Alpine A110 owners

[tonywright0]

Thank you for your reply Tony. I am currently at about 600 miles too. I might be a little too cautious and anxious for any strange noise. This is the first ‘new’ car I’ve owned for long term enjoyment. As I said I am used to a rattling e36 and a ‘61 Landrover. I can imagine it makes a difference that the engine+gearbox is closer to my ears and there isn’t as much soundproofing I assume. How are you coping with the break-in period?
[/quote]

All good Tom. Trying to do the running in period by the book - but can’t say I haven’t at least once gone over 3500rpm, not going to worry though. Just turned 600 miles today - so with tomorrows trip to work done I can start upping the revs. Absolutely loving the car and like you just want to look after it so hopefully it looks after me.

Yeah - you are very close to all the mechanicals so maybe it’s just getting used to the noises it produces. Maybe worth a quick trip in another one to compare though if you are worried. Seems to me like the car is pretty reliable. Spoke to Ian (head Alpine mechanic at Manchester) - says he’s hardly had any mechanical issues to resolve with them at all. Some early issues with alternators and windscreens (cracking) is all. He also said that you should leave the engine cover on - as it can cook the glue on the window seal if you don’t and is there for a reason. I am mechanical engineer myself - and think the car is very nicely put together. Enjoy !

[tonywright0]

matt3001 said:

So folks - i'm keen to pull the trigger on one of these and before I go into battle with the dealer i'd like some advice.

a) Must have options? I have my own ideas but would appreciate some feedback.

b) Is it possible to get a deal out of the dealer or is it list price take it or leave it? I know its a bespoke car, but not one thats sold out for months and months so is there scope to do a deal? What are peoples experiences?

My current thoughts on spec:
Pure + Sports Exhaust + Parking Camera + Fuchs Wheels & Brakes upgrade + Focal + Al Pedals + Floormats + Passenger Footrest

Don’t think there is much in the way of deals - especially when you consider used prices…that being said if you don’t ask you don’t get, you may be able to get a couple of options for free. Personally didn’t bother with camera, car is tiny and sensors all round is fine. Normal exhaust pops and cackles in sport mode - so again not a necessity imo. Your car and your choice though - go for it, you won’t regret it.

[tony993]

matt3001 said:

Who was the dealer you used? DM me if easier?

Winchester. Happy to carry on here or continue a conversation via email, if you think this might get a little dull for everyone else. I'm very happy with them so far, & it's not their fault my car is stuck at the import centre waiting for the Thatcham immobiliser to be installed; they've run out of these & they're not so easy to come by in the current climate, of course. These UK only spec' items are fitted when the cars reach the UK. I guess the guy whose job it is to order these had not read a newspaper or listened to the news for the past two years, & thought a just in time purchase policy was still the way to go.

[bcr5784]

tonywright0 said:

Don’t think there is much in the way of deals - especially when you consider used prices…that being said if you don’t ask you don’t get, you may be able to get a couple of options for free. Personally didn’t bother with camera, car is tiny and sensors all round is fine. Normal exhaust pops and cackles in sport mode - so again not a necessity imo. Your car and your choice though - go for it, you won’t regret it.

Personally not keen on the flatulence in sport mode with the sports exhaust. HOWEVER, if you don't have the sports exhaust you don't get the sound pipe which transmits induction noises into the cabin. I like that aspect of the sports exhaust option. David Pook of Life110 suggests fitting the sound pipe bits only after purchase would be a cheaper and, for some, a better option.

[tony993]

bcr5784 said:

David Pook of Life110 suggests fitting the sound pipe bits only after purchase would be a cheaper and, for some, a better option.

Thanks for the reminder on this. I'll add it to my to do list. Presumably, if you install it in the right way, you could stick a bung in it, from inside the cabin, to shut the extra noise off, if you have a long motorway journey to tackle. I think this is the way the system in the BRZ/GT86 is designed, although I could be wrong.

[LGC-Adams]

bcr5784 said:

Personally not keen on the flatulence in sport mode with the sports exhaust. HOWEVER, if you don't have the sports exhaust you don't get the sound pipe which transmits induction noises into the cabin. I like that aspect of the sports exhaust option. David Pook of Life110 suggests fitting the sound pipe bits only after purchase would be a cheaper and, for some, a better option.

Agree, and also accept it is very personal thing. I would love to remove the rather (to me) annoying stupid sound pipe. I fear it will upset all sorts of ECU sensing and metering as I guess it is linked in some way to the induction tract?
Has anyone removed it........without ill effects?

[bcr5784]

tony993 said:

Thanks for the reminder on this. I'll add it to my to do list. Presumably, if you install it in the right way, you could stick a bung in it, from inside the cabin, to shut the extra noise off, if you have a long motorway journey to tackle. I think this is the way the system in the BRZ/GT86 is designed, although I could be wrong.

It doesn't intrude at a cruise even at 3 figure speeds, so I doubt you would feel the need to shut it off. I did have it off briefly when routing some wiring through the bulkhead and it had no effect on the fueling that I could detect - the pipe is just connected to a "chamber" in the bulkhead. But I'm pretty sure you wouldn't be able to do anything from the cabin.

Edited by bcr5784 on Tuesday 17th May 15:34

[Iceblue]

xondat said:

If you find any decent info on this, please let me know, I've decided I'm also going to sell mine.

If your looking at selling to a dealer give Luke a call at GC Motors (Harrogate) 01423 788827 sold mine privately but his was by far the best trade offer. Surprisingly all the Alpine dealers bar Winchester would,nt even make a offer!

