Quadrifoglio woes; it's too much.
Discussion
I've had my Quadrifoglio just under a month. I've found out that 500bhp is just too much for my tastes and having had something as weaponised as the Alfa has shifted my perception of the desire for a fast car.
Having had a succession of cars in the 250-360bhp range I never felt they were lacking and were perfectly rapid enough. Now I've experienced what a properly fast car is, I don't actually like it. Unless you have a private track and an unlimited tyre budget, the appeal of having a car like this on the roads is lost on me. Clearly this is a reflection on me and not the car.
I'm glad I experienced it, albeit briefly. I'm looking instead at a well-specced Giulia Veloce or scratch another itch and get a lovely, lazy 80s V8 Merc to waft around in.
The dealer said "A Ferrari engined saloon isn't for everybody" and they were right.
Having had a succession of cars in the 250-360bhp range I never felt they were lacking and were perfectly rapid enough. Now I've experienced what a properly fast car is, I don't actually like it. Unless you have a private track and an unlimited tyre budget, the appeal of having a car like this on the roads is lost on me. Clearly this is a reflection on me and not the car.
I'm glad I experienced it, albeit briefly. I'm looking instead at a well-specced Giulia Veloce or scratch another itch and get a lovely, lazy 80s V8 Merc to waft around in.
The dealer said "A Ferrari engined saloon isn't for everybody" and they were right.
Moderator edit: no advertising
Well well, interesting to hear this opinion. The Quadrifoglio is at the front of a 2-3 car shortlist to replace my F32 440i next year.
I have seen a few YouTube videos where reviewers are continually spinning up the QF's tyres in 2nd on anything that isn't a bone dry surface. That did make me wonder how much power is too much power. My 440i is quick, but I do want to experience laugh out loud fast and the QF is nagging at me... If 325bhp is enough for you maybe we could swap
How is the package other than the ferocious speed? The interior looks more than adequate and the ride quality is meant to be very good compared to its German contemporaries. It seems like a very usable daily driver as long as you're prudent with the loud pedal.
I have seen a few YouTube videos where reviewers are continually spinning up the QF's tyres in 2nd on anything that isn't a bone dry surface. That did make me wonder how much power is too much power. My 440i is quick, but I do want to experience laugh out loud fast and the QF is nagging at me... If 325bhp is enough for you maybe we could swap
How is the package other than the ferocious speed? The interior looks more than adequate and the ride quality is meant to be very good compared to its German contemporaries. It seems like a very usable daily driver as long as you're prudent with the loud pedal.
Edited by david-j8694 on Monday 22 March 12:55
DrBrule said:
I've had my Quadrifoglio just under a month. I've found out that 500bhp is just too much for my tastes and having had something as weaponised as the Alfa has shifted my perception of the desire for a fast car.
Having had a succession of cars in the 250-360bhp range I never felt they were lacking and were perfectly rapid enough. Now I've experienced what a properly fast car is, I don't actually like it. Unless you have a private track and an unlimited tyre budget, the appeal of having a car like this on the roads is lost on me. Clearly this is a reflection on me and not the car.
I'm glad I experienced it, albeit briefly. I'm looking instead at a well-specced Giulia Veloce or scratch another itch and get a lovely, lazy 80s V8 Merc to waft around in.
The dealer said "A Ferrari engined saloon isn't for everybody" and they were right.
I'm glad I'm not the only one! I took a test drive in one, and it scared me sHaving had a succession of cars in the 250-360bhp range I never felt they were lacking and were perfectly rapid enough. Now I've experienced what a properly fast car is, I don't actually like it. Unless you have a private track and an unlimited tyre budget, the appeal of having a car like this on the roads is lost on me. Clearly this is a reflection on me and not the car.
I'm glad I experienced it, albeit briefly. I'm looking instead at a well-specced Giulia Veloce or scratch another itch and get a lovely, lazy 80s V8 Merc to waft around in.
The dealer said "A Ferrari engined saloon isn't for everybody" and they were right.
