Hi. I have access to an Alpina Valve Cover selling for $1200 plus shipping
and also the aluminum piece that goes between the tail lights,new with repaired dent selling for $200 plus shipping.
FS. Rare E9 Parts.
- Thread starter Koopman
- Start date
Hi Harry,
I’m sorry to say that I don’t think that is a legitimate Alpina valve cover. Alpina made an m30 valve cover for the e34-based B10 Bi-Turbo that said “Alpina” only. They also had another for the biturbo that said “bmw alpina”. They did not make an “Alpina BMW” cover as far as I know. Also, the valve cover does not have the extra studs in the middle of the cover. Those
studs are for the MAF, which would cover the Alpina logo. During the time of the big clunky MAF, Alpina had Their logo embossed on the intake and/or badges on the airbox.
I don’t claim to be an expert on these, and would be thrilled to have you prove otherwise. I’ve been looking for one for a long time, and turned down opportunity to buy a real one for $1,000 (which is too much for a valve cover that nobody will ever believe is real.
).
I’m sorry to say that I don’t think that is a legitimate Alpina valve cover. Alpina made an m30 valve cover for the e34-based B10 Bi-Turbo that said “Alpina” only. They also had another for the biturbo that said “bmw alpina”. They did not make an “Alpina BMW” cover as far as I know. Also, the valve cover does not have the extra studs in the middle of the cover. Those
studs are for the MAF, which would cover the Alpina logo. During the time of the big clunky MAF, Alpina had Their logo embossed on the intake and/or badges on the airbox.
I don’t claim to be an expert on these, and would be thrilled to have you prove otherwise. I’ve been looking for one for a long time, and turned down opportunity to buy a real one for $1,000 (which is too much for a valve cover that nobody will ever believe is real.
).
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MarkosHi Harry,
I’m sorry to say that I don’t think that is a legitimate Alpina valve cover. Alpina made an m30 valve cover for the e34-based B10 Bi-Turbo that said “Alpina” only. They also had another for the biturbo that said “bmw alpina”. They did not make an “Alpina BMW” cover as far as I know. Also, the valve cover does not have the extra studs in the middle of the cover. Those
studs are for the MAF, which would cover the Alpina logo. During the time of the big clunky MAF, Alpina had Their logo embossed on the intake and/or badges on the airbox.
I don’t claim to be an expert on these, and would be thrilled to have you prove otherwise. I’ve been looking for one for a long time, and turned down opportunity to buy a real one for $1,000 (which is too much for a valve cover that nobody will ever believe is real.
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Is it true that BMW in the early stages had objected that Alpina modified BMw can not be titled or registered as BMW ?
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THEN WHERE IS IT FROM
DID SOMEONE JUST MAKE IT UP FROM A MOLD???????????!!!!!!!!!1
DID SOMEONE JUST MAKE IT UP FROM A MOLD???????????!!!!!!!!!1
Alan,
It is quite common for people to modify an existing manifold. They machine the ribs away and adhere an alpina logo. I’ve never held a fake or original in my hand.
I’m not sure Tony. History isn’t my thing, and I don’t like to speculate. I’m sure some of the BMW historians on the site would know. I know that Alpina was in business for years before they became an official manufacturer. I could certainly see how individual states could have tunnel vision when Alpinas looked like just like a BMW.
I’ve watched this amateur documentary and quite like it. I don’t know enough about Alpina’s history to comment on the accuracy though:
I think it would be easy to tell if the letters were cast on or stuck on
I bought the stick on letters and decided against doing it, personally I decided they would look a little cheesy
If they are stuck on they would meet the main surface at a 90 degree angle, if cast there would be a little fillet
I bought the stick on letters and decided against doing it, personally I decided they would look a little cheesy
If they are stuck on they would meet the main surface at a 90 degree angle, if cast there would be a little fillet
Edit... if it is painted it would be possible to disguise the joint of letter to main surface
I am interested in the aluminum trim panels.
Please email me: [email protected]
I am new to the e9 coupe forum, having purchased a golf 72 csi, and cannot figure out if there is a pm function.
Thanks
Billy
Billy, there is a PM function, but a little odd, you go to a persons profile, then 'information', then 'start a conversation'
no way those letters are stuck on
thats cast in place
thats cast in place
Maybe it's the RHD version?
I’m pretty certain that they are stuck on. Not with tape but a JB-Weld like epoxy. Unless this person has inexpensive access to a foundary, they are not cast.
As a side line observer, it appears to me that the "ALPINA" letters have a stronger shadow line than the fins and the "BMW" letters. This may suggest that these have been applied as discussed above. That would be my assumption just from photographic observation.
EDIT: on further observation, I am confident the ALPINA has been "applied". The letter spacing is closer than the ALPINA logo standards provide. And I am certain that ALPINA would not have cast the last A so close to the fins. It looks cool, but I do not believe it is original.
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The real run-on question is: Do you think that a detail oriented German automotive firm could possibly succumb to an unbalanced valve cover with one horizontal bar below the logo and two above?
Very diplomatic of you!
Perhaps we should zoom in 1000% and alter the photo with photoshop.
Very diplomatic of you!
Perhaps we should zoom in 1000% and alter the photo with photoshop.
Oh jeez! I looked right past that. Short answer: no.The real run-on question is: Do you think that a detail oriented German automotive could possibly succumb to an unbalanced valve cover with one horizontal bar below the logo and two above?
Very diplomatic of you!
Perhaps we should zoom in 1000% and alter the photo with photoshop.
View attachment 55996
In that case, may as well zoom in on that JB Weld???Perhaps we should zoom in 1000% and alter the photo with photoshop.
Sorry, I'll hold my next three comments as I sit in the penalty box.
Rek
Well-Known Member
It could have been reproduced - I met a man selling a car a while back who had some very high quality alloy Alpina Intake boxes which looked brand new. He said that he made them with a friend. Thats said if this was the case with these covers there would be a whole heap of them on cars around the world.
The shadow point is probably because the cover is curved. The design point can be attributed to making the Alpina name stand out from BMW. If this was the desired effect then it works. The effort required to make this look as convincing as it is for just $1,200 is disproportionate to make it worthwhile. It's not a Faberge Egg.
My gut feel is that it is real but only used for a while or on a few cars before they decided the change it. If so then it's rare and probably worth more than the advertised price.
The shadow point is probably because the cover is curved. The design point can be attributed to making the Alpina name stand out from BMW. If this was the desired effect then it works. The effort required to make this look as convincing as it is for just $1,200 is disproportionate to make it worthwhile. It's not a Faberge Egg.
My gut feel is that it is real but only used for a while or on a few cars before they decided the change it. If so then it's rare and probably worth more than the advertised price.
I'm only chiming in because I noticed that there is an extremely thick coating of crinkle-finish on the VC, not because I know anything about the castings or history of Alpina. I guess it looks cool but at 1200.00 I know a pretty good gentleman's club that would provide a slightly racier experience... but I digress- sorry.
If you or anyone can show me a picture of an Alpina car with this valve cover I would change my tune. Keep in mind we are looking for a car with an Alpina logo partially under the Mass Airflow Sensor.
I could make the same valve cover with a dremmel and JB Weld for $100.
B35 Valve Cover:
Aluminum Alpina Logo: