Alpine A110: an owner’s experience
Discussion
worldwidewebs said:
Well they're not exactly built in this country
Indeed not. But the manufacturing factory knows what its doing. Can the same be said of every single Alpine dealer in Europe? All I am saying is that the car wasn't cutting out before the fuel pump failed and only started doing this after the new pump was fitted. I doubt this is just coincidence...
Yes. The stalling only happened after the new pump was fitted. The car was in the dealership for around 4 weeks (in aggregate) to investigate/diagnose the issue and they kept insisting they couldn’t diagnose any problems.
The reason I’m suspicious is that each time the car was returned to me, the fault presented itself almost immediately (despite the dealership claiming they couldn’t replicate it).
Anyway, the only intention was to flag that my experience of the dealership (as well as the manufacturer and the brand) has left me quite bitter and so I wouldn’t waste time going down this path again. It was painfully clear that neither the dealership nor the specialist tech team could figure out the issue, and yet they just insisted I keep sending the car back for more investigations. I mentioned a few times that I’d be open to discussing some alternative form of resolution but there was no interest from Alpine to engage. I did chuckle when Alpine suggested that the clip-on paddle extensions may have been to blame for the stalling issue! Definite case of clutching at straws!!
I’m sure many owners, who have expressed views in this thread, are more patient and would have gladly gone deeper into the Alpine rabbit hole, spending more weeks and months accommodating further investigations. Given I barely had an opportunity to use the car during my ownership, I decided on a different path instead.
To be fair, it was a real shame as I bought the car specifically for my first ever Euro road trip (given all the hype about the model, etc). I can see why people love them, (for the same reason I bought one!). Hope those who own them have a better experience than i did…. Wouldn’t be difficult!!
The reason I’m suspicious is that each time the car was returned to me, the fault presented itself almost immediately (despite the dealership claiming they couldn’t replicate it).
Anyway, the only intention was to flag that my experience of the dealership (as well as the manufacturer and the brand) has left me quite bitter and so I wouldn’t waste time going down this path again. It was painfully clear that neither the dealership nor the specialist tech team could figure out the issue, and yet they just insisted I keep sending the car back for more investigations. I mentioned a few times that I’d be open to discussing some alternative form of resolution but there was no interest from Alpine to engage. I did chuckle when Alpine suggested that the clip-on paddle extensions may have been to blame for the stalling issue! Definite case of clutching at straws!!
I’m sure many owners, who have expressed views in this thread, are more patient and would have gladly gone deeper into the Alpine rabbit hole, spending more weeks and months accommodating further investigations. Given I barely had an opportunity to use the car during my ownership, I decided on a different path instead.
To be fair, it was a real shame as I bought the car specifically for my first ever Euro road trip (given all the hype about the model, etc). I can see why people love them, (for the same reason I bought one!). Hope those who own them have a better experience than i did…. Wouldn’t be difficult!!
Pistom said:
I guess it takes all kinds.
If I got reliability from a low volume, relatively low cost car manufacturer - that would be an added bonus if not very memorable.
Having said that, the OP has had a bad experience and I can understand why he feels the way he does.
Personally, I've always loved sorting problems out on cars and part of the joy of owning more specialised cars.
I don’t consider £50k low cost.If I got reliability from a low volume, relatively low cost car manufacturer - that would be an added bonus if not very memorable.
Having said that, the OP has had a bad experience and I can understand why he feels the way he does.
Personally, I've always loved sorting problems out on cars and part of the joy of owning more specialised cars.
I too enjoy tinkering with older cars but the issues with the Alpine have been beyond anyone but main dealer to fix.
The known alternator fault gave no warning until the battery ran flat and the car stopped - there’s no “not charging” light.
There was no way to obtain a new alternator except via dealers and that involved a month long wait.
The fuel pump issue was dismissed by Alpine (despite Japan having fixes in 20/21) and only confirmed at the end of last year. I’m only just getting my fuel pump replaced now (in a week’s time) which meant the car missed an Italian trip.
Local dealer is helpful but there’s only so much they can do when Alpine HQ don’t really support owners
Kananga said:
Yes. The stalling only happened after the new pump was fitted. The car was in the dealership for around 4 weeks (in aggregate) to investigate/diagnose the issue and they kept insisting they couldn’t diagnose any problems.
The reason I’m suspicious is that each time the car was returned to me, the fault presented itself almost immediately (despite the dealership claiming they couldn’t replicate it).
Anyway, the only intention was to flag that my experience of the dealership (as well as the manufacturer and the brand) has left me quite bitter and so I wouldn’t waste time going down this path again. It was painfully clear that neither the dealership nor the specialist tech team could figure out the issue, and yet they just insisted I keep sending the car back for more investigations. I mentioned a few times that I’d be open to discussing some alternative form of resolution but there was no interest from Alpine to engage. I did chuckle when Alpine suggested that the clip-on paddle extensions may have been to blame for the stalling issue! Definite case of clutching at straws!!
I’m sure many owners, who have expressed views in this thread, are more patient and would have gladly gone deeper into the Alpine rabbit hole, spending more weeks and months accommodating further investigations. Given I barely had an opportunity to use the car during my ownership, I decided on a different path instead.
To be fair, it was a real shame as I bought the car specifically for my first ever Euro road trip (given all the hype about the model, etc). I can see why people love them, (for the same reason I bought one!). Hope those who own them have a better experience than i did…. Wouldn’t be difficult!!
I usually find it's best to be magnanimous in these types of situations. I'm reading that a lot of folks here clearly have a far greater awareness and/or different perspective on the A110 than you do - it's not a matter of greater patience.The reason I’m suspicious is that each time the car was returned to me, the fault presented itself almost immediately (despite the dealership claiming they couldn’t replicate it).
Anyway, the only intention was to flag that my experience of the dealership (as well as the manufacturer and the brand) has left me quite bitter and so I wouldn’t waste time going down this path again. It was painfully clear that neither the dealership nor the specialist tech team could figure out the issue, and yet they just insisted I keep sending the car back for more investigations. I mentioned a few times that I’d be open to discussing some alternative form of resolution but there was no interest from Alpine to engage. I did chuckle when Alpine suggested that the clip-on paddle extensions may have been to blame for the stalling issue! Definite case of clutching at straws!!
I’m sure many owners, who have expressed views in this thread, are more patient and would have gladly gone deeper into the Alpine rabbit hole, spending more weeks and months accommodating further investigations. Given I barely had an opportunity to use the car during my ownership, I decided on a different path instead.
To be fair, it was a real shame as I bought the car specifically for my first ever Euro road trip (given all the hype about the model, etc). I can see why people love them, (for the same reason I bought one!). Hope those who own them have a better experience than i did…. Wouldn’t be difficult!!
To be blunt, if you wanted to jump straight into a used specialised sports car which you're not familiar with and head off onto a continental tour - well, you're asking for trouble, I have to say. Perhaps if it was something rock solid reliable such as a Honda, then yeah, perhaps worth taking a punt. But Murphy struck, and that's life! And clearly very embarrassing to happen when in a Porsche-only convoy with your mates - so, not doubt you and the A110 were the butt of a lot of jokes and comments... So yeah, not surprising you start to develop a grudge against the car and the brand.
As folks mentioned, you got the FP fixed whilst abroad. And not long after, you encountered stalling issues - could be related but could also be separate. Could be that the new FP aggregated or brought to the fore an underlying issue that was already there which you hadn't picked up on yet. After all, by your own admission, you hadn't experienced the car much before heading off on the Euro road trip. It could also be the Toyota dealer was aware or suspected some issues re: stalling and/or FP related signs) but kept schtum. Or, perhaps the first owner felt a few things "coming", and "felt" it was time to swap for the GR Supra before items becoming obvious... WTF knows! But again, that's why you first need to get KNOW any car (used or new) before you really hit the road on trips. Just common sense.
Secondly, you started this thread by attacking Alpine and the Alpine dealer experience. It was not until it was teased out of you that it became known that actually you bought the car (which was a trade-in) from a Toyota dealership and not from Alpine! This was misleading and not correct.
Thirdly, it is disingenuous to think that any reputable dealer would deliberately lie to you if they could not find the fault. So, I am not surprised that they suspected it might be you and your driving style (on a car which you did not know very well) which is causing the stalling issues - hence, the extended paddles comment. And bear in mind, this is a dealer you did not buy the car from and nor did they fit the FP. I can also imagine they were becoming a little frustrated with you too - try to look at it from their side.
Fourthly, it looks like you have been barking up the wrong tree! As mentioned earlier, where was the Toyota dealership in all this saga? They were on the hook to resolve the issues for a car they had just sold to you. It's called (your) consumer rights and it's also called customer service from their side. However, if you took the bull by the horns and decided to resolve the matter yourself by personally chasing Alpine; then that was a serious error. A reputable Toyota dealer will invariably have more influence on another brand dealership than the average guy on the street. But if Toyota gave you the brush off then, yes, you do have reason to be miffed with poor dealership service - only it should be aimed at the Toyota dealership and not your local Alpine dealer who clearly bore the brunt of your wrath. Only you know which of the two scenarios was reality.
Bottom line: (1) be "fair" about this experience - step back a little to see you own bias; (2) be happy that you managed to cut your losses to a very negligible amount by passing the car back into another Alpine dealership by not making a full disclosure of your "stalling" issues; and (3) be even happier that you've got your 981 and a GR86! I would say you came out of it very well, all things considered. Enjoy! Life's too short....
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