Alpine A110 owners

[AlexNJ89]

ntiz said:

Plus Evo magazine rated the Evora higher than the Emira in a head to head. All personal of course but doesn’t fill with confidence.

Oh jeez, I didn't know that.

I saw the Emira was getting a lot of criticism in the reviews which was truly disappointing. I'm concerned it may crumble under it's own hype.

I thought the Cayman is the best car in terms of capabilities, the 981 had a lot more character, I drove one that I loved then drove a second which felt lifeless but was still a good car. The 718 2.5T was definitely not for me.

I'm not someone who likes to drive a car and marvel at how good it is, I like cars that make me laugh at their ridiculousness and character which is why the Alpine was the one for me.

[OliffeFox]

ntiz said:

With an Emira on order and becoming more disillusioned with that whole situation.

I have been driving the rivals with an eye to change if I like one more than the Emira.

Went and had a drive yesterday of one of these strange French things that I have heard so much about. Especially reading on here for a while as a Alpine lurker fan.

Wasn't entirely sure what to expect having not driven anything like it before. Long story short what an awesome little car!

Had a go in a A110S as I want to do some track days as well as daily drive, also just fancied having 300bhp in a light car. I just loved the way the thing went down the road was so easy to drive and so much fun.

Few small downers boots kind of hoped they would be a little bigger, in sport mode the overrun thing is fun but then a little annoying with every single lift off. Found my self knocking it out of sport every time I slowed down even for 2 secs to get it to stop.

Really on fence about the interior I like the design but some of the switches are definitely out of my brother in laws 500 quid Clio I have been teaching him to drive in Not sure how I feel about that.

Is the infotainment any good or does everyone just use CarPlay?

Conclusion went in expecting to like the drive and not much else, ruling it out as my daily. Found my self speccing and going through numbers. Coming out 12k less than an Emira and being able to have one in April all help. Getting serious anxiety about which way to turn as I really liked it.

Totally lived up to the hype and really glad I went for a test drive. Even if I decide against it you all have an amazing car.

Hi Ntiz,

Storage - this has been compromised in the design to benefit the ride/handling and partly explains why the car has such a great reputation in these respects. Personally I’m delighted they made that choice.

Exhaust - I think you can specify a standard exhaust which does without the crackles and pops on the down change if you don’t order an “S”. I enjoy them but it’s a very individual thing.

Audio - standard one is a bit basic but I’ve never used it - Apple CarPlay does everything for me.

I’ve had mine for 3 months/3,000 miles as a daily driver and cannot fault it - a simply amazing car in which I enjoy every drive.

Good luck with your choice, whatever you go for !

Simon.

[AlexNJ89]

On the subject of storage, there is some space behind the seats where you can put soft bags. I'm not trying to pretend it's not awful for storage because it really isn't good compared to something like a Cayman.

[bcr5784]

AlexNJ89 said:

On the subject of storage, there is some space behind the seats where you can put soft bags. I'm not trying to pretend it's not awful for storage because it really isn't good compared to something like a Cayman.

The Cayman is clearly well ahead of the A110 in terms of both luggage capacity and convenience of access. Both Emira and A110 are compromised and I doubt there is a lot between them in either regard - neither will take your typical full size suitcase and access in both is awkward.

[Sporky]

OliffeFox said:

Exhaust - I think you can specify a standard exhaust which does without the crackles and pops on the down change if you don’t order an “S”. I enjoy them but it’s a very individual thing.

You do then lose the resonator thingy though, which I understand is responsible for the nice gurgly noises at lower revs.

Personally I'd like to keep the gurgles but lose the pops and bangs. I hardly ever use Sport mode because of them

[worldwidewebs]

Sporky said:

Personally I'd like to keep the gurgles but lose the pops and bangs. I hardly ever use Sport mode because of them

I HATE the pops and bangs on overrun. I spoke with TRS about getting them coded out and they didn't seem to think it not possible. I'll probably get it done myself when I have some spare time

[Sporky]

They make me feel very self-conscious. To be fair, sport mode is a bit frantic for me anyway. Gosh I sound dull!

