alfa147 to brera
Discussion
Going to go slightly against the grain.
I think it largely depends on your needs, for me the 2.4 is a bit more of a mind field than the 2.2 and the fuel economy of the 2.4 isn't as impressive as you would hope (neither is the 2.2) but when you take into account the higher cost of buying the 2.4 in the first place, higher price of diesel and increased servicing costs (cambelt on 2.4 vs camchain on 2.2). I think you do have to take a double look, as in untouched form neither the 2.4 or the 2.2 are economical cars.
2.4 owners are reporting low 30's and 2.2 drivers are reporting high 20's (myself included). The 2.4 only starts to make sense to me if the car has had the injectors/manifold replaced and the DPF removed (which apparently has a great impact on economy).
Otherwise the sound of the 2.2 (despite it's origins)at 4k revs is a nice bit of surprise and delight. (Ex owner of 2 diesel Alfa's and 4 petrols)
I think it largely depends on your needs, for me the 2.4 is a bit more of a mind field than the 2.2 and the fuel economy of the 2.4 isn't as impressive as you would hope (neither is the 2.2) but when you take into account the higher cost of buying the 2.4 in the first place, higher price of diesel and increased servicing costs (cambelt on 2.4 vs camchain on 2.2). I think you do have to take a double look, as in untouched form neither the 2.4 or the 2.2 are economical cars.
2.4 owners are reporting low 30's and 2.2 drivers are reporting high 20's (myself included). The 2.4 only starts to make sense to me if the car has had the injectors/manifold replaced and the DPF removed (which apparently has a great impact on economy).
Otherwise the sound of the 2.2 (despite it's origins)at 4k revs is a nice bit of surprise and delight. (Ex owner of 2 diesel Alfa's and 4 petrols)
As said above, it depends what your needs are.
I have a 2.4 210. It's a great car, torque is delivered smoothly and easily. It sounds good (for a diesel, before all you DERV haters call me out....) I have also had none of the reported injector/DPF and EGR issues, I suppose there are a large amount that are fine.
I have driven both engines, the 2.2 is great if you are just doing short journeys but the car is not for that. They were designed as GT cars, not sports cars. As said above, this suits the big diesel unit perfectly. But, up to you..... I would advise you try both.
I have a 2.4 210. It's a great car, torque is delivered smoothly and easily. It sounds good (for a diesel, before all you DERV haters call me out....) I have also had none of the reported injector/DPF and EGR issues, I suppose there are a large amount that are fine.
I have driven both engines, the 2.2 is great if you are just doing short journeys but the car is not for that. They were designed as GT cars, not sports cars. As said above, this suits the big diesel unit perfectly. But, up to you..... I would advise you try both.
I commute 120 miles a day in my 2.2 Brera S and I am very happy with it.
My car has the Mangos Mod 4 which makes it a bit quicker and sounds lovely, I can get 30mpg on a run if I keep the revs down.
I also looked at a GT but the Brera is far better built with much better crash safety and I preferred it to drive and look at.
I like the smooth, free-revving power delivery of the 2.2, it is quick enough to be fun and overtake safely so I am happy that I chose it over the diesel.
As far as reliability is concerned there is far less to go wrong than the diesel and the 2.2 has a very good reliability record.
My car has the Mangos Mod 4 which makes it a bit quicker and sounds lovely, I can get 30mpg on a run if I keep the revs down.
I also looked at a GT but the Brera is far better built with much better crash safety and I preferred it to drive and look at.
I like the smooth, free-revving power delivery of the 2.2, it is quick enough to be fun and overtake safely so I am happy that I chose it over the diesel.
As far as reliability is concerned there is far less to go wrong than the diesel and the 2.2 has a very good reliability record.
A 175 bhp GT is quicker than a Brera 2.2/2.4, hugely more economical, far more practical - will easily seat 4 with huge load space with seats folded, in the right colour with the right wheels still looks stunning and turns heads - it's also cheaper to service/repair. They also feel much lighter on their feet with more feelsome steering, crisp turn-in (with Q2 diff) and a nicer gearshift - the Brera feels very cumbersome in comparison, admittedly the Brera S is improved but don't think the OP's budget would stretch to one. The Brera is obviously a newer design, the interior quality is higher and it's a safer car but I feel the GT is just more of an Alfa - in a good way. The ideal car was never made - a GT with the pre dpf 175 bhp 5 cylinder diesel engine out of the 156 JTD 20V, I will concede the sound of the 5 pot JTD is much nicer.
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