Alfa Brera 3.2 s prodive

[chrispmartha]

I'm thinking of buying a car ( budget 10-15k ) when my leased m135i goes back in August.

I cant get past looking at these Alfas, I've always loved the looks but am worries about reliability, anyone got any experience?

I've read they aren't too fast and they are thirsty neither of which worry me, I do around 7,000 miles a year.


this one looks lovely! but could be a tad pricey for the mileage?

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/a...

[daemon]

Its pricey because its Veloces selling it. They charge top dollar, but they would argue they keep the "best" cars.

Probably unlikely to depreciate much. 147 GTAs are on the up so this should keep prices of these up too.

[Butter Face]

Good looking car on the outside, the dash layout and feel inside is not the best.

I drive around in a 2.4 diesel one for a week or so and it was good fun, but lardy and I imagine the 3.2 is more fun.

Anything else you're considering?

[chrispmartha]

Its actually for sale private on Autotrader as well

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

I think thats the same car?

[chrispmartha]

Butter Face said:

Good looking car on the outside, the dash layout and feel inside is not the best.

I drive around in a 2.4 diesel one for a week or so and it was good fun, but lardy and I imagine the 3.2 is more fun.

Anything else you're considering?

Does the dash not feel better being leather in these?

I'm open to anything really but I want a decent sized petrol engine, and I do like something a bit 'different'

[MDMA .]

Different mileage. Not the same car.

Nice looking though.

[chrispmartha]

MDMA . said:

Different mileage. Not the same car.

Just noticed that - everything else is identical I think

[V6Alfisti]

I haven't driven the Brera 3.2 S but used to own a bog standard Brera 2.2.

Reliability wise they are absolutely no worse than it's german counterparts. All major bits are solid, and I think the only slight oddity with the 3.2 is that if the Oil Gauge isn't working then it can be quite labour intensive to change.

The 3.2 also isnt prone to stretching its camchain like the 2.2.

Early Brera's had problems with their power steering racks, but again I think the Prodrive versions were late enough to avoid that.

I found my Brera felt special, made a nice enough noise but wasn't quite there dynamically. The S Prodrive version is meant to fix the quibbles that I had with it (i.e agility), so much so that if one crossed my lap I would probably buy one.

Evo's review was very positive http://www.evo.co.uk/alfa-romeo/brera/14258/alfa-r...

[flyingplum]

I recently sold my 3.2S Prodrive and miss it dearly - I only sold it due to having a baby and it not being used as much as I would like. But in the time I owned it, it was faultless - no problems at all, build quality was superb, it drove well without any interior or mechanical squeaks or rattles etc. and felt like a well built machine (mine had 74k miles on it when I sold it). Engine and exhaust sounded great on song, and handling was superb, given the weight of the thing.

Only drawbacks: the weight saps the performance a bit, especially if you are interested in 0-60 times (which I'm not), they're a bit thirsty (mine averaged 21mpg if I drove steadily) and hence, annual tax was over £525 IIRC.

I loved it and, in my 21 years and 20 car history, nothing has received so many compliments from passers by.

I will buy another one someday...

[Zombie]

daemon said:

Its pricey because its Veloces selling it. They charge top dollar, but they would argue they keep the "best" cars.

Probably unlikely to depreciate much. 147 GTAs are on the up so this should keep prices of these up too.

GTA prices are on the up because they have a busso v6....

[Zombie]

chrispmartha said:

I'm thinking of buying a car ( budget 10-15k ) when my leased m135i goes back in August.

I cant get past looking at these Alfas, I've always loved the looks but am worries about reliability, anyone got any experience?

I've read they aren't too fast and they are thirsty neither of which worry me, I do around 7,000 miles a year.


this one looks lovely! but could be a tad pricey for the mileage?

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/a...

Check the front subframe for rot / crumbling powder coat.

[lockhart flawse]

I have a Prodrive S for which I paid top dollar to Veloces last October. Mine's a 2.2 - I could have bought a V6 but it's the GM V6 not the Busso and I wasn't prepared to pay £500 a year on tax.

Apart from a bulb and a battery it has been fine. It's not quick but I was looking for a semi-daily driver with character that would not depreciate. I have a TVR to go quick in.

Mine has the leather dash which is great and it's nice place to sit. There are no rattles at all. I also like the fact that there is nothing else on the road that looks like it.

There is a Chris Harris test on youtube in which he prefers the 2.2

[flyingplum]

[quote=lockhart flawse]I was looking for a semi-daily driver with character that would not depreciate. I have a TVR to go quick in.

It's great that there's such an ownership crossover of Alfa / TVR, myself included. I can't imagine it ever being Alfa / Porsche. Or BMW / TVR.

[Pat H]

flyingplum said:

lockhart flawse said:

I was looking for a semi-daily driver with character that would not depreciate. I have a TVR to go quick in.

It's great that there's such an ownership crossover of Alfa / TVR, myself included. I can't imagine it ever being Alfa / Porsche. Or BMW / TVR.

Yep.

I'm Alfa/TVR/Lotus and can't imagine driving anything German.

Mind you, I have just inherited a couple of old BMW motorbikes which I am enjoying more than the Moto Guzzi I used to have.

[GJR68]

Veloces charge 30% more for a similar product with very little added value. You are better off shopping around. The Brera looks great but is slow and thirsty and will have many minor niggles. A classic example of style over substance in every respect. Better off buying a GT or a GTV with the Busso V6 in my honest opinion.

[chrispmartha]

GJR68 said:

Veloces charge 30% more for a similar product with very little added value. You are better off shopping around. The Brera looks great but is slow and thirsty and will have many minor niggles. A classic example of style over substance in every respect. Better off buying a GT or a GTV with the Busso V6 in my honest opinion.

Too late, bought one private, it's lovely, I honestly dont find it 'slow' yes its no where near as rapid as the M135i but driving a NA 6 cylinder is so much nicer IMO.

I thought about a GT but bar the engine i personally think its looking its age especially the interior. Prodrive did a great job as for a FWD car it drives and rides vert well.

Im sure there will be niggles just like any 8 year old car but im prepared for that - i think :-)

[Pooh]

chrispmartha said:

GJR68 said:

Veloces charge 30% more for a similar product with very little added value. You are better off shopping around. The Brera looks great but is slow and thirsty and will have many minor niggles. A classic example of style over substance in every respect. Better off buying a GT or a GTV with the Busso V6 in my honest opinion.

Too late, bought one private, it's lovely, I honestly dont find it 'slow' yes its no where near as rapid as the M135i but driving a NA 6 cylinder is so much nicer IMO.

I thought about a GT but bar the engine i personally think its looking its age especially the interior. Prodrive did a great job as for a FWD car it drives and rides vert well.

Im sure there will be niggles just like any 8 year old car but im prepared for that - i think :-)

Great choice, I had a 2.2S, I did 105k miles in it and apart from needing a new timing chain at 96k miles it was totally reliable with no niggles at all.
It was a fantastic car car and would love to have another.

[Allandwf]

I've got a 3.2 Brera, and a 3.0 GTV/Spider. The Brera lump doesn't spin up like the Busso or sound as good. The car is very capable though and being 4wd you can chuck it around, chassis is very good.

[chrispmartha]

One thing that has suprised me is how 'expensive' and special the whole car feels, the interior especially. With the full leather dash and lovely seats it feels way nicer than the M135i which feels a bit cheap and plasticky in comparison.

[Patch1875]

Miss my Brera lack of space on the back was a problem.

I had the 2.4 which I found the best all rounder especially with a remap and DPF delete :-).