RE: Alpine signals beginning of the end for A110
Discussion
I have an Alpine 110S, part funded by selling an S2 Exige (supercharged) for more than I paid for it 10 years earlier.The Exige got me into racing historics. On track it was perfect but even with adjustable dampers on our crap roads it felt like my fillings were going to fall out.
The Alpine looked like the perfect successor and it is on public roads tootling along with the gearbox engaging 7th at 47mph and delivering close to 40 mpg. On track however it was initially a disappointment. Its first day out was at Thruxton where it had very noticeable understeer and a lot of body roll. Fixing the first problem cost less than £100 by getting a specialist to professionally align the the suspension settings - next track day there was no understeer. Then I took the £3k option of replacing the original springs and dampers with coil overs and asymmetric springs. It is now more surefooted but remains eminently drivable on public roads.
Next steps? As now out of warranty perhaps an engine and gearbox upgrade to over 300bhp, or maybe a carbon rear spoiler for increased grip. Both cost close to a grand but I am assured they are worth it in terms of performance. If you are interested look up Life 110.
'Which' describes this as being one of the most unreliable makes. Having driven the car back from its final warranty service it would not start - despite having a replacement fuel pump on a recall. The problem was a failed sensor but it took a week to sort out, though I was not billed for it.
All in all I think I have found the perfect road and track day car, and with the end of production in sight, is likely to appreciate in value.
The Alpine looked like the perfect successor and it is on public roads tootling along with the gearbox engaging 7th at 47mph and delivering close to 40 mpg. On track however it was initially a disappointment. Its first day out was at Thruxton where it had very noticeable understeer and a lot of body roll. Fixing the first problem cost less than £100 by getting a specialist to professionally align the the suspension settings - next track day there was no understeer. Then I took the £3k option of replacing the original springs and dampers with coil overs and asymmetric springs. It is now more surefooted but remains eminently drivable on public roads.
Next steps? As now out of warranty perhaps an engine and gearbox upgrade to over 300bhp, or maybe a carbon rear spoiler for increased grip. Both cost close to a grand but I am assured they are worth it in terms of performance. If you are interested look up Life 110.
'Which' describes this as being one of the most unreliable makes. Having driven the car back from its final warranty service it would not start - despite having a replacement fuel pump on a recall. The problem was a failed sensor but it took a week to sort out, though I was not billed for it.
All in all I think I have found the perfect road and track day car, and with the end of production in sight, is likely to appreciate in value.
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