- Old Alpina B7 models are becoming increasingly affordable.
- Original MSRP was $151,645, making that a huge price drop.
- This beastly sedan has a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 with 600 hp.
Many car shoppers strongly prefer to buy new, and for good reason. Reliability, warranty coverage, and peace of mind all come baked in. Still, if you’re open to the used market, there are some undeniably tempting offers, like the Alpina B7, which can now be had for the price of a mid-range Acura Integra or a fully-equipped Camry.
Read: Alpina Is Dead. Long Live BMW Alpina
A 2017 B7 with 54,000 miles (86,900 km) under its belt recently traded hands for $37,777 on Bring a Trailer. Some buyers might hesitate due to the mileage and a minor damage report on the Carfax, but what should really give pause is the potential for sky-high maintenance and repair costs.
The Hidden Costs of Luxury
Two receipts included in the listing show more than $11,000 in work over just six months. One bill from last summer totaled $8,162 for assorted repairs and a new set of tires. The other was more than $3,700, just to replace the glovebox and re-trim the dashboard.
BaT
With cars like this, it’s often a coin toss, even if the previous owner took good care of it. The smallest problem, and even routine upkeep, can balloon into a four-figure expense, especially if you’re not doing the work yourself.
That’s a major reason these cars depreciate so dramatically once the factory warranty ends. To put it in perspective, this B7 originally retailed for $151,645. It’s lost 75 percent of its value in just nine years.
Still, that doesn’t change the fact that it’s one of the most luxurious sedans you’ll ever come across.
The cabin is extraordinarily well-appointed with heated and ventilated black Nappa leather seats, a Bowers & Wilkins audio system, a head-up display, four-zone climate control, soft-close doors, and enough rear legroom for even the tallest of passengers. If you have a family that enjoys the finer things in life, it’s hard to think of a car that’s cooler than this for the daily school drop-off.
BaT
The closest thing ever offered to a BMW M7 also offers some serious performance. Power is provided by a 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 with 600 hp and 590 lb-ft (800 Nm), sent to all four wheels. Not only can the B7 be used to cruise around in comfort, but it can also upset some sports car owners off the line.
This is far from the only Alpina B7 to be sold recently for way under its original price. Over at Cars & Bids, an even nicer 2018 example traded hands for $45,000. That car had a slightly higher MSRP of $162,100, meaning it lost 72 percent of its value in eight short years.
Just don’t mistake the price for the full cost of ownership.
