Thinking of getting a Brera...
Discussion
Do you worst folks, what is there to look out for with a 2.4D Brera?
Change in job role means that my 23mpg Jag S type R is no longer sensible for 25kbusiness miles a year. So i want something different, stylish and interesting enough to take my mind off the lack of 400bhp V8.
Always liked the look of these cars, nothing else like it on the road imho. Heard that the 2.4 engine is reliable, needs to do 35mpg plus on a long run for it to be viable. Do they tune well?
Already decided it would have to be in black as well...
Change in job role means that my 23mpg Jag S type R is no longer sensible for 25kbusiness miles a year. So i want something different, stylish and interesting enough to take my mind off the lack of 400bhp V8.
Always liked the look of these cars, nothing else like it on the road imho. Heard that the 2.4 engine is reliable, needs to do 35mpg plus on a long run for it to be viable. Do they tune well?
Already decided it would have to be in black as well...
Jagfox said:
25mpg from a diesel? Are these heavy cars?
Yep, I would say they very heavy. We were so looking forward to replacing our 3.0 V6 Spider with the (then) new (Brera)/Spider that it was almost a done deal but once we'd driven it we were so disappointed that we couldn't do the swap. It's a big heavy lump and from the driver's seat forward you may just as well be driving a 159 saloon car, not the least bit sporty. Sorry that was the conclusion we both came to. 
I had a Brera 2.4 JTDM on a three year contract hire. I ended the contract early in the 2nd year. Apart from the woeful paintwork which Alfa would not acknowledge was a fault (peeling lacquer), I never managed to get above an average of 29mpg. On a long 70mph journey I'd get 33mpg. Why drive a diesel if you get that kind of economy? In London it would do 23mpg. It was also no fun to drive, heavy to manouver and the engine had an annoying dead spot (which is well documented on Alfaowner forum).
I bought a 2.9 Porsche Cayman after that and I am averaging 29mpg. On the motorway it does 35mpg... it's fast, fun and in another league...
I bought a 2.9 Porsche Cayman after that and I am averaging 29mpg. On the motorway it does 35mpg... it's fast, fun and in another league...
I have a 159Ti 2.4D.
Economy: They dont do the quoted figures but mine is returning 33mpg so I am happy with that.
Tuning: Yes! Mine has 250bhp and 440lbs ft torque!
Other things to check would be...
Tracking, 159s/Breras/Spiders all suffer from wearing the inside edges out very quickly on the front. Either check that the geometry has been corrected (front toe has been set to 0mm and rear to 3mm toe-in) or insist it is done prior to purchase. If not you could find yourself buying a new set of tyres every 5,000 miles!
Steering Rack, these has a tendency to go wrong, mine developed a groaning noice and vibration at low speeds, it was replaced under warranty though, but check it out.
Electrics, Make sure all electrics are working as they should. The trip computers control unit is in the drivers door and can go a bit nuts if water from an open window drips onto the window switches and down into the door.
I personally love my Alfa, it has small niggles but its the price one has to pay for a bit of individuality. Definately get it remapped it transforms the car and cures any hesitation or flat spots you might read about.
Economy: They dont do the quoted figures but mine is returning 33mpg so I am happy with that.
Tuning: Yes! Mine has 250bhp and 440lbs ft torque!
Other things to check would be...
Tracking, 159s/Breras/Spiders all suffer from wearing the inside edges out very quickly on the front. Either check that the geometry has been corrected (front toe has been set to 0mm and rear to 3mm toe-in) or insist it is done prior to purchase. If not you could find yourself buying a new set of tyres every 5,000 miles!
Steering Rack, these has a tendency to go wrong, mine developed a groaning noice and vibration at low speeds, it was replaced under warranty though, but check it out.
Electrics, Make sure all electrics are working as they should. The trip computers control unit is in the drivers door and can go a bit nuts if water from an open window drips onto the window switches and down into the door.
I personally love my Alfa, it has small niggles but its the price one has to pay for a bit of individuality. Definately get it remapped it transforms the car and cures any hesitation or flat spots you might read about.
Our local (just outside Fleet) Alfa specialist is advertising that they can remove the DPF:
http://www.alfacare.co.uk/
http://www.alfacare.co.uk/
funwithrevs said:
Our local (just outside Fleet) Alfa specialist is advertising that they can remove the DPF:
http://www.alfacare.co.uk/
Interesting news, thanks!http://www.alfacare.co.uk/
(Also interested to see Alfacare is actually AH Motorsports who have been tuning/racing Alfas for years)
http://www.ahmotorsports.co.uk/
euroboy said:
funwithrevs said:
Our local (just outside Fleet) Alfa specialist is advertising that they can remove the DPF:
http://www.alfacare.co.uk/
That is very very interesting. If I had a modern gen 159 etc id be down there in a shot. I wonder how much it costs?http://www.alfacare.co.uk/
£600...
http://www.alfacare.co.uk/Servicing/servicing.htm
Interesting that they state a lot of problems are caused by the use of non-DPF oil which has a high ash content. Sounds like it bungs them up!
