Alfa Mito 1.4TB 155 advice and opinions
Discussion
Hi
So I have been looking for a new daily for some time now and have been unable to find anything I like. I am going to see a Mito on Sunday and it looks to be a decent enough deal.
I was wondering if anyone had opinions or experiences to share along with any advice with regards to common faults which I should check out?
Thanks for the help.
Daz
So I have been looking for a new daily for some time now and have been unable to find anything I like. I am going to see a Mito on Sunday and it looks to be a decent enough deal.
I was wondering if anyone had opinions or experiences to share along with any advice with regards to common faults which I should check out?
Thanks for the help.
Daz
There is someone over on Alfa Owner just posted up their 10 plate 170 Cloverleaf in Etna black for sale. Well worth a look on this link http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa-mito/365376-po...
I opted for a 155 Mito last year and haven't regretted a thing! If there's anything in particular you want to know, just drop me a message.
Naturally I'm going to be a little biased, but I took a look and drove both the 155 and the Cloverleaf/QV before deciding on the 155. I paid above the odds for mine, but it's a beautiful spec, from a well-respected main dealer, and - even now - has less than 15,000 miles on it!
I came from a background of 3.2 and 3.7 suprercharged Alfa V6s, and had just shopped in a JCW Mini before buying the Mito. I can honestly say that the Mito feels better and more planted than the Mini ever did. Although the 1.4TB engine is never going to compare with the V6s, it's a really cracking and free-flowing little engine.
The main thing to bear in mind is that the 155 was only produced for a relatively limited time, so you're naturally going to be limited to slightly-older models. It's also slightly-older technology, so the emissions and MPG aren't as great as you will get with the newer models.
Naturally I'm going to be a little biased, but I took a look and drove both the 155 and the Cloverleaf/QV before deciding on the 155. I paid above the odds for mine, but it's a beautiful spec, from a well-respected main dealer, and - even now - has less than 15,000 miles on it!
I came from a background of 3.2 and 3.7 suprercharged Alfa V6s, and had just shopped in a JCW Mini before buying the Mito. I can honestly say that the Mito feels better and more planted than the Mini ever did. Although the 1.4TB engine is never going to compare with the V6s, it's a really cracking and free-flowing little engine.
The main thing to bear in mind is that the 155 was only produced for a relatively limited time, so you're naturally going to be limited to slightly-older models. It's also slightly-older technology, so the emissions and MPG aren't as great as you will get with the newer models.
One other thing worth taking into account, and something which I didn't realise until I started looking at cars:
The front edge of the rear arches are very prone to stone chips if they've spent a lot of time on country lanes rather than motorways.
It only seems to effect some cars, and Alfa have released later cars with plastic protectors. Just keep an eye on it on any cars you do go and see - run your hands over that area, make sure there's no overspray or chips.
One 155 I went to look at had really terrible road-rash right up the leading face of each arch, to the point where those areas were around 40% chip and 60% paint. I would still have been tempted were it not for the fact that the sales guy (not the place I eventually bought mine from) were really not a friendly bunch and the car was priced right at the top-end, despite being in fairly rough condition.
The car I eventually bought had the protectors on (and the paintwork there is flawless). They were removed so that they could detail the car before I picked it up and sadly didn't have any in stock to replace them afterwards. They posted them out to me later on and I'll be sure to get them applied as soon as I can find someone nearby who can actually do it (it's a bit fiddly!).
The front edge of the rear arches are very prone to stone chips if they've spent a lot of time on country lanes rather than motorways.
It only seems to effect some cars, and Alfa have released later cars with plastic protectors. Just keep an eye on it on any cars you do go and see - run your hands over that area, make sure there's no overspray or chips.
One 155 I went to look at had really terrible road-rash right up the leading face of each arch, to the point where those areas were around 40% chip and 60% paint. I would still have been tempted were it not for the fact that the sales guy (not the place I eventually bought mine from) were really not a friendly bunch and the car was priced right at the top-end, despite being in fairly rough condition.
