Discussion
Tried a search, but to no avail!
To cut a (very) long story short, i've been relocated at work so would like/need to buy a newer, more economical car than my current E46 M3. I'll have around £7-8k (possibly £10k, although that would really be stretching it) to spend on a coupe. It has to be an Alfa, as i can't be bothered to get a 320Cd/CLK CDi etc, and luckily Alfa make two great diesel coupes!
The GT would have to be a BlackLine model, with the 1.9 JTDm engine, whilst the Brera 2.4 JTDm. Both seem to be had for the same sort of money/age and mileage, but i'm really struggling to choose between them.
It's worth pointing out i've only driven a GT, a relatives 2.0 JTS for about 30 miles!
What would you pick and why?
Cheers.
To cut a (very) long story short, i've been relocated at work so would like/need to buy a newer, more economical car than my current E46 M3. I'll have around £7-8k (possibly £10k, although that would really be stretching it) to spend on a coupe. It has to be an Alfa, as i can't be bothered to get a 320Cd/CLK CDi etc, and luckily Alfa make two great diesel coupes!
The GT would have to be a BlackLine model, with the 1.9 JTDm engine, whilst the Brera 2.4 JTDm. Both seem to be had for the same sort of money/age and mileage, but i'm really struggling to choose between them.
It's worth pointing out i've only driven a GT, a relatives 2.0 JTS for about 30 miles!
What would you pick and why?
Cheers.
This is purely hand-me-down opinion or public-domain stats - I haven't driven either car
The GT looks gorgeous but is let down by a characterless engine (for the diesel option at least - pretty sure the V6 is up to the usual Alfa standard for aural pleasure). It's also not particularly quick - 9.3 seconds to 60 is going to see you struggling against some fairly mundane rep-mobiles. Proper four-seater though, which can't be said for the Brera.
Brera is gorgeous (spot the emerging pattern?) and in 2.4 guise, has a whole load more character from its 5-pot oil-burner. Quicker too, with 7.6 seconds to 60
Mpg is similar between the two with 45 for the GT1.9 and 41 for the Brera 2.4, although most owners will only get 75%-80% of this under everyday conditions. I guess both cars would respond very well to a DPF removal and a remap, with 240bhp and a zillion torques achievable for not much outlay from the 5-pot unit.
Probably not as brave a choice as it would have been a deceade ago - Alfa really have upped their game, although I doubt they're up to German standards for build quality just yet.
BMW 320d Coupe would be a better car in every single aspect of dynamics, but personally, I'd love either of the Alfas as a daily commuter that doesn't blend in with the crowd.
The GT looks gorgeous but is let down by a characterless engine (for the diesel option at least - pretty sure the V6 is up to the usual Alfa standard for aural pleasure). It's also not particularly quick - 9.3 seconds to 60 is going to see you struggling against some fairly mundane rep-mobiles. Proper four-seater though, which can't be said for the Brera.
Brera is gorgeous (spot the emerging pattern?) and in 2.4 guise, has a whole load more character from its 5-pot oil-burner. Quicker too, with 7.6 seconds to 60
Mpg is similar between the two with 45 for the GT1.9 and 41 for the Brera 2.4, although most owners will only get 75%-80% of this under everyday conditions. I guess both cars would respond very well to a DPF removal and a remap, with 240bhp and a zillion torques achievable for not much outlay from the 5-pot unit.
Probably not as brave a choice as it would have been a deceade ago - Alfa really have upped their game, although I doubt they're up to German standards for build quality just yet.
BMW 320d Coupe would be a better car in every single aspect of dynamics, but personally, I'd love either of the Alfas as a daily commuter that doesn't blend in with the crowd.
Thanks for the reply. I think i probably would remap either car after a period of ownership. The GT does seem quite slow on paper, but it's a 16v 150bhp turbo-diesel, and can't be that heavy a car so strange that it seems to be slower than the same engined 156 Saloon. Just realised they make a 170 version (although not BlackLine) - oh, and forgot about the Q2...hmmm.
I really would like to know what owners of the Brera are getting MPG-wise - although it's not a big deal breaker i would hope for at least 35-40mpg?
Also what were the options on the Brera? Is the SV panoramic roof worth it, or does it add to the wieght of the car?
Cheers
I really would like to know what owners of the Brera are getting MPG-wise - although it's not a big deal breaker i would hope for at least 35-40mpg?
Also what were the options on the Brera? Is the SV panoramic roof worth it, or does it add to the wieght of the car?
Cheers
)The Brera is much better built, more refined, has far better crash safety and will probably be more reliable, the GT is more raw and light on its feet.
The glass roof is fitted to all Breras and you pay extra for the electric blind that allows you to see through it!
I have driven a diesel GT and it was very nice, I have not driven the diesel Brera but I am very happy with my 2.2 petrol Brera S.
The glass roof is fitted to all Breras and you pay extra for the electric blind that allows you to see through it!
I have driven a diesel GT and it was very nice, I have not driven the diesel Brera but I am very happy with my 2.2 petrol Brera S.
We currently own a 3.2 version of each. The GT has an added torsen LSD so the rabid FWD chasis is tamed a tad (just a tad) and our Brera is Q4.
Both are great. The Brera is a much better day to day prospect but the GT just edges it if you want a thrash on a decent road. The road needs to be smooth though otherwise the GT wouldn't get close to the Brera.
The GT has proper rear seats too.
Diesels though? In an Alfa? You're joking, right! Lol
Both are great. The Brera is a much better day to day prospect but the GT just edges it if you want a thrash on a decent road. The road needs to be smooth though otherwise the GT wouldn't get close to the Brera.
The GT has proper rear seats too.
