Looking to buy a Brera
Discussion
I've got an 08. 2.4d. Had it for 6 months. I'm a die hard alfa fan but really don't have much good to say about it sadly,
They look fantastic of course, boot space is good, rear passenger space is zero, rear vision is v bad, driving position is quite high so not great if your tall. Diesel is pretty juicy, performance is average, certainly not a sports car but capable tourer. I've found the build quality and reliability (too much to list) to be shocking but I know others on here disagree so I'm hoping mine is one off!
Buy it because it's beautiful and you'll always look back over your shoulder after parking. You don't see many on the road and people certainly admire them. I think the Breda S is probably the one to go for as consumption is bad on the others anyway but at least you get a bit more performance.
They look fantastic of course, boot space is good, rear passenger space is zero, rear vision is v bad, driving position is quite high so not great if your tall. Diesel is pretty juicy, performance is average, certainly not a sports car but capable tourer. I've found the build quality and reliability (too much to list) to be shocking but I know others on here disagree so I'm hoping mine is one off!
Buy it because it's beautiful and you'll always look back over your shoulder after parking. You don't see many on the road and people certainly admire them. I think the Breda S is probably the one to go for as consumption is bad on the others anyway but at least you get a bit more performance.
There are three engine types for the standard Brera - two petrol 2.2JTS/3.2JTS V6 and a diesel 2.4 JTD. None are known for their economy as the Brera is a heavy car (especially the 3.2V6 as most; except for the very last; are permenant 4 wheel drive with a rear bias). The 'SV' stands for SkyView which is the panoramic roof.
As the weight of the car and set-up isn't considered perfect for english roads, Alfa UK commissioned Prodrive to 'tweak' the 2.2JTS and 3.2JTS. These are referred to as the 'S' models. All are front wheel drive (to save weight) and to my knowledge, lack the SV.
As said before, more of a tourer and looker than sports car.
I have the 3.2V6 Q4 (Q4 standing for 4 wheel drive) which costs a fortune in fuel, tax and insurance in comparison to relative speed (ie. a mates E46 M3 has similar running costs with about 80bhp more).
The 2.4JTD seems to be the most popular with residuals holding better thanks to the running costs. Performance is also pretty sprightly with a EGR/DPF removal but the diesel owners will be able to tell you more.
To summarise my 3.2, its impractical, not hugely fast, expensive to run and I'm currently looking at a big bill for a new engine. Would I swap it - absolutely not! While purists will suggest its not a 'proper' ALFA, the way it looks and sounds lets your heart rule and keeps your head in check!
As the weight of the car and set-up isn't considered perfect for english roads, Alfa UK commissioned Prodrive to 'tweak' the 2.2JTS and 3.2JTS. These are referred to as the 'S' models. All are front wheel drive (to save weight) and to my knowledge, lack the SV.
As said before, more of a tourer and looker than sports car.
I have the 3.2V6 Q4 (Q4 standing for 4 wheel drive) which costs a fortune in fuel, tax and insurance in comparison to relative speed (ie. a mates E46 M3 has similar running costs with about 80bhp more).
The 2.4JTD seems to be the most popular with residuals holding better thanks to the running costs. Performance is also pretty sprightly with a EGR/DPF removal but the diesel owners will be able to tell you more.
To summarise my 3.2, its impractical, not hugely fast, expensive to run and I'm currently looking at a big bill for a new engine. Would I swap it - absolutely not! While purists will suggest its not a 'proper' ALFA, the way it looks and sounds lets your heart rule and keeps your head in check!
Arpa said:
There are three engine types for the standard Brera - two petrol 2.2JTS/3.2JTS V6 and a diesel 2.4 JTD. None are known for their economy as the Brera is a heavy car (especially the 3.2V6 as most; except for the very last; are permenant 4 wheel drive with a rear bias). The 'SV' stands for SkyView which is the panoramic roof.
As the weight of the car and set-up isn't considered perfect for english roads, Alfa UK commissioned Prodrive to 'tweak' the 2.2JTS and 3.2JTS. These are referred to as the 'S' models. All are front wheel drive (to save weight) and to my knowledge, lack the SV.
As said before, more of a tourer and looker than sports car.
I have the 3.2V6 Q4 (Q4 standing for 4 wheel drive) which costs a fortune in fuel, tax and insurance in comparison to relative speed (ie. a mates E46 M3 has similar running costs with about 80bhp more).
The 2.4JTD seems to be the most popular with residuals holding better thanks to the running costs. Performance is also pretty sprightly with a EGR/DPF removal but the diesel owners will be able to tell you more.
