macfly
March 8th 2003, 17:26
This list is based on personal observations rather than a maker's list, so there may well be more parts that I'm unaware of.
EU & US exhaust emissions monitoring systems are different. You can spend a lot of time and effort to come out with essentially the same readings on the DOT emission sensors if you federalize a Euro, so it appears it's just a different way of doing the same thing.
EU & US transmitters work on different frequencies, the EU electric key can't be read by the US service center's key reader, and also it's hard to get spare keys for the Euro, you have to buy them from a dealer in the country of origin to be certain it'll work with your car.
EU & US phone systems are different, I could never get my EU car to work in the US without ripping the whole thing out and putting a US spec system in.
EU speedo face is marked in KPH and measures distance in kilometers.
US speedo is only in MPH & distance in miles.
EU has split (dual angle) outside mirrors.
US has "Objects closer than they appear" on the less useful flat passanger mirror.
EU has a cleaner rear bumper valance with a long EU plate shaped scallop.
US rear bumper valance has deeper scallop for US plates and little red reflectors embedded in it.
EU has amber upper element for the turn signal in the neon tail lights.
US car tail light assembly is all red.
EU has a folding red warning triangle in the tool space.
US doesn't have this.
US has a VIN plate mounted on top of the dashboard behind windshield.
US has a glow in the dark 'rip cord' in the trunk, incase you get trapped in there!
US has several air bag warning stickers in the interior.
US radio has the infuriating 'warning' each time you turn it on.
US has the famous cup holder.
US headlights have a "splitter" in the Xenon lights, the Euro lights are too bright. (conversion to US requires you to replace the whole headlamp unit for that reason)
US has an "Unleaded Only" transfer on the fuel gauge, and in the fuel cap cavity.
I have also been told that these parts are different, but can't confirm it.
*There is a different threshold/velocity/power on airbag.
*Different energy absorbers under the bumpers.
*Alarm sensors are different.
Alpina differences
From Autoweek (Jan 6, 2003)
Besides the obvious Alpina Switchtronic automatic tranny, the Alpina motor isn't an M motor. It uses a dedicated 4.8 liter V8 (designation F5/1) that has BMW manufactured parts based on Alpina parameters (similar to the Alpina developed 4.6 V8 used in the X5). Alpina then grinds, smooths, polishes and assembles the motor. It weighs 90 pounds less and has 1/3 closer tolerances than the M62 in the Z8. The result is less horsepower (375) but producing more torque (383 lb-ft) at lower rpm (3800) and a reduced redline of 6500 rather vs the M62s 7200. The top end is also electronically limited to 161 - not sure if that's the same as the Z8 or not. Not bad for a non-M motor.
Tranny ratios are: 1st) 3.57; 2nd) 2,20; 3rd) 1.51; 4th) 1.00; 5th) .80; Final ddrive ratio :1 is 3.38
They also softened the front suspension slightly to accomodate the low profile tire/rim combination. The aim was to give more grunt for city driving and overtaking situations. Don't know if this helps, but that's a quick synopsis of the primary differences in the Z8 and the Alpina Roadster V8.
EU & US exhaust emissions monitoring systems are different. You can spend a lot of time and effort to come out with essentially the same readings on the DOT emission sensors if you federalize a Euro, so it appears it's just a different way of doing the same thing.
EU & US transmitters work on different frequencies, the EU electric key can't be read by the US service center's key reader, and also it's hard to get spare keys for the Euro, you have to buy them from a dealer in the country of origin to be certain it'll work with your car.
EU & US phone systems are different, I could never get my EU car to work in the US without ripping the whole thing out and putting a US spec system in.
EU speedo face is marked in KPH and measures distance in kilometers.
US speedo is only in MPH & distance in miles.
EU has split (dual angle) outside mirrors.
US has "Objects closer than they appear" on the less useful flat passanger mirror.
EU has a cleaner rear bumper valance with a long EU plate shaped scallop.
US rear bumper valance has deeper scallop for US plates and little red reflectors embedded in it.
EU has amber upper element for the turn signal in the neon tail lights.
US car tail light assembly is all red.
EU has a folding red warning triangle in the tool space.
US doesn't have this.
US has a VIN plate mounted on top of the dashboard behind windshield.
US has a glow in the dark 'rip cord' in the trunk, incase you get trapped in there!
US has several air bag warning stickers in the interior.
US radio has the infuriating 'warning' each time you turn it on.
US has the famous cup holder.
US headlights have a "splitter" in the Xenon lights, the Euro lights are too bright. (conversion to US requires you to replace the whole headlamp unit for that reason)
US has an "Unleaded Only" transfer on the fuel gauge, and in the fuel cap cavity.
I have also been told that these parts are different, but can't confirm it.
*There is a different threshold/velocity/power on airbag.
*Different energy absorbers under the bumpers.
*Alarm sensors are different.
Alpina differences
From Autoweek (Jan 6, 2003)
Besides the obvious Alpina Switchtronic automatic tranny, the Alpina motor isn't an M motor. It uses a dedicated 4.8 liter V8 (designation F5/1) that has BMW manufactured parts based on Alpina parameters (similar to the Alpina developed 4.6 V8 used in the X5). Alpina then grinds, smooths, polishes and assembles the motor. It weighs 90 pounds less and has 1/3 closer tolerances than the M62 in the Z8. The result is less horsepower (375) but producing more torque (383 lb-ft) at lower rpm (3800) and a reduced redline of 6500 rather vs the M62s 7200. The top end is also electronically limited to 161 - not sure if that's the same as the Z8 or not. Not bad for a non-M motor.
Tranny ratios are: 1st) 3.57; 2nd) 2,20; 3rd) 1.51; 4th) 1.00; 5th) .80; Final ddrive ratio :1 is 3.38
They also softened the front suspension slightly to accomodate the low profile tire/rim combination. The aim was to give more grunt for city driving and overtaking situations. Don't know if this helps, but that's a quick synopsis of the primary differences in the Z8 and the Alpina Roadster V8.