The car I eventually bought had the protectors on (and the paintwork there is flawless). They were removed so that they could detail the car before I picked it up and sadly didn't have any in stock to replace them afterwards. They posted them out to me later on and I'll be sure to get them applied as soon as I can find someone nearby who can actually do it (it's a bit fiddly!).
PhilipAlfa said:
Keep thinking about a Mito myself and I guess the Cloverleaf is the obvious choice, so what made you go for a 155 over a Cloverleaf?
This will be controversial in Alfa circles, but having driven both the 155 and the Cloverleaf, the 155 just seemed the better car.The engine has a lot more character (and is a lot more fun to drive), it's not perceivably any slower than the Cloverleaf and - if anything - often feels a lot faster in real-world driving. Maybe it's to do with the torque curve and where the turbo kicks in, but in the 155 you don't have to 'rag' it at any point to get the most out of it.
The 155 Mito, with the tan leather and the Veloce toys felt like a modernised successor to the 3.2 GT and you could very happily 'tour' in it.
In comparison, the Cloverleaf felt more like the Mini: quick, but needs more of your attention to drive, and spends the entire time waving it's arms and shouting about it rather than just letting you enjoy the drive.
Thanks for the help guys though it is actually a little late as I purchased a 155 last week and collected it this weekend.
Loving it so far, great car though the weather won't let me try it properly. I too prefered the 155 to the Cloverleaf, felt more suitable for the daily drive and B road blast.
It is well spaced with the optional bigger brembo brakes which I understand was an £1800 option from the receipt I have. It is etna black which is stunning in the sun and it also has a full alfa service history. It was registered in November 2011 so it is one of the last 155s too!
Only problem is that my iphone 5 won't work with B&M despite updating it. I may have to try the dongle thing but they are expensive.
Here it is -
Loving it so far, great car though the weather won't let me try it properly. I too prefered the 155 to the Cloverleaf, felt more suitable for the daily drive and B road blast.
It is well spaced with the optional bigger brembo brakes which I understand was an £1800 option from the receipt I have. It is etna black which is stunning in the sun and it also has a full alfa service history. It was registered in November 2011 so it is one of the last 155s too!
Only problem is that my iphone 5 won't work with B&M despite updating it. I may have to try the dongle thing but they are expensive.
Here it is -
I had seen that car for sale at Kingsthorpe Motor Company, I pass them every day on my way between home in Leicester and work in Northampton.
Nice looking car, Etna suits the Mito well. I also believe the 155 is better to drive that the 170. Strangely it actually feels quicker, sounds better too! I can honestly say I don't know why I think the 155 better, it just is.....lol
Nice looking car, Etna suits the Mito well. I also believe the 155 is better to drive that the 170. Strangely it actually feels quicker, sounds better too! I can honestly say I don't know why I think the 155 better, it just is.....lol
Alfahorn said:
I had seen that car for sale at Kingsthorpe Motor Company, I pass them every day on my way between home in Leicester and work in Northampton.
Nice looking car, Etna suits the Mito well. I also believe the 155 is better to drive that the 170. Strangely it actually feels quicker, sounds better too! I can honestly say I don't know why I think the 155 better, it just is.....lol
Nice looking car, Etna suits the Mito well. I also believe the 155 is better to drive that the 170. Strangely it actually feels quicker, sounds better too! I can honestly say I don't know why I think the 155 better, it just is.....lol
Alfahorn said:
I had seen that car for sale at Kingsthorpe Motor Company, I pass them every day on my way between home in Leicester and work in Northampton.
Nice looking car, Etna suits the Mito well. I also believe the 155 is better to drive that the 170. Strangely it actually feels quicker, sounds better too! I can honestly say I don't know why I think the 155 better, it just is.....lol
Kingsthorpe were pretty good, one of the better dealers for certain.Nice looking car, Etna suits the Mito well. I also believe the 155 is better to drive that the 170. Strangely it actually feels quicker, sounds better too! I can honestly say I don't know why I think the 155 better, it just is.....lol
Impressed that you recognise it especially considering how the number plate has been changed to my own!
