The B3 3.0 is based on the BMW 325i and is the succesor to the B6 2.8/2.
The introduction of the M3 3.0 by BMW was the main reason that the B6 2.8/2 was only replaced after 2 years of production. The M3 3.0 was both more powerful and over 7000 D-mark cheaper than the B6 2.8/2. Therefore Alpina introduced the B3 3.0, which was almost 10000 D-mark cheaper than the M3.
The B3 3.0 engine is based on BMW’s 2.5 liter six-cilinder which produces 192 bhp and 240Nm. The biggest difference between the B3 3.0 engine and the B6 2.8/2´s engine is the displacement, which Alpina increased from 2.8 litre to 3.0 litre. That allows the B3 3.0 to produce 250 bhp instead of 240 bhp; torque increased to 320 Nm, as much as the M3 3.0.
The most interesting option for the B3 3.0 is the new optional Switchtronic gearbox; it is a 5-speed automatic gearbox which allows manual gear changes with buttons on the steering wheel.
The B6 2.8/2 already had a really good chassis so Alpina has just done some fine-adjustments on the B3 3.0 to make the car ride better. The brakes are unchanged with ventilated discs at front and solid at rear and the wheels are the same.
The changes inside the B3 3.0 are the same as in the B6, except a new steering-wheel. The exterior is unchanged. The interior changes include a hand-sewn leather-rimmed steering wheel, a shift-knob made of wood, luxury wood on the gearshift console, Alpina upholstery, sport seats and new instruments, blue with red needles.
A manual B3 3.0 could accelerate from 0-100 km/h in just 6,4 seconds and could reach a top speed of 264 km/h. The Switchtronic version was a little slower but still fast. According to Auto Motor und Sport it could accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 7,1 seconds, 0-160 km/h in 15,9 and 0-200 km/h in 26. The top speed was 258 km/h.
Between April 1993 and December 1995 a total of 741 B3 3.0 were built.