Alfa GT 3.2 it's rough, it's cheap but god the Busso's sweet
Discussion
I sold my E39 Alpina 3.2 last week after 3 years and have been scouring the classifieds all week for a 'do ur upper'. I like a useable rolling project as a daily (wifes car fulfills practical duties so it can be anything). It doesn't get much use as I use a van for work so economy isn't really an issue. I was looking at the Alfa GTs but to be honest not the 3.2. The 1.9 diesels make a good daily, they are very economical and go really well with a remap. But while I was looking I found this car. Bought by the previous owner to use as a track car, which made some sense as the body has a few issues but car has only done 63k miles and runs sweet. They then got offered something that suited them better and just wanted this gone. Was very happy with what I paid, although currently I can't find another one for sale anywhere to compare prices! They are pretty rare full stop, under 350 taxed or SORN compared to 318 147 GTAs and 280 156 GTAs. Personally I think they are undervalued as urguably they are prettier than either, drive very similarly, lacking only the better seats of the GTAs, yet are only around 60% of the price.
So onto the car, took an hours drive to have a look. Body wise most of the issues were in the advert so I new what to expect. Bumpers are scuffed front and back and it's through the paint in places. Drivers side door has surface rust on the bottom edge and will need addressing, other than that just one or too little marks that should come out with a detail. Wheels need a refurb but aren't to bad but I'll refurb them when the back tyres need changing which won't be too long. Interior is excellent with just some wear on the bolster drivers side so easily addressed. Everything seems to work but the aircon isn't cold.
The worst thing is the front suspension. I had expected this to be honest as every buying guide says what a hard life it has. It bangs and crashes terribly over bumps but the car still steers well and is ok as long as the road stays smooth. Luckily the parts to completely rebuild the front suspension only come to a couple of hundred quid for top and bottom arms and drop links.
Saved the best until last. The engine. Now I've read endless stories of what a great engine the Busso is , and while I didn't disbelieve it I must admit I did think people were exaggerating about how great it was. I've had plenty of V6s, from Ford, Renault, Peugeot, Volkswagen etc but I have to say the Busso knocks spots off them for smoothness, the way it revs and the sound. I'm a convert
. I'll try and come back to this thread as bits and pieces get done. Should happen pretty quickly. Suspension parts are ordered already and my paint man is preparing a quote. I gave the engine bay a spruce up this morning but going to leave the rest of the cosmetic stuff and interior until after it's had paint.
Before
After
So onto the car, took an hours drive to have a look. Body wise most of the issues were in the advert so I new what to expect. Bumpers are scuffed front and back and it's through the paint in places. Drivers side door has surface rust on the bottom edge and will need addressing, other than that just one or too little marks that should come out with a detail. Wheels need a refurb but aren't to bad but I'll refurb them when the back tyres need changing which won't be too long. Interior is excellent with just some wear on the bolster drivers side so easily addressed. Everything seems to work but the aircon isn't cold.
The worst thing is the front suspension. I had expected this to be honest as every buying guide says what a hard life it has. It bangs and crashes terribly over bumps but the car still steers well and is ok as long as the road stays smooth. Luckily the parts to completely rebuild the front suspension only come to a couple of hundred quid for top and bottom arms and drop links.
Saved the best until last. The engine. Now I've read endless stories of what a great engine the Busso is , and while I didn't disbelieve it I must admit I did think people were exaggerating about how great it was. I've had plenty of V6s, from Ford, Renault, Peugeot, Volkswagen etc but I have to say the Busso knocks spots off them for smoothness, the way it revs and the sound. I'm a convert
. I'll try and come back to this thread as bits and pieces get done. Should happen pretty quickly. Suspension parts are ordered already and my paint man is preparing a quote. I gave the engine bay a spruce up this morning but going to leave the rest of the cosmetic stuff and interior until after it's had paint.Before
After
Won't affect how it runs, though 
Wheels wise I might try and find some 17" teledials, I think they only look small because everything has wheels that are too big nowadays . It does have some rust underneath where it hasn't been jacked up properly in the past, I'll have a proper look when I get it up on a ramp next week.
. It does have some rust underneath where it hasn't been jacked up properly in the past, I'll have a proper look when I get it up on a ramp next week. I saw this car on “the bay” and was considering an offer and then noticed it had gone yesterday, I think.
Glad you have posted on here and I look forward to hearing how things go with it. I can’t find another one at the moment so definitely rare cars.
Glad you have posted on here and I look forward to hearing how things go with it. I can’t find another one at the moment so definitely rare cars.
Edited by andy97 on Saturday 11th July 21:52
I've had a 156 GTA back in the day (2002 - RE02ELC - no longer with us) and now have a stunning green/tan 3.0 916 GTV v6 just to get the busso back in my life. It's the best V6 ever by far.. There's a history of the engine in this video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdD2RzZAglQ
All the modern Busso's (156,166,GT and GTV) I've seen have that lower cover - so it's definitely missing.
The best upgrade if you haven't got it already is the Q2 or Quaife LSD - completely changes the car when you accelerate hard - torque steer is a thing of the past.
Yours looks lovely, always liked the GT - Enjoy it...
All the modern Busso's (156,166,GT and GTV) I've seen have that lower cover - so it's definitely missing.
The best upgrade if you haven't got it already is the Q2 or Quaife LSD - completely changes the car when you accelerate hard - torque steer is a thing of the past.
Yours looks lovely, always liked the GT - Enjoy it...
51mes said:
I've had a 156 GTA back in the day (2002 - RE02ELC - no longer with us) and now have a stunning green/tan 3.0 916 GTV v6 just to get the busso back in my life. It's the best V6 ever by far.. There's a history of the engine in this video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdD2RzZAglQ
All the modern Busso's (156,166,GT and GTV) I've seen have that lower cover - so it's definitely missing.
The best upgrade if you haven't got it already is the Q2 or Quaife LSD - completely changes the car when you accelerate hard - torque steer is a thing of the past.
Yours looks lovely, always liked the GT - Enjoy it...
I've read that, seems a very popular upgrade, best done with the clutch. Definitely one for the future if the car turns out to be a keeper All the modern Busso's (156,166,GT and GTV) I've seen have that lower cover - so it's definitely missing.
The best upgrade if you haven't got it already is the Q2 or Quaife LSD - completely changes the car when you accelerate hard - torque steer is a thing of the past.
Yours looks lovely, always liked the GT - Enjoy it...
.So a year of grief but finally it is finished. All suspension parts replaced and or uprated, all rust issues resolved and partial repaint, new wheels and tyres, cambelt and engine detail.
Final Spec
Engine - 65k miles, panel filter and stainless exhaust.
6 Speed gearbox with Q2 LSD
KW V1 Coilovers
Refurbed Brembo calipers and 330mm discs
Ducati Corse 18" wheels refurbed in anthracite with 225/40 18 Michelin PS4s
Many thanks to Autolusso in Bournemouth for all their help, they were excellent, helping source parts and taking pity on me with the series of issues with the car. Drive lovely now.
Final Spec
Engine - 65k miles, panel filter and stainless exhaust.
6 Speed gearbox with Q2 LSD
KW V1 Coilovers
Refurbed Brembo calipers and 330mm discs
Ducati Corse 18" wheels refurbed in anthracite with 225/40 18 Michelin PS4s
Many thanks to Autolusso in Bournemouth for all their help, they were excellent, helping source parts and taking pity on me with the series of issues with the car. Drive lovely now.
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff