Alfa Romeo Forum banner

Alfa GT BlackLine Help with buying

Tags
blackline
1K views 10 replies 4 participants last post by  Smudge6446 
#1 ·
Hey Guys,

I am looking at my first Alfa and I like the look of the GT, I have found what I think looks like a good car and need some help as it has a problem. It says its a runner but runs rough and could be a crank shaft problem.

check the autotrader link and see what you think. It looks tidy but I don't know what issues this car could have and when I go see it I was hoping to have some pre-thought questions.

Alfa Romeo GT 1.9 JTDM 16v BlackLine 2dr

What are your thoughts on this and should I just forget it? Also what is the main difference between this and a normal say 2005 GT 1.9 JTD?

Also if it was the camshaft that needed replacing what cost am I looking at?

Thanks guys
 
#2 ·
Walk away - if it has a dead engine (which sounds highly likely) you'll be looking at a couple of grand to source and fit a secondhand replacement

You might as well pay £4k-ish for one that's already running

You *might* just get lucky and find that the "crankshaft problem" is something far less serious, but you might also find a load of other issues while you're looking. Anyone that can kill a JTD engine, regardless of the mileage, probably didn't have a huge amount of mechanical sympathy, and you'll probably find a load of other shagged bits too - clutch, turbo, brakes etc etc

I bought my Blackline for just over £4k two years ago, so they are around at low prices if you look hard enough, but still a premium over the "cooking" versions

Blackline is a trim version - gorgeous wheels, red-stitched black leather, slightly different interior trim colour, satin, rather than gloss aluminium external trim.
 
#3 ·
Yeah the Trim looks really nice.

To be honest I haven't got the budget to go to the 4K so I may just settle for one that is standard.

Any main differences in the model years? 2005 and 2007 are ones that I have found that are "driving" with water pump and cam belt changes documented.

Do I need to look out for any other types of issues when I go for a test drive?

Cheers Again
 
#4 ·
Post '07 came with the CF4 engine variant, which was blessed with the metal swirl flaps... Not... Metal flaps are known to break off and destroy the engine..

If you can get a decent quality CF3 engine, you don't have to worry so much about the flaps destroying everything under the bonnet!

Easy to tell the difference when you lift the bonnet, look for either a metal or black plastic inlet manifold structure.. Black plastic is the one with the metal flaps..

If in doubt post the VIN up here and someone will be able to tell you what's under the bonet.
 
#6 ·
Correct.

I believe the 8V JTD engines had metal maifold and no flaps, the early revision 16V JTDm engines had metal manifold and plastic flaps, and the later 16V JTDm has the plastic manifold body and metal flaps...

Though I'm ready to be corrected as I'm inevitably wrong ;)

Metal flaps do the most damage when they break off... Valves/pistons/liners/turbos can and do get completely destroyed... But the 16V is a better engine... You can get the later engine and pay for the flaps to be removed, but this will cost a few hundred to do!
 
#7 ·
Okay, Just to reconfirm, I won't lose any performance going with a standard GT? As I have found some cheap ones pre-2007 and have had services with cam-belts and pumps changed. I can just about live without the awesome interior on the blackline but I can see my self buying a BlackLine Edition if the standard one goes well.

Now I use the term cheap because I am looking at getting involved with this really nice looking car but could be potentially starting a new job and need a vehicle, so I thought why not try and kill two birds with one stone and get a nice car for work. At the same time being able to invest in it with funds from the new job. Hence no funds now to go out and invest in a slighty better edition or year.

My plan will be to buy one that doesn't need any major work but I can settle with a few tweaks. I don't mind getting my hands dirty and I have a automotive background. This hoepfully allows me to get a feel for the car and maybe trade her in and get a better one in years time.

So i'll continue my hunt and maybe report back here once i have one :p.

Any advice would be awesome!
 
#8 ·
Blackline edition is mechanically identical to the standard version, so there's no performance difference at all.blackline is just a tarted up trim is all!

Only performance boost is in the 170 Cloverleaf editions.. But they're not that common...

Standard trim level GT with a nice remap will drive very nicely!

The good news is there's lots and lots of tweaks you can do to these cars to get them performing nicely!

Not sure which models/variants had it, but the Q2 differential is worth spending a little extra getting hold of! Modern alternative is the Quaife unit and costs about 600!
 
#9 ·
Blackline edition is mechanically identical to the standard version, so there's no performance difference at all.blackline is just a tarted up trim is all!

Only performance boost is in the 170 Cloverleaf editions.. But they're not that common...

Standard trim level GT with a nice remap will drive very nicely!

The good news is there's lots and lots of tweaks you can do to these cars to get them performing nicely!

Not sure which models/variants had it, but the Q2 differential is worth spending a little extra getting hold of! Modern alternative is the Quaife unit and costs about 600!
 
#10 · (Edited)
torsen diff was an option on the blackline so some do have them fitted, you will have to contact an alfa dealer with the vin to find out but if it does that's worth having ,otherwise same as standard in every respect other than whees and trim.

CF3 a better choice IMO unless you have the money to do a swirl flap delete.

good luck with your search..:thumbup:

edit

AFAIK the Blackline was not available in the CF3 engine variant as its an 07 onwards model so will have the metal flaps plastic mani combo.

if I were able to do this all again I would find one for as cheaply as possible that is a runner with decent history, say £1500, and then budget 3k to do the mods and likely required work,

don't be scared of high mileage as the lump is good and the CF3 has no swirl flaps to worry about, DO focus on upper and lower wishbones,oil cooler pipes and oil cooler,radiator,turbo and hoses and make sure there is no rust as some are jacked up on the sills and they get crushed and let water in and the car will rust from the inside out.

this is all as well as the obvious cam-belt and water pump.

just a guide a cambelt ,corroded oil cooler and some turbo hoses will set you back about £900 at a specialist so look at the car CAREFULLY!

under sealing is inconsistent on the GT,some good some not so, have a good look underneath if you can.

so buy a rust free 04-06 CF3, you should be able to do this for £1500, then budget up to 2k for work...I don't think its possible to get a decent GT for any less than 3k. you just have to decide whether to spend the money at the dealer or the garage. just remember blowing your entire budget at the dealer does not guarantee a trouble free car and third party warranty's are not worth the paper they are written on...

buying a cheaper car with some money left in the pot you stand a better chance of a happy outcome.

if 3k is a problem DONT buy a GT as it will throw up some unexpected's and as stated you are not handy with the spanners so you will be reliant on other people to correctly diagnose and fix problems. for example even a broken door handle will cost you £250 to fix at a dealer where as if you can do yourself its normally a £10 hinge and some time.

once again good luck and if you are near surrey I am happy to come and look one over for you.

this looks better than the autotrader one..https://www.gumtree.com/p/alfa-romeo/alfa-romeo-1.9-gt/1129353486

although will need some work. they ALL will at this price point.
 
#11 ·
@joeymannero Thanks for the advert. I will keep this one in mind. Sadly im in the NorthWest but if I spot any cars in your area it would great for a second opinion.

I am just waiting to hear back from this new job and I'll be ready to take the plunge. :)

Thanks again for the advice.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top