4C - Where are we with prices right now?

4C - Where are we with prices right now?

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Discussion

Chris1712

293 posts

99 months

Thursday 12th December 2019
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omniflow said:
PM me, I have another birthday present for you.
Thank you kind sir I shall. Hope I haven’t bought a lemon!
omniflow said:
Is the front number plate still held on with cable ties?

When it was collected by Mannheim, they said they couldn't take the car as there was a bulge in one of the front tyres. It was tiny and I hadn't noticed it. I was annoyed so I put an £80 budget tyre on there.

It SHOULD also come with a carbon fibre effect holdall, with red stitching to match the car. I toyed with the idea of keeping that, but it went back with the car and I would definitely say you are owed it.

How did you find out about the GEO mod? Had the dealer worked it out, or did you figure it out when you looked at the car?
It had Michelin PS4s all round when I looked, but you’ve got me worried I didn’t double check now! The geo mod I sussed myself, just looking through the spokes. Road right? Blue and black spacers.

There was a lot of stuff in the boot, not really sure what should be there and what was extra. I think there was a hold-all for the indoor cover, not sure about anymore than that. It had the full size plate with cable ties and also the mini plate in the boot. Part of the reason I bought it tbh the drilled plate holders ruin the front bumper.

Motorsport3

499 posts

192 months

Friday 13th December 2019
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Chris1712 said:
Very nice. I do love the lines of the Coupe but something told me I had to have a Rosso Comp Spider. Where are you located?
Rosso Comp spider is a beautiful combo, no doubt. Good luck with the hand over and enjoy the ride.
I'm based in Wimbledon area and collecting tomorrow first thing in the morning from Aylesford. And you ?

Chris1712

293 posts

99 months

Friday 13th December 2019
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Motorsport3 said:
Rosso Comp spider is a beautiful combo, no doubt. Good luck with the hand over and enjoy the ride.
I'm based in Wimbledon area and collecting tomorrow first thing in the morning from Aylesford. And you ?
Frome, Somerset. Collecting from Huthwaite tomorrow, just past Nottingham. Got a long drive back! driving

It seems the only Forums is really 4c-forum, was hoping something more UK based. Are there any secret Facebook groups I should know about? Would love to meet some local owners, I'll be at Haynes breakfast meets once in a while and often pop to Castle Combe & Prescott Hill Climb.

Moley RUFC

3,612 posts

189 months

Saturday 14th December 2019
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Are you an AROC member? Plenty of regional and national meets during the year.

Chris1712

293 posts

99 months

Saturday 14th December 2019
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Bloody hell what a journey. 265 miles, 5h25m of torrential rain, average speed cameras and bloody SUV headlights.

It was really fun for about 2 hours, and then it just became exhausting! I’m a bit concerned at the interior noise. Hard to tell what’s normal and what might be broken or loose.

The road noise and engine noise is obvious, and manageable but once the interior was warm the whole dashboard turned into a giant creaking, squeaking mess. Under 50mph it sounds like the whole car is a loose squeaky floorboard it’s absolutely infuriating and I’m not sure normal? It’s fine up to speed, and was fine whilst cold. Similarly the front suspension is either broken or the wheels rub like crazy at full lock? The final 10-20% of travel on lock is just a grinding sound?

Great to meet a fellow PH’er on the way back though, thank you for the goodies 👍. It was fine up to that 2hr mark and then the creaking became absurd.

Bring on dry weather and daylight.

MellowshipSlinky

14,694 posts

189 months

Saturday 14th December 2019
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I had less creaks in my 4C than I did with any of the Porches I had, so I’d say not normal.
As for the wheels rubbing - you sure it’s not the Ackerman effect?
Sounds like rubbing but actually isn’t (low speed, full lock)

Chris1712

293 posts

99 months

Sunday 15th December 2019
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MellowshipSlinky said:
I had less creaks in my 4C than I did with any of the Porches I had, so I’d say not normal.
As for the wheels rubbing - you sure it’s not the Ackerman effect?
Sounds like rubbing but actually isn’t (low speed, full lock)
The more I think about it the more I think there’s some suspension damage actually. The creaky dashboard I think now was just creaky suspension vibrating and echoing through the cabin. Going to have a look once it’s light, unfortunately I can’t even jack it up at home so it’s a waiting game until I can get it to a garage. Place I bought it from is 4 hours away so don’t really fancy taking it there, but will phone them.

Sigh.

omniflow

2,570 posts

151 months

Sunday 15th December 2019
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Chris1712 said:
The more I think about it the more I think there’s some suspension damage actually. The creaky dashboard I think now was just creaky suspension vibrating and echoing through the cabin. Going to have a look once it’s light, unfortunately I can’t even jack it up at home so it’s a waiting game until I can get it to a garage. Place I bought it from is 4 hours away so don’t really fancy taking it there, but will phone them.

Sigh.
It was fine back in June when Mannheim collected it, but I suspect it's been on and off several transporters since then. Someone will have taken the wheels off to re-furbish them, maybe one of them hasn't been put back correctly, or maybe some rubber parts have gone hard through lack of use. I only drove it about 6 miles with that cheap tyre fitted, but I don't recall anything untoward.

