Alpina BMW E39

The E39 Alpina is a high-performance, luxury-tuned version of the BMW 5 Series (E39 generation), created by the German automaker Alpina. While BMW offered the E39 M5 as its top-tier performance sedan, Alpina provided a more refined alternative focused on grand touring and exclusivity.

Instead of the aggressive M bodykit, the E39 Alpina features a more subtle and refined design, distinguished by Alpina's characteristic trim, including a discreet front spoiler with Alpina script, elegant pinstriping, and signature multi-spoke wheels that give it a quietly confident presence.

Unlike BMW's E39 M5, which came exclusively with a V8 engine, Alpina offered multiple engine variants across the E39 platform to suit different preferences and markets.

The Alpina B10 3.2 and later B10 3.3 models featured inline-six engines based on the BMW 528i and 530i, tuned to deliver smoother power and improved performance, with outputs around 260–280 horsepower.

The B10 V8 and B10 V8S, based on the 540i, came with heavily reworked 4.6L and 4.8L V8s, producing between 340 and 375 horsepower, offering near-M5 levels of performance but with a more refined, grand touring character.

There was also a rare Alpina D10 Bi-Turbo, a diesel variant based on the 530d, which packed a twin-turbocharged straight-six and offered impressive torque and efficiency, marking Alpina's first diesel model.

Here's a detailed breakdown of each Alpina E39 variant:

1. ALPINA B10 3.2

Base model: BMW 528i (E39)
Engine: 3.2-liter inline-6, naturally aspirated (Alpina-modified M52B28)
Power: 260 hp (191 kW) at 6,000 rpm
Torque: 330 Nm (243 lb-ft) at 4,000 rpm
0–100 km/h (0–62 mph): ~6.7 seconds
Top speed: ~250 km/h (155 mph)
Transmission: 5-speed manual or Alpina Switch-Tronic automatic

The B10 3.2 prioritized linear power delivery and smoothness, ideal for drivers who wanted refined performance without stepping into V8 territory.

2. ALPINA B10 3.3

Base model: BMW 530i (E39)
Engine: 3.3-liter inline-6, naturally aspirated (Alpina-modified M52TUB28)
Power: 280 hp (206 kW) at 6,000 rpm
Torque: 335 Nm (247 lb-ft) at 4,500 rpm
0–100 km/h (0–62 mph): ~6.3 seconds
Top speed: ~262 km/h (163 mph)
Transmission: 5-speed manual or Alpina Switch-Tronic

An evolution of the 3.2, the B10 3.3 featured a stroked engine and upgraded internals, offering sharper throttle response and more mid-range punch.

3. ALPINA B10 V8

Base model: BMW 540i (E39)
Engine: 4.6-liter V8 (Alpina-modified M62B46)
Power: 340 hp (250 kW) at 5,700 rpm
Torque: 470 Nm (347 lb-ft) at 3,800 rpm
0–100 km/h (0–62 mph): ~5.9 seconds
Top speed: ~275 km/h (171 mph)
Transmission: 5-speed Alpina Switch-Tronic automatic

The B10 V8 was a luxury cruiser with serious pace, delivering torque-rich performance and an overall smoother ride quality than the M5.

4. ALPINA B10 V8S

Base model: BMW 540i (E39), late facelift version
Engine: 4.8-liter V8 (Alpina-modified M62B48)
Power: 375 hp (276 kW) at 5,800 rpm
Torque: 510 Nm (376 lb-ft) at 4,200 rpm
0–100 km/h (0–62 mph): ~5.4 seconds
Top speed: ~280 km/h (174 mph)
Transmission: 5-speed Alpina Switch-Tronic automatic

This was the pinnacle of petrol-powered E39 Alpinas — combining near-M5 acceleration with Alpina's trademark refinement, ideal for high-speed autobahn touring.

5. ALPINA D10 Bi-Turbo

Base model: BMW 530d (E39)
Engine: 3.0-liter inline-6, twin-turbo diesel (Alpina-modified M57D30)
Power: 245 hp (180 kW) at 4,200 rpm
Torque: 500 Nm (369 lb-ft) at 1,800–3,000 rpm
0–100 km/h (0–62 mph): ~7.2 seconds
Top speed: ~254 km/h (158 mph)
Transmission: 5-speed Alpina Switch-Tronic automatic

This was Alpina's first diesel car. Quite controversial at that time, with a fewer than 300 sold worldwide, the D10 was truly a cool piece of machinery. The addition of a second turbocharger gave the ALPINA D10 a significant boost in both horsepower and torque, making it impressively responsive and genuinely enjoyable to drive. Today, the D10 commands prices close to $20,000, putting it not far behind the E39 M5 in terms of market value.

ALPINA's add-ons to the E39

Having already catalogued the performance modifications Alpina made to the already impressive BMW engines, let's now turn our attention to the cosmetic enhancements that the E39 received under Alpina's meticulous design approach.

1. The ALPINA pinstripes

A signature hand-painted pinstripe, often in silver or gold, running along the side of the car and across the front bumper lip. It adds a touch of elegance and distinction that only those in the know will immediately recognize.

This is the signature touch of ALPINA, present in almost all of its creations.

2. Bodykit

The Alpina bodykit for the E39 5 Series offers a distinctive touch that sets it apart from the standard BMW offerings. While the E39 M5 takes an aggressive approach to styling, Alpina chose a more refined path, focusing on aerodynamic improvements and subtle design enhancements that elevated the car's elegance without compromising performance.

Front Bumper & Side Skirts

At the forefront of this bodykit is the front "lip", a low-profile addition designed to improve airflow and provide better stability at high speeds. It features the iconic "ALPINA" script integrated into the front lip. Also, the fog lights were round, in an attempt to complement the Angel Eyes.

Moving along the sides, Alpina added sleek side skirts, to match the overall flow of its design.

Rear Bumper, Exhaust and Spoiler

The Alpina E39 came with a redesigned exhaust system, featuring a cutout in the rear bumper, giving it a sportier edge compared to a standard BMW E39 — a subtle reminder that you're behind the wheel of an upgraded machine. The lower section of the rear bumper was also slightly reshaped to complement the new exhaust and seamlessly integrate with the overall styling enhancements.

Alpina also added a subtle spoiler, for added downforce and, most importantly, cool factor.

*The D10 was not equipped with a rear spoiler, marking that it was not intended to be as performance-oriented as its siblings

3. 20-Spoke Wheels

Front Wheels:

Size: 18 x 8.0J (some models had optional 19")

Offset (ET): ET20

Tire Size: 235/40 R18

Rear Wheels:

Size: 18 x 9.0J

Offset (ET): ET24

Tire Size: 265/35 R18

4. Interior

Seats & Steering Wheel

The seats in the Alpina E39 were available in both leather and fabric upholstery, maintaining a balance between comfort and sportiness, choice was yours to make.

Leather with Alpina stitching

Fabric with Alpina pattern

If you opted for the more refined automatic transmission, your steering wheel came equipped with arrow-marked buttons, allowing you to shift gears directly from the wheel—enabling you to drive your Alpina E39 the way it was truly meant to be driven.