Our Alpina B7 First Drive Review

[spuntyb]

Originally Posted by Chris330

I'd have this over M760i in a heart beat

Same

[Bahn360Photo]

finally beat AMG and Audi s8 plus! so now acceleration and handling

[noushy]

First off, the 21 inch wheels are forged and very light. The car does come with a panoramic roof in the US and mine has the led light option ordered as well. I chose the same colors, Alpina blue and caramel full merino. As for the badging, in the US it just says B7 on the right and Alpina on the left. No pin striping, no other badging. Our cars usually have shadow line trim and I am looking at the standard options and I don't see it. Will have to wait for car to come in.

Peace

[MSportDC]

Would like to see it in shadowline trim. A beaut nonetheless.

[Redbaron1973]

Those wheels are so awful. How do Alpina get away with all the stick on tat. Ruins a good car for me.

[jbyeatman]

Originally Posted by noushy

First off, the 21 inch wheels are forged and very light. The car does come with a panoramic roof in the US and mine has the led light option ordered as well. I chose the same colors, Alpina blue and caramel full merino. As for the badging, in the US it just says B7 on the right and Alpina on the left. No pin striping, no other badging. Our cars usually have shadow line trim and I am looking at the standard options and I don't see it. Will have to wait for car to come in.

Peace

Noushy, check the order guide. I have a B7 on order and selected option 760 shadowline exterior trim. It's a no cost option.

Can't wait to take delivery!

[noushy]

Thanks for the info, my dealer is checking on Monday.

Noushy

[noushy]

FYI, new order guide allows alcantara headliner now. Previously only with individual design interior which I didn't like. Make sure you review it with your dealer.

Noushy

[RJW 78]

Noushy, I have just joined the forum membership but have observed your comments for some time regarding your Alpina order. I have a new B7 on order as well. Alpina Blue / Cashmere / Black interior. I placed it in the order bank in mid Jun and my dealership is still saying it's stuck in status 111 (pre production). The build sheet shows an item code 940 - Special order equipment and that this is "Blocked" for some reason. I have not been able to get a good answer as to why this order has been sitting idle for over 2 months. Have you or anyone else experienced this.

[jbyeatman]

Originally Posted by noushy

FYI, new order guide allows alcantara headliner now. Previously only with individual design interior which I didn't like. Make sure you review it with your dealer.

Noushy

Thanks, Noushy. I assumed it was alcantara as standard and color-coordinated as an option. Back to the order guide!

[noushy]

Alpina are build to order and a lot depends on Alpinas production schedule. Mine is stuck in status 111 too but shows October build. There are currently 4-5 US cars in production right now. And no BMW is nickel and diming us on the alcantara headliner. It was standard in my 2013 B7. Sad that a 70k M3 gets it for free and we pay $1400 for it. BMW if you are listening you need to fix this. Very poor decision making on BMW NA part.

Noushy

[jbyeatman]

Originally Posted by RJW 78

Noushy, I have just joined the forum membership but have observed your comments for some time regarding your Alpina order. I have a new B7 on order as well. Alpina Blue / Cashmere / Black interior. I placed it in the order bank in mid Jun and my dealership is still saying it's stuck in status 111 (pre production). The build sheet shows an item code 940 - Special order equipment and that this is "Blocked" for some reason. I have not been able to get a good answer as to why this order has been sitting idle for over 2 months. Have you or anyone else experienced this.

I placed my order in July and according to the dealer I grabbed one of two B7 allocations with September production for that dealership. The order has been accepted but no progress beyond that. Same 111 status but no 940. Hopefully everything is on track.

Good luck with your production and keep us posted on any developments!

[jbyeatman]

Originally Posted by noushy

Alpina are build to order and a lot depends on Alpinas production schedule. Mine is stuck in status 111 too but shows October build. There are currently 4-5 US cars in production right now. And no BMW is nickel and diming us on the alcantara headliner. It was standard in my 2013 B7. Sad that a 70k M3 gets it for free and we pay $1400 for it. BMW if you are listening you need to fix this. Very poor decision making on BMW NA part.