Rochester TVR said:
Tracking, 159s/Breras/Spiders all suffer from wearing the inside edges out very quickly on the front. Either check that the geometry has been corrected (front toe has been set to 0mm and rear to 3mm toe-in) or insist it is done prior to purchase. If not you could find yourself buying a new set of tyres every 5,000 miles!
Just been out on a test drive 
I mentioned the tyre wear issue and the fact that I'd read that the front tracking should be set parallel. The salesman advised that they should be set with toe in as it makes a difference to the handling and that inner edge front wear is normal. So who is right?!
It is correct that there should be some slight wear from the toe-in. However it shouldn't be extreme which seems to be the case with cars on 19" wheels where the inner is worn completely and the rest of the tyre is OK.
Mine (on 18s) wears evenly across the tread with the inner couple of inches just wearing ahead of the rest. You see this on most front wheel drivers. Just something to keep an eye on really.
Mine (on 18s) wears evenly across the tread with the inner couple of inches just wearing ahead of the rest. You see this on most front wheel drivers. Just something to keep an eye on really.
purpleperil said:
Rochester TVR said:
Tracking, 159s/Breras/Spiders all suffer from wearing the inside edges out very quickly on the front. Either check that the geometry has been corrected (front toe has been set to 0mm and rear to 3mm toe-in) or insist it is done prior to purchase. If not you could find yourself buying a new set of tyres every 5,000 miles!
Just been out on a test drive I mentioned the tyre wear issue and the fact that I'd read that the front tracking should be set parallel. The salesman advised that they should be set with toe in as it makes a difference to the handling and that inner edge front wear is normal. So who is right?!
http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa-159-brera-and-...
Edited by Rochester TVR on Thursday 4th March 16:14
Rochester TVR said:
purpleperil said:
Rochester TVR said:
Tracking, 159s/Breras/Spiders all suffer from wearing the inside edges out very quickly on the front. Either check that the geometry has been corrected (front toe has been set to 0mm and rear to 3mm toe-in) or insist it is done prior to purchase. If not you could find yourself buying a new set of tyres every 5,000 miles!
Just been out on a test drive I mentioned the tyre wear issue and the fact that I'd read that the front tracking should be set parallel. The salesman advised that they should be set with toe in as it makes a difference to the handling and that inner edge front wear is normal. So who is right?!
http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa-159-brera-and-...
Edited by Rochester TVR on Thursday 4th March 16:14
purpleperil said:
Rochester TVR said:
purpleperil said:
Rochester TVR said:
Tracking, 159s/Breras/Spiders all suffer from wearing the inside edges out very quickly on the front. Either check that the geometry has been corrected (front toe has been set to 0mm and rear to 3mm toe-in) or insist it is done prior to purchase. If not you could find yourself buying a new set of tyres every 5,000 miles!
Just been out on a test drive I mentioned the tyre wear issue and the fact that I'd read that the front tracking should be set parallel. The salesman advised that they should be set with toe in as it makes a difference to the handling and that inner edge front wear is normal. So who is right?!
http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa-159-brera-and-...
Edited by Rochester TVR on Thursday 4th March 16:14
I just had to replace 4 19" Pirelli's and at the same time took my car to Elite Racing in Essex to have a full 4 wheel alignment and geometry check. It drives so much nicer now.
Dont let things like this put you off buying though, as long as you are aware of the issue before you buy and make sure you buy a car that been corrected then its happy days!
Rochester TVR said:
Dont let things like this put you off buying though, as long as you are aware of the issue before you buy and make sure you buy a car that been corrected then its happy days!
Not put off at all - just waiting for the right car to come up. Looking for a Black 2.4, post 08, low miler with updated trim (not SV?) if they exist at the price I want to pay purpleperil said:
Rochester TVR said:
Dont let things like this put you off buying though, as long as you are aware of the issue before you buy and make sure you buy a car that been corrected then its happy days!
Not put off at all - just waiting for the right car to come up. Looking for a Black 2.4, post 08, low miler with updated trim (not SV?) if they exist at the price I want to pay Gassing Station | Alfa Romeo, Fiat & Lancia | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff