At the 2002 Paris Motorshow, Alpina introduced the B3 S. It replaced the B3 3.3 except for the Allrad(4-wheel drive) models.

If you wanted similar performance to the E46 M3 but more comfortable and discrete this is the car for you. The E46 M3 was unfortunately only available as coupe and convertible, however the B3 S is also available as saloon and touring. And since the price is very good – this is one of the most complete performance packages out there.

The B3 S uses an evolution of the B3 3.3 engine. Alpina increased the bore from 86,4 mm to 87 mm which increased the displacement to 3346 cm3. They also reworked the intake and developed a new exhaust manifold to make it breathe more freely.

Together with a newer version of the Siemens engine management system these changes allow the B3 S produce 305 bhp at 6300 rpm and 362 NM of torque at 4800 rpm. 90% of the maximum torque is available from 2500 rpm. It is also interesting that the B3 S has a lower compression ratio than the B3 3.3.

The gearbox is the same 6-speed unit that´s used in the B3 3,3, a Getrag Type 226. Available as an option is the 5-speed Switchtronic gearbox.

The suspension and brakes are identical between the B3 3.3 and the B3 S.

The tire dimensions are the same 225/40 18″ at front and 255/35 18″ at rear. One difference is that the rear wheels on the B3 S are wider, 9″ instead of 8,5″.

No differences from the B3 3.3 – except that most of the B3 S are of the mid-production E46 facelift model whereas most of the B3 3.3 are pre-facelift.

Alpina claims (Switchtronic): Saloon: 0-100 km/h in 5,4(6,3) seconds, 0-1000 meters in 24,9(25,9) seconds and a top speed of 270(265) km/h. Coupe: Exactly the same as the saloon but higher top speed, 271(266) km/h. Touring: 0-100 km/h in 5,8(6,6) seconds, 0-1000 metres in 25,4(26,6) seconds and a top speed of 266(261) km/h. Convertible: 0-100 km/h in 5,8(6,6) seconds, 0-1000 metres in 25,6(26,7) seconds and a top speed of 264(259) km/h.

In the German magazine Auto Motor und Sport the B3 S got some very impressive times: 0-100 km/h in 5,2 seconds, 0-160 km/h in 11,7 seconds and 0-200 km/h in 18,2 seconds. In another german magazine, Auto Zeitung, they tested a B3 S with Switchtronic and it accelerated from 0-100 km/h in 5,9 seconds.