To summarise my 3.2, its impractical, not hugely fast, expensive to run and I'm currently looking at a big bill for a new engine. Would I swap it - absolutely not! While purists will suggest its not a 'proper' ALFA, the way it looks and sounds lets your heart rule and keeps your head in check!
Prodrive built the S and SV6, which is the 2.2 and 3.2V6 petrol cars. Just sold my wifes SV6 after 2 years. She absolutley loved it, all bar the fuel economy. Both the S and SV6 are front wheel drive. Dont be confused by immitation S/V6's as there are a few semi-skimmed examples on the net. Ensure it has the full Prodrive pack and it should come with a build certificate (X of 500 built).As the weight of the car and set-up isn't considered perfect for english roads, Alfa UK commissioned Prodrive to 'tweak' the 2.2JTS and 3.2JTS. These are referred to as the 'S' models. All are front wheel drive (to save weight) and to my knowledge, lack the SV.
As said before, more of a tourer and looker than sports car.
I have the 3.2V6 Q4 (Q4 standing for 4 wheel drive) which costs a fortune in fuel, tax and insurance in comparison to relative speed (ie. a mates E46 M3 has similar running costs with about 80bhp more).
The 2.4JTD seems to be the most popular with residuals holding better thanks to the running costs. Performance is also pretty sprightly with a EGR/DPF removal but the diesel owners will be able to tell you more.
To summarise my 3.2, its impractical, not hugely fast, expensive to run and I'm currently looking at a big bill for a new engine. Would I swap it - absolutely not! While purists will suggest its not a 'proper' ALFA, the way it looks and sounds lets your heart rule and keeps your head in check!
Eddie
RicksAlfas said:
jamieboy said:
Not sure they 'built' them as such - they developed the suspension bits and tuned the exhaust, but they just bolted those bits onto a standard Brera in place of the manufacturer's bits, didn't they?
Forget the millions spent on development, custom engineering etc.
Eddie
ecain63 said:
Yeah, they just bolted them on! LOL
Forget the millions spent on development, custom engineering etc.
Forget the millions spent on development, custom engineering etc.
No-one is doubting the work that went into developing the bits they bolted on - it's well documented. Point is that (for example) some GTVs were built by Alfa, some were built by Pininfarina. No Breras were built by Prodrive, which is what you said. They developed their bits and bobs, then put them onto a standard Brera that had come off the same production line as every other Brera.To be clear - I'm not trying to diminish the work that Prodrive put in, nor the difference their bits make to the car.
jamieboy said:
No-one is doubting the work that went into developing the bits they bolted on - it's well documented. Point is that (for example) some GTVs were built by Alfa, some were built by Pininfarina. No Breras were built by Prodrive, which is what you said. They developed their bits and bobs, then put them onto a standard Brera that had come off the same production line as every other Brera.To be clear - I'm not trying to diminish the work that Prodrive put in, nor the difference their bits make to the car.
No offence intended to proud "S" owners
but the bits whilst expensively and extensively developed by Prodrive were bolted on (I think) at Alfa UK's PDI centre. Indeed a browse of EB Spares will turn up most of said bits for bolting on yourself. Doesn't diminish the "S" at all as it's a great car.Just referring back to Jamie's quote about GTVs, all Breras were built at Pininfarina but never got the Farina badge on the side like the GTVs.
I'm on my second 3.2 Q4 Brera & I love it / them.
This one is the older pre-facelift SV version with all the toys & I much prefer it to my 2008 revised allegedly lighter model.
Both were built by Pininfarina.
FWIW, Prodrive were initially told to use only the 3.2 Q4 as a base but Alfa changed the goalpost at the last minute.
I personally know the Project Lead so this is a fact - the Q4 version was better to drive too
This one is the older pre-facelift SV version with all the toys & I much prefer it to my 2008 revised allegedly lighter model.
Both were built by Pininfarina.
FWIW, Prodrive were initially told to use only the 3.2 Q4 as a base but Alfa changed the goalpost at the last minute.
I personally know the Project Lead so this is a fact - the Q4 version was better to drive too
Having driven many performance cars and owned a fair share, the 3.2SV6 is the closest thing ive found to the 996 Carrera 2S bar the wieght and economy. They handle almost identically. Just a shame the Brera is so heavy. I currently drive an M5 and the Prodrive SV6 handles much better thanks to its squat, wide stance.
Eddie
Eddie
Hopefully more of a balanced view from someone who is Alfisti and has owned a Brera 2.2 JTS SV
Brera
+ Much better at dealing with UK road conditions, doesn't bottom out like a GT/156/147
+ Found build quality to be fantastic, only cheap bit of plastic I found was the bin lid and the rest is all well screwed together
+ Car has massive grip levels, therefore needs to be pushed to get some of the Alfa feeling (also a negative)
+ Beautiful
+ Prodrive kit transforms the car and was rated in Evo’s top 3 for the sector for quite a while
- Certainly more of a GT car but then it copes with everyday life in a much better way (also a positive)
- Weight is noticeable and isn’t as good a steer as a GT
- Fuel economy is poor, about 23mpg average
Other points, personally I went for the 2.2 as despite the benefits of the 2.4 I didn’t want the hassle of the DPF (these can now be removed, improving performance/mpg).
If I was to go for a petrol again, I would actually get a 3.2 as the fuel economy isn’t much worse and the extra poke is useful. The 2.2 did sound great past 4k revs though.
So if you want a competent GT car with stunning looks, good build quality and fuel isn't priority number one, then it is perfect. If you want a sports car with rapid acceleration and average fuel economy, the Brera isn’t for you (although the Prodrive version hits the sports car button without the acceleration/economy).
Brera
+ Much better at dealing with UK road conditions, doesn't bottom out like a GT/156/147
+ Found build quality to be fantastic, only cheap bit of plastic I found was the bin lid and the rest is all well screwed together
+ Car has massive grip levels, therefore needs to be pushed to get some of the Alfa feeling (also a negative)
+ Beautiful
+ Prodrive kit transforms the car and was rated in Evo’s top 3 for the sector for quite a while
- Certainly more of a GT car but then it copes with everyday life in a much better way (also a positive)
- Weight is noticeable and isn’t as good a steer as a GT
- Fuel economy is poor, about 23mpg average
Other points, personally I went for the 2.2 as despite the benefits of the 2.4 I didn’t want the hassle of the DPF (these can now be removed, improving performance/mpg).
If I was to go for a petrol again, I would actually get a 3.2 as the fuel economy isn’t much worse and the extra poke is useful. The 2.2 did sound great past 4k revs though.
So if you want a competent GT car with stunning looks, good build quality and fuel isn't priority number one, then it is perfect. If you want a sports car with rapid acceleration and average fuel economy, the Brera isn’t for you (although the Prodrive version hits the sports car button without the acceleration/economy).
Squadrone Rosso said:
You have one, of each?
We've got a 3.2 V6 GT too & even with a Q2 upgrade, it's no where near as good as the Brera (90% of the time anyway)
I've had a V6 GT which i changed for a Brera V6. I found the Brera to be awful! Apart from being terrible to drive, it returned less than 18mpg. I was scarred by this, so handed it back after a year, & came away with a Q2 Diesel GT, which i was very pleased with. A great Alfa.We've got a 3.2 V6 GT too & even with a Q2 upgrade, it's no where near as good as the Brera (90% of the time anyway)
I've moved away from Alfa for now sadly. Nothing they make currently does it for me. Was hoping for a Giullietta based Coupe, but i gather there are no plans for such a thing.
I have done 45k miles in my 2.2 Brera S in the last 18 months and I love it, it is well made, reliable, fun to drive, handles brilliantly, looks fantastic inside(leather dash) and out, has loads of grip, is comfortable for the up to 4 hrs a day I spend in it and I can even get my teenage kids in the back. The only down sides are the occasional hesitation when it is cold and the less than fantastic fuel consumption.
Lots of people go on about the weight but my S weighs about the same as my old GTV V6 which when you consider the build quality and crash safety is not bad, it is also about 300kg lighter than the V6 Q4 Brera.
In my opinion the 2.2 S is the best Brera of the lot and it is the best Alfa of the six I have had.
Edited to add.
I forgot to mention performance, my car is slightly tweaked in that it has a cone air-filter(sounds great) and an adjustment to the fueling(Mangoletsi Mod 4), I find the performance to be perfectly fine, it will overtake with ease and will leave most other cars behind so I have no complaints.
Lots of people go on about the weight but my S weighs about the same as my old GTV V6 which when you consider the build quality and crash safety is not bad, it is also about 300kg lighter than the V6 Q4 Brera.
In my opinion the 2.2 S is the best Brera of the lot and it is the best Alfa of the six I have had.
Edited to add.
I forgot to mention performance, my car is slightly tweaked in that it has a cone air-filter(sounds great) and an adjustment to the fueling(Mangoletsi Mod 4), I find the performance to be perfectly fine, it will overtake with ease and will leave most other cars behind so I have no complaints.
Edited by Pooh on Wednesday 8th February 20:45
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