2001 Spider, 1.6?

[CorkSpider]

Hi All.

Just bought the car I've wanted for 14 years - 2001 Alfa Romeo Spider. (I've wanted one since 96)

I'm looking forward to many years of drooling behind the wheel.

However, One question for the experts - The Engine is a 1.6 and this is reflected in the logbook. Is there such a model or would the engine have been replaced in the past?

The car is immaculate, but I am the 5th owner and the previous guy doesnt know anything about it. Is there a way of contacting Alfa to find out? Insurance companies wont insure at the 1.6 level which is a pain, but its more curiosity than anything.

Thanks!

[darkangelv2]

Wow, this is a weird one!!

So the real question is, has a 1.6TS engine been dropped in OR has there been a clerical error at some point??

Does anyone know any obvious differences between the 1.6 and 2.0 used on a 147 that could be used to possibly identify one over the other?

[N-AM 007]

hmm could be a special one off limited edition like Pagani Zonda Tricolore, might be worth a lot of more then a standard Spider

[Spider95]

Originally Posted by N-AM 007

hmm could be a special one off limited edition like Pagani Zonda Tricolore, might be worth a lot of more then a standard Spider

Unlikely. As far as I'm aware the 916 Spider was only available in terms of the TS/JTS engines with the 2.0 in the UK, and both 1.8 TS and 2.0 TS/JTS versions in European Continental markets. This is the first I've heard with a 1.6 TS engine. If the logbook is correct then it must be an official version from the factory, no doubt a one-off limited edition for overseas markets, but with that capacity engine it'll be marked down in price, not up.

[CorkSpider]

Thanks for the feedback guys.

Its a funny one allright. I'd be interested in trying to identify the engine as well.

FYI, the guy who sold it to me is a fiat/Alfa mechanic and only noticed it was a 1.6 when he went to change the timing belt!

[groovylee]

just a thought, surely if a 1.6 engine has been dropped into it, the V5 will reflect this, but the DVLA will have a record of a serious change like that? also, would the quickest way be to check the engine number and cross reference it with the VIN number? just clutching at straws a bit, but a good idea might come out of it somewhere

[Goosemeister]

My 2.0 TS had the wrong battery put in it from new apparently. It had the V6 one in instead , according to some dodgy Italian mechanic...
They probably just ran out of 2.0TS units on a Friday afternoon and stuck a 1.6 in instead.

[badj]

as mentioned you can change the engine size on the logbook, the only part which you can't change is the varient i.e. if it says 'make: Alfa Romeo, varient/model: Spider 1.6TS Lusso' etc...

[CorkSpider]

Originally Posted by badj

as mentioned you can change the engine size on the logbook, the only part which you can't change is the varient i.e. if it says 'make: Alfa Romeo, varient/model: Spider 1.6TS Lusso' etc...

Yeah - the logbook states Spider Lusso 2.0, but the cc states 1598. Must have been a change somewhere along the line. I'd love to know why though.

[wayne-dear]

Have you got the engine number ???..

[Freds GTV 2001]

Impossible to have a 1.6 Spider !

[Spider95]

Yes I agree. I don't think Alfa Romeo would consider inserting an engine with at best 120bhp into what is a fairly heavy car. This must be a 'replacement job' and the logbook altered (which is very naughty).

Not wishing to put too much of a downer on your purchase CorkSpider, but I don't really think your purchase here was a wise move (very easy of course to say after the event). Was this a private deal or through a garage? If your Spider is marked on the rear as a 2.0TS and it was sold as a 2.0TS then you have every legal right to return the car and have your money back.

cambelt failure

someone had a spare 1.6 ts or got one cheaper than a 2.0 and lumped it in, informed dvla of engine change, new log book sent out


cat d or c write off again engine replaced and re-registered as having a 1.6

[SimonT]

Seems like a very retrograde thing to do. Hope you got it very cheap but will you be able to sell it again? I'd definitely take it back - it must be very sluggish compared to a 2.0.

[badj]

Does it have any bearing on the taxation bracket, as its post 2001 and emissions based?

[batwad]

Is it worth doing an HPI check to see if it throws up anything like spec changes or previously written off?

[CorkSpider]

I'll look into it some more and report back my findings.

I went into this very much with my eyes open. I realised the 1.6 was unusual and suspected a change. The guy I bought it from, (private sale) is an Alfa mechanic and he has it humming. Although, in hindsight the decision was as much made with my heart as my head, just like many of you here I would imagine!

1.6 is fine - not sluggish and much cheaper tax and insurance. Also got a deal on the car, so I'm happy enough.

I will look into it though for curiosity's sake.

[Freds GTV 2001]

Youll be wanting a V6 anyway sooner or later. Happens to all TS owners

[opskier]

We have an Spanish Alfisti who had fitted a 1.6 TS in his GTV....

[156zoo]

Originally Posted by opskier

We have an Spanish Alfisti who had fitted a 1.6 TS in his GTV....

yeah, there is also a diesel or 2 kicking about and a few fiat turbo engines in em.

[Davemackenzie]

Fair play in a way, I wouldn't mind the Mrs owning a 1.6ts as it's economic and not too greedy on the speed, As much as I love her, she can get very hesitant!!!!
I wanted to buy her a 1.6 147 but she turnt that down for a Citroen C3 Pluriel 1.4, don't get me wrong, it's a lovely little ''Ladies'' car but she could have got something a bit more passionate!!!!