Alfa 4C - New Owner
Discussion
Edin430 said:
I would have agreed before I bought one. The engine seems a little lame and would prefer a V6 / V8 NA but the 1.7 turbo shifts. And I mean it shifts!
Like you say it's the heart value of a bigger NA engine compared to the stats / emissions value of the smaller engine. In saying that I put £35 of fuel in it four weeks ago (a full tank) and it's still got over half a tank left haha
PS - it's 240bhp stock. £399+VAT will turn it into 280bhp and you can remap the gearbox as well. A more expensive map (around 1k) would appear to take it to 300bhp but ECU needs to go to the states.
Lot of speed for under a tonne in weight...
There are also turbo conversions being looked at which move it over 300 & a 2 Litre 400 bhp conversion BUT with all changes its not the headline figure that matters, its how the car delivers the power & drives, the 4c is a very nimble agile car & an absolute joy to drive, get it wrong & you will have loads of BHP but it will arrive slowly & destroy the fun of the car, OK it gets Pub / Internet bragging rights but the 4C is all about days out on your own on sweeping twisty roads where its a match for just about anything & the thing that will make it go quicker is just the drivers ability / size of his Gonads Like you say it's the heart value of a bigger NA engine compared to the stats / emissions value of the smaller engine. In saying that I put £35 of fuel in it four weeks ago (a full tank) and it's still got over half a tank left haha
PS - it's 240bhp stock. £399+VAT will turn it into 280bhp and you can remap the gearbox as well. A more expensive map (around 1k) would appear to take it to 300bhp but ECU needs to go to the states.
Lot of speed for under a tonne in weight...
Gorgeous cars, several at the apparently invisible Italian event at Brand Hatch. The owners seem to love them, while the folks who have never driven one slate them, quoting some bumpy from a car mag who has to write something down, usually copying the fella next to them... Anyway, a stunning looking car, both outside and in. I'd take one over a Ferrari now I think, not that I can yet afford either.
stephen300o said:
Gorgeous cars, several at the apparently invisible Italian event at Brand Hatch. The owners seem to love them, while the folks who have never driven one slate them, quoting some bumpy from a car mag who has to write something down, usually copying the fella next to them... Anyway, a stunning looking car, both outside and in. I'd take one over a Ferrari now I think, not that I can yet afford either.
It's the same for many Marques... When I bought my 147 gta everyone said it would break same with my TVR etc etc both bought ran for nothing and sold for large profit... Best financial purchases I've had... So many folk jump on the bandwagon but sadly have no experience of the car in question stephen300o said:
several at the apparently invisible Italian event at Brand Hatch.
I took mine to the 'Icons by the lake' event on Sunday but that will explain the countless italian cars I saw going the opposite direction on the M25. I even saw a 4C! First one I have seen by chance on the road...If I had known about the event I would have gone there instead as brands is only a few minutes from my place. Did you get any photos?
stephen300o said:
Gorgeous cars, several at the apparently invisible Italian event at Brand Hatch. The owners seem to love them, while the folks who have never driven one slate them, quoting some bumpy from a car mag who has to write something down, usually copying the fella next to them... Anyway, a stunning looking car, both outside and in. I'd take one over a Ferrari now I think, not that I can yet afford either.
It's the same for many Marques... When I bought my 147 gta everyone said it would break same with my TVR etc etc both bought ran for nothing and sold for large profit... Best financial purchases I've had... So many folk jump on the bandwagon but sadly have no experience of the car in question Well I did it - proud owner of a 4C. Picked it up yesterday and had 2.5 hours to get to know her on all types of roads and traffic. All I can say is wow. Steering - amazing, performance - amazing, ride - incredible (much better than expected on a long journey), noise - could be less wheeze and more growl but the overall experience is awesome. Did I mention the performance???? It's rapid. Really really fast. It's so planted too. In the hands of a pro - these things are some weapon.
Front end doesn't wander or tramline at all (I was planning to go to Alfaworks for a geo setup but no need).
Bad news - difficult to get in the garage. With wing mirrors it's wider than my 360 and once in its a Dukes of Hazzard job to get out!
Will update with more thoughts as time goes on..
Front end doesn't wander or tramline at all (I was planning to go to Alfaworks for a geo setup but no need).
