New daily - High-ish miles 2018 Alfa Giulia
Discussion
Alfahorn said:
120 mile report at 113,976 miles
A couple of quirks (of course, it's an Alfa) stop/start doesn't work, which a common feature of Giulias, the battery needs to be 95% charged for it to work and as with most Giulias we are below that. On a similar theme, the heated rear screen is useless, they simply don't work unless the battery is at optimum charge!
You probably already know, apologies if so, but a CTEK MXS 5.0 battery charger/conditioner will likely solve your stop/start, HRW and mirror problems. Cheaper than a new battery too.A couple of quirks (of course, it's an Alfa) stop/start doesn't work, which a common feature of Giulias, the battery needs to be 95% charged for it to work and as with most Giulias we are below that. On a similar theme, the heated rear screen is useless, they simply don't work unless the battery is at optimum charge!
My 26k mile 22 plate Veloce had the same symptoms just before Christmas. Overnight connection to the CTEK and all good again. Still all working now which has been helpful with the cold snap.
Lovely looking car by the way, wears its miles well.
The-Wanderer said:
You probably already know, apologies if so, but a CTEK MXS 5.0 battery charger/conditioner will likely solve your stop/start, HRW and mirror problems. Cheaper than a new battery too.
My 26k mile 22 plate Veloce had the same symptoms just before Christmas. Overnight connection to the CTEK and all good again. Still all working now which has been helpful with the cold snap.
Lovely looking car by the way, wears its miles well.
Thanks, I've got a CTEK battery conditioner, not sure if it's that model. I'm currently using it for the Brera, I will need to check. My 26k mile 22 plate Veloce had the same symptoms just before Christmas. Overnight connection to the CTEK and all good again. Still all working now which has been helpful with the cold snap.
Lovely looking car by the way, wears its miles well.
Yes - I expected it to be more chippy because of the miles, there are a few but not that many to be honest. The interior is mint, the only sign of wear is on the cruise control button, signs it's been used a lot on the motorway, I've found a good replacement already.
Alfahorn said:
Thanks, I've got a CTEK battery conditioner, not sure if it's that model. I'm currently using it for the Brera, I will need to check.
Yes - I expected it to be more chippy because of the miles, there are a few but not that many to be honest. The interior is mint, the only sign of wear is on the cruise control button, signs it's been used a lot on the motorway, I've found a good replacement already.
I had a CTEK MXS 3.8 that I had for a Cayman, but the stop start battery in the Alfa needs some more oomph so I bought the more powerful one.Yes - I expected it to be more chippy because of the miles, there are a few but not that many to be honest. The interior is mint, the only sign of wear is on the cruise control button, signs it's been used a lot on the motorway, I've found a good replacement already.
Talking of chips, mine’s only on 26k miles but I’ve never known a car like it for paint chips, must be the softest paint I’ve had on a car. Well, since the white Giulietta 1750 Veloce it replaced!
blueg33 said:
AlfaCool said:
Nice one.
I have owned my Giulia Veloce for about 2 and a bit years, and i love it.
Best Alfa That i have owned.
It hasnt been faultless, poor starting and electrical issues as you have said.
A new bigger battery and changing the 6 relays in the front wheel arch seems to have sorted it.
Change relays in front wheel arch? Tell me more I have owned my Giulia Veloce for about 2 and a bit years, and i love it.
Best Alfa That i have owned.
It hasnt been faultless, poor starting and electrical issues as you have said.
A new bigger battery and changing the 6 relays in the front wheel arch seems to have sorted it.
My Veloce TI also has low battery symptoms from time to time.
Op great choice of car. These are lovely to drive.
He spent a lot of time chasing things down and after getting an error code for a wheel speed sensor that turned out not to be the problem then thought he had isolated the problem to the relays being affected by rain.
Ultimately it turned out that wasn't the issue and in fact one of the wires going into a big multiplug that's in front of the driver somewhere was the cause.
Apparently said wire wasn't really attached properly so the jarring of the pothole had separated it but it sort of reconnected itself loosely thereafter.
