Mangoletsi Performance Weekend feedback

[James Junior]

Just returned from a very pleasurable few hours at Mangoletsi's Performance Weekend.

I was booked in for mod 3 (tuning box and boost mod) for my GT 1.9 JTDm and when I arrived John talked me through the modification process before I handed over my keys so he could get to work.

Whilst he was at work my mate and I had a look at the cars in the showroom, chatted to the ever friendly and enthusiastic team and oggled the 8C that was on display. There was a great spread laid out for attendees so after chomping through some sandwiches and slurping down some strong coffee, we were given the opportunity to pretty much pick any of the company demonstrators and go for a spin (with the exception of the 8C for obvious reasons!).

As my cars are for business use I am a diesel man these days, so took out both a 159 2.4 and a Brera 2.4 diesel. Both cars were fitted with mod 3 lifting the power output to circa 250bhp.

Both were very quick indeed with immense torque and best of all a woofling soundtrack that really did sound more like a V6 petrol than a diesel (no exagerration!). My GT is a generation behind and it shows compared to the Brera and 159 which were both incredibly well screwed together and great to drive. Given the choice both Karl and I felt the 159 was the better drive as the steering was just that little bit heavier and the car felt better planted, though both felt great to drive. I have not driven either in standard form, but with the boost mod they felt very powerful and were great fun to drive.

Upon returning to the showroom my car was ready and the transformation was very impressive. The power delivery felt somehow fragile as standard and the lag was annoying at times. The tuning box and boost mod vastly reduces the lag and the car pulls far harder right up to the red line, with the power delivery feeling much more substantial, the former 'fragility' gone. The drive home was good fun and fourth gear on the motorway at full chat is really quite naughty - the power just keeps coming and coming until you reach license endangering speeds. At least I suspect that would be the case - naturally I never took it beyond 70 mph on the public highway (ahem).

My car was even given a full valet once the work had been carried out and John (chief engineer) came out for a spin with me to make sure I was happy.

If any of you have a free day tomorrow and were considering attending I can whole heartedly recommend it - you will be well looked after.

A big thank you to all of the Mangoletsi team and to Hunter for arranging the day.

Mangoletsi - John is a great ambassador for your company whose enthusiasm, passion and knowledge of the subject matter is hugely impressive. I look forward to hearing about future developments and will be having the boost and tuning box mod fitted to my forthcoming 159 2.4 Ti as a matter of course!

[scsc]

What James said.

As a bonus, I had a couple of hundred miles to drive home to appreciate the difference in full. It felt like I was driving a different car to the one I drove down.

Thanks to all at Mangoletsi, but especially to John.

[Hunter]

Nice review - big props to John He knows his beans.

[ACAPULCO AL]

i spent most of the afternoon there - not to have anything done to my car, just to have a chat with the guys at mango's and drive some of their modified cars. i can only echo what james has said - the upgrades are superb. i drove the following:

159 lusso 1.9jtdm
147 ducati corse 1.9jtdm
brera 2.4jtdm
brera s v6

all had been given john's (the master technician) magic treatment - the 1.9 diesels running at 200-205bhp, the brera diesel around 250bhp, and the brera s with maybe only a couple of extra bhp on the standard 260 but with the induction mod.

the 159 felt very strong - a massive improvement on the stock 150bhp. then i tried the ducati corse (standard is 170bhp, mango's one running at 205bhp ) - WOW john has done an incredible job on it. it was seriously quick, but the thing that amazed me most was the sound - john has engineered the induction to sound better and my god he's done a good job, it really did sound like a petrol once you press on. i was genuinely surprised at how good it was

then came the 2.4 brera, again very impressive - massive torque and a great rev range for a diesel, along with a nice growl. quite a 'grown up' car - quite relaxed in its demeanour considering it packs as much power as a GTA and over 400 lb ft of torque

last of all i drove fraser's brera s v6 with the modified induction - pretty damn quick as you'd expect, and not overly loud under normal load - but over 6000rpm all hell breaks loose it's been engineered to start really singing at the top of the rev range - and that noise could be seriously addictive, it's just brilliant

julian from mango's was saying that pretty much everybody who's tested the modified cars wasn't leaving until they'd taken the plunge and had theirs done. they really are a very impressive range of cars, i can honestly say mango's have done a great job.

they also layed on a nice spread of sandwiches & nibbles, and ian simpson's black 8C in the showroom was a nice bonus

anyway, like the others have said - if you get the chance to go there tomorrow it's well worth it


i'll be doing a piccie thread soon, i'll stick the link in here when i'm done

[Alfa-Red]

yeah, if i end up going tomorrow to chat with paul antrobus, about various parts i need and stuff doing (knows my stilo too well), then ill drive some of the modded cars, and because mine cant be done by them, id end up buying a car

[anthony1664]

all sounds good I am booked for a 3pm drive of the MiTo then maybe going for the turbo mod, finanance dictate I should wait but the drive may sway me I guess.....liking the sound of snadwiches nibbles and nice coffee!

[MikeyRules]

(Posted this in the tuning thread) Well been to Mangos today and have two words to say!!!

Totally transformed!

I've gone a little bit off the beaten track in that as well as the turbo upgrade and AD tuning box, i've also had the Air filter mod done on my diesel. (which obviously wasn't on the list) It's early days yet with the filter, but early indications are interesting to say the least, with noticable induction sucking noises abound and turbo hiss/whistle... so i'll keep you posted on that.

Power and more importantly the delivery of power is fantastic, and I can fully recommend to anyone reading this thread just what a few pounds out the piggy bank can do to give you the Alfa Romeo you always wanted!

I had the chance to drive the demo 2.4 JTDM and 3.2 V6, and although the V6 sounded awesome at full chat, the diesel wins the day for me, now she's running how she should be!

I'd like to thank Ken and John especially, for being absolute gentlemen and the fantastic service I was given today by both of you! But to be honest the whole team were fantastic! Thanks guys i'm a Mangoletsi convert now and will definitely be back for the Brake upgrade I talked about with John and my first service

Cheers guys i'm a VERY happy customer

[ACAPULCO AL]

glad to hear you're happy mikey, the results are truly impressive



piccie thread now uploaded here

http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/just-...ml#post2851814

[anthony1664]

posted over on tuning thread but thought i would put it here too:

Very good event, had a drive of the MiTo 170 and loved the way it delivered the power a few extra HP but deilvered much more nicley, with the induction kit I liked how it sounded I suspect its a love hate thing but then thats true of the MiTo anyway so what the heck! Also I am tempted by the lowering springs as it makes the car sit nicely and also felt like it imporved the trun in but the ride still felt like the regualr MiTo which is fairly hard anyway.

Anyhow thanks to Ken and John for their time I will be going along in September to have the turbo mod and all been well the induction and the springs too

Got to drive this

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l9...o/IMG_3439.jpg

And loved this:

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l9...o/IMG_3438.jpg
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l9...o/IMG_3440.jpg
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l9...o/IMG_3441.jpg

[t3yls]

Originally Posted by MikeyRules

(Posted this in the tuning thread) Well been to Mangos today and have two words to say!!!

Totally transformed!

I've gone a little bit off the beaten track in that as well as the turbo upgrade and AD tuning box, i've also had the Air filter mod done on my diesel. (which obviously wasn't on the list) It's early days yet with the filter, but early indications are interesting to say the least, with noticable induction sucking noises abound and turbo hiss/whistle... so i'll keep you posted on that.

Power and more importantly the delivery of power is fantastic, and I can fully recommend to anyone reading this thread just what a few pounds out the piggy bank can do to give you the Alfa Romeo you always wanted!

I had the chance to drive the demo 2.4 JTDM and 3.2 V6, and although the V6 sounded awesome at full chat, the diesel wins the day for me, now she's running how she should be!

I'd like to thank Ken and John especially, for being absolute gentlemen and the fantastic service I was given today by both of you! But to be honest the whole team were fantastic! Thanks guys i'm a Mangoletsi convert now and will definitely be back for the Brake upgrade I talked about with John and my first service

Cheers guys i'm a VERY happy customer

...can you tell us what the air filter mod is ...is it just a performance filter? ...may i ask how much they charged for it.

cheers

[MikeyRules]

Originally Posted by t3yls

...can you tell us what the air filter mod is ...is it just a performance filter? ...may i ask how much they charged for it.

cheers

Yes it's the same performance mesh cone filter that John is fitting to the 2.2's as the air box on the 2.4 diesel is exactly the same. As it sits inside the inner wing heat is reduced as its a separate compartment from the engine, and cold denser air is able to enter through the mesh section