Moderator edit: no advertising
tless. 
It is definitely laugh out loud acceleration, at least the first few times, it's incredible. The reviewers aren't exaggerating for effect. I heard it said a few times now; it's a four-door Ferrari.
When you realise the car will take you into licence-bothering speeds within few a seconds the risk/reward ratio rapidly changes and that's what's done it for me. I'd rather have a car I can drive at 8/10ths than something which is barely waking up as 70mph passes the blink of an eye. Obviously you aren't obliged to drive flat out all the time, in which case you will be seeing very little of what the car is capable of.
The car isn't at fault, it's purely a realisation of my tastes and limits as a driver. The whole package is brilliant and any gripes about the interior quality are minor nit-picking. You won't be thinking about the interior plastics once you start driving it.
Having come from a series of fast-ish Audis (inc. an S8) before owning an Alfa, I'd say the Audis felt like trainers whereas the Giula feels like a proper running shoe. I's a fantastic car, just not for me.
When you realise the car will take you into licence-bothering speeds within few a seconds the risk/reward ratio rapidly changes and that's what's done it for me. I'd rather have a car I can drive at 8/10ths than something which is barely waking up as 70mph passes the blink of an eye. Obviously you aren't obliged to drive flat out all the time, in which case you will be seeing very little of what the car is capable of.
The car isn't at fault, it's purely a realisation of my tastes and limits as a driver. The whole package is brilliant and any gripes about the interior quality are minor nit-picking. You won't be thinking about the interior plastics once you start driving it.
Having come from a series of fast-ish Audis (inc. an S8) before owning an Alfa, I'd say the Audis felt like trainers whereas the Giula feels like a proper running shoe. I's a fantastic car, just not for me.
DrBrule said:
I've had my Quadrifoglio just under a month. I've found out that 500bhp is just too much for my tastes and having had something as weaponised as the Alfa has shifted my perception of the desire for a fast car.
Having had a succession of cars in the 250-360bhp range I never felt they were lacking and were perfectly rapid enough. Now I've experienced what a properly fast car is, I don't actually like it. Unless you have a private track and an unlimited tyre budget, the appeal of having a car like this on the roads is lost on me. Clearly this is a reflection on me and not the car.
I'm glad I experienced it, albeit briefly. I'm looking instead at a well-specced Giulia Veloce or scratch another itch and get a lovely, lazy 80s V8 Merc to waft around in.
The dealer said "A Ferrari engined saloon isn't for everybody" and they were right.
A shame that you didn't gel with it (although I know what you mean about some cars being too quick). Having had a succession of cars in the 250-360bhp range I never felt they were lacking and were perfectly rapid enough. Now I've experienced what a properly fast car is, I don't actually like it. Unless you have a private track and an unlimited tyre budget, the appeal of having a car like this on the roads is lost on me. Clearly this is a reflection on me and not the car.
I'm glad I experienced it, albeit briefly. I'm looking instead at a well-specced Giulia Veloce or scratch another itch and get a lovely, lazy 80s V8 Merc to waft around in.
The dealer said "A Ferrari engined saloon isn't for everybody" and they were right.
Moderator edit: no advertising
Moderator edit: don't turn this into a for sale thread
Interesting thread. Thx for posting. I’ve thought long and hard but have ordered one (see other thread). However my toy is an R400 Caterham so I’m perhaps more used to silly power as it’s power to weight ratio is above the QF with no driver aids. I guess we’ll see how I get on ! I doubt I’ll be using it in Race mode on the road very much !
At least you’ve scratched the itch. No regrets :-)
At least you’ve scratched the itch. No regrets :-)
Very frank post from OP, completely respect your position. For others considering the QF, get some decent all year tyres on (Michelin PS4S or Goodyear F1s I think) and as long as the tyres have some heat in and it’s not heavily raining you’ll be fine with a sensible right foot. Especially given torque’s limited in gears 1&2 apart from Race mode - this will actually become a frustration once you’re used to the power but would like the safety nets and electronic diff response from Race mode
It does go very, very quickly indeed.