It eventually turned out to be a simple fix after a lot of diagnostic work.
The-Wanderer said:
Talking of chips, mine’s only on 26k miles but I’ve never known a car like it for paint chips, must be the softest paint I’ve had on a car. Well, since the white Giulietta 1750 Veloce it replaced!
Nope hardly any on the Giulia, My Brera was horrendous, it got resprayed 18 months ago, it was showing it's 142,000 miles, although it's done 2,000 since and are a few minor chips on the rear quarter panels. Front on my Giulia Veloce TI suffers badly from chips, (maybe the 3 coat Missano Blue is vulnerable). I bought a ChipEx kit for it so I touch them in regularly. When I come to sell I will have the front repainted.
(I don't think its my driving style, my other cars don't suffer in the same way at all)
(I don't think its my driving style, my other cars don't suffer in the same way at all)
Kingdom35 said:
On this topic has anyone invested in a clear wrap to protect the front end?
I’m sure there was a product once upon a time to prevent stone chips. A thick wrap that was clear
I know someone that did on a 4C, then when it got chipped it somehow looked worse when the wrap got damaged. I’m sure there was a product once upon a time to prevent stone chips. A thick wrap that was clear
blueg33 said:
Front on my Giulia Veloce TI suffers badly from chips, (maybe the 3 coat Missano Blue is vulnerable). I bought a ChipEx kit for it so I touch them in regularly. When I come to sell I will have the front repainted.
(I don't think its my driving style, my other cars don't suffer in the same way at all)
Alfa have suffered with soft paint for a few years, I think the problem got worse for some reason around the time of the launch of the Mito. Some colours were removed from the options list as a result. (I don't think its my driving style, my other cars don't suffer in the same way at all)
Cracking find that at the price.
The Techno must be the rarest model, would become one of those strangely sought after rare Alfa’s in twenty years, when their are hundreds of classic Veloce’s and WF’s and just one Techno!
It weird that Alfa let this battery problem affect the experience so much, typical of their cock eyed thinking that the heated seats and heated steering wheel are higher up the priority list of what to keep Going when the voltage drops than the HRW and mirrors. Who needs to see behind you anyway! If they are behind you, your winning!
The Techno must be the rarest model, would become one of those strangely sought after rare Alfa’s in twenty years, when their are hundreds of classic Veloce’s and WF’s and just one Techno!
It weird that Alfa let this battery problem affect the experience so much, typical of their cock eyed thinking that the heated seats and heated steering wheel are higher up the priority list of what to keep Going when the voltage drops than the HRW and mirrors. Who needs to see behind you anyway! If they are behind you, your winning!
velocemitch said:
Cracking find that at the price.
The Techno must be the rarest model, would become one of those strangely sought after rare Alfa’s in twenty years, when their are hundreds of classic Veloce’s and WF’s and just one Techno!
It weird that Alfa let this battery problem affect the experience so much, typical of their cock eyed thinking that the heated seats and heated steering wheel are higher up the priority list of what to keep Going when the voltage drops than the HRW and mirrors. Who needs to see behind you anyway! If they are behind you, your winning!
I know the price made the decision a no brainer. The premiums for similar age Speciale and Veloce models are nuts! The Techno must be the rarest model, would become one of those strangely sought after rare Alfa’s in twenty years, when their are hundreds of classic Veloce’s and WF’s and just one Techno!
It weird that Alfa let this battery problem affect the experience so much, typical of their cock eyed thinking that the heated seats and heated steering wheel are higher up the priority list of what to keep Going when the voltage drops than the HRW and mirrors. Who needs to see behind you anyway! If they are behind you, your winning!
I think the spec of the Tecnica is great with Sat nav. Climate pack, memory seats, auto lights & wipers, front and rear sensors with camera, privacy glass and in my case the wheel upgrade.
A colleague at work had a look over it and thought it was top of the range, he was surprised when I explained its kind of an entry model.
On your other points. This is my 11th Alfa, I’ve become very used to the quirks, you know there will be some, it just varies from model to model!