Diesels though? In an Alfa? You're joking, right! Lol
A GT Cloverleaf with 170 BHP and a Q2 diff would be the driver's choice but I think the GT is beginning to show it's age now, the interior is flaky, suspension is made of cheese and the design is looking a bit last gen.
Personally I couldn't recommend a Brera JTD either as they never came in the Prodrive S version. If you must have a diesel Alfa how about a 159 2.4 JTD Ti - nicer to drive than the Brera, more practical and similar looks - from the front anyway!
Personally I couldn't recommend a Brera JTD either as they never came in the Prodrive S version. If you must have a diesel Alfa how about a 159 2.4 JTD Ti - nicer to drive than the Brera, more practical and similar looks - from the front anyway!
The Brera 5-pot is a lovely engine, but it can be pretty thirsty when thrashed.
The 1.9 JTDm is one of the best oil burners on the market, though - not as characterful as the 2.4, but much more economical, and cheaper to service.
I'd want a GT with 170bhp and Q2.
The GT is based on the 156 / 147 (it's essentially a sawn-off 156 with 147 interior and CANBUS electrics), whereas the Brera is based on the lardy 159 platform.
The 1.9 JTDm is one of the best oil burners on the market, though - not as characterful as the 2.4, but much more economical, and cheaper to service.
I'd want a GT with 170bhp and Q2.
The GT is based on the 156 / 147 (it's essentially a sawn-off 156 with 147 interior and CANBUS electrics), whereas the Brera is based on the lardy 159 platform.
For the sake of accuracy, the GT is a mix of 156 Sportwagon chasis & 147 interior. Bespoke Bertone body with 147 GTA front wings.
It's not very taught & they creak like an old wooden house. They feel faster than they are as a result.
The Brera is rock solid, refined & feels slower than the actually are as a result.
Day to day & 90% of the time, we'd both jump at the Brera.
The 2.4's seem majorly problematic, due in main to the DPF & EGR's. Many people remove these & remap at the same time then cry a few weeks later as they need a clutch.
Buy a cheaper petrol & enjoy it
Alfa's aren't cheap to run so look elsewhere if cost is an issue.
It's not very taught & they creak like an old wooden house. They feel faster than they are as a result.
The Brera is rock solid, refined & feels slower than the actually are as a result.
Day to day & 90% of the time, we'd both jump at the Brera.
The 2.4's seem majorly problematic, due in main to the DPF & EGR's. Many people remove these & remap at the same time then cry a few weeks later as they need a clutch.
Buy a cheaper petrol & enjoy it
Alfa's aren't cheap to run so look elsewhere if cost is an issue.Squadrone Rosso said:
The 2.4's seem majorly problematic, due in main to the DPF & EGR's. Many people remove these & remap at the same time then cry a few weeks later as they need a clutch.
That was another question i forgot to ask - if the Brera had DPF. I know the older GT JTD doesn't.Thanks for all replies, seems to be a mixed opinion. At first i was drawn to the GT, but know having read up and looking at the similar prices it seems i may plump for a Brera!
....perhaps i should sell the M3 and get a GT 3.2 V6 AND a Brera 2.4JTD!
I ran an early Brera 2.4 for four and a bit years and the above comments are pretty accurate. They are solid, comfortable (in the front!) great looking and well made. They are NOT a sports car, but a great GT car. MPG is poor - high 30s absolute best, downhill with the wind behind you. I never had a DPF problem, but out of warranty I would be tempted to junk them. The SV roof is an absolute must in my mind, but you would struggle to find a 2.4 without one I think. Try and get the latest model you can - 210 bhp and better seats than the first 200 ones.
As discussed many times before the best option was never made - a GT with the pre Euro 4 2.4 20 Valve diesel out of the 156 - great sound, economy and performance. Going back to an earlier post re the origins of the GT, the engine bay seems to be 147 based, hence why the 5 pot diesel wasn't fitted as the 156 is slightly wider, shame as it would have made a great car.
crostonian said:
As discussed many times before the best option was never made - a GT with the pre Euro 4 2.4 20 Valve diesel out of the 156
That would have been good. There was a 147 enduro racer built to this spec, so the 5 pot obviously does fit, but how much work it took I don't know!!
Again, thanks for the replies.
I've been giving it some more thought and compiled a sort of comparison list, as it were.
Let's see who agrees with this :
GT 1.9 JTDm 150 Vs Brera 2.4 JTDm
Performance : Brera wins
Economy : GT wins
Handling : GT wins (?)
Interior : Brera wins
Looks : Tie! Possibly edging ahead with Brera!
Cost to buy : GT wins
Cost to run : GT wins
Residuals (as if that's important!) : Brera wins
Reliability : GT wins (?) At a guess!
So that's GT : 5/9 & Brera : 3-4/9
I've been giving it some more thought and compiled a sort of comparison list, as it were.
Let's see who agrees with this :
GT 1.9 JTDm 150 Vs Brera 2.4 JTDm
Performance : Brera wins
Economy : GT wins
Handling : GT wins (?)
Interior : Brera wins
Looks : Tie! Possibly edging ahead with Brera!
Cost to buy : GT wins
Cost to run : GT wins
Residuals (as if that's important!) : Brera wins
Reliability : GT wins (?) At a guess!
So that's GT : 5/9 & Brera : 3-4/9
Apologies for the late response on this but I was faced with the same decision only a few weeks ago. I couldn't decide, so waited for the first decent example of either car (in diesel form) to come available at the right price. The result? A GT Blackline, 1 owner, 30k miles and it could pass for a much lower mileage car than that. Have loved every minute of owning it so far and it has a few more practicalities on offer than the Brera.
Buy a V6 Brera - here's mine on the Brooklands Test Hill today
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AI4xf-GjqbM&fea...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AI4xf-GjqbM&fea...
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