159 / Brera / Spider tyre wear issues - VIP - Revised Information

[Bill_Green]

’ve read an awful lot here about excessive tyre wear but I don’t seem to be affected, probably because I drive like the old man I am. The original set of 18” P0NZ’s did 18k and the replacements have done over 20k are still good for a few thousand yet.

[ally]

Wow, maybe you should have your geometry checked so every else knows settings which work.

I had considered a 159Ti and figured the larger tyres would last longer even though they are expensive. Doh!

[Commanderfish]

My Brera 2.2 front tyres ran their inner edges bald beyond illegal by 9,700 miles. The outsides and centres of the tyre had plenty of tread left - probably another 9000 miles worth. A pair of replacement Pirelli P Zero Neros (235 R18 45) cost £400 with fitting. I had the tracking checked after fitting and it was out but not chronic. Perhaps not enough to account for the premature tyre wear.

The GTV 2.0TS I had before the Brera (i.e. the equivalent previous model) had Pirelli 6000s which lasted 18-22,000 miles each on the front wheels. That car was only 100kg lighter and I think the tyres were a smaller width - 205 R17s.

[ptcoll]

Interesting thread this.

I have had my 159 1.9D SW from new. After about 4,000 miles I noticed that the front tyres were wearing faster on the inside, so took it into Kwikfit, who modified the tracking to be more like a "normal" setting (Sorry, can't be more precise than that).

The front tyres were then good until approx 20,000 miles, when they needed replacing.

In the meantime, the car was serviced (at 18,000 miles), and I asked the AR dealer to check the tracking, as the car squirmed a bit under heavy braking on uneven surfaces. They set the alignment to AR standard settings.

I am now at 24,000 miles, and the front tyres are definitely wearing faster on the inside again. As soon as I get a chance, I will be getting it back into Kwikfit to get the tracking set to something "normal".

I have not noticed a difference in handling between the Kwikfit and AR settings.

Pete

[Northern Spider]

Spider 2.2
I got 20,000 on my first set. Just taken the 17" off and little wear after 7,000 miles on Dunlop SP Sports. Fitted a set of 18" hoseshoes with P zero's so it'll be interesting to see if there is any difference in wear.
However I'm very pleased with tyre wear for a front wheel drive car.

[Martin G]

159 1.9JTDM 2007

Fronts - 10K severe inner edge wear (so perhaps should have been changed at 8-9K)

Rears much longer but they wore on the outer edge

[Columbo]

Brera 2006 06reg Eagle F1's

RH inner worn to smooth by 10k.

Took to independant AR workshop. Tracking out big time.

I too suspect it was wrong from new as it handles much better in the wet now.

15k now on new fronts and no noticeable wear on either.

FYI, rears did 40k until a screw took one out, they would of gone at least another 10k.

[abdulg]

I am in South Africa. I bought a Brera 2.2 in October 2006. Just replaced both front tyres, at 20 000km, because of wear to the metal on a thin strip on the inside of each tyre.

I specifically requested that the tyre fitment centre correct the wheel alignment, and they found that it was within tolerance. Wear was not due to misalignment.

Abdul

[Squadrone Rosso]

Guys & gals.

Please see post 222 and replicate the actions required but with regard to your tyre wear issues.

Make specific reference that your dealers are aware of this even though ARUK say it's news to them

Cheers,

[Okocha-No10]

I've just put 4 new bridgestones on my Ti after 10000 miles the fronts were on the limit and the rears were a mm off that, but all 4 had even wear, lets see if these last any longer £900 a year is a little too much like my 159 too much to consider changing it yet...... anybody else think it's too much for the price of having a Ti. Don't think I could go backwards now. I loved my Gt 1.9jtdm in strom grey with red leather but the technology has moved on and the Brera s is lovely don't think the kids would though

[ip75]

Mine were worn on the inner edges at 11000 miles. Dealer says they've seen this several times, and advised me to call Alfa and get a case number, which I've done.

[Tempest]

Fronts changed at 9.5k miles, apparently you could see the canvas on the inside. Backs still at 6mm. Have gone for Good Years that my tyre centre advised were more robust tyres (and cheaper than the contis). Had the 4 wheel alignment checked and it was spot on, so nothing wrong on that front.

[Graham_Brera]

Guys,

Ive not been on the forum too much the past couple of weeks so ive just noticed this thread. My car is at 8500 miles and the inside edge of both front tyres are completely bald. I contacted the dealer and was told the following:-

The car is set for what Alfa call ‘aggressive handling’ which means that the car can corners harder and faster. This is achieved by the car having slight negative camber in a straight line so that the tyres run slightly on the inside edge but when the car is cornering, the whole of the tyre is planted on the road. The downside to this is that if you do more ‘straight road’ journeys, the tyres spend more time running on the inside!

This would make sense to me as i do around 80-100 miles per day, all motorway. Im about to have them replaced so i think i will see about getting the car laser tracked to a standard setting. With the amount of miles i do, i really cant afford to be shelling out for tyres every six months.