But I find it also potters about very happily. You don't need to poke it with a stick to enjoy it. I spend a huge amount of time in A mode for the normal day-to-day and for long distance dual/motorway stuff. Ride comfort and noise levels mean you can arrive v relaxed and if something slow should need passed then you can switch to your preferred mode and dispatch it with ease.
In my experience it doesn't have a huge appetite for tyres either - although clearly that will be somewhat different if you feel the need to unleash all the horses all the time.
But I find it also potters about very happily. You don't need to poke it with a stick to enjoy it. I spend a huge amount of time in A mode for the normal day-to-day and for long distance dual/motorway stuff. Ride comfort and noise levels mean you can arrive v relaxed and if something slow should need passed then you can switch to your preferred mode and dispatch it with ease.
In my experience it doesn't have a huge appetite for tyres either - although clearly that will be somewhat different if you feel the need to unleash all the horses all the time.
I do drive very conservatively in it. I took it out yesterday to travel the new route I’ll be commuting every day. It’s a 20 min trip and not much opportunity to have fun on the days I decide to take the Alfa. It’s wasted on me I’m afraid. As a self-employed widower with a young child to raise I can’t risk my licence and I fear one badly timed moment of fun could see that happening.
My mechanic had an F355 and said he sold it after a year as he never got the opportunity to properly enjoy it.
First world problems eh?
My mechanic had an F355 and said he sold it after a year as he never got the opportunity to properly enjoy it.
First world problems eh?
What a relevant and relatable post.
I’ve run a C63 for the past three years, and have recently sold it.
It is, like the Alfa, a wonderful achievement, but once you’re used to the pace, it’s not really enjoyable within socially acceptable limits.
Fortuitously, I’ve had a 1990’s AMG C class to fall back on. No traction control etc, and the feeling that it’s trying to tip you off the road in the damp, makes it more fun.
Ho-hum- I must be getting old...
I’ve run a C63 for the past three years, and have recently sold it.
It is, like the Alfa, a wonderful achievement, but once you’re used to the pace, it’s not really enjoyable within socially acceptable limits.
Fortuitously, I’ve had a 1990’s AMG C class to fall back on. No traction control etc, and the feeling that it’s trying to tip you off the road in the damp, makes it more fun.
Ho-hum- I must be getting old...
I have a Stelvio QF, purchased last October. Only in the last couple of weeks have I started using Race mode but can 100% concur with the 'f88k it's fast' sentiment. Before this the 280ps Stevio I had prior was the highest performance car I'd owned. The QF is on a different planet to that.
I've not driven a Giulia QF but the thought of that power/torque solely through the back wheels would be disconcerting. I watched the Harry's Garage Ferrari Roma video yesterday and he was expertly driving that on public roads in low temps with the back end twitching all over the place. I'm not a driving god so the comfort of AWD (when the car decides it needs it) is at least there with the Stelvio. Race mode certainly does concentrate the mind however.
All that said I absolutely bloody love it! Once I've safely dropped my daughter off at school in the morning the ten miles back home in Race are a highlight of my day and it's still enormous fun getting to 60 very, very quickly and loudly
I've not driven a Giulia QF but the thought of that power/torque solely through the back wheels would be disconcerting. I watched the Harry's Garage Ferrari Roma video yesterday and he was expertly driving that on public roads in low temps with the back end twitching all over the place. I'm not a driving god so the comfort of AWD (when the car decides it needs it) is at least there with the Stelvio. Race mode certainly does concentrate the mind however.
All that said I absolutely bloody love it! Once I've safely dropped my daughter off at school in the morning the ten miles back home in Race are a highlight of my day and it's still enormous fun getting to 60 very, very quickly and loudly
MickyveloceClassic said:
What a relevant and relatable post.
I’ve run a C63 for the past three years, and have recently sold it.
It is, like the Alfa, a wonderful achievement, but once you’re used to the pace, it’s not really enjoyable within socially acceptable limits.
Fortuitously, I’ve had a 1990’s AMG C class to fall back on. No traction control etc, and the feeling that it’s trying to tip you off the road in the damp, makes it more fun.
Ho-hum- I must be getting old...
These 2 were on my shopping list last year, I bought a Mustang in the end, as I realised my other choices would be too fast for what I require from a car.I’ve run a C63 for the past three years, and have recently sold it.
It is, like the Alfa, a wonderful achievement, but once you’re used to the pace, it’s not really enjoyable within socially acceptable limits.
Fortuitously, I’ve had a 1990’s AMG C class to fall back on. No traction control etc, and the feeling that it’s trying to tip you off the road in the damp, makes it more fun.
Ho-hum- I must be getting old...
The Mustang encourages me to drive slower, but it also has a nice turn of speed
No room in the back though, if that's a regular requirement?
I've been looking at QF's recently as a second car, but also weighing up weither just to have a Veloce as an only car, so this is an interesting take on it.
For me colossal performance has always been more about the flexibility and ease of the performance, rather than 0-100. Being able to quickly pick up pace to make that gap, or squeeze past that truck was what appealled with high BHP for me, instead of having to rev the tits off of a slower car to do the same. But I'm a lazy driver.
The Veloce Ti with the wheels and carbon pack does seem like a good balance of performance/cost/looks however.
Good post OP. Lots of factors, do you live near a track, what are your local roads like etc
We're blessed in North Derbyshire with some lovely undulating mixed driving roads with miles of road view the further north you go. I have 3 very specific local routes where I know every bump, camber and field entrance. None the less the element of risk reward is very real but it is in a 300bhp hot hatch.
I've added an extra 100bhp via a remap and use everyone quite regularly with a clean licence, touch wood. It's a last hurrah for these types of car so I'm loving it but fully appreciate and respect your point.
We're blessed in North Derbyshire with some lovely undulating mixed driving roads with miles of road view the further north you go. I have 3 very specific local routes where I know every bump, camber and field entrance. None the less the element of risk reward is very real but it is in a 300bhp hot hatch.
I've added an extra 100bhp via a remap and use everyone quite regularly with a clean licence, touch wood. It's a last hurrah for these types of car so I'm loving it but fully appreciate and respect your point.
MattyB_ said:
I've been looking at QF's recently as a second car, but also weighing up weither just to have a Veloce as an only car, so this is an interesting take on it.
For me colossal performance has always been more about the flexibility and ease of the performance, rather than 0-100. Being able to quickly pick up pace to make that gap, or squeeze past that truck was what appealled with high BHP for me, instead of having to rev the tits off of a slower car to do the same. But I'm a lazy driver.
The Veloce Ti with the wheels and carbon pack does seem like a good balance of performance/cost/looks however.
I’m picking up a Veloce on Monday; it does seem the sweet spot between performance and usability. I’ll post my thoughts between the two when i get it. The QF doesn’t ‘quickly pick up pace’ - it fires you towards the horizon in an instant, if driven with intent.For me colossal performance has always been more about the flexibility and ease of the performance, rather than 0-100. Being able to quickly pick up pace to make that gap, or squeeze past that truck was what appealled with high BHP for me, instead of having to rev the tits off of a slower car to do the same. But I'm a lazy driver.
The Veloce Ti with the wheels and carbon pack does seem like a good balance of performance/cost/looks however.
Jaroon said:
Good post OP. Lots of factors, do you live near a track, what are your local roads like etc
We're blessed in North Derbyshire with some lovely undulating mixed driving roads with miles of road view the further north you go. I have 3 very specific local routes where I know every bump, camber and field entrance. None the less the element of risk reward is very real but it is in a 300bhp hot hatch.
I've added an extra 100bhp via a remap and use everyone quite regularly with a clean licence, touch wood. It's a last hurrah for these types of car so I'm loving it but fully appreciate and respect your point.
Snetterton is just down the road but I’m not a track day person. The plan is trade in for a Veloce (which happens to be the same monte carlo blue with the same QF alloys I have now) and with the cash my way look at getting a 205 GTI as well). I’ve got a Range Rover for tip runs and long distance hauls so between the 3 most bases would be covered.We're blessed in North Derbyshire with some lovely undulating mixed driving roads with miles of road view the further north you go. I have 3 very specific local routes where I know every bump, camber and field entrance. None the less the element of risk reward is very real but it is in a 300bhp hot hatch.
I've added an extra 100bhp via a remap and use everyone quite regularly with a clean licence, touch wood. It's a last hurrah for these types of car so I'm loving it but fully appreciate and respect your point.
I did around 10 hot laps at Silverstone in a QF and its an absolute rocket.
A few years back I was looking at getting rid of the Cayman S for an F80 M3 comp and my test drive was in torrential rain. The car was literally undriveable when pressing on, it put me off the whole idea. Its the huge amounts of torque at low revs that ruin it rather than the 450-500bhp
A few years back I was looking at getting rid of the Cayman S for an F80 M3 comp and my test drive was in torrential rain. The car was literally undriveable when pressing on, it put me off the whole idea. Its the huge amounts of torque at low revs that ruin it rather than the 450-500bhp
I had exactly the same experience.
Went from a 440i GC with 360bhp/500NM to the Quadrifoglio and didn't enjoy the experience anywhere near as much as I thought I would. Had a Veloce a few years ago so I knew what to expect from an ownership proposition.
It is insanely fast and capable, and beautiful to boot, but I felt I was paying a huge amount for something I couldn't make the most of, and didn't suit me if that makes sense.
Ended up going to a new M135i, a car I can actually rev out and enjoy a bit more. I was tempted by another Veloce, but I can't bring myself to pay £475 tax for a 2.0T 4 cylinder.
Soon realised I missed a 6 cylinder engine too much so have just ordered an M340i, expected in July. Not everyone's cup of tea, but ticks every box for me.
Went from a 440i GC with 360bhp/500NM to the Quadrifoglio and didn't enjoy the experience anywhere near as much as I thought I would. Had a Veloce a few years ago so I knew what to expect from an ownership proposition.
It is insanely fast and capable, and beautiful to boot, but I felt I was paying a huge amount for something I couldn't make the most of, and didn't suit me if that makes sense.
Ended up going to a new M135i, a car I can actually rev out and enjoy a bit more. I was tempted by another Veloce, but I can't bring myself to pay £475 tax for a 2.0T 4 cylinder.
Soon realised I missed a 6 cylinder engine too much so have just ordered an M340i, expected in July. Not everyone's cup of tea, but ticks every box for me.
Interesting comments and I understand your viewpoint OP.
I have a Giulietta Cloverleaf 235 bhp and a Brera 1750 with 200 bhp and I find they both have more than enough power for me and very useable. I think the 280 horse power Veloce is an outstanding car in it's own right and I think as you say it's possibly the sweet spot.
At the very least having gone from the QF to the Veloce you'll not have that 'if only' feeling.
I have a Giulietta Cloverleaf 235 bhp and a Brera 1750 with 200 bhp and I find they both have more than enough power for me and very useable. I think the 280 horse power Veloce is an outstanding car in it's own right and I think as you say it's possibly the sweet spot.
At the very least having gone from the QF to the Veloce you'll not have that 'if only' feeling.
Alfahorn said:
Interesting comments and I understand your viewpoint OP.
I have a Brera 1750 with 200 bhp and I find they both have more than enough power...
The car I had prior to the Giulia was a 3.2 260bhp 159, which was enough. I recently drove a late model 159 1750 TBi and it was hard to tell the difference between the 4cyl turbo and free-breathing V6 in terms of speed and acceleration. The extra power of the 3.2 was offset by the additional weight (it was 4wd too). While part of me thinks 'More cylinders = good' that isn't really the case.I have a Brera 1750 with 200 bhp and I find they both have more than enough power...
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