Edited by Iceblue on Tuesday 17th May 14:07

[alfietom]

tonywright0 said:

matt3001 said:

So folks - i'm keen to pull the trigger on one of these and before I go into battle with the dealer i'd like some advice.

a) Must have options? I have my own ideas but would appreciate some feedback.

b) Is it possible to get a deal out of the dealer or is it list price take it or leave it? I know its a bespoke car, but not one thats sold out for months and months so is there scope to do a deal? What are peoples experiences?

My current thoughts on spec:
Pure + Sports Exhaust + Parking Camera + Fuchs Wheels & Brakes upgrade + Focal + Al Pedals + Floormats + Passenger Footrest

Don’t think there is much in the way of deals - especially when you consider used prices…that being said if you don’t ask you don’t get, you may be able to get a couple of options for free. Personally didn’t bother with camera, car is tiny and sensors all round is fine. Normal exhaust pops and cackles in sport mode - so again not a necessity imo. Your car and your choice though - go for it, you won’t regret it.

Side logos and heated seats are also hard to beat.

[Hoofty]

matt3001 said:

So folks - i'm keen to pull the trigger on one of these and before I go into battle with the dealer i'd like some advice.

a) Must have options? I have my own ideas but would appreciate some feedback.

b) Is it possible to get a deal out of the dealer or is it list price take it or leave it? I know its a bespoke car, but not one thats sold out for months and months so is there scope to do a deal? What are peoples experiences?

My current thoughts on spec:
Pure + Sports Exhaust + Parking Camera + Fuchs Wheels & Brakes upgrade + Focal + Al Pedals + Floormats + Passenger Footrest

Near as damn-it the spec I ordered (good choice!) - although worth noting that you can no longer option the footrest on a 'Pure', nor the Focal with sub (but you can the Focal without sub). I only know this as I briefly considered renewing to get the updated infotainment, but couldn't fully repeat my spec. Parking camera linked to front and rear sensors, always has been (unfortunately).

My 2c on options - there are no 'must haves', as the car is great in any configuration. I personally value the sports exhaust/sound pipe and Fuchs/large brakes, both things that it'd be quite 'involved' or costly to add later - but many prefer without!

Deals only on cars from stock, to my knowledge.

Nick

[Sporky]

I'd have the heated seats and mirror pack. And the reversing camera.

[bcr5784]

Sporky said:

I'd have the heated seats and mirror pack. And the reversing camera.

But if you do that you have to get the "comfort" seats which are not everyone's preferred choice.

[Sporky]

bcr5784 said:

But if you do that you have to get the "comfort" seats which are not everyone's preferred choice.

Yes. I also want/need the comfort seats - my best beloved is particular about her seat angle, and the buckets aren't right for her. I'd rather not have the 18s though.

I wouldn't do the sports exhaust again, though I'd consider having the resonator added later, and I wouldn't do the Focal upgrade because I don't seem to have music on in the A110. It sounds very decent, but I don't use it.

Though I just had a play on the configurator and what I'd like is £60k now. Insert sad face. I'm off to have the 3rd year service on Monday and was going to enquire about upgrade costs, but I think it'll be too much.

[bcr5784]

Sporky said:

Yes. I also want/need the comfort seats - my best beloved is particular about her seat angle, and the buckets aren't right for her. I'd rather not have the 18s though.

I wouldn't do the sports exhaust again, though I'd consider having the resonator added later, and I wouldn't do the Focal upgrade because I don't seem to have music on in the A110. It sounds very decent, but I don't use it.

Though I just had a play on the configurator and what I'd like is 60k now. Insert sad face. I'm off to have the 3rd year service on Monday and was going to enquire about upgrade costs, but I think it'll be too much.

It's annoying that the only way to get Focal, reversing camera or sports pedals on the Pure is to order the comfort pack - which means you have (as you say) to order 18" wheels and get the leather seats. It now means I simply could not order the car that I want if I were to "upgrade".

[worldwidewebs]

bcr5784 said:

It's annoying that the only way to get Focal, reversing camera or sports pedals on the Pure is to order the comfort pack - which means you have (as you say) to order 18" wheels and get the leather seats. It now means I simply could not order the car that I want if I were to "upgrade".

Really? I have a MY22 Pure with buckets, reversing camera and alu pedals

[PhilipIbrahim]

I noticed the change to the configurator. It has frustrated me too. It just seems all so unnecessary for such a low volume manufacturer.

[worldwidewebs]

PhilipIbrahim said:

I noticed the change to the configurator. It has frustrated me too. It just seems all so unnecessary for such a low volume manufacturer.

I'd hazard a guess that the online configurator and the dealer one are out of step

[Olivera]

worldwidewebs said:

PhilipIbrahim said:

I noticed the change to the configurator. It has frustrated me too. It just seems all so unnecessary for such a low volume manufacturer.

I'd hazard a guess that the online configurator and the dealer one are out of step

Are there regional differences in the configurator? I.e. UK dealers want to offer and order a more limited set of possible cars? This quite frequently happens with other manufacturers. I recall other countries also get options unavailable here like the harness bar?

[bcr5784]

worldwidewebs said:

I'd hazard a guess that the online configurator and the dealer one are out of step

If true it doesn't do alpine any favours - I'd be very tempted by a GT with bucket seats or a Pure with an S engine and some other options.

[worldwidewebs]

bcr5784 said:

worldwidewebs said:

I'd hazard a guess that the online configurator and the dealer one are out of step

If true it doesn't do alpine any favours - I'd be very tempted by a GT with bucket seats or a Pure with an S engine and some other options.

I don't think either of those is on the table. You could always get an S and change the suspension or get a Pure and get it re-mapped?