New A110 owner

Author
Discussion

BCA

Original Poster:

8,629 posts

258 months

Thursday 4th January
quotequote all
Loooong time lurker and proud new owner of an Alpine A110. driving I’m looking forwards to attending a few meets/ the curborough day and share some alpine adventures. Have already seen a few familiar names here, so I know I’m in good company.

Test drove a 23GT (loved it) a Legende (less keen) and a pure (keen, needs the exhaust though!) and ended up with a highly specced ‘22 pure (love it!) I was looking for a S, mainly for seat/ top end power reasons, but I think this is a far better car for my intended use and I may address the power at a later stage… I’m very happy so far.

A few questions;

Sound settings - I’ve seen a few people mentioning how good the focal set up is (without a sub) - I’m not sure I’ve got the best out of it yet as to my ears it doesn’t handle higher volume well? I may have been spoilt by other cars here and/or I’ve not got a great link to my phone through CarPlay- I’m new to that too, brilliant!

Alpine app - I’ve got set up on it, which has confirmed a few bits of info on the spec etc, but it is missing the service history. I’ve got a stamp in the book, but I’m guessing it needs entering digitally somewhere/ potentially by the alpine centre? The app seems quite useful, if a little incomplete, hopefully they continue to refine it. It has also alerted me to the fuel pump recall too, being an April 22 car.

Servicing - I’m planning on using my preferred alpine centre as they’ve been very helpful throughout, but can’t see anything on the costs for servicing anywhere - I assumed this would be fixed, but have seen posts that imply otherwise? I’ll get the recall done at the same time hopefully if they can provide a courtesy car so all is as it should be.

Highest mileage cars - having looked through the classifieds for the past 6-9 months, I’m amazed at how few miles most seem to do, and I can’t understand why? Keen to hear of higher miles heroes - and understand what they’ve had to keep on top of. It’s a bit soon for me to extend the warranty but I have the option, although I wonder if there is anything it’s really needed for?

Any other tips/ tricks you think are worth knowing, please let me know - I’ve done the 300page thread page to page, but this was before I collected my car, so I need to revisit it when I have a spare day!

Will probably have a few more queries, but that’ll do for the start.

johnnyreggae

2,946 posts

161 months

Thursday 4th January
quotequote all
There's lots of answers already here not just in the owners thread including servicing costs (every dealer seems different)

App - there's old & new & it seems to take time for the new one (My Alpine not Alpine) to show servicing assuming the dealer logged it

I believe there's also a helpful Facebook Owners group

Do you have the specific summons as opposed to the general advice about the recall ? You may struggle to get service & recall & courtesy car all together


Edited by johnnyreggae on Thursday 4th January 12:32

Portti

197 posts

36 months

Thursday 4th January
quotequote all
BCA said:
...A few questions;

Sound settings - I’ve seen a few people mentioning how good the focal set up is (without a sub) - I’m not sure I’ve got the best out of it yet as to my ears it doesn’t handle higher volume well? I may have been spoilt by other cars here and/or I’ve not got a great link to my phone through CarPlay- I’m new to that too, brilliant!
Some infotainment related discussion can be found on this topic:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

BCA said:
Alpine app - I’ve got set up on it, which has confirmed a few bits of info on the spec etc, but it is missing the service history. I’ve got a stamp in the book, but I’m guessing it needs entering digitally somewhere/ potentially by the alpine centre? The app seems quite useful, if a little incomplete, hopefully they continue to refine it. It has also alerted me to the fuel pump recall too, being an April 22 car.
There has been some discussion around the different Alpine apps also. That discussion can be found here:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

BCA said:
Servicing - I’m planning on using my preferred alpine centre as they’ve been very helpful throughout, but can’t see anything on the costs for servicing anywhere - I assumed this would be fixed, but have seen posts that imply otherwise? I’ll get the recall done at the same time hopefully if they can provide a courtesy car so all is as it should be.
Servicing related discussion can be found here:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Those are good sources for information related to these specific topics and feel free to ask additional questions on those topics also.


jont-

83 posts

90 months

Thursday 4th January
quotequote all
32000 miles here (Nov 2019 car). Not sure it's really a "high mileage hero", but high compared to many. No real issues - paint dealt with under warranty, otherwise routine servicing and consumables. Did buy the Alpine extended warranty when it reached 3 years which has just paid out for some worn rear track rods.

Only niggle I would say is that the jacking points are mild steel, so if you plan to use it in winter I'd fit some PPF over them (cheap enough to buy and DIY, doesn't have to be pretty under there) as the front wheels flick up all the st into them and effectively shot blast the forward facing parts which then start rusting.


LE62NDE

283 posts

21 months

Thursday 4th January
quotequote all
jont- said:
Only niggle I would say is that the jacking points are mild steel, so if you plan to use it in winter I'd fit some PPF over them (cheap enough to buy and DIY, doesn't have to be pretty under there) as the front wheels flick up all the st into them and effectively shot blast the forward facing parts which then start rusting.
I didn't know that! Every day's a school day...

biggles330d

1,550 posts

151 months

Thursday 4th January
quotequote all
On the milage issue, had mine from new in Oct 2021 and I've only just done 8k miles. I'm not precious about it and have no concerns about putting miles on it or getting it filthy (I live in rural Scotland) so its used in winter and I've done a couple of long European road trips in it and have plans to head to Anguleme for the Circuit des Remparts event in September - probably 2k miles round trip over a long weekend. But, I suspect like many others, I work from home a lot and it's not my only car, so it doesn't get the daily use that would rack up loads of miles quickly.

Having said that, an A110 is a special thing and fabulous to drive but I keep having to remind myself its a £50k car (mine was when I got it, a few options Pure), so cost less than any number of pretty average BMW / Audi / Merc / EVs that get flogged to death every day without any care. The construction is special, so its wise not to bash it or break some of the more bespoke parts, but fundamentally, it's not built around an exotic engine, other fragile bits or is wildly complicated from an electronic or technical perspective. There isn't any need to treat it as you might an italian supercar costing 3 or 4 times the price where you might be scared stiff of breaking it. And that in my view is a great thing.

Just look after it, treat it well, service it properly and fit it with parts that are appropriately good quality and there's no reason why it should cause any issues.
I'd like to be doing many more miles in mine, but simply the fact its a 2nd / 3rd car with only two seats, it tends only to come out when I want a drive for fun.
Enjoy yours.

ChrisJan2023

4 posts

16 months

Thursday 4th January
quotequote all
Hi BCA do you mind me asking where you got it from?

BCA

Original Poster:

8,629 posts

258 months

Thursday 4th January
quotequote all
Thanks all - will do some further reading/ post requests in the correct threads accordingly.

The mileage thing is an interesting one and that is exactly why I was asking - to uncover what I can get ahead of such as the jacking points. Very useful.

Chris - it was purchased in Derby. smile

ChrisJan2023

4 posts

16 months

Thursday 4th January
quotequote all
I ask because it was my car….you’ll be pleased to hear that it was perfect in the time I owned it.

It is a great car, enjoy!

BCA

Original Poster:

8,629 posts

258 months

Thursday 4th January
quotequote all
ChrisJan2023 said:
I ask because it was my car….you’ll be pleased to hear that it was perfect in the time I owned it.

It is a great car, enjoy!
Thank you for speccing it so well and I will definitely enjoy in it - some adventures in planning already! bounce

You may be able to settle another query; your original plate, is it a reference to the tactical rifle? I did a little googling and that seemed apt! thumbup

Edited by BCA on Thursday 4th January 22:11

Franzino

494 posts

161 months

Thursday 4th January
quotequote all
jont- said:
32000 miles here (Nov 2019 car). Not sure it's really a "high mileage hero", but high compared to many. No real issues - paint dealt with under warranty, otherwise routine servicing and consumables. Did buy the Alpine extended warranty when it reached 3 years which has just paid out for some worn rear track rods.

Only niggle I would say is that the jacking points are mild steel, so if you plan to use it in winter I'd fit some PPF over them (cheap enough to buy and DIY, doesn't have to be pretty under there) as the front wheels flick up all the st into them and effectively shot blast the forward facing parts which then start rusting.
How did you notice the rear track rods were worn?

Good tip about the jacking points, will check this out because our Alpine is also a winter car.

Franzino

494 posts

161 months

Thursday 4th January
quotequote all
BCA said:
Loooong time lurker and proud new owner of an Alpine A110. driving I’m looking forwards to attending a few meets/ the curborough day and share some alpine adventures. Have already seen a few familiar names here, so I know I’m in good company.

