Powertrain families
ALPINA B3 twin-turbo inline-six · ALPINA D3 turbo diesel
B3 / D3 (E90/E91/E92/E93) — Sedan
2005–2013
Editorially reviewedReviewed 2026-08-10; market and model-year scope is stated in the record sources.
- Internal code
- ALPINA B3/D3 E90 Sedan
- Production
- 2005–2013
- Body style
- 4-door sedan
- Platform
- longitudinal layout · rear- or all-wheel drive
Body variants
B3 / D3 → E90/E91/E92/E93 → Sedan
B3 / D3 E90/E91/E92/E93: history, design and engineering
How this generation came about, what made it different and how the selected sedan fits into the family.
E9x split the ALPINA 3 Series into petrol B3 and diesel D3 families. D3 began with a four-cylinder turbo diesel before D3 Bi-Turbo, while B3 Bi-Turbo used a six-cylinder petrol engine and later evolved into B3 S.
Saloon, Touring, coupé and convertible availability differed by model: not every D3 or all-wheel-drive B3 was built in every body. The limited B3 GT3 coupé added a distinct higher-output and chassis specification linked to ALPINA's GT racing success.
B3, D3, B3 S, B3 GT3 and xDrive branches require separate rows. Their BMW base engines, ALPINA engine type numbers and gearbox choices are more reliable identifiers than a generic E9x label.
2005–2013generation lifecycle
4body branches
2engine/drive families
5range designations
E90/E91/E92/E93factory code
longitudinal layout · rear- or all-wheel drivearchitecture
Sedan: dimensions and packaging
Dimensions can change with body, market and model year, so this page keeps them tied to the exact factory branch.
Length4,580 mm
Width1,817 mm
Height1,421 mm
Wheelbase2,760 mm
Luggage460 L
Fuel tank63 L
Seats5
Doors4-door sedan
| Body | Code | Production | Doors / seats | Length | Luggage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sedan | ALPINA B3/D3 E90 Sedan | 2005–2013 | 4-door sedan / 5 | 4,580 mm | 460 L |
| Coupe | ALPINA B3/D3 E92 Coupé | 2005–2013 | 2-door coupe / 4 | 4,580 mm | 440 L |
| Touring | ALPINA B3/D3 E91 Touring | 2005–2013 | 5-door wagon / 5 | 4,520 mm | 460–1,385 L |
| Cabriolet | ALPINA B3 E93 Cabriolet | 2005–2013 | 2-door convertible / 4 | 4,580 mm | 210–350 L |
Engines and powertrains
The generation could span very different engines and drivetrains. The table keeps output, gearbox, market and production period together.
Factory modification matrix
Documented sedan applications; output and availability remain market- and model-year-specific.
| Model | Years | Engine | Output | Transmission | Drive | Market | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D3 | 2005–2008 | ALPINA D3 2.0 L turbo diesel inline-four | 200 PS | 6MT | RWD | Europe | BMW 3 Series E9x: ALPINA model history |
| D3 Bi-Turbo | 2008–2013 | ALPINA N47 2.0 L twin-turbo diesel | 214 PS | 6MT / 6AT Switch-Tronic | RWD | Europe | BMW 3 Series E9x: ALPINA model history |
| B3 Bi-Turbo | 2007–2010 | ALPINA N54 3.0 L twin-turbo inline-six | 360 PS | 6AT Switch-Tronic | RWD / AWD | Global range | BMW 3 Series E9x: ALPINA model history |
| B3 S Bi-Turbo | 2010–2013 | ALPINA N54 3.0 L twin-turbo inline-six | 400 PS | 6AT Switch-Tronic | RWD / AWD | Global range | BMW 3 Series E9x: ALPINA model history |
Factory designations
B3 Bi-Turbo · B3 S Bi-Turbo · B3 GT3 · D3 · D3 Bi-Turbo
High-performance powertrain
Engine, cooling, exhaust, software and transmission form a distinct M or ALPINA specification rather than an option package on the base model.
Diesel derivatives
Where diesels were offered, output, injection generation and emissions hardware are recorded market by market.
How power reaches the road
Gearboxes, driven wheels and final-drive hardware changed with engine, market and production date.
Transmissions
Gearbox type and unit code follow engine, market and production date. Gear count alone does not identify the transmission.
Driven wheels
Catalog architecture: longitudinal layout · rear- or all-wheel drive. All-wheel-drive availability and hardware remain derivative-specific.
Final drive
Ratio, differential type and electronic control belong to the exact derivative and can differ on performance models.
What changed underneath
Suspension, brakes, safety systems and electronics evolved across the range, even when cars shared the same basic architecture.
Body-branch dimensions
- ALPINA B3/D3 E90 Sedan: 4,580 mm × 1,817 mm × 1,421 mm
- ALPINA B3/D3 E92 Coupé: 4,580 mm × 1,782 mm × 1,395 mm
- ALPINA B3/D3 E91 Touring: 4,520 mm × 1,817 mm × 1,418 mm
- ALPINA B3 E93 Cabriolet: 4,580 mm × 1,782 mm × 1,385 mm
Body & suspension
- Mounting points and geometry follow the body branch
- Springs and dampers follow axle load and chassis package
- Wheels and permitted loads follow the factory label
Brakes & steering
- Brake size follows engine and equipment
- Assistance type and steering ratio can change
- ABS/DSC generation follows model year
Passive safety
- Airbag count varies by market and year
- SRS parts are VIN-specific
- Structural repairs require factory procedures
Electronics
- Vehicle-bus generations changed during production
- Control-unit software levels must remain compatible
- Retrofits are recorded separately from factory equipment
How the generation evolved
The important launches, additions and updates did not always happen at the same time for every body or market.
