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159 Qtronic, good or bad idea

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25K views 46 replies 17 participants last post by  jimbob600 
#1 ·
hi guys, just joined tonight, I am bit early in joining as I currently don't have an alfa.

I used to have a 145 twinspark, loved that car and now its time to get back into a proper car.

I am going to buy a 159 next month and wanted to know what your thoughts were on a 159 qtronic, ive heard bad things about selespeed, but not heard anything about the qtronic box any help, or should I just stick with manual.

Ian
 
#2 ·
Welcome to the forum Ian.

There are a few reviews on here regarding the Qtronic, if you use the search button and type 'Qtronic', loads comes up. Heres a link to one review to get you going http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa...827-q-tronic-gearbox-review-159-2-4-jtdm.html

I have the Qtronic 2.4, and think its great. I dont have any negative points about it other than most out there dont come with steering wheel paddles, but i'm working on that issue ;) http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa...056-retrofit-paddle-shift-to-159-qtronic.html

I personally would not have a manual now im used to the Qtronic, and id recommend you try one yourself.

Lee
 
#3 ·
The consensus, certainly as far as reliability is concerned, is that it is a good thing from what I have read, best of luck with your search.
 
#10 ·
iv never driven a auto but the idea quite appeals to me. ill think about it. ut here is another question, if I get a standard 159 can a satnav be built in at a later date.
I dont think the original one can be, but its junk anyway. If you got one with a normal unit, there are many double din options available that are much better in many many ways and have sat nav capability's
 
#12 ·
hi guys, just joined tonight, I am bit early in joining as I currently don't have an alfa...I am going to buy a 159 next month and wanted to know what your thoughts were on a 159 qtronic, ive heard bad things about selespeed, but not heard anything about the qtronic box any help, or should I just stick with manual.

Ian
Qtronic
I've had a Brera Qtronic for just under week, it's great, no worrying about manual gear changes if you want to just drive along or stop and go in a traffic jam like I did this morning :rolleyes:

There is a manual override for up and down shifts, mine also has the paddles on the steering wheel if you want to drive 'manually', and the manual system protects you from being in the wrong gear - it will change down if you take your foot off the accelerator coming to a junction for example. I even used the Winter button this morning - not tried the Sport button, probably just see the fuel drain out the exhaust :lol:

...the SIM card ...no iPod connector which I have since sorted using the 10 changer boot cd plug. Controls on the steering wheel too...

Oh an in response to the op, I love the at qtronic and don't even use the manual mode anymore, it's that good
SIM card and iPod
I have the same audio set-up as you - couple of quickies :
Do you have a separate SIM in the car and forward calls to it ?
What iPod connector did you use to replace the 10 CD changer.
 
#13 ·
Qtronic

SIM card and iPod
I have the same audio set-up as you - couple of quickies :
Do you have a separate SIM in the car and forward calls to it ?
What iPod connector did you use to replace the 10 CD changer.
The car lives most of the time in France so it has a french sim card in there. I did investigate getting a 2nd UK sim but O2 wouldn't play ball.

The ipod connector is a Dension and works perfectly. I had it fitted at an audio specialist who reckoned on an hours work and quoted for that. It turned into a two hour nightmare with two guys on the job. Apparently the box refused to come out and the wiring is very tight, but they only charged me the original quote.
 
#17 ·
Fuel consumption is a bit rubbish on my qtronic tbh. I've been driving locally in Sussex with at least one run a week to London and I'm struggling to better 32mpg. Having said that I've given up looking at the instant fuel consumption and just drive fairly briskly where I can and accelerate quite hard just for the fun of it on occasions.

On a high speed mostly A road and motorway at around 70 to 80 travelling from France I just managed 35mpg. Newish engine though so that may have something to do with the crap consumption?
 
#26 ·
Have it mated to the 2.4 JTDm. Cant fault it, decent box and comes with the sports mode and paddle shifts if you want that Selespeed feel.

All the best.

Saluti, Giordano.
 
#29 ·
As for being constructive, the question asked was can the original sat nav be retrofitted. You chose to suggest a different system which is fair enough but then slagged off the original, which it appears you have no experience of. Having got the system fitted in my 159 and being very happy with it, I challenged your opinion of something that you don't appear to have used. Yes the system has some shortcomings but it does the job pretty well IMO. Your system may be much better in your opinion but that wasn't actually the question asked but it may be that the poster who asked about retrofitting may be swayed. At least he has more to go on now than your rather exaggerated dismissal of the original system.

As you say though, we're done here.
 
#30 · (Edited)
OP, sorry for the hijack but i thought you deserved the information to make your decision. It appears you have 2 different bits of advice so il sum it up.

My advise as originally stated is to buy a high spec pioneer unit for around £600. All you need is the standard fascia plate adaptor and the lead to connect to the steering controls.

Muz's advice is to visit Alfa romeo and have them source a new center console fascia that has the bigger opening for the original unit. Also have them source a new nav unit to match it, but i dont think you'll see change from £1000, if you can get it for that.

As said, compare the 2 units specs and make your decision.

**Edit** and with the factory unit option, while your there ask them to order and how your supposed to install the factory wiring etc for the GPS antenna (which you will also need to buy and have installed) Not sure if its even practicably possible but hey....

Your system may be much better in your opinion but that wasn't actually the question asked but it may be that the poster who asked about retrofitting may be swayed
*And Muz, dont make the assumption i have the pioneer as i dont. I have the normal blue & me setup, So i have no loyalty to aftermarket units or original. I look at facts & specs and make an my judgement on that. And looking at the cost involved and huge spec difference, my choice on advice was easy
 
#32 ·
I am driving an 159 1.9jtd 16v qtronic for two years now and love it. No problems at all.
Only thing I did was a oil change for the automatic gearbox (at 140k km), although according to the manual it does not need to be changed ever.

Have also driven an 156 2.0 JTS selespeed for four years btw, and had very little problems with that as well (maybe I was just lucky ;)) However I did have to change the selespeed pump after 110k km. It is a part that needs replacement about every 100k km I was told.
The sympoms before the pump was changed were very anoying, not being able to shift and going back to N every now and then. after that drove it for another 80k km without issues.
 
#33 ·
cheers everyone, for your replies, and old 5 days registered and causing agruements, oops sorry guys.

I first need to buy the 159, can only find 1 on autotrader anywhere in Scotland,well for the money I have anyway. 89k miles, but the guy will fit new belts and water pump and tensioners for £4,400 its in good nick other wise. good deAL OR BAD DEAL
 
#34 ·
The Qtronic is the best auto I have ever driven. You can hardly feel it shift and in sport mode it is very snappy. I haven't used manual mode much yet but when I did it was very responsive. Personally, I can't see the point in the fancy twin clutch Selespeed sort of boxes because they add complexity and unreliability from what I have seen. With the Qtronic you get paddle shifts with tried and proven reliability. I think you should have either a straight manual or a torque converter auto like the Qtronic. The auto is perfect for the 2.4 JTDM because it seamlessly keeps the engine in its power band all the time. With a manual you would be rowing the gearstick a lot. I think performance is probably better than a manual unless the driver is able to shift at the perfect time in every gear.

Just one question to other Qtronic owners: Am I right in assuming that you can shift into manual mode whilst you are driving? The handbook doesn't actually spell that out.
 
#36 ·
but you cannot engage manual by just flipping a paddle - gear lever must be flicked over to manual first - the one (minor) drawback of a superb gearbox (and I've owned DSG/s-tronic and BMW slushboxes - and just had a TCT Guilieta on loan - it knocks them all into touch).
 
#37 ·
I test drove one, which was OK but not for me.
I am currently reluctantly (due to company car) selling my 2008 159 1.9D TI JTDM in black.
69,900 miles, FSH, full black leather interior, all usual Ti toys included
MOT til Aug 13, Tax til Feb 13
I'm looking for £ 8,200 if your interested.
 
#38 ·
Just to add to the list of "pro's" for the QTRONIC:

1) You can retrofit paddles if it doesn't have them (they were an option after 08)
2) You can get them remapped + DPF/EGR just like the manuals without hurting the box
3) They are as quick, if not quicker due to the gear ratios and changes as a manual TI.

See evidence: 60-100 mph on private road.
http://youtu.be/9soGKtfGeUQ
...and it climbs like that to 120 before slowing between 120 & 140.

QTRONIC FTW!
 
#39 ·
#45 ·
Are there any clips with a standard Qtronic? We beat quite a few cars of all sorts off the line in our 2008 SW. What do those mods do to fuel economy and reliability?
 
#47 ·
Our q-tronic is fantastic, always seems to be in the correct gear and just flick the gearstick over and drop down a gear for more spirited driving or quick overtakes.
Miles better than our previous manuals.
Fuel consumption is rubbish by the way, but we dont buy alfa romeos to worry about the fuel gauge.:):)
 
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