My Dad has just bought this for my Mum as a surprise Christmas present. They'd viewed it a few weeks ago and she liked it; she doesn't know that my Dad went back and bought it

2.0 TS, only 62k miles. I get to look after it until Christmas. It's in cracking condition but I know nothing about these except their reputation for unreliability. What do we need to look out for ?

Yes, I know we should have asked this before buying but my Dad is even worse than me for impulse car buying.

Updated December 2, 2012 at 11:54 AM

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I think my neighbour misunderstood when I said 'I can't wait for the next 911'

Cool dad!

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If there is an emergency, please call 999.

Try not to break it before Christmas

Honestly I love Alfa's , but someone is going to say it

My Tuna who's an Alfa specialist recommends Cambelt changes at 3yr 36k miles as a breakage will write off the car and lots break before the original service schedule of 60 or 72 k miles ( can't remember what it was ), I'm pretty sure even Alfa altered the schedule afterwards to reduce the time and mileage between changes.

They can burn oil at an alarming rate to which often catches out the complacent.

Updated December 2, 2012 at 12:21 PM

carlos said...

My Tuna who's an Alfa specialist recommends Cambelt changes at 3yr 36k miles as a breakage will write off the car and lots break before the original service schedule of 60 or 72 k miles ( can't remember what it was ), I'm pretty sure even Alfa altered the schedule afterwards to reduce the time and mileage between changes.

They can burn oil at an alarming rate to which often catches out the complacent.

This plus MAFs, general electrical niggles and things falling off.

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Romantic BDSM

Would you raise a hand to Evana? She'd kick your ass. Then insert stiletto heels up it.

Cambelts, cambelts, cambelts!

From memory they have quite a complex rear suspension layout with lots of bushes so listen for odd noises and unwanted movement.

It does look very tidy

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cheers,

Harry

Too many old sheds.

Jimmy Choo said...

carlos said...

My Tuna who's an Alfa specialist recommends Cambelt changes at 3yr 36k miles as a breakage will write off the car and lots break before the original service schedule of 60 or 72 k miles ( can't remember what it was ), I'm pretty sure even Alfa altered the schedule afterwards to reduce the time and mileage between changes.

They can burn oil at an alarming rate to which often catches out the complacent.

This plus MAFs, general electrical niggles and things falling off.

MAFs should be taken off and cleaned weekly, regardless of make and model, Jimmy. Everyone knows that

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You Sir, are rude, arrogant and selfish. And so is your son.

Oh and I approve of the car. I still like the GTV, particularly the coupé!

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You Sir, are rude, arrogant and selfish. And so is your son.

Hey fact-fans, my non-existent fantasy woman drives one of these, but in black with tan leather.

What's bee said already!

Cambelt's - even if they've supposedly been done, get a non-dealer to do them again if you can.

Rear suspension was prone to ceasing up as said, so if it makes a noise, get it looked at.

Oh - and have a look in the boot under the carpet. Most Alfa's seem to have rust spots there.

Otherwise enjoy, and sell before the Electrics FUBAR.

What do you think of the driving position?

I'm assuming its the same as the GTV but its the only car that despite numerous attempts, I can't get anywhere near comfortable in.

I approve

carlos said...

What do you think of the driving position?

I've not actually seen it yet, my Dad's picking it up and dropping it off here on Friday. I have driveway space so I always end up providing parking when the family needs to shuffle cars around

Is the cambelt a big job ? DIY-able ?

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I think my neighbour misunderstood when I said 'I can't wait for the next 911'

carlos said...

What do you think of the driving position?

I'm assuming its the same as the GTV but its the only car that despite numerous attempts, I can't get anywhere near comfortable in.

Always felt the seats were too high and I was sitting on it as opposed to in it.I believe with a bit of work you can lower the seat.

Updated December 3, 2012 at 10:28 AM

carlos said...

My Tuna who's an Alfa specialist recommends Cambelt changes at 3yr 36k miles

They can burn oil at an alarming rate to which often catches out the complacent.

Both of these! + tensioner + ?water pump?.

AlfaOwner website will advise.

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My mats are blank. My eyes are dry.

Sundayjumper said...

carlos said...

What do you think of the driving position?

Is the cambelt a big job ? DIY-able ?

I can't imagine it's any more complicated than any other 4pot twincam.

There were similar horror stories surrounding the lancia 16v engine which is squeezed into a car it was never designed for. Specialists used to charge £400, I could DIY it in an hour and a belt was £20 so I changed it every year.

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cheers,

Harry

Too many old sheds.

Sundayjumper said...

carlos said...

What do you think of the driving position?

I've not actually seen it yet, my Dad's picking it up and dropping it off here on Friday. I have driveway space so I always end up providing parking when the family needs to shuffle cars around

Is the cambelt a big job ? DIY-able ?

On my 155 1.8ts it was £300 back in 2006.

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Romantic BDSM

Would you raise a hand to Evana? She'd kick your ass. Then insert stiletto heels up it.

First specialist contacted:

To do this job properly requires the cambelt tensioner, idler, balance shaft belt and tensioner and the variator. The parts come to £238.80 inc VAT and the labour which would include checking fluids etc, but not replacing anything that may be found will be £432 inc VAT.

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I think my neighbour misunderstood when I said 'I can't wait for the next 911'

Christ - how many hours' labour does that buy, I haven't got a clue what labour charges are these days. Doesn't look particularly bargain-tastic to me either way!

Sundayjumper said...

First specialist contacted:

To do this job properly requires the cambelt tensioner, idler, balance shaft belt and tensioner and the variator. The parts come to £238.80 inc VAT and the labour which would include checking fluids etc, but not replacing anything that may be found will be £432 inc VAT.

That nicely sums up why nice Alfas either die through lack of maintenance or end up in the SOTW section