[ally]

Aggressive handling nothing. Obviously Alfa are banking on their customers not being informed enough not to know that other manufacturers have had the same camber settings without tyre wear isues. (No offence intentended to anyone) It is simply down to the engineering department being unable to spec correct geometry settings. This was true to the 75, 90, 156, 147 and now the 159 etc. Even the 145, 46 and 155 needed to be set up with care. Camber will produce adverse tyre wear, but toe-settings can influence it.

If I had a 159, I would experiment with settings. I suggest trying to dial in an about an extra 2-3mm of toe-in above Alfa's most toed in setting. If the car becomes unstable, back it off a little until the most toed in yet stable setting is achieved. I've done that for years with most Alfas and found a good compromise and never had any complaints. Some people may have better tyre wear characteristics than others because as with everything in geometry, there are tolerances, and some may simply be set to a better compromise than others.

[griffith]

Hi Guys,
I have a 159Ti and like you, I have had excess wear on the front tyres. I do 95% motorway driving so they have lasted a little longer but I only got 10500 miles out of them. I have just had 18000 mile service and have been told I only have 2mm tread left on inner edges on the second set. I can not afford £420 a pop for two tyres every 4 months. I have just had a digital alignment done but told it is to Alfa spec. I also can not beleive the poor consumption, I return 33 mpg which is less than petrol cars that ive owned 10 years ago. These are more reasons for the second hand values to drop because people will not want this type of running cost. It will be cheaper to run an Aston Martin.

Since the above was written, my tyre wear has become worst, the past two times, I have had to replace ALL 4 tyres both times, the back tyres as they just roll and do not drive or steer, should return at least 30,000 miles, they are all returning about 10,000. The local dealer just keeps telling me nothing can be done, its the way the car is set up. They do not want to know, if they sorted out the problem, more Alfa Romeos would sell. I have two work collegues who wanted 159Ti`s, purchase another make of car. Until the problem is solved and some sort of repayment for loss of money comes forward, I will not recommend an Alfa.

regards, Ian

[lordhumpo]

Brought diesel brera with 7500 miles. Dealer changed fronts as worn. (EMG Cambridge) and adjusted tracking as worn on inside, said tracking was out. Just about to replace fronts again at 25K so lasted 17K, dealer (Marshall Hitchin) was amazed I'd had them on that long although both are worn on the inside one with chords showing. Will get independent to check tracking. For info 235/40 R18 pirelli P Zero Nero £152 ea fitted.

[ally]

If your tyres were worn in the centre, and not the shoulders, I'd say the tracking is ok.
Centre wear can be caused by over inflation and tends to indicate very sedate cornering.

[Andy Waine]

I've posted some info on http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa-...rmation-9.html but to reiterate:
Wife's 159 Bridgestones replaced after 7k miles. She told me the car wasn't running right but I didn't believe her. Mangos did a service and said tyres bald on inside edge. They were to take this up with ARUK, no feedback. Cost £300 to replace. I contacted ARUK and they stumped up half as compensation.
My Brera 2.2 Bridgestones lasted 8.5k. Cost £365 to replace with Pirellie P Zeros.
Reading through this thread it doesn't seem like it is a particular brand that is at fault, which can only mean the car set up, hence ARUK wanting geometry reports, see link above.
Andy.

[Martin G]

I know I posted this info before on another thread and appreciate its not a fix.

Whilst you struggle to get a fix from Alfa it is possible to run on cheaper tyres. I have the 18 inch horshoes and have fitted the following tyres

Kumho 225, 45, ZR18

You can get these for under £90 each with a haggle, I got all 4 corners doe recently for £350 all in. Yes you are dropping a little width but they run fine, the car feels no different and are great tyres, I have used Kumho for years and experienced no massive reduction in life, even on a track car.

No..i dont sell tyres, its just some advice until you can get a proper fix but personally i stay on these tyres. They may do other sizes of course, just ask.

[Graham_Brera]

I had a call from ARUK today. They have arranged for my car to be booked into my local dealer to have the tracking checked. My tyres are now in a bad state so need to get them changed asap. Hopefully they accept the blame for this!!

[Cannavar]

I've been trying not to look at my tyres as I know they are bad but I don't want to foot out 420 for a new pair.

I can see canvas on the inside edge now. 6000 miles

ARUK said they would get back to me and the response? It becuase its a sporty car! You'd think it was a track car or something!!!

[popdog76]

Any one know how much a full alfa tracking report should cost (the one Alfa have requested)...I have just been quoted between 100 and 150 £ depending on any changes that need doing!!!

Anybody else got a price for comparision?

[ip75]

My geometry report's being done today at the dealer's, and as far as I know I'm not being charged anything. ARUK requested that the dealer produce the report.

[Squadrone Rosso]

SNAFU then. Please see my post here (159, Brera & new Spider owners, IMPORTANT, ACTION REQUIRED) for further information and potential further action.

TVM,

Simon.

[ip75]

OK, I've had a very good outcome. Following my geometry check yesterday, Alfa UK say that my camber settings were wrong in a way that could only have happened from the factory. The camber settings were corrected yesterday, and Alfa UK are sending a cheque to cover the complete cost of my new tyres. They're also refunding the cost of the geometry check (to the dealer, since the dealer paid).

Both Fish Brothers in Swindon and Alfa UK have been excellent in dealing with this issue. - it really was handled very well. As an extra bonus the car now handles significantly better (much less twitchy on the motorway).