[bcr5784]

Sporky said:

They make me feel very self-conscious. To be fair, sport mode is a bit frantic for me anyway. Gosh I sound dull!

Someone did disable the exhaust bit - it's quite easy (I believe) - just removing the connector. However he reported that it seemed to interfere with the fueling, so probably not a good idea. David Pook suggested that buying a car without sports exhaust and buying and fitting the resonator bits would be cheaper and suit the old farts (me too) amongst us better.

[worldwidewebs]

bcr5784 said:

Sporky said:

They make me feel very self-conscious. To be fair, sport mode is a bit frantic for me anyway. Gosh I sound dull!

Someone did disable the exhaust bit - it's quite easy (I believe) - just removing the connector. However he reported that it seemed to interfere with the fueling, so probably not a good idea. David Pook suggested that buying a car without sports exhaust and buying and fitting the resonator bits would be cheaper and suit the old farts (me too) amongst us better.

The part you can disconnect just reduces the noise in the cabin, it doesn't actually get rid of the PnBs. Coding it out is the only way I believe

[biggles330d]

bcr5784 said:

AlexNJ89 said:

On the subject of storage, there is some space behind the seats where you can put soft bags. I'm not trying to pretend it's not awful for storage because it really isn't good compared to something like a Cayman.

The Cayman is clearly well ahead of the A110 in terms of both luggage capacity and convenience of access. Both Emira and A110 are compromised and I doubt there is a lot between them in either regard - neither will take your typical full size suitcase and access in both is awkward.

While a Cayman definitely has more luggage space, I think its about having more appropriate luggage. A suitcase won't fit but we managed three weeks in france with a couple of cabin zero bags up front that filled the space almost exactly, a couple of squishy bags in the back with space for shoes and books around them, and behind the seats there's quite a bit of room for flatter objects, bottles and other things. Our only hassle was doing a bigger shop where you tend to be buying stuff in bigger containers, boxes and bottles.
95% of the time I'm driving mine with nothing more than a jacket, perhaps a day bag and some snacks so luggage capacity isn't really an issue.

[Sporky]

bcr5784 said:

David Pook suggested that buying a car without sports exhaust and buying and fitting the resonator bits would be cheaper and suit the old farts (me too) amongst us better.

If I buy another that's the approach I'll take, but when I investigated you had to have 18s to have heated seats, and I resent bundles.

[Hoofty]

worldwidewebs said:

bcr5784 said:

Sporky said:

They make me feel very self-conscious. To be fair, sport mode is a bit frantic for me anyway. Gosh I sound dull!

Someone did disable the exhaust bit - it's quite easy (I believe) - just removing the connector. However he reported that it seemed to interfere with the fueling, so probably not a good idea. David Pook suggested that buying a car without sports exhaust and buying and fitting the resonator bits would be cheaper and suit the old farts (me too) amongst us better.

The part you can disconnect just reduces the noise in the cabin, it doesn't actually get rid of the PnBs. Coding it out is the only way I believe

Crossed wires I think - there are examples of disconnecting both the intake resonator and the sports exhaust flap plug (separately) on here. The latter had an effect on high RPM power delivery so was reversed.

As ever - love the PnBs, possibly as I only use sport mode on open roads so nothing to feel self conscious about (imo).

[AlexNJ89]

Would you not be able to drive the car in 'normal' mode but drive in manual?

That would mean it stays quiet and as far as I'm aware Sport makes no other changes except the exhaust and auto shifting?

[biggles330d]

AlexNJ89 said:

Would you not be able to drive the car in 'normal' mode but drive in manual?

That would mean it stays quiet and as far as I'm aware Sport makes no other changes except the exhaust and auto shifting?