Bad news - difficult to get in the garage. With wing mirrors it's wider than my 360 and once in its a Dukes of Hazzard job to get out!
Will update with more thoughts as time goes on..
Edited by BOLOrunner on Saturday 3rd September 12:21
BOLOrunner said:
Well I did it - proud owner of a 4C. Picked it up yesterday and had 2.5 hours to get to know her on all types of roads and traffic. All I can say is wow. Steering - amazing, performance - amazing, ride - incredible (much better than expected on a long journey), noise - could be less wheeze and more growl but the overall experience is awesome. Did I mention the performance???? It's rapid. Really really fast. It's so planted too. In the hands of a pro - these things are some weapon.
Front end doesn't wander or tramline at all (I was planning to go to Alfaworks for a geo setup but no need).
Bad news - difficult to get in the garage. With wing mirrors it's wider than my 360 and once in its a Dukes of Hazzard job to get out!
Will update with more thoughts as time goes on..
Excellent congrats.... Though we do need pics Front end doesn't wander or tramline at all (I was planning to go to Alfaworks for a geo setup but no need).
Bad news - difficult to get in the garage. With wing mirrors it's wider than my 360 and once in its a Dukes of Hazzard job to get out!
Will update with more thoughts as time goes on..
Edited by BOLOrunner on Saturday 3rd September 12:21
BOLOrunner said:
Well I did it - proud owner of a 4C. Picked it up yesterday and had 2.5 hours to get to know her on all types of roads and traffic. All I can say is wow. Steering - amazing, performance - amazing, ride - incredible (much better than expected on a long journey), noise - could be less wheeze and more growl but the overall experience is awesome. Did I mention the performance???? It's rapid. Really really fast. It's so planted too. In the hands of a pro - these things are some weapon.
Front end doesn't wander or tramline at all (I was planning to go to Alfaworks for a geo setup but no need).
Bad news - difficult to get in the garage. With wing mirrors it's wider than my 360 and once in its a Dukes of Hazzard job to get out!
Will update with more thoughts as time goes on..
Im assuming its a new car so hopefully Alfa have attended to the handling, if it does become an issue Alfaworks can sort it, they also do a very nice sports exhaust that's well priced & does sound rather good & no drone that you get with the Alfa sports exhaust at motorway cruising speed.Front end doesn't wander or tramline at all (I was planning to go to Alfaworks for a geo setup but no need).
Bad news - difficult to get in the garage. With wing mirrors it's wider than my 360 and once in its a Dukes of Hazzard job to get out!
Will update with more thoughts as time goes on..
Edited by BOLOrunner on Saturday 3rd September 12:21
One tip posted earlier for getting into the car in a confined space, if you hold the unlock button on the remote down it will open the window.
Hope you have as much fun with it as Im having with mine
I noted Gordon Murray was more than a little interested in the whole 4C idea.
And he thought it superb. Apart from the engine...
http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-news/motoring-iss...
"Murray’s projects require him to drive current cars, for benchmarking, so does anything out there warrant his seal of approval? The Alfa Romeo 4C perhaps, with its carbon fibre tub and unassisted steering?
‘One of the worst engines I’ve ever driven – just awful,’ he laments. ‘It’s got absolutely nothing under the boost. That’s using turbos the wrong way, chasing a marketing horsepower figure and not considering drivability. That said, turbocharging generally is getting better, because of the electronics, and it’s about the only way manufacturers can get the power and torque they need without outrageous emissions.
‘The other interesting thing about the 4C is that the tub’s handmade. The problem with hand-making carbon tubs for a road car is that the only way to increase volume is to have multiple toolsets. Do that and you get flush and gap quality issues, which is why we used a single toolset for the F1. It’s exciting that you can get carbon in a more affordable car but it’s still very low volume. It’s the same with BMW; their use isn’t truly high volume.’
Not very nice to read...
And he thought it superb. Apart from the engine...
http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-news/motoring-iss...
"Murray’s projects require him to drive current cars, for benchmarking, so does anything out there warrant his seal of approval? The Alfa Romeo 4C perhaps, with its carbon fibre tub and unassisted steering?
‘One of the worst engines I’ve ever driven – just awful,’ he laments. ‘It’s got absolutely nothing under the boost. That’s using turbos the wrong way, chasing a marketing horsepower figure and not considering drivability. That said, turbocharging generally is getting better, because of the electronics, and it’s about the only way manufacturers can get the power and torque they need without outrageous emissions.