There are a few other posts / threads on here where people have needed replacement wishbones - not sure of the exact symptoms / causes.




MellowshipSlinky

14,694 posts

189 months

Sunday 15th December 2019
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Mine had a creaky wishbone replaced - the grease either dries out in the rubber or there’s not enough put in during manufacture.
Manifests itself as a loud creaking over rough ground, and you can hear it better with the door open and steering one way slowly.

burty39

354 posts

201 months

Sunday 15th December 2019
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Hi - common fault is front lower ball joints

Mine were replaced under warranty and I know of other newer cars with the same issue

Worth exploring and if it is that then try Alfa given it's a common fault

They are quite an experience to drive and can be tiring but well worth the effort! Mine is 5 years old, 25k miles, lots of road noise, but the noises you describe sound unusual and could be suspension

The 4c forum is great, international rather than UK specific but some very helpful and knowledgeable people on there and very friendly unlike some forums

Evanivitch

20,031 posts

122 months

Sunday 15th December 2019
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MellowshipSlinky said:
Mine had a creaky wishbone replaced - the grease either dries out in the rubber or there’s not enough put in during manufacture.
Manifests itself as a loud creaking over rough ground, and you can hear it better with the door open and steering one way slowly.
The same used to happen on my '07 GT, crazy that Alfa still can't get it right!

Chris1712

293 posts

99 months

Sunday 15th December 2019
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Thanks everyone, wishbone or ball joint sounds likely. It knocks on full lock turning left, cold. And then once it’s really warm it gets creaky up to about 40mph.

Will try and get it into Alfa ASAP, it feels fine it’s just annoying.

Motorsport3

499 posts

192 months

Monday 16th December 2019
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Chris1712 said:
Thanks everyone, wishbone or ball joint sounds likely. It knocks on full lock turning left, cold. And then once it’s really warm it gets creaky up to about 40mph.

Will try and get it into Alfa ASAP, it feels fine it’s just annoying.
I drove mine back home on Saturday morning. M25 and a bit of typical London traffic, so not great roads really. Compared to an Elise S1 I used to have I found the 4C more refined, but compared with anything else I have driven is definitely spartan. It's not an every day car and I need to be in the mood for her. But that is what make it special, for 4 out of 5 times I take a car out will be the mercedes workhorse we have.

I am sorry that you encountered issues. Looks like the first date didn't go to plan. When you investigate the noise and make yourself comfortable that there are no issues, try to take some time and see with renewed confidence whether the car suits you. I had similar experience when I got my S1 elise. If you are used to 1.5tone car, moving to half that and the full effect of losing insulation can be unexpected. Out of curiosity - how many miles does your's have?

Chris1712

293 posts

99 months

Monday 16th December 2019
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Motorsport3 said:
I drove mine back home on Saturday morning. M25 and a bit of typical London traffic, so not great roads really. Compared to an Elise S1 I used to have I found the 4C more refined, but compared with anything else I have driven is definitely spartan. It's not an every day car and I need to be in the mood for her. But that is what make it special, for 4 out of 5 times I take a car out will be the mercedes workhorse we have.

I am sorry that you encountered issues. Looks like the first date didn't go to plan. When you investigate the noise and make yourself comfortable that there are no issues, try to take some time and see with renewed confidence whether the car suits you. I had similar experience when I got my S1 elise. If you are used to 1.5tone car, moving to half that and the full effect of losing insulation can be unexpected. Out of curiosity - how many miles does your's have?
Now I've had time to digest (and another B road blast in the dry yesterday smile) I feel much better about it all! There is a suspension issue, but it's booked in with Alfa Swindon so should be sorted under warranty asap.

Really I was annoyed at the rest of the world, not my car tongue out. Just so many high up SUVs with floodlights on it's really awkward, can't see a bloody thing especially with all the spray from other cars aswell. Oh well those kinds of journeys will be few and far between.

11400 miles when I picked it up, 11800 now! I'll do about 5-7k a year I think, and hopefully 5 track days cool

Chris1712

293 posts

99 months

Thursday 19th December 2019
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As a little bit of trivia for everyone, my Apple Watch reported 79-83dB while cruising at 70mph (GPS speed). Pretty loud! That's the same as a vacuum cleaner or boiling kettle spin.

_Superleggera_

2,004 posts

197 months

Thursday 19th December 2019
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Congrats Chris,

We have a WhatsApp group of UK members if you are interested to join.

smile

Enjoy the new car.

Stuart J

1,301 posts

257 months

Saturday 28th December 2019
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What’s the what’s app group called ? How can I join ?

4C.Daily

1 posts

51 months

Wednesday 1st January 2020
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Sorry, first time poster here, and 4C owner. Would be very interested in the WhatsApp group if possible.

Motorsport3

499 posts

192 months

Thursday 2nd January 2020
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_Superleggera_ said:
Congrats Chris,

We have a WhatsApp group of UK members if you are interested to join.

smile

Enjoy the new car.
Happy New Year, I am also interested in joining that group.

lawrywild

157 posts

62 months

Thursday 9th January 2020
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Decent spec Competition Red Coupe listed at £31,995 on AT. Moderate mileage at 14.5k and 2 owners. Just had cambelt service.. Must be one of the cheapest deals I've seen.