Paint issue with 09 plate Brera Prodrive SV6

[ecain63]

The missus has a Brera SV6 Prodrive and has got some serious paint issues. I dont know if this is standard, reputed Alfa finish quality but i know it isnt right. The paint on the whole car is incredibly thin (hers is red) and as a result it has more stonechips than my 94k mile Audi RS6. Its also quite uneven, with an Orange Peel look to it. The Brera has only done 4k and it looks terrible. On top of that the paint is peeling off the rear bumper and from the front number plate surround. Under the paint there is no evidence that they used primer so im sure there is a warranty issue there.

We bought the car from Meridian Majestic (Alfa Dealer) in Poole and was an ex demo with only 400 miles on the clock. It is booked in to be looked at on Saturday morning but i thought i'd post up here to see what the score is.

If it is a warranty issue, can i request that it is repainted at a bodyshop of my choice? I would prefer it to go to my local VAG bodyshop which has really looked after my RS over the years. They dont just do VAG, but are the local recommended provider and deal with VW, Audi, Skoda, Porsche and Bently direct from the dealer.

Hopefully i'll have no issues and all will be well. I'd much prefer it to have the job done properly as the paint problem is ruining the ownership of what is actually a fantastic car.

[jamieboy]

There was/is an issue with red paint on the Brera and 159, and I think on the MiTo, although I'm not sure if the MiTo problem is exactly the same or not.

My 159 had the front-end resprayed at about eight months old (I think) and has got fewer chips in the 17 months since than in those first eight.

Not sure what the situation is with choosing the place to do the work - the bodyshop our Alfa dealer here uses is Ferrari-approved, and had two 360s and a Lamborghini Murcielago in when mine was done. Despite that, they maybe didn't make as good a job as I'd have hoped.

[herbialfa]

Try asking on alfa156.net

CJRomeo and DavidC know their stuff!

[purpleperil]

It's all documented over on the Alfa forum - good luck!
http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa-159-brera-and-...

Edited by purpleperil on Sunday 8th August 22:14

[Pooh]

I was told by my local Alfa dealer that Alfa is aware of the problems with paintwork on Breras and 159s and will re spray the required areas under warranty.

[jsc15]

My Brera, also "Alfa Red", has similar issues, and needed the rear arches sprayed after about 7000miles, which have since discoloured. It's a 57 plate so still (just) in warranty but not covered as the work was by non-Alfa people

I've got a big part of the front bumper peeling as well, although that wasn't helped by the combination of stone chips and the local jetwash outfit. I've just been quoted £550 for a respray of just the front bumper

Alfa haven't taken any orders for any Alfa Red cars for 3 months. They are well aware of the issue

You'll find many a tale of even Mito's etc with the same problem. I'm now contemplating a full respray in a different colour

[ecain63]

Thanks guys. I went in to see the chaps at Meridien Majestic (Alfa Poole) on saturday and they said pretty much the same thing. The bad part of the respose was that they would not cover stone chipped areas, even if it was leading to paint peeling off. The bumpers were a known issue and they should get back to me on that this week. Im pretty used to fighting this sort of case with my RS6, but with Audi you do get a 10 year warranty on paint and they dont usually argue. Lets see what the Itai's have to say.

[ecain63]

Ok, looks like its gonna be sorted under warranty. They recognised the issue with the red paint and have offered to strip and repaint the front and rear bumpers, front number plate plinth, bonnet and front wings. Couldn't convince them to have it done by my friends at the VAG shop, instead its gonna go to the Ferrari bodyshop in Lyndhurst. Either way, as a result of pushing a little bit of negetive feedback their way the job has been sorted quickly and painlessly.

[Re Veloce]

Got my October 2007 159 front bumper done under warranty by Northern Ireland dealer 3 weeks ago.

[cirvy]

My red GT has always suffered with stone chips.

Somewhat worse now though, it was at the main dealer today to get rear bumper damage looked at ( from some bumping into me in a car park ), & while it was waiting to be collected, some other , has just crashed into the front!!

Huraahh for Alfa red