Alpine A110 owners

[Sporky]

That's actually rather nice - good choices.

[s111dpc]

I think that will look awesome in the flesh

[Olivera]

Looks a lovely colour!

[WakeFlakes]

Hi guys,

I’m thinking of including an A110 as the next slot in my garage (next to the FD RX7 and Mk1 MX5). I’ve read a fair amount on them and can’t seem to come up with any major issues. I’m probably looking at a 18 Premier Edition as they seem like the best value. Is there anything I should be aware of? The only details I’ve found on servicing was for Alpine Australia site. What’s the servicing costs on these?

[SFO]

How much is atelier paint? Any discount?

[The Rotrex Kid]

footsoldier said:

Sporky said:

footsoldier said:

I’ve switched to Legende spec and gone full tilt with atelier colour etc.

What colour did you go for?

Were I ordering again I'd be sorely tempted by the full-on metallic green. Maybe white wheels, which I'd probably regret straight away.

Black Tulip...gold callipers. Possible I’ll regret both too!
But liking the look of it so far.

Winning with that colour. Lovely.

[The Rotrex Kid]

WakeFlakes said:

Hi guys,

I’m thinking of including an A110 as the next slot in my garage (next to the FD RX7 and Mk1 MX5). I’ve read a fair amount on them and can’t seem to come up with any major issues. I’m probably looking at a 18 Premier Edition as they seem like the best value. Is there anything I should be aware of? The only details I’ve found on servicing was for Alpine Australia site. What’s the servicing costs on these?

We’ve just done the first service on one, I think it was £329.

Had a good poke around underneath, love all the bespoke Alpine branded cast aluminium parts!
Especially liked the flat floor also

[WakeFlakes]

The Rotrex Kid said:

We’ve just done the first service on one, I think it was £329.

Had a good poke around underneath, love all the bespoke Alpine branded cast aluminium parts!
Especially liked the flat floor also

Geez that’s not bad is it? I’m definitely going to have to have a look at one when I get back home!

[BarryGibb]

Am looking for my next fun car and struggling to decide between the Baoxster/Cayman and the Alpine.

I don't see many come up with 17 inch wheels - any thoughts on the below?

https://www.martins.uk.com/alpine/used-cars/117877...

[Sporky]

I like smaller wheels, and it's got parking sensors (and by the looks of it a lot of other options) so that looks like a nice spec to me.

[Venisonpie]

Spotted in Chiswick yesterday, anyone on here?

For those considering one as a next car I suggest driving one asap. It will make your mind up very quickly.

Edited by Venisonpie on Monday 21st September 04:56

[Venisonpie]

footsoldier said:

Black Tulip...gold callipers. Possible I’ll regret both too!
But liking the look of it so far.

That looks superb.

[bcr5784]

Sporky said:

I like smaller wheels, and it's got parking sensors (and by the looks of it a lot of other options) so that looks like a nice spec to me.

Doesn't look to have the sports exhaust (but quite hard to spot) which may or may not bother you. Focal audio is very good. Venison (I think it was him) said the small brakes (you need 18s for the big ones), don't feel as nice as the big ones - but they should be fine for road use. Mileage is highish - but the price reflects that.

Regarding issues. There are some odd electrical gremlins which, very occasionally require you to stop and restart the engine - but nothing of real consequence. There have been a couple of recalls - but that should have been sorted at the service. The only recurring issue I am aware of is cracking of the windscreen. I believe there is a fix in place and it will be repaired under warranty with no quibbles.

Re Cayman quite a lot of us come from Caymen and prefer the Alpine (but that's not to say you will). The one thing you may not detect on a brief test of the two cars is the fact that (contrary to what you might expect) it is the Alpine that is the quieter car at a cruise. In particular it doesn't suffer the high levels of road noise that afflicts the Cayman on coarse surfaces.

Edited by bcr5784 on Monday 21st September 08:58

[BarryGibb]

bcr5784 said:

Sporky said:

I like smaller wheels, and it's got parking sensors (and by the looks of it a lot of other options) so that looks like a nice spec to me.

Doesn't look to have the sports exhaust (but quite hard to spot) which may or may not bother you. Focal audio is very good. Venison (I think it was him) said the small brakes (you need 18s for the big ones), don't feel as nice as the big ones - but they should be fine for road use. Mileage is highish - but the price reflects that.

Regarding issues. There are some odd electrical gremlins which, very occasionally require you to stop and restart the engine - but nothing of real consequence. There have been a couple of recalls - but that should have been sorted at the service. The only recurring issue I am aware of is cracking of the windscreen. I believe there is a fix in place and it will be repaired under warranty with no quibbles.

