#5 E28 B7 Turbo from Georgia saying hello

[Gaalpinaowner]

Hello, my name is David Frankel. I proudly own #116, a 1985 B7 Turbo/1 E28
Car is Diamantschwartz and has been restored approx 5 yrs ago. It has 92k original miles and oddly is a pretty plain jane example from Alpina. This one was spec'd with manual Pearl beige leather sport seats which was pretty rare from Alpina (kinda boring IMHO) but almost everything else is Alpina. This car also came with the larger rear diff so no diff cooler was added as well as the headlight washing system and headlight leveling system, both which were made inoperable by the DOT/EPA at time of importation in 1986/7. (something I desire to make operate again).The Brakes have been updated with 850 fronts and e34 M5 rears probably from the 2 owner. I am the 3rd. Suspension is Bilstein Sport w/ H&R springs (I have the original Bilsteins as well as several other Alpina spec Bilsteins for rebuilding valve stacks to Alpina spec and 2 sets of alpina B7 Turbo springs)I added a UUC SSK to the dogleg tranny and everything works including the A/C. My pictures are somewhat dated but here are a couple - All window tint has been removed since these pics were taken. This car is used for shows and events these days. I live in Cumming Ga.Cumming is approximately 30 miles north of Atlanta. Interesting tidbit: There are actually 2 Alpinas in Cumming Ga, mine and Todd Howertons E24 B9. Todd has helped me tremendously through the years on this car and others.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y77/Ga450owner/DSCN1374.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y77/Ga450owner/DSCN1364.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y77/Ga450owner/DSCN1357.jpg

As a Bimmer nut, I also own several other BMWs including a mint 1988 Henna Red M3 all original with Full Dinan suspension (I have all original pieces) with 31k original miles, a 1988 M5 with 77k miles that has been customized to Euro look spec, with every conceivable aftermarket option and had Ron Ps treatment including a brand new interior, and my daily driver a 2001 740i Sport original with 77k miles.

[AlpinaMan]

Hi David, hope all is well; good to see that you finally join this Alpina club, welcome and I must say that your B7 is one of the nice example I have seen. Hope you would take the time and post some new and detail pictures that we can admire the beauty!

[Stirling]

David, welcome to the forum and the club. Your car is beautiful and completes the set - all five North American E28 B7 Turbo owners have logged on here in the last two weeks. Now we've got to get you guys together for a group photo!

Be sure to invite Todd Howerton to the forum, if he's so inclined.

[Mark in Toronto]

David,

Do you have the Alpina specs for rebuilding the Bilsteins? As well, do you have the spring rate for the Alpina B7 Turbo springs?

How would you describe the ride/handing difference between the Alpina set-up and your current set-up with the H&R and Billy Sports?

The reason why I'm asking is because a the present time I'm rolling with a Dinan set-up on my e28 M5 and I anticipate that sometime in the future will want to replace/upgrade the suspension.

[Gaalpinaowner]

David,

Do you have the Alpina specs for rebuilding the Bilsteins? As well, do you have the spring rate for the Alpina B7 Turbo springs?

How would you describe the ride/handing difference between the Alpina set-up and your current set-up with the H&R and Billy Sports?

The reason why I'm asking is because a the present time I'm rolling with a Dinan set-up on my e28 M5 and I anticipate that sometime in the future will want to replace/upgrade the suspension.

The specs for the stack are determined by the numerical number stamped on the shocks and struts....finding someone to determine what this is, is another deal altogether. Bilstein US is worthless for this. Bilstein Germany has the specs and the stack has to be duplicated with the same exact shims. The spring rates I do not have but they can be determined on a spring rate machine

I like the ride of the Bilstein Sp / HR combo myself - but some say too harsh not me...I have this on my M5 as well and like it a lot. BTW I have a extra set of Bilstein Sports for M5 brand new never used or installed. If you have interest pm me. I may have sold the H&R springs new also that I have. I need to verify.

Some prefer Mtech & Bilstein sport combo. I have not had a chance to drive one yet.

Alpina suspension is too expensive and too rare for anything but a alpina IMHO. This is why I am sitting on mine. Also B9 E28 uses different set up vs B7 turbo

[Gaalpinaowner]

Hi David, hope all is well; good to see that you finally join this Alpina club, welcome and I must say that your B7 is one of the nice example I have seen. Hope you would take the time and post some new and detail pictures that we can admire the beauty!

thanks a bunch. I will try to get some new shots soon

David

[Gaalpinaowner]

David, welcome to the forum and the club. Your car is beautiful and completes the set - all five North American E28 B7 Turbo owners have logged on here in the last two weeks. Now we've got to get you guys together for a group photo!

Be sure to invite Todd Howerton to the forum, if he's so inclined.

i will do this

thanks

David

[Mark in Toronto]

The specs for the stack are determined by the numerical number stamped on the shocks and struts....finding someone to determine what this is, is another deal altogether. Bilstein US is worthless for this. Bilstein Germany has the specs and the stack has to be duplicated with the same exact shims. The spring rates I do not have but they can be determined on a spring rate machine

I like the ride of the Bilstein Sp / HR combo myself - but some say too harsh not me...I have this on my M5 as well and like it a lot. BTW I have a extra set of Bilstein Sports for M5 brand new never used or installed. If you have interest pm me. I may have sold the H&R springs new also that I have. I need to verify.