I drive mine in normal mode and manual occasionally. I think the gear changes are a little softer than manual in sport mode.
I don't have the sports exhaust and the only time I get pops and bangs is when on it a bit, particularly in sports mode, but its very subtle and you don't really notice it, but they are definitely there. Nothing at all like the racket you get with the sports exhaust, which I thought would be fun initially but get a bit annoying when you were just driving around fairly normally.

[pfaz]

Had an Emira deposit down since early this year and had my scheduled test drive last weekend. Posted thoughts here for anyone interested...

https://www.emiraforum.com/threads/the-great-big-a...

[LGC-Adams]

Re. Pops and bangs and noise
Somewhere on here is a post to reduce CABIN noise, if that is your preference.
In short, detach resonator from bulkhead, stuff in a bit a high density/solvent resistant foam, reattach. Two nuts....10 min job.
Still gets P&B in Sport mode of course.

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Edited by LGC-Adams on Wednesday 30th November 11:38

Edited by LGC-Adams on Wednesday 30th November 11:40

[worldwidewebs]

AlexNJ89 said:

Would you not be able to drive the car in 'normal' mode but drive in manual?

That would mean it stays quiet and as far as I'm aware Sport makes no other changes except the exhaust and auto shifting?

Different traction control settings. Not a major issue on the road but it is when on track

[ThisInJapanese]

LGC-Adams said:

Re. Pops and bangs and noise
Somewhere on here is a post to reduce CABIN noise, if that is your preference.
In short, detach resonator from bulkhead, stuff in a bit a high density/solvent resistant foam, reattach. Two nuts....10 min job.
Still gets P&B in Sport mode of course.

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Edited by LGC-Adams on Wednesday 30th November 11:38

Edited by LGC-Adams on Wednesday 30th November 11:40

I have ordered the non-S and didn't option the Sports Exhaust as I found the constant popping annoying on the test drive, so I would never have been able to live with it day to day

[bcr5784]

biggles330d said:

While a Cayman definitely has more luggage space, I think its about having more appropriate luggage. A suitcase won't fit but we managed three weeks in france with a couple of cabin zero bags up front that filled the space almost exactly, a couple of squishy bags in the back with space for shoes and books around them, and behind the seats there's quite a bit of room for flatter objects, bottles and other things. Our only hassle was doing a bigger shop where you tend to be buying stuff in bigger containers, boxes and bottles.
95% of the time I'm driving mine with nothing more than a jacket, perhaps a day bag and some snacks so luggage capacity isn't really an issue.

Wouldn't disagree - the luggage space is perfectly adequate for our holiday needs - though, like you I did feel the need to get some luggage to use the front boot effectively (in my case a Roadsterbag suitcase). But I know some feel the space is not adequate for them (or their OHs?) and have dismissed the A110 for that reason.

[biggles330d]

bcr5784 said:

biggles330d said:

While a Cayman definitely has more luggage space, I think its about having more appropriate luggage. A suitcase won't fit but we managed three weeks in france with a couple of cabin zero bags up front that filled the space almost exactly, a couple of squishy bags in the back with space for shoes and books around them, and behind the seats there's quite a bit of room for flatter objects, bottles and other things. Our only hassle was doing a bigger shop where you tend to be buying stuff in bigger containers, boxes and bottles.
95% of the time I'm driving mine with nothing more than a jacket, perhaps a day bag and some snacks so luggage capacity isn't really an issue.

Wouldn't disagree - the luggage space is perfectly adequate for our holiday needs - though, like you I did feel the need to get some luggage to use the front boot effectively (in my case a Roadsterbag suitcase). But I know some feel the space is not adequate for them (or their OHs?) and have dismissed the A110 for that reason.

Their loss! I find it a bit odd to dismiss an otherwise brilliant car when you're in the market to spend £50+ on the basis you might have to stump up £200 on a couple of bags. Three tanks of fuel... Point about O/H noted though, we had a fairly lengthy consultation before she came round to accepting that more selectiveness in what to take is part of the answer!