Alpina is the master of blending BMW performance with grand-touring luxury, and the B12 5.0 is one of its rarest flagships. This 1992 example is number 54 of just 97 coupes built, finished in the iconic Alpina Blue Metallic over anthracite with gold livery. It sits on Bring a Trailer at $26,000 with eight days to go.
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What it’s worth right now
The B12 5.0 is rare enough that clean market data is genuinely scarce, particularly in the United States. According to Classic.com and auction records, comparable excellent examples in Europe have been valued close to $110,000 to $135,000, with the rarer B12 5.7 reaching into the $300,000s, though these trade so seldom in the US that domestic values are difficult to pin down.
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Fair value for a well-documented example like this sits close to $70,000 to $115,000, most likely close to $85,000 to $100,000, with the extreme rarity and iconic specification supporting the figure and the import status below adding uncertainty. At $26,000 with eight days remaining, the bidding is early and should climb substantially.
Condition and details
The car is a beautifully specified, freshly sorted example. Finished in Alpina Blue Metallic over anthracite Buffalo leather with the signature gold decor, it runs the 5.0-liter M70-based V12, tuned by Alpina with high-compression Mahle pistons, larger valves, higher-lift cams, and a unique exhaust to 350 horsepower, through a four-speed automatic that Alpina reprogrammed for the higher redline.
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It carries the trademark Softline wheels, blue dials, and revised suspension, and it comes with extensive Alpina documentation. Recent work includes new tires, an oil change, oxygen sensors, spark plugs, an A/C service, and repairs to the sunroof and seat motor. The main consideration is the import status. Initially delivered in Germany, it was imported to the US in 2025 and now wears a Montana title with the odometer listed as exempt, and crucially it has not been inspected by the California Air Resources Board despite being located in California.
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A non-certified import can be difficult to register in California and some other states, so confirm the requirements where the buyer lives before bidding. Note also that the B12 5.0 came only with the automatic, and that the M70-based V12 and E31 electronics can be complex and costly to maintain, so a specialist inspection is essential.
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The offer
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Make | Alpina |
| Model | B12 5.0 |
| Year | 1992 |
| Mileage | 55,000 miles |
| Engine | Alpina-tuned 5.0-liter V12 |
| Power | 350 hp and 347 lb.ft of torque |
| Transmission | 4-speed automatic |
| Drive type | Rear-wheel drive |
| Exterior color | Alpina Blue Metallic |
| Interior color | Anthracite Buffalo leather |
| Current bid | $26,000, with eight days left |
Interested in this 1992 Alpina B12 5.0? View the listing here.
What makes the B12 5.0 unique
Often described as the RUF of BMWs, Alpina takes already-desirable BMWs and reworks them into something more special, more exclusive, and more luxurious, and the B12 is its 1990s flagship. Based on the striking, pillarless E31 8 Series, the B12 5.0 took the 5.0-liter V12 from the 850i and reworked it with high-compression pistons, larger valves, revised cams and engine management, and a bespoke exhaust, lifting output to 350 horsepower and raising the redline. Alpina also fitted its signature multi-spoke Softline wheels, a revised front valance, upgraded suspension, and the unmistakable blue gauges and gold pinstriping that mark out every Alpina.
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With only 97 B12 5.0 coupes ever built, this is a genuine unicorn, and the combination of the E31’s timeless pop-up-headlight design, a hand-finished Alpina V12, and the definitive Alpina Blue over anthracite specification makes it one of the most desirable and collectible 8 Series variants in existence. It is a grand tourer of the highest order, built in an era many consider Alpina’s finest.
My take
This is a car for the serious collector and BMW connoisseur, and examples this rare and this correctly specified almost never surface in the United States. The iconic blue-and-gold livery, the tuned Alpina V12, the extensive documentation, and the recent sorting all make it a genuinely special offering, and the E31 8 Series remains one of the most beautiful BMWs ever designed.
Fair value sits close to $70,000 to $115,000, most likely close to $85,000 to $100,000, reflecting the extreme rarity and iconic specification against the thin US market data and import considerations. Before bidding, confirm the emissions and registration requirements where the buyer lives given the car has not been CARB-inspected, review the Alpina documentation, and arrange a specialist pre-purchase inspection. Handle that, and this is a rare, beautiful, and increasingly collectible piece of Alpina history.
Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only. We are not a dealership or broker. All vehicle specifications, pricing, and availability are subject to change without notice. We are not responsible for typographical errors, omissions, or the accuracy of the provided information. Please verify all details directly with the seller.
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About the author
Kyle Edward
Editor-in-Chief, Autoblog