Test drove a 23GT (loved it) a Legende (less keen) and a pure (keen, needs the exhaust though!) and ended up with a highly specced ‘22 pure (love it!) I was looking for a S, mainly for seat/ top end power reasons, but I think this is a far better car for my intended use and I may address the power at a later stage… I’m very happy so far.

A few questions;

Sound settings - I’ve seen a few people mentioning how good the focal set up is (without a sub) - I’m not sure I’ve got the best out of it yet as to my ears it doesn’t handle higher volume well? I may have been spoilt by other cars here and/or I’ve not got a great link to my phone through CarPlay- I’m new to that too, brilliant!

Alpine app - I’ve got set up on it, which has confirmed a few bits of info on the spec etc, but it is missing the service history. I’ve got a stamp in the book, but I’m guessing it needs entering digitally somewhere/ potentially by the alpine centre? The app seems quite useful, if a little incomplete, hopefully they continue to refine it. It has also alerted me to the fuel pump recall too, being an April 22 car.

Servicing - I’m planning on using my preferred alpine centre as they’ve been very helpful throughout, but can’t see anything on the costs for servicing anywhere - I assumed this would be fixed, but have seen posts that imply otherwise? I’ll get the recall done at the same time hopefully if they can provide a courtesy car so all is as it should be.

Highest mileage cars - having looked through the classifieds for the past 6-9 months, I’m amazed at how few miles most seem to do, and I can’t understand why? Keen to hear of higher miles heroes - and understand what they’ve had to keep on top of. It’s a bit soon for me to extend the warranty but I have the option, although I wonder if there is anything it’s really needed for?

Any other tips/ tricks you think are worth knowing, please let me know - I’ve done the 300page thread page to page, but this was before I collected my car, so I need to revisit it when I have a spare day!

Will probably have a few more queries, but that’ll do for the start.
Our 2019 Alpine has done 37.000 miles with lots of track use and some nice road trips. We took the extended warranty to have a total 5 years warranty. We had 3-4 warranty claims the first year, but after the initial issues got solved (mostly because we finally found a good Alpine dealer, instead of the sh*t Alpine dealer we ordered the car from) from then on it was only some small things that occasionally went wrong and nothing major (mirror stop folding was the last issue).

ChrisJan2023

4 posts

16 months

Friday 5th January
quotequote all
The number plate used to be my Fathers and relates to a company he owned and so no edgy gun association…

Only other point is the recall on the fuel pump, the car hasn’t been done and so you need to ask your local dealer to sort it for you.

jont-

83 posts

90 months

Monday 8th January
quotequote all
Franzino said:
How did you notice the rear track rods were worn?
It was picked up by the dealer during a service. I hadn't noticed any problems.

Oh yes, fuel pump as others have said, although that seems to be unrelated to mileage. Currently on my 3rd, waiting to find out whether there's a further fix or whether the latest one has all the updates. But that seems to be out of folks control and dealt with by dealers under warranty, as an owner I think there's a limited amount you can do preventatively.

TheMilkyBarKid

555 posts

30 months

Sunday 21st January
quotequote all
Well as of yesterday this is finally ours!



Crap photo for now but we’ll get some better ones on the road trips we’re already planning before too long. It’s replaced an F-Type Jag and I’m already enjoying the lightness and much more manageable width on tight roads, and it was also much better/quieter on the motorway than I was expecting if I’m honest. Only done around 70 miles in it so far and about 50 of those were on the motorway but so far so good.

Also have to give a mention to Mark at Solihull Alpine, who was brilliant from initial enquiry right through to vehicle handover, where we were treated like royalty - can thoroughly recommend.

Meonstoke

269 posts

103 months

Monday 22nd January
quotequote all
TheMilkyBarKid said:
Well as of yesterday this is finally ours!



Crap photo for now but we’ll get some better ones on the road trips we’re already planning before too long. It’s replaced an F-Type Jag and I’m already enjoying the lightness and much more manageable width on tight roads, and it was also much better/quieter on the motorway than I was expecting if I’m honest. Only done around 70 miles in it so far and about 50 of those were on the motorway but so far so good.

Also have to give a mention to Mark at Solihull Alpine, who was brilliant from initial enquiry right through to vehicle handover, where we were treated like royalty - can thoroughly recommend.
Welcome to the club! Should be interesting hearing your experiences on the A110 and how it compares to the F-Type.

