The BMW Alpina spans 2003–2012 with 1 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 4.5/5 ForCar reliability score. It delivers up to 20 mpg combined and NHTSA-rated safety.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The BMW Alpina is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 2003 to 2012 across multiple generations.
How to read a BMW Alpina VIN — every digit explained
Every BMW Alpina carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a BMW and the country it was built in (real BMW codes below).
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this Alpina.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
- Germany3MF · 3MW · 5UM · WAP · WB1 · WB3
- USA4US · 5UX · 5YM
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. For the full year-code table (2001–2026), country codes and where the VIN is stamped on your Alpina, see the complete guide to reading a VIN.
How many recalls does the BMW Alpina have?
The BMW Alpina has 1 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2003–2012. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
Best and worst years for the BMW Alpina
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint history for the BMW Alpina — best- and worst-year trends will appear here once that data is in.
What are the most common BMW Alpina problems?
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint data for the BMW Alpina — the most-reported problems will appear here once that data is in.
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
BMW Alpina specifications & dimensions
The 2012 BMW Alpina. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the BMW Alpina window sticker.
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
BMW Alpina cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the Alpina holds — passengers and cargo. EPA measures its interior at 115 cu ft of passenger volume and 14 cu ft of cargo. Seating capacity and legroom vary by trim.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
BMW Alpina tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the BMW Alpina get?
The BMW Alpina returns up to 20 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $3,850/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 2025 BMW Alpina (4.4L 8-cyl) gets 19 mpg combined and costs about $4,050/yr to fuel, emitting 458 g/mi CO₂ (GHG 4/10, smog 2/10) — about $9,250 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Alpina | 17 | 24 | $4,050 | 458 | 2/10 | 4.4L 8-cyl | |
| 2024 Alpina | 17 | 24 | $4,050 | 457 | 3/10 | 4.4L 8-cyl | |
| 2023 Alpina | 17 | 24 | $4,050 | 457 | 3/10 | 4.4L 8-cyl | |
| 2022 Alpina | 17 | 24 | $4,050 | 454 | 3/10 | 4.4L 8-cyl | |
| 2021 Alpina | 17 | 24 | $4,050 | 456 | 3/10 | 4.4L 8-cyl | |
| 2020 Alpina | 17 | 25 | $3,850 | 450 | 3/10 | 4.4L 8-cyl | |
| 2019 Alpina | 17 | 25 | $3,850 | 448 | 3/10 | 4.4L 8-cyl | |
| 2018 Alpina | 16 | 25 | $4,050 | 463 | 3/10 | 4.4L 8-cyl | |
| 2017 Alpina | 15 | 24 | $4,300 | 486 | 6/10 | 4.4L 8-cyl | |
| 2016 Alpina | 15 | 24 | $4,300 | 484 | 6/10 | 4.4L 8-cyl | |
| 2015 Alpina | 16 | 24 | $4,050 | 477 | 6/10 | 4.4L 8-cyl | |
| 2014 Alpina | 16 | 24 | $4,050 | 465 | 6/10 | 4.4L 8-cyl | |
| 2013 Alpina | 16 | 24 | $4,050 | 480 | 6/10 | 4.4L 8-cyl | |
| 2012 Alpina | 14 | 22 | $4,550 | 523 | 6/10 | 4.4L 8-cyl | |
| 2011 Alpina | 14 | 21 | $4,550 | 523 | 6/10 | 4.4L 8-cyl |
The 2026 BMW Alpina (4.4L 8-cyl Hybrid) gets 17 mpg combined and costs about $4,550/yr to fuel, emitting 506 g/mi CO₂ (GHG 3/10) — about $11,750 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Alpina | 16 | 20 | $4,550 | 506 | — | 4.4L 8-cyl Hybrid | |
| 2025 Alpina | 16 | 20 | $4,550 | 506 | 4/10 | 4.4L 8-cyl Hybrid | |
| 2024 Alpina | 16 | 20 | $4,550 | 506 | 5/10 | 4.4L 8-cyl Hybrid | |
| 2023 Alpina | 16 | 20 | $4,550 | 506 | 5/10 | 4.4L 8-cyl Hybrid |
Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
See how the Alpina stacks up against the most fuel-efficient sedans, or calculate this Alpina's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the BMW Alpina have? Power & range
The BMW Alpina is offered with 2 powertrains — 4.4L 8-cyl, 4.4L 8-cyl Hybrid. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V8 | 4.4L · 8-cyl | Automatic (S8) | AWD | Premium |
| Hybrid | 4.4L · 8-cyl | Automatic (S8) | AWD | Premium |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
How much does a BMW Alpina cost to own?
A used BMW Alpina sells for a median of about $55,900 for a 2019 — most listed between $55,900 and $55,900, from 10 real US listings we track. That real market price is what depreciation eats into, so it's the true anchor of the cost to own:
| Year | Typical price | Market range | Listings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Alpina | $55,900–$55,900 | 4 | |
| 2012 Alpina | $8,000–$22,971 | 3 | |
| 2008 Alpina | $17,500–$17,500 | 3 |
For every model year mileage-adjusted, trade-in vs private-party vs dealer pricing and a good-deal check, see what a Alpina is worth today, or browse used-market prices for sedans.
A BMW Alpina tends to depreciate faster than average. A typical example keeps roughly 37% of its value after five years — losing about 63% to depreciation. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 75% | $22,500 | −$7,500 |
| Year 2 | 63% | $18,900 | −$11,100 |
| Year 3 | 53% | $15,900 | −$14,100 |
| Year 4 | 44% | $13,200 | −$16,800 |
| Year 5 | 37% | $11,100 | −$18,900 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this Alpina loses about 63% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $19,250 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the Alpina ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
How much is a BMW Alpina to insure?
A BMW Alpina costs about $6,307 a year to insure for a typical driver on full coverage — roughly 339% above the average car. That's from its real HLDI insurance-loss index (439, where 100 = average car); your own rate moves with state, age, record and coverage.
Estimate = US-average premium × the Alpina's HLDI loss index. See BMW insurance cost by model, cost by state, or compare any car.
Is the BMW Alpina safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the Alpina yet — see the top-rated safest cars instead.
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How many miles does a BMW Alpina last?
A well-maintained BMW Alpina typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 4.5/5.
Check your BMW Alpina’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this Alpina’s VIN free →All BMW Alpina model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the BMW Alpina — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 Alpina | 0 | — | |
| 2003 Alpina | 1 recall | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the Alpina?
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint history for the BMW Alpina.
How many recalls does the Alpina have?
1 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2003–2012. Always check open recalls by your VIN. See all BMW recalls and reliability across every model.
What MPG does the Alpina get?
Up to 20 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
How many miles does a Alpina last?
A well-maintained Alpina typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the Alpina reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the Alpina is 4.5/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the BMW Alpina warranty?
New BMW models carry a 4 years / 50,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 4 years / 50,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a BMW dealer.
Where is the BMW Alpina made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your Alpina's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; BMW may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much ground clearance does the Alpina have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.