D3 introduces diesel
ALPINA opened a four-cylinder diesel branch on the E9x platform.
B3 Bi-Turbo
Twin-turbo petrol six-cylinder performance returned the B3 badge.
D3 Bi-Turbo and B3 S
Both fuel branches evolved with new engine and output phases.
B3 GT3 and end
The limited coupé crowned the range before F30/F31 succession.
The versions that stood apart
Performance models, option packages and regional editions may look related, but their engineering and production identity can be very different.
Sedan
ALPINA B3/D3 E90 SedanB3 / D3 ALPINA B3/D3 E90 Sedan is a distinct E90/E91/E92/E93 body branch. The conventional four-door passenger-car body, balancing rear-seat access, luggage space and the generation’s core chassis layout. Engines/drive: ALPINA B3 twin-turbo inline-six, ALPINA D3 turbo diesel.
Coupe
ALPINA B3/D3 E92 CoupéB3 / D3 ALPINA B3/D3 E92 Coupé is a distinct E90/E91/E92/E93 body branch. A lower-roof two-door body with longer doors and a more overtly sporting brief than the corresponding sedan. Engines/drive: ALPINA B3 twin-turbo inline-six, ALPINA D3 turbo diesel.
Touring
ALPINA B3/D3 E91 TouringB3 / D3 ALPINA B3/D3 E91 Touring is a distinct E90/E91/E92/E93 body branch. The long-roof estate body adds a large rear opening and folding load area while retaining the passenger-car platform. Engines/drive: ALPINA B3 twin-turbo inline-six, ALPINA D3 turbo diesel.
Cabriolet
ALPINA B3 E93 CabrioletB3 / D3 ALPINA B3 E93 Cabriolet is a distinct E90/E91/E92/E93 body branch. An open body with a folding roof and generation-specific structural reinforcement, seating and luggage packaging. Engines/drive: ALPINA B3 twin-turbo inline-six, ALPINA D3 turbo diesel.
Inside the car
Cabin technology and standard equipment changed by country and year; a build sheet remains the best guide to one individual car.
Cabin & comfort
- Trim and seats follow option codes
- Climate systems vary by market
- Audio and navigation changed by model year
Lighting & assistance
- Lamp technology and modules follow production date
- Driver assistance cannot be inferred from buttons alone
- Regional rules affect lighting and warnings
What to check today
A practical starting point for inspecting and maintaining a car from this generation — not a diagnosis of an individual example.
Identify first
- Match VIN on body and documents
- Obtain the factory option list
- Confirm market and production date
Inspect the structure
- Check repairs and corrosion
- Assess suspension, brakes and tyres
- Compare fitted parts with factory specification
Mechanical history
- Read faults with compatible diagnostics
- Verify engine and transmission maintenance
- Separate invoices from unsupported verbal history
| Item | Interval / trigger | Catalog note |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | CBS/factory schedule; time and mileage for historic cars | Oil approval follows the exact engine and market. |
| Brake fluid | Time-based factory schedule | ABS/DSC-compatible bleeding procedure is required after hydraulic work. |
| Coolant | Factory schedule and condition | Fluid specification and bleeding method are generation-specific. |
| Transmission & final drives | Unit type and operating conditions | Use the exact approved fluid; no one interval fits every derivative. |
How to identify the exact car
The badge and registration year tell only part of the story; production date, body code, engine and factory options complete it.
- Factory body codes
- ALPINA B3/D3 E90 Sedan — Sedan; ALPINA B3/D3 E92 Coupé — Coupe; ALPINA B3/D3 E91 Touring — Touring; ALPINA B3 E93 Cabriolet — Cabriolet
- Range designations
- B3 Bi-Turbo, B3 S Bi-Turbo, B3 GT3, D3, D3 Bi-Turbo
- Powertrain families
- ALPINA B3 twin-turbo inline-six, ALPINA D3 turbo diesel
- VIN
- Identifies model, plant and production branch and keys the parts catalog and factory equipment record.
- Production date
- More useful than first-registration year when choosing parts and locating technical revisions.
- Type code
- Refines engine, body, market and transmission combination.
- Option codes
- Confirm factory equipment; later retrofits are recorded separately.
- Unit number
- Supports engine or gearbox originality checks and component applicability.
Where the information comes from
The story is mapped through English Wikipedia and its bibliography, then important dates and technical claims are checked against BMW material.
- 01AlpinaWikipedia contributors
Secondary company, manufacturer-status and model-line context.
- 02BMW 3 Series E90/E91/E92/E93: ALPINA model historyALPINA Automobiles model archive
Factory model archive with base BMW, production dates, engine type and performance by derivative.
- 03Expanding the portfolio: BMW Group acquires the ALPINA brandBMW Group PressClub
Primary record of the independent ALPINA programme ending after 2025 and the trademark transition to BMW Group.
Notes and limitations
- Research revision dated 2026-08-10: English Wikipedia was used as a subject and bibliography map; key claims were checked against the listed primary BMW Group material.
- Map every derivative to its actual body list; E9x availability is not universal.
- B3 GT3 is a limited road car; ALPINA B6 GT3 is a separate racing programme.
- Tree years describe the worldwide generation lifecycle; individual market dates may be narrower.
- Exact dimensions, power, weight and emissions belong at body, engine, market and model-year level.
- Known-issue guidance is editorial context and never replaces inspection of the individual vehicle.
3 primary references · market differences documentedPhotography: Tokumeigakarinoaoshima, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons. Rights checked 2026-08-06; wikimedia commons 1,800 px derivative downloaded; local 640 px and 1,280 px avif versions created without cropping.Updated 6 August 2026