The *real* Q2 GTA

Well, I just got back from Auto Lusso and the smile is so wide on my face that my ears met on the back of my head. All I can say is that the mods have made a tremendous difference. The combination of the Koni FSDs and Eibach springs make the car feel very "planted", with no annoying bounce or crashes. I went over several undulating stretches of the M25 quite fast and no bottoming out. The springs have lowered the car at the back slightly, which is great bcause I always felt it sat a bit high and the 17s looked a little lost in the rear wheel wells.

As for the Q2, it really does make a huge difference. I've always felt the GTA was "skittish" in that it's far too easy to get the ASR blinking like mad whenever you're too aggressive putting he power down (especially if you're not going in a straight line). The Q2 just gets the power down so smoothly I was tearing through roundabouts and twisty bits in a way that wasn't possible before, and pressing on is a dream. You can really get the power down much more effectively with one of these. If you don't have one on your GTA, get one soon. At 500 quid fitted, you can't go wrong.


Finally, the CSC exhaust gives a better soundtrack to the whole affair. A nice low burble and great on high revs (but not shrill). Just adds to the whole experience without being too intrusive.
So one happy bunny here, and great job Ned and all at Auto Lusso. More to go yet - she's in the paint shop next week having a front end respray.

Cheers,

Nigel

How much did all those mods set you back then?

Awesome review, nice one Nigel!

I must get myself one of those Q2 diffs, everyone that's had one has said it has transformed the car!

Good news Nigel. How's the ride quality?

Originally Posted by bazza

How much did all those mods set you back then?

1800 quid including a 72K service (but no belt change), plus 280 quid for the exhaust. Very reasonable as I plan to keep the car for 4-5 years more and it really has improved it.

Cheers,

Nigel

Originally Posted by Squadrone Rosso

Good news Nigel. How's the ride quality?

Ride quality is good. Not significantly different except it feels more "solid". The wallowing over undulating roads appears to have gone, where the original dampers struggled to keep up with the surface (the car always seemed to be coming down just in time for the next bump in the road, leading to bottoming out). Not harsh, some have said the Konis don't damp much at low speeds but they seemed fine to me. Took some of the bad roads round here where I normally get crashes with aplomb. So very happy and think that adjustable coilovers would've been too complicated for me (and a lot more expensive).

Cheers,

Nigel

Mine to has just been fitted and as ferryman says it does feel more planted

Originally Posted by Darth Vader

Mine to has just been fitted and as ferryman says it does feel more planted

Where did you get it done? I spoke with several folks at SAD that had used Monza Sport. Those of us around London/Beds/Berks all seem to use Auto Lusso.

Cheers,

Nigel

Originally Posted by Ferryman_1957

Where did you get it done? I spoke with several folks at SAD that had used Monza Sport. Those of us around London/Beds/Berks all seem to use Auto Lusso.

Cheers,

Nigel

Jamie Porter fitted his.

Moved to Tuning Lounge

Originally Posted by BigFoot

Moved to Tuning Lounge

Surely its better in the GTA forum?

Originally Posted by Ferryman_1957

Well, I just got back from Auto Lusso and the smile is so wide on my face that my ears met on the back of my head. All I can say is that the mods have made a tremendous difference. The combination of the Koni FSDs and Eibach springs make the car feel very "planted", with no annoying bounce or crashes. I went over several undulating stretches of the M25 quite fast and no bottoming out. The springs have lowered the car at the back slightly, which is great bcause I always felt it sat a bit high and the 17s looked a little lost in the rear wheel wells.

As for the Q2, it really does make a huge difference. I've always felt the GTA was "skittish" in that it's far too easy to get the ASR blinking like mad whenever you're too aggressive putting he power down (especially if you're not going in a straight line). The Q2 just gets the power down so smoothly I was tearing through roundabouts and twisty bits in a way that wasn't possible before, and pressing on is a dream. You can really get the power down much more effectively with one of these. If you don't have one on your GTA, get one soon. At 500 quid fitted, you can't go wrong.


Finally, the CSC exhaust gives a better soundtrack to the whole affair. A nice low burble and great on high revs (but not shrill). Just adds to the whole experience without being too intrusive.
So one happy bunny here, and great job Ned and all at Auto Lusso. More to go yet - she's in the paint shop next week having a front end respray.

Cheers,

Nigel

Hi Nigel, I am really please you are happy wit the work we have done to your car, I have the Q2 and the Koni FSD with the Eibach springs on my car and I have to say the improvement is unbelievable.

I am using my car as a courtesy car so people can try the Q2 and Koni etc before having it fitted.

Your car is now what they call “well sorted” it must be one of the best and usable GTA’s out there.

I hope you bring it along to one to the track days I am planning on organising later in the year.

Ned

I agree, I have found it a bit messy shoving all absolutely non standard modifications of any sort into one big bag "tuning"..
In the absence of model specific tuning lounges which would be overkill.

I think any "modest" changes to specific cars belong in the specific car forum.

I can understand wanting to have My twin turbo 8L engined GTA in the tuning lounge for sure
..but simple hugely popular Alfa Q2 retro-fitment, pad alternative and damper alternatives are always going to have model specific interest.

Probably better raised on the community dicussion page but I don't have time today.

Originally Posted by swanny

Surely its better in the GTA forum?

Originally Posted by Autolusso

Hi Nigel, I am really please you are happy wit the work we have done to your car, I have the Q2 and the Koni FSD with the Eibach springs on my car and I have to say the improvement is unbelievable.

Just came back from a quick spin at lunchtime, still grinning. Very happy indeed.

Originally Posted by Autolusso

Your car is now what they call “well sorted” it must be one of the best and usable GTA’s out there.

Aw shucks, you're making me blush .....

Originally Posted by Autolusso

I hope you bring it along to one to the track days I am planning on organising later in the year.

Eek no, it might get scratched Seriously though, I may consider it. Hope to do my first track day through the Cloverleaf club event at Thruxton.

Cheers,

Nigel

Moved back to GTA lounge.

Originally Posted by OperationAlfa

Moved back to GTA lounge.

Quite right to although Biggie will have your ar5e for that Joe

Originally Posted by Squadrone Rosso

Quite right to although Biggie will have your ar5e for that Joe

Shhh.... don't draw attention to the thread!

Originally Posted by OperationAlfa

Shhh.... don't draw attention to the thread!

Who put the thread in the right lounge?

There's only one way to find out.

FIIIIIIIIGHT!!!!!

And I forgot to say good luck with the changes Nigel, your car should give you many years of pleasure in that configuration I'm sure

Originally Posted by Ferryman_1957

I went over several undulating stretches of the M25 quite fast

Sounds like a nice set of upgrades there, Your quote above made me laugh "quite fast"

Quite fast... haha to me that means 100+

Originally Posted by Trailbraker

And I forgot to say good luck with the changes Nigel, you car should give you many years of pleasure in that configuration I'm sure

Thanks TB, I think you're right. It really does drive like a dream for me and is just what I was looking for. I think it will be great for the next four to five years at least and in the meantime I'll start saving for the next GTA. I hope there will be some form of GTA coming that might be a worthy successor to this car.

And thanks to you for all the advice. Your sage posts on Q2s and PF pads were really helpful in making me think about getting these mods done. This forum has really been a great help to me - I have learnt a heck of a lot.

Cheers,

Nigel