‘The other interesting thing about the 4C is that the tub’s handmade. The problem with hand-making carbon tubs for a road car is that the only way to increase volume is to have multiple toolsets. Do that and you get flush and gap quality issues, which is why we used a single toolset for the F1. It’s exciting that you can get carbon in a more affordable car but it’s still very low volume. It’s the same with BMW; their use isn’t truly high volume.’
Not very nice to read...
Quickmoose said:
I noted Gordon Murray was more than a little interested in the whole 4C idea.
And he thought it superb. Apart from the engine...
http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-news/motoring-iss...
"Murray’s projects require him to drive current cars, for benchmarking, so does anything out there warrant his seal of approval? The Alfa Romeo 4C perhaps, with its carbon fibre tub and unassisted steering?
‘One of the worst engines I’ve ever driven – just awful,’ he laments. ‘It’s got absolutely nothing under the boost. That’s using turbos the wrong way, chasing a marketing horsepower figure and not considering drivability. That said, turbocharging generally is getting better, because of the electronics, and it’s about the only way manufacturers can get the power and torque they need without outrageous emissions.
‘The other interesting thing about the 4C is that the tub’s handmade. The problem with hand-making carbon tubs for a road car is that the only way to increase volume is to have multiple toolsets. Do that and you get flush and gap quality issues, which is why we used a single toolset for the F1. It’s exciting that you can get carbon in a more affordable car but it’s still very low volume. It’s the same with BMW; their use isn’t truly high volume.’
Not very nice to read...
Well if the engine is poor it still holds the lap record at Nurburgring for under 250 bhp cars so perhaps he didn't pedal hard enough, a non turbo would have probably been heavier so need more power etc etc & you are loosing the concept & agility of lightweight & as he admits manufacturers have little choice these days but to add turbos. And he thought it superb. Apart from the engine...
http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-news/motoring-iss...
"Murray’s projects require him to drive current cars, for benchmarking, so does anything out there warrant his seal of approval? The Alfa Romeo 4C perhaps, with its carbon fibre tub and unassisted steering?
‘One of the worst engines I’ve ever driven – just awful,’ he laments. ‘It’s got absolutely nothing under the boost. That’s using turbos the wrong way, chasing a marketing horsepower figure and not considering drivability. That said, turbocharging generally is getting better, because of the electronics, and it’s about the only way manufacturers can get the power and torque they need without outrageous emissions.
‘The other interesting thing about the 4C is that the tub’s handmade. The problem with hand-making carbon tubs for a road car is that the only way to increase volume is to have multiple toolsets. Do that and you get flush and gap quality issues, which is why we used a single toolset for the F1. It’s exciting that you can get carbon in a more affordable car but it’s still very low volume. It’s the same with BMW; their use isn’t truly high volume.’
Not very nice to read...
I would be interested in his thoughts on it compared just on similarly priced cars,
There's absolutely no way he should compare building the tubs to the F1, they only built a few F1's so nowhere near the volume & also why does more toolsets drop quality, theoretically the tool sets are identical & making more tubs means any problems are quickly identified so with familiarity quality rises
Picked my spider up recently & it really is great fun for what it is. Whilst the turbo 4 is a little laggy I actually prefer it to many other NA engines I've had, it's like a mini F40!!
It's off to Alfaworks in a few weeks for the geo set up & exhaust mod.
I had a fun drive to work this morning in the pouring rain, it's very playful at sane speeds (cant say that about my 991TT!) & still has that sense of occasion required to make a boring commute fun.
It's off to Alfaworks in a few weeks for the geo set up & exhaust mod.
I had a fun drive to work this morning in the pouring rain, it's very playful at sane speeds (cant say that about my 991TT!) & still has that sense of occasion required to make a boring commute fun.
Lovely cars guys.
I saw my first one at a country show near me at the weekend - a local Alfa dealership had a display there.
As has been said, photo's do them no justice. I liked it so much I'm going to arrange a test drive; it will be interesting to see if it can tempt me out of a 5.0 supercharged V8 Jaguar!
I saw my first one at a country show near me at the weekend - a local Alfa dealership had a display there.
