe has it out for the M3. This is just one more car for him to review and he's laying it on straight. What did he say at the end? If you disagree with him, he'd understand. __________________ Past: '08 E92 335i\|ZPP\|ZSP\|6AT Past: '15 Mustang GT\|401A\|PP\|6MT Current: '20 Shelby GT350\|6MT
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07-26-2014, 12:18 PM	#63
runthis Lieutenant 46 Rep 573 Posts Drives: F82 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Cincinnati iTrader: (1)	fuck that guy __________________ 2015 F82 M4 - SOLD 2009 E92 335xi - SOLD
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07-26-2014, 12:42 PM	#64
PhillyNate ENTHUSIAST 135 Rep 2,097 Posts Drives: 2010 Porsche Cayman Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Philadelphia iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 Porsche Cayman [0.00]	"That's not gone well"- Richard Hammond __________________ "what I'm driving here...is an ending." Jeremy Clarkson 2010 Carrara White Porsche Cayman 6mt 2014 Whiteout Toyota GT-86 6mt(Sold 05/23/15) 2011 Alpine White BMW M3 6mt ZCP Coupe(forced retirement 06/06/14) 2008 Alpine White BMW 328i 6mt Coupe(retired 06/21/11)
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07-26-2014, 12:45 PM	#65
jc05e46m3 Brigadier General 848 Rep 3,249 Posts Drives: '21 F90 M5 Comp Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Everywhere. iTrader: (3)	Sure, wasn't a fair shake for the M3, but I think we all agree that the D3 is quite impressive. __________________ '21 /// M5 Comp - Frozen Brilliant White/Black '18 Porsche GT3 Carrara White/Black/Red - Sold '18 /// M3 - Individual Imola/Black - Sold '15 /// M4 - YMB/SO - Sold '12 E92 ///M3 ZCP - AW/FR - Sold
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07-26-2014, 12:51 PM	#66
jadnashuanh Major 50 Rep 1,061 Posts Drives: 535iGT x-drive; i3 BEV Join Date: May 2010 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	FWIW, with the D3 weighing more dry, and maybe 8g of fuel at maybe 60#, if you think that's going to make a difference in the power/weight ratio enough to be the determining factor, you're smoking something! For a daily driver, especially if you live in an area where fuel costs and high speeds are common, the sound differences can really make a difference. It really depends on what your priorities are.
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