Help Deciphering wierd E31 Build code

[dragon850]

I have this long term project 6 speed that I'm finally finishing up restoration on, but I'm very confused by few of the build codes.
It is a USA market car sold out of Florida but shows 950 Latin America package(the MID language is in Spanish) and most importantly Alpina internal 921 code that is on the official build sheet.
Car originally had no maintenance plan listed or main history listed from BMW which is super unusual. Official dealer says he has never seen anything like this before on E31.
Driving the car is a whole different story, I have driven at least 10 other 6 speeds and this one pulls so much harder than any of them even the ones tuned with a wokke chip.

Vin: WBAEG1318MCB42404
Any help?
115
Special Model Comfort R850r,

223
Adaptive Suspension,

921
Alpina Internal,

950
Latin America Package


Sorry, forgot to re install the jack cover on the pic:
PXL_20250117_155659302.jpg

[henryc]

Love those wheels!

Just taking a wild guess, perhaps the original diff has been replaced or at least the diff gears replaced.
/Henry

[m6bigdog]

Contact/PM: rogbmw Roger Wray The Alpina Guy!!

Maybe it is an Alpina!!
https://www.alpina-automobiles.com/e...e-of-delivery/
Request Certificate:
https://www.alpina-automobiles.com/f...ar_EN_2025.pdf

I anticipate there were no BMW Dealers in South America so the car was sold out of BMW/NA (Florida Dealer) then transported to South America
Hence, no service records


From the E31 Registry
VIN CB42404

850i/Ci 5.0L V12 - M70
USA Manual Left CB42000 11/1989 - CB42865 03/1994 - EG13 # built 847

Official BMW 2001 Option Codes Attached:

BMW All options for cars:
S115A Paramedic sticker NRW
S115A NRW Fire-brigade Sticker


223 ELECTRONIC DAMPER CONTROL (EDC)
223 Electronic Damper Control III

921 Alpina B8 Internal
S921A Alpina B8, intern

950 Latin America Package

[dragon850]

Thank you m6bigdog, hmm weird that it specifies 921 Alpina B8 Internal wouldn't it be B12?
Tried googling the option came up with nothing.
Maybe I should request the certificate lol that would be quite something!

[shogun]

S115A : NRW means North Rhine Westfalia state in Germany, wonder why there is on a US car a sticker for NRW
223 = EDC
921 Alpina B8 intern
https://8-series.club/images/technik...tungscodes.pdf

[dragon850]

S115A : NRW means North Rhine Westfalia state in Germany, wonder why there is on a US car a sticker for NRW
223 = EDC
921 Alpina B8 intern
https://8-series.club/images/technik...tungscodes.pdf

Everything about this car is strange, I know people that work for a dealer and they are pretty much dumbfounded when they look at the vin.
Would definitely be nice to know what that 921 Alpina Internals code is!

- - - Updated - - -

Just to make sure I am not imagining I had Alex 840 drive this car when he was over and his impression is the same. Not a regular 6 speed power wise... He owned one as well as owns a CSI currently.

[m6bigdog]

Everything about this car is strange, I know people that work for a dealer and they are pretty much dumbfounded when they look at the vin.
Would definitely be nice to know what that 921 Alpina Internals code is!
- - - Updated - - -
Just to make sure I am not imagining I had Alex 840 drive this car when he was over and his impression is the same. Not a regular 6 speed power wise... He owned one as well as owns a CSI currently.

I anticipate the car was not for sale in BMW/NA or DOT/EPA Certified but an accommodation for "Latin America" I anticipate it is actually a vehicle that requires EPA/DOT import Certification.
https://www.cbp.gov/trade/basic-impo.../importing-car
My lips are sealed!!

Max Lumens [mailto:maxlumens@finemotoring.com] was an import certifier for BMW E31's & that I recall he did Alpina's.
Bill may have moved on, but maybe if you contact him you can pick his BIG brain.

Also contact rogbmw!! on this forum as has refurbished a couple Alpina's
https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...ghlight=Alpina

FWIW:
BMW sells an unfinished chassis to Alpina,
So, for BMW the B8 is most likely an 8-Series sold to Alpina to finish (BMW 8 Series Alpina - 921 Alpina Internals) and what/how Alpina finishes he build & badges the vehicle is a contract agreement between BMW & Alpina (B12)!

"Maybe I should request the certificate"? Really
I would be disappointed if you didn't order the certificate?
That would validate the authenticity of an E31 with no other known peregree.

Couldn't be at a better home



BMW ALPINA B12 5,0 Coupé

• Overview
• Technical Data

Based on BMW:	850i, 850Ci (E31)
Engine:
ALPINA engine typ	D1/1
Cylinder	12
Capacity cm³	4988
Max output kW/hp	257 / 350
Max torque Nm	470

Performance:
Acceleration 0-100 km/h s	6.8
Top speed km/h	over 280
Fuel consumption:
at 90 km/h l/100 km	8.8
at 120 km/h l/100 km	10.5
Urban l/100 km	19.4

[alex840]

As Ed mentioned, I drove the car and it drives more like a Hybrid car than M70. I have owned a 850ci 6 speed 1993 with Dinan chip and it came nothing close to as peppy as this car. Not as fast as my S70 car but lower rpms are very very very rev happy in this particular vehicle!!

Ed did you check with Alpina and ask them you want "replacement parts" to see what they say?

Everything about this car is strange, I know people that work for a dealer and they are pretty much dumbfounded when they look at the vin.
Would definitely be nice to know what that 921 Alpina Internals code is!

- - - Updated - - -

Just to make sure I am not imagining I had Alex 840 drive this car when he was over and his impression is the same. Not a regular 6 speed power wise... He owned one as well as owns a CSI currently.

[charlie190]

As an update to the group-

I’ve bought this car, my kids and I absolutely love it. Many thanks to Ed for his work on this car! My goal is to be a responsible owner/maintainer of this car for the long term, so I expect I’ll have a lot of questions for y’all in the future.

-C

[ArnoNym]

Take a look at the engine number. Alpina has its own engine numbers.