As has been said, photo's do them no justice. I liked it so much I'm going to arrange a test drive; it will be interesting to see if it can tempt me out of a 5.0 supercharged V8 Jaguar!
ferdi p said:
Picked up the 4C after the Alfaworks exhaust & geo mod. Instantly feels way better, the steering now feels normal!!
The exhaust sound similar but with no drone at all, you can actually talk in the car above 60mph!
Overall, well worth the money...
'Road' geo settings / shims?The exhaust sound similar but with no drone at all, you can actually talk in the car above 60mph!
Overall, well worth the money...
Thought I'd provide a bit of an update on the 4C after 3-4 months of ownership....
Wow! I am a serial car swapper and rarely keep my "fun" cars more than 12 months. This one is a keeper. I am totally in love with it. The Porsche, Ferrari, TVR, Lotus and Maserati I have owned before never made me like this. It's such a loveable car. Mine is a 3rd car and it fits the bill brilliantly.
For every awesome review there seems to be a negative review which I just don't understand.
0-60 - this thing does it in just over 4 seconds in standard tune. The levels of grip are amazing. The more time you spend with it, the more you become at one with it. It's incredible. Everywhere you go, people love it and warm to its charm.
I've since had a custom exhaust made which sounds very raw - pops and crackles on gear changes etc. There are some little foibles though:
Custom exhaust drones a little but totally worth it.
The flappy paddles are too flappy and need to be carbon or aluminium.
The Asteroid Classic is rubbish.
It's so wide (wider than a Range Rover I'm told) and getting in and out in a single garage is hard.
Servicing requires nut and bolt tightening every now and then which is costly!
None of these things however detract from how wonderful the ownership experience is. Pic:
image hosting free
Wow! I am a serial car swapper and rarely keep my "fun" cars more than 12 months. This one is a keeper. I am totally in love with it. The Porsche, Ferrari, TVR, Lotus and Maserati I have owned before never made me like this. It's such a loveable car. Mine is a 3rd car and it fits the bill brilliantly.
For every awesome review there seems to be a negative review which I just don't understand.
0-60 - this thing does it in just over 4 seconds in standard tune. The levels of grip are amazing. The more time you spend with it, the more you become at one with it. It's incredible. Everywhere you go, people love it and warm to its charm.
I've since had a custom exhaust made which sounds very raw - pops and crackles on gear changes etc. There are some little foibles though:
Custom exhaust drones a little but totally worth it.
The flappy paddles are too flappy and need to be carbon or aluminium.
The Asteroid Classic is rubbish.
It's so wide (wider than a Range Rover I'm told) and getting in and out in a single garage is hard.
Servicing requires nut and bolt tightening every now and then which is costly!
None of these things however detract from how wonderful the ownership experience is. Pic:
image hosting free
Edited by BOLOrunner on Tuesday 3rd January 18:57
Edited by BOLOrunner on Tuesday 3rd January 20:38
Glad you like it! Kept mine for just under 2 years which is a record for me. Just parted with mine as she's gone back to Alfa as part ex against at Giulia Quadrifoglio.
Go and see the nice chaps at Alfa Works - the quicksilver exhaust is well worth the upgrade and not costly at under £800 incl fitting. The geo mods are well worth having done as well.
Lost the parrot immediately and put an Alpine headunit in. A must do!
Go and see the nice chaps at Alfa Works - the quicksilver exhaust is well worth the upgrade and not costly at under £800 incl fitting. The geo mods are well worth having done as well.
Lost the parrot immediately and put an Alpine headunit in. A must do!
Nero77 said:
Glad you like it! Kept mine for just under 2 years which is a record for me. Just parted with mine as she's gone back to Alfa as part ex against at Giulia Quadrifoglio.
Go and see the nice chaps at Alfa Works - the quicksilver exhaust is well worth the upgrade and not costly at under £800 incl fitting. The geo mods are well worth having done as well.
Lost the parrot immediately and put an Alpine headunit in. A must do!
Nice trade, out of interest which dealer has your car ? Would you recommend it?Go and see the nice chaps at Alfa Works - the quicksilver exhaust is well worth the upgrade and not costly at under £800 incl fitting. The geo mods are well worth having done as well.
Lost the parrot immediately and put an Alpine headunit in. A must do!
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