Some prefer Mtech & Bilstein sport combo. I have not had a chance to drive one yet.

Alpina suspension is too expensive and too rare for anything but a alpina IMHO. This is why I am sitting on mine. Also B9 E28 uses different set up vs B7 turbo

Thanks for the info David. PM coming your way. Mark

[Scooter]

Welcome David :)

Quite the list of cars you've got there! Care to post up some photos of your E30 M3 as well? ;) I love the look of these cars, but can't seem to bring myself to buy one. A buddy of mine had one for sale a few years back, and I'm kicking myself for not buying it because the prices for them seem to have skyrocketed ever since.

[AlpinaMan]

Welcome David :)

Quite the list of cars you've got there! Care to post up some photos of your E30 M3 as well? ;) I love the look of these cars, but can't seem to bring myself to buy one. A buddy of mine had one for sale a few years back, and I'm kicking myself for not buying it because the prices for them seem to have skyrocketed ever since.


I will guaranty, you will be so hooked that e28 would become a bench mark for comparison.

[paul 84b7]

FYI, I had a leaking Bilstein and called the So Cal shop. I gave them the stamped # on shock and they had all info they needed to revalve. Sent it off and got it back. All is good:)

Hey Mark in Toronto. You mentioned you had a Dinan setup that your thinking of replacing at some point. Do you have sways too? I'd be interested for my 88M6 if you decide to let them go. I had a set on my 85 M635 and the rocked:D

[Gaalpinaowner]

Welcome David :)

Quite the list of cars you've got there! Care to post up some photos of your E30 M3 as well? ;) I love the look of these cars, but can't seem to bring myself to buy one. A buddy of mine had one for sale a few years back, and I'm kicking myself for not buying it because the prices for them seem to have skyrocketed ever since.

They sure have and hopefully the 88 M5 values will to

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y77/Ga450owner/E30M3d.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y77/Ga450owner/E30M3a.jpg

[Gaalpinaowner]

FYI, I had a leaking Bilstein and called the So Cal shop. I gave them the stamped # on shock and they had all info they needed to revalve. Sent it off and got it back. All is good:):D

They know the Bilstein Sp and HD valving spec's but the Alpina valving is foreign to them...unless something recently has changed :confused:

[Mark in Toronto]

Hey Mark in Toronto. You mentioned you had a Dinan setup that your thinking of replacing at some point. Do you have sways too? I'd be interested for my 88M6 if you decide to let them go. I had a set on my 85 M635 and the rocked:D

Yep, sways as well. You will have dibs on the parts when I refresh the suspension at some point in the future.

[Gaalpinaowner]

Hi David, hope all is well; good to see that you finally join this Alpina club, welcome and I must say that your B7 is one of the nice example I have seen. Hope you would take the time and post some new and detail pictures that we can admire the beauty!

thanks Sia. this is a very nice site and thanks for the warm welcome. :D

[Scooter]

They sure have and hopefully the 88 M5 values will to

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y77/Ga450owner/E30M3d.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y77/Ga450owner/E30M3a.jpg

:)....Yup...Liking that A LOT!!!! :D

Thanks for sharing!

[wkohler]

David,

Glad to see you found the site! I know you think the Pearl Beige is plain, but I've had it in all of my E28s (my luck - I never went searching for it) except the B7. I've learned to appreciate it. I hope that one day my car can look nearly as nice as yours, Roy's and Sia's.

[Gaalpinaowner]

David,

Glad to see you found the site! I know you think the Pearl Beige is plain, but I've had it in all of my E28s (my luck - I never went searching for it) except the B7. I've learned to appreciate it. I hope that one day my car can look nearly as nice as yours, Roy's and Sia's.

Chris I have a deal for you....Trade me your seats for my seats? :D

[wkohler]

Haha. I never said I sought out the pearl beige! ;)

[bmb7t]

time to revive this thread!

so 8-9 E28 B7 turbo in North America:

RoyW/Roy/#66 (Previously Ron P)
AlpinaMan/Sia/#259
Wkohler/Chris/#083
Bmb7T/MrB/#181 (Previously Eric)
GaAlpinaowner/David/#116

CSI/#256/Project
Dave F.
Mitch B.

3 cars 'known' in NA but not assigned:
#106 (black-black)
#253 (Blue)
#254 (White)

[wkohler]

time to revive this thread!

so 8-9 E28 B7 turbo in North America:

RoyW/Roy/#66 (Previously Ron P)
AlpinaMan/Sia/#259
Wkohler/Chris/#083
Bmb7T/MrB/#181 (Previously Eric)
GaAlpinaowner/David/#116

CSI/#256/Project
Dave F.
Mitch B.

3 cars 'known' in NA but not assigned:
#106 (black-black)
#253 (Blue)
#254 (White)

The Mitch B. car is the RoyW car which sold again to a Vermont owner. Dave F. is GaAlpinaOwner and The CSI project sold to someone from Australia. #106 is Graphit/Black and it's in Virginia. I have no idea on the other two as I've never heard of them.

Congrats on picking up #181!