Noushy

Yeah, that really is cheap to not include alcantara. I'm thinking of going for the interior design package. For $1800 you get some wood bits in the back plus either black or upholstery color alcantara (which, as you pointed out, is a $1400 standalone option). The nice thing is they don't saddle the B7 with a wood-trimmed steering wheel. What don't you like about the package?

[RJW 78]

I have a similar configuration on order. Alpina blue; Alpina myrtle trim; Cashmere beige /black merino; Driver Assist. I & II; Luxury rear seating package; Ambient air package; Apple car play; B&W Diamond surround; 20" Alpina wheels. I appreciate the news that there is a new order guide that opens up the Alacantara head liner. I was told it wasn't available and have just the Anthricite standard headliner on order.

One thing I've gone back & forth on is whether to select the individual fine wood ash red / black trim instead of the myrtle wood option. I had a 2011 Alpina B7 with myrtle wood and liked it but with the Cashmere beige merino, I'm wondering if the ash red/black would be a better look. Any thoughts?

[jbyeatman]

Originally Posted by RJW 78

I have a similar configuration on order. Alpina blue; Alpina myrtle trim; Cashmere beige /black merino; Driver Assist. I & II; Luxury rear seating package; Ambient air package; Apple car play; B&W Diamond surround; 20" Alpina wheels. I appreciate the news that there is a new order guide that opens up the Alacantara head liner. I was told it wasn't available and have just the Anthricite standard headliner on order.

One thing I've gone back & forth on is whether to select the individual fine wood ash red / black trim instead of the myrtle wood option. I had a 2011 Alpina B7 with myrtle wood and liked it but with the Cashmere beige merino, I'm wondering if the ash red/black would be a better look. Any thoughts?

Hey RJW! This waiting business is killing me so happy to offer any advice while I watch the clock.

I'd say the cashmere beige/individual ash looks very refined and subtle. If that's what you're going for it's a nice look. I just hope you don't have sticky kids like I do; that beige would be stained in no time!

Since you've had it before would you comment on how red the Alpina myrtle looks? I haven't seen it in person but in photos it looks very red.

[RJW 78]

I can appreciate your "waiting comment", patience has never been one of my virtues either. As to the Myrtle wood, I wouldn't say it has a lot of red in it, but it's a lighter brown - almost orange hue. Personally, the think it would look good with the Tartufo interior. The burl patterns are very sharp and the wood trim definately stands out. I had Oyster / Black merino in my 2011 B7 with myrtle wood.

Oh, and no sticky fingers to worry about.

[Mikeybee7]

My 2013 goes back tomorrow morning and I'm going to miss it but my 2017 comes in 3 weeks
I think I am like first to get one in West Palm Beach

Mineral White with Fiona Red Interior

[noushy]

There are no dealer allocations. If your dealer told you that he is lying. First come first serve no order limits. B7 are built in batches and if yours is in production your dealer got your order in early. BMW NA called to confirm my options which leads me to believe production soon. Again it takes around 8 weeks from start to finish at the dealership.

Noushy

[noushy]

Originally Posted by Mikeybee7

My 2013 goes back tomorrow morning and I'm going to miss it but my 2017 comes in 3 weeks
I think I am like first to get one in West Palm Beach

Mineral White with Fiona Red Interior

Yes mine was turned in on the 10th but my brother in law purchased it. I am patiently waiting for my new one too

[noushy]

Originally Posted by jbyeatman

I placed my order in July and according to the dealer I grabbed one of two B7 allocations with September production for that dealership. The order has been accepted but no progress beyond that. Same 111 status but no 940. Hopefully everything is on track.

Good luck with your production and keep us posted on any developments!

See my post above, sorry for not quoting your post

[jbyeatman]

Noushy, any update on your order? Mine is still stuck at acceptance by AG.

[noushy]

No mine is stuck too. Originally supposed to be delivered this month but now there is some notation that it is delayed till December. There must be some regulatory thing. The demo vehicles are here in California as the reviews are trickling in. These are US NA models with appropriate equipment so the cars exist. Give it time, my guess is production will start very soon.

Noushy