Alfahorn said:
My first reasonably long run today, Leicester to Finchley Central and back, not bad but I think I can do better.
Read some commments about setting the car to all-weather and using cruise, however don’t know if there is anything in that.
Using A will help as it allows the car to coast and deadens the throttle response, less sharp throttle actions will be more fuel efficient.Read some commments about setting the car to all-weather and using cruise, however don’t know if there is anything in that.
Cruise will probably do the opposite as it won’t allow you to coast and makes its own mind up as to when to use throttle.
If I’m in eco mode in my 280tbi StelvioI I’ll use A but not cruise.
velocemitch said:
Alfahorn said:
My first reasonably long run today, Leicester to Finchley Central and back, not bad but I think I can do better.
Read some commments about setting the car to all-weather and using cruise, however don’t know if there is anything in that.
Using A will help as it allows the car to coast and deadens the throttle response, less sharp throttle actions will be more fuel efficient.Read some commments about setting the car to all-weather and using cruise, however don’t know if there is anything in that.
Cruise will probably do the opposite as it won’t allow you to coast and makes its own mind up as to when to use throttle.
If I’m in eco mode in my 280tbi StelvioI I’ll use A but not cruise.
sutoka said:
I've wanted one of these since they came out, had a few Alfas and my daily is a 2013 Giulietta diesel on 104k. was going to replace it at 100k as it's probably worth around the 6k mark and I've seen a few Giulia on for 10-11k
Do it I would say. I’ve done 450 miles in it in my first week of ownership, it’s a lovely thing. Having owned 3 Giuliettas this is a big upgrade in my opinion Edited by sutoka on Sunday 21st January 21:44
Alfahorn said:
sutoka said:
I've wanted one of these since they came out, had a few Alfas and my daily is a 2013 Giulietta diesel on 104k. was going to replace it at 100k as it's probably worth around the 6k mark and I've seen a few Giulia on for 10-11k
Do it I would say. I’ve done 450 miles in it in my first week of ownership, it’s a lovely thing. Having owned 3 Giuliettas this is a big upgrade in my opinion Edited by sutoka on Sunday 21st January 21:44
I gave mine a full service and cambelt water pump back in September , new handbrake caliper because it seized then a new handbrake lever which failed which is apparently very rare, new lever was nearly 200 quid , had to wait two weeks from Italy. It was all serviceable parts before now it's getting expensive niggles so might be time for an upgrade.
Here's to Alfredo anyway
sutoka said:
I've looked at a few in the car auction but they were very low mileage 26k, 46k in on 2019,2020 plates so went for 20 grand. I do like my Giulietta I've had for nearly 4 years but I'm 6'2 and you cannot fit anyone in the back so it's pretty much a two seater.
I gave mine a full service and cambelt water pump back in September , new handbrake caliper because it seized then a new handbrake lever which failed which is apparently very rare, new lever was nearly 200 quid , had to wait two weeks from Italy. It was all serviceable parts before now it's getting expensive niggles so might be time for an upgrade.
Here's to Alfredo anyway
I can't afford £20k, and honestly if I could I'd feel guilty spending that kind of money on something which gets used for driving to work 5 days a week. The most I've ever spend on a car is £14k and I felt terrible about spending that money. I gave mine a full service and cambelt water pump back in September , new handbrake caliper because it seized then a new handbrake lever which failed which is apparently very rare, new lever was nearly 200 quid , had to wait two weeks from Italy. It was all serviceable parts before now it's getting expensive niggles so might be time for an upgrade.
Here's to Alfredo anyway
I'm 6''1 and yes there was no rear leg room behind me. Having said that my Brera is far worse! haha
800 miles in. I’ve dropped my car off today for some bodywork, all agreed at the time of buying and a couple of other little jobs are also being taken care of whilst it’s there.
I’ve got this little scamp for the next 3 days. Loving it already, Panda 1.0 Mild Hybrid, whatever the hell that means. However, it’s fun to use.
I’ve got this little scamp for the next 3 days. Loving it already, Panda 1.0 Mild Hybrid, whatever the hell that means. However, it’s fun to use.
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