I agree with regards to the 155 vs 170 as has been already said perhaps it has to do with when the boost cuts in. I think it is great. If you don't hammer the throttle down it feels like a normal city car and when you do it really shifts. 2nd gear is really special!
DazBock said:
It is well spaced with the optional bigger brembo brakes which I understand was an £1800 option from the receipt I have.
Lovely looking thing, great choice! I'd be interested to hear more about this Bremo upgrade you've got though...I'd be happy to be corrected, but as far as I'm aware the 155 and the Cloverleaf/QV came with the 305mm 4-pot Brembo brakes as standard (that's what mine has - painful when it comes to replacement time!).
On the non-155/CV/QV Mitos they were a (very expensive) factory option, but came as standard on the 155..
As I say: perhaps I'm mistaken but that's certainly my understanding.
somejohn said:
DazBock said:
It is well spaced with the optional bigger brembo brakes which I understand was an £1800 option from the receipt I have.
Lovely looking thing, great choice! I'd be interested to hear more about this Bremo upgrade you've got though...I'd be happy to be corrected, but as far as I'm aware the 155 and the Cloverleaf/QV came with the 305mm 4-pot Brembo brakes as standard (that's what mine has - painful when it comes to replacement time!).
On the non-155/CV/QV Mitos they were a (very expensive) factory option, but came as standard on the 155..
As I say: perhaps I'm mistaken but that's certainly my understanding.
I do believe they are the same optional brakes as are avaliable on the Arbarth 500 Essessee but again I could be wrong.
So the first and only problem I have found with the Mito has hit today.
The doors are pillarless, this looks brilliant and makes for one lovely piece of glass. The windows drop down a centimeter or so when the door is opened presumably to stop the window breaking and the seals being damaged.
So onto the problem, the car got extremely icy overnight and this morning no matter how hard I tried to scrape the ice the window would not drop and the door would not open - so in through the boot it was!
My new PH smiley took a battering from the ice too!
The doors are pillarless, this looks brilliant and makes for one lovely piece of glass. The windows drop down a centimeter or so when the door is opened presumably to stop the window breaking and the seals being damaged.
So onto the problem, the car got extremely icy overnight and this morning no matter how hard I tried to scrape the ice the window would not drop and the door would not open - so in through the boot it was!
My new PH smiley took a battering from the ice too!
Edited by DazBock on Tuesday 22 January 16:28
I get round the iced up drivers door by using de-icer on the window. Keep a tin in the boot. Remote boot release is so handy.
just wish the media player would work with my windows phone. Blue&Me works great, it'll read txts out & phone works a treat but MS decided not to make windows phone appear as a USB drive.
just wish the media player would work with my windows phone. Blue&Me works great, it'll read txts out & phone works a treat but MS decided not to make windows phone appear as a USB drive.
I get round the iced up drivers door by using de-icer on the window. Keep a tin in the boot. Remote boot release is so handy.
just wish the media player would work with my windows phone. Blue&Me works great, it'll read txts out & phone works a treat but MS decided not to make windows phone appear as a USB drive.
just wish the media player would work with my windows phone. Blue&Me works great, it'll read txts out & phone works a treat but MS decided not to make windows phone appear as a USB drive.
said:
Alfahorn said:
I had seen that car for sale at Kingsthorpe Motor Company, I pass them every day on my way between home in Leicester and work in Northampton.
Nice looking car, Etna suits the Mito well. I also believe the 155 is better to drive that the 170. Strangely it actually feels quicker, sounds better too! I can honestly say I don't know why I think the 155 better, it just is.....lol
Kingsthorpe were pretty good, one of the better dealers for certain.Nice looking car, Etna suits the Mito well. I also believe the 155 is better to drive that the 170. Strangely it actually feels quicker, sounds better too! I can honestly say I don't know why I think the 155 better, it just is.....lol
Impressed that you recognise it especially considering how the number plate has been changed to my own!
I agree with regards to the 155 vs 170 as has been already said perhaps it has to do with when the boost cuts in. I think it is great. If you don't hammer the throttle down it feels like a normal city car and when you do it really shifts. 2nd gear is really special!
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