Re Cayman quite a lot of us come from Caymen and prefer the Alpine (but that's not to say you will). The one thing you may not detect on a brief test of the two cars is the fact that (contrary to what you might expect) it is the Alpine that is the quieter car at a cruise. In particular it doesn't suffer the high levels of road noise that afflicts the Cayman on coarse surfaces.

Edited by bcr5784 on Monday 21st September 08:58

Thanks Sporky and bcr5784. Bcr5784 that's interesting to hear re your experiences vs the Porsche world.

I understand there's a cooling upgrade on the later cars for the gearbox so should be good on track - I just need to determine whether I should go for the 18 inch wheels to get the bigger brakes.

[bcr5784]

Barry, I wrote an A110 buyers guide when at a loose end under lockdown. You might find some of it useful - particularly the stuff about oddment storage and luggage. It's here. https://www.renaultalpine.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=2&...

Edited by bcr5784 on Monday 21st September 11:28

[Sporky]

bcr5784 said:

Doesn't look to have the sports exhaust (but quite hard to spot) which may or may not bother you.

Oooh - how do you tell?

I'm probably repeating myself, and other people will have different views, but I'm not sure I'd bother with the sports exhaust again. I quite like how the car sounds anyways, and the pops and bangs are a bit much for me. It'd be different if (like the Evora) you could turn it on and off independently of the car being in road/sports/track mode.

[BarryGibb]

bcr5784 said:

Barry, I wrote an A110 buyers guide when at a loose end under lockdown. You might find some of it useful - particularly the stuff about oddment storage and luggage. It's here. https://www.renaultalpine.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=2&...

Edited by bcr5784 on Monday 21st September 11:28

Thank you - great read. Hadn't considered the PE but as you say it can be considered as a well specced Pure which is what I am after.

[bcr5784]

Sporky said:

Oooh - how do you tell?

I'm probably repeating myself, and other people will have different views, but I'm not sure I'd bother with the sports exhaust again. I quite like how the car sounds anyways, and the pops and bangs are a bit much for me. It'd be different if (like the Evora) you could turn it on and off independently of the car being in road/sports/track mode.

If you look up the exhaust finisher (for want of a better term) the sports exhaust has a double outlet. It's quite difficult to tell from the picture, so I may be wrong.

[Venisonpie]

bcr5784 said:

Doesn't look to have the sports exhaust (but quite hard to spot) which may or may not bother you. Focal audio is very good. Venison (I think it was him) said the small brakes (you need 18s for the big ones), don't feel as nice as the big ones - but they should be fine for road use. Mileage is highish - but the price reflects that.

Regarding issues. There are some odd electrical gremlins which, very occasionally require you to stop and restart the engine - but nothing of real consequence. There have been a couple of recalls - but that should have been sorted at the service. The only recurring issue I am aware of is cracking of the windscreen. I believe there is a fix in place and it will be repaired under warranty with no quibbles.

Re Cayman quite a lot of us come from Caymen and prefer the Alpine (but that's not to say you will). The one thing you may not detect on a brief test of the two cars is the fact that (contrary to what you might expect) it is the Alpine that is the quieter car at a cruise. In particular it doesn't suffer the high levels of road noise that afflicts the Cayman on coarse surfaces.

Edited by bcr5784 on Monday 21st September 08:58

With regard to the brakes yes it was me who commented following the test drive. I felt the bigger discs gave a much firmer pedal and were effortless for road use which I liked. The standard ones are very good and more than up to the job but I preferred the upgrade.

I'd recommend a drive in a car with sports exhaust as it's the one thing I really didn't like but that again is a preference and a sign I'm getting old.

Finally I too came from a Cayman via and Elise and the Alpine is hands down a better car than the Porsche.

The only two areas a Cayman is better is the 6 cylinder engine (not easy to get in a 718 obviously) and a bit more luggage and storage space.
In every other dynamic the Alpine is superior and as BCR says surprisingly more refined. Try one and you'll buy one.

[bcr5784]

Venisonpie said:

Finally I too came from a Cayman via and Elise and the Alpine is hands down a better car than the Porsche.

I prefer the Alpine too, but I would put it a slightly different way. The Porsche is a terrifically capable car which is difficult to fault objectively. But it's a cold fish which only comes alive at license losing speeds. The Porsche doesn't get under your (or least my) skin like the Alpine. The Porsche is admirable, the Alpine lovable.