LE62NDE

283 posts

21 months

Monday 22nd January
quotequote all
TheMilkyBarKid said:
Well as of yesterday this is finally ours!

Legende/GT on Seracs in Bleu Alpine? A great choice! I had an SL before I got mine and whilst it was lovely, it was a very different proposition. Enjoy it -you won't be disappointed!

TheMilkyBarKid

555 posts

30 months

Monday 22nd January
quotequote all
Thanks both. Yes loving it so far. From the first time I drove it was a very different proposition to the blood and thunder F-Type, much more like the Elise I had 15 years ago in the way it changes direction and (obviously!) a very different weight balance.

The big Jag was quick and characterful but a (good) GT rather than a sports car, we did some great European road trips in ours and it was ideal for those. They are a heavy car and you felt that under hard cornering, particularly in quick left-right bends where the weight transfer was noticeable, and you could also feel that weight under hard braking. It was also a bit of a guzzler so having something with less appetite for Super unleaded will be welcome. The F-type was alternately hilarious (engine/exhaust noise and go) and infuriating (plenty of electrical maladies and flaky build quality).

The Alpine of course is quite different and handles rapid changes of direction much better. The brakes feel a little grabby at the moment but that may be because I need to attune myself to a much lighter car and maybe even because the car hasn’t been driven much in the weeks it’s been with the dealer before I bought it. So far it feels almost like a bigger, more comfortable Elise which is just what I wanted really. It feels pretty well screwed together too, hopefully that will last! I went for Legende spec as I’ll use the car year round and my wife will use it too so having the easily adjustable seats will make it easier for us to switch driving positions quickly, plus the seat heaters are nice in this weather! I know some prefer the drive on 17’s but I like the look of the 18’ Serac’s and it still rides well on them, more comfortably than the Jag at any rate.

Everyone we’ve spoken to in the Alpine community has been so friendly so far. Really looking forward to enjoying the car as the nights open up and the weather gets better smile


Meonstoke

269 posts

103 months

Tuesday 23rd January
quotequote all
TheMilkyBarKid said:
Thanks both. Yes loving it so far. From the first time I drove it was a very different proposition to the blood and thunder F-Type, much more like the Elise I had 15 years ago in the way it changes direction and (obviously!) a very different weight balance.

The big Jag was quick and characterful but a (good) GT rather than a sports car, we did some great European road trips in ours and it was ideal for those. They are a heavy car and you felt that under hard cornering, particularly in quick left-right bends where the weight transfer was noticeable, and you could also feel that weight under hard braking. It was also a bit of a guzzler so having something with less appetite for Super unleaded will be welcome. The F-type was alternately hilarious (engine/exhaust noise and go) and infuriating (plenty of electrical maladies and flaky build quality).

The Alpine of course is quite different and handles rapid changes of direction much better. The brakes feel a little grabby at the moment but that may be because I need to attune myself to a much lighter car and maybe even because the car hasn’t been driven much in the weeks it’s been with the dealer before I bought it. So far it feels almost like a bigger, more comfortable Elise which is just what I wanted really. It feels pretty well screwed together too, hopefully that will last! I went for Legende spec as I’ll use the car year round and my wife will use it too so having the easily adjustable seats will make it easier for us to switch driving positions quickly, plus the seat heaters are nice in this weather! I know some prefer the drive on 17’s but I like the look of the 18’ Serac’s and it still rides well on them, more comfortably than the Jag at any rate.

Everyone we’ve spoken to in the Alpine community has been so friendly so far. Really looking forward to enjoying the car as the nights open up and the weather gets better smile
You might find these threads useful: "The A110 road trip topic" and "Interior storage & luggage solutions".
The A110 can easily be used as a GT (except perhaps the S & R models). Many of us have experienced 2-3 weeks travelling with 2 persons with no issues at all. Due to the limited space your are forced to travel lite which is a real pleasure c.f. carrying too much, 'just in case'...

I can indeed imagine there is a big difference with the Jag! Was your F-Type a V8 or V6?

domrusty

255 posts

40 months

Tuesday 23rd January
quotequote all
Welcome aboard!

I came from a Jag XK Convertible, which I adored but it felt like a bus in comparison to the Alpine. And the A110 is actually every bit as practical and refined (better ride over bad surfaces)…

The only thing I miss about the XK is the heated steering wheel…!