Alfa Brera Diesel
Discussion
Considering one of these as a replacement for my beloved 51 plate 147. Having owned an Alfa for over 5 years now, I'm well aware of some of the issues (and the made-up issues!) that are associated with Alfa ownership; still can't seem to tear myself away from them though! I'm looking at circa 2008, or as late as I can within reason, 2.4 Diesel.
So my question is: what should I be looking for when checking the service book ie: cambelt, variators etc? Is there anything else I should be aware of with them?
Thanks in advance for any help/advice!
So my question is: what should I be looking for when checking the service book ie: cambelt, variators etc? Is there anything else I should be aware of with them?
Thanks in advance for any help/advice!
They're great! You need to get over to http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum for all the gen. I've not had anything done to mine but the dpf and egr delete do appear to release a fair bit more performance!
T350 Al said:
Considering one of these as a replacement for my beloved 51 plate 147. Having owned an Alfa for over 5 years now, I'm well aware of some of the issues (and the made-up issues!) that are associated with Alfa ownership; still can't seem to tear myself away from them though! I'm looking at circa 2008, or as late as I can within reason, 2.4 Diesel.
So my question is: what should I be looking for when checking the service book ie: cambelt, variators etc? Is there anything else I should be aware of with them?
Thanks in advance for any help/advice!
Issues you say???So my question is: what should I be looking for when checking the service book ie: cambelt, variators etc? Is there anything else I should be aware of with them?
Thanks in advance for any help/advice!
BUG4LIFE said:
Lol, sorry buddy! I just meant what kind of issues have you had as I'm thinking about getting a 147.
Ah, I see!Well, the cambelt needs changing every 3 years or 30k(maybe 40k)miles. Whilst that's being done you may as well do the variator and water pump. Along with the service it can be quite expensive unless you know a good Indy!
I had a worn cam lobe at the last service and had the cambelt done at the same time; that f*cking stung a bit!
Put it this way; you'll enjoy Alfa ownership more if you're half-decent with a spanner. That way you wont have to pay out every time there's a minor issue! But also bear in mind, I've owned one for the past 5 years and had ups and downs; I may yet still cry like a baby when she goes! Do it, you won't regret it!
T350 Al said:
BUG4LIFE said:
Lol, sorry buddy! I just meant what kind of issues have you had as I'm thinking about getting a 147.
Ah, I see!Well, the cambelt needs changing every 3 years or 30k(maybe 40k)miles. Whilst that's being done you may as well do the variator and water pump. Along with the service it can be quite expensive unless you know a good Indy!
I had a worn cam lobe at the last service and had the cambelt done at the same time; that f*cking stung a bit!
Put it this way; you'll enjoy Alfa ownership more if you're half-decent with a spanner. That way you wont have to pay out every time there's a minor issue! But also bear in mind, I've owned one for the past 5 years and had ups and downs; I may yet still cry like a baby when she goes! Do it, you won't regret it!
BUG4LIFE said:
And if you're not half-decent with a spanner?!?!
You'll learn quickly!!!Just to update; we've put a deposit down on a stunningly gorgeous red Brera S 2.2 JTS! Tried the diesel and whilst it's a good engine, I just didn't like it as much as the sound of the petrol, not to mention the fact that as soon as I saw our car on the forecourt I was in love!
Pics to follow soon!
T350 Al said:
Just to update; we've put a deposit down on a stunningly gorgeous red Brera S 2.2 JTS! Tried the diesel and whilst it's a good engine, I just didn't like it as much as the sound of the petrol, not to mention the fact that as soon as I saw our car on the forecourt I was in love!
Pics to follow soon!
A good choice Pics to follow soon!
I look forward to seeing the pics.My 2.2 Brera S has done 60k miles with no significant problems, it has the Mangos mod4 induction and fueling mod, it sounds fabulous and is pretty quick so I would reccomend doing the same or going the Autodelta remap and induction route which is also supposed to be good. Lots of info about this on Alfa Owner.
Brera's are great - build quality and styling are a big step on for Alfa. I owned a 2006 2.4 Brera for 15 months covering 12k miles - no issues with exception of fuel consumption of only high twenties or low thirties.
To be honest the mpg makes it too much of a negative for putting up with the diesel rattle! My brother has a 2.2 Brera - this sounds great, gets around 30mpg and has 185 bhp - more what you would expect from an Alfa coupe, no embarassing start up rattle!
Anyway my brothers minted low mileage example is for sale in ph classifieds - silver one in mint condition for just under £9k - a great car at a sensible price :-)
To be honest the mpg makes it too much of a negative for putting up with the diesel rattle! My brother has a 2.2 Brera - this sounds great, gets around 30mpg and has 185 bhp - more what you would expect from an Alfa coupe, no embarassing start up rattle!
Anyway my brothers minted low mileage example is for sale in ph classifieds - silver one in mint condition for just under £9k - a great car at a sensible price :-)
Dougie166 said:
Brera's are great - build quality and styling are a big step on for Alfa.
I've just got an '08 Brera and I have to say the build quality is shocking. Bits of interior trim have either gone already or fall off regularly. It generally feels flimsy and breakable inside. I have a 70's Alfa so I am used to the fear that I may break down at any time but this shouldn't be the same feeling I get in a 3 year old car. I love Alfa's through and through so I am prepared to accept these things but when pitted against their German rivals they have a very, very long way to go.jimmyjam said:
I've just got an '08 Brera and I have to say the build quality is shocking. Bits of interior trim have either gone already or fall off regularly. It generally feels flimsy and breakable inside. I have a 70's Alfa so I am used to the fear that I may break down at any time but this shouldn't be the same feeling I get in a 3 year old car. I love Alfa's through and through so I am prepared to accept these things but when pitted against their German rivals they have a very, very long way to go.
I'm really surprised you say that. My 2006 Brera was pretty solidly screwed together inside and from decent quality bits too I thought.The few bits that come to mind are the indicator stalk, when at its stopping point up or down then it still has a good few centimetres of plastic flex in it. If you pull the door closed with the plastic panel on top of the door where it meets the window that flex's a centimetre or so, the electric switch for the seat recliner has popped off a few times, the plastic covers which hide bolts on the interior door handles have popped off etc. etc. Having driven an Audi for 5 years where nothing moved a millimetre and every clunk and click went with utterly mind numbing reliability this just seems to miss the mark by a long way. Still beautiful though! 
Just after my last posting I had to move my car in the car park so I had a fiddle with all the plastic bits and generally most parts I can fit a finger under and pull at or flex: the central interior light cluster in the roof, the panel that surrounds the panorama roof, even the door handles. Its all just very brittle and moveable.
The roof light unit on the early Breras is indeed one of the worst interior fittings of any car since the Lada Riva (or Alfa 33!). It looks like it has been painted with a tin of Humbrol model paint, from memory I think the later cars have a different unit.
The window switch pack on the driver's door of the GT never sits properly either.
The window switch pack on the driver's door of the GT never sits properly either.
I have just joined the Alfa fold with my recent Brera 3.2 daily hack purchase; used for 2 weeks so far & I really love it. I hadn't really noticed any interior build quality issues, probally because Iam used to TVR ownership
The bad design points that initially buged me are: 1) the cruise control stalk is very close to the drivers knee, 2) limited clearance above your feet & the foot pedals, 3) limited leg room for rear passengers; but all that said I love it & kid myself that low MPG & the above are not that bad - especially when debating the sensible purchase with the wife
The bad design points that initially buged me are: 1) the cruise control stalk is very close to the drivers knee, 2) limited clearance above your feet & the foot pedals, 3) limited leg room for rear passengers; but all that said I love it & kid myself that low MPG & the above are not that bad - especially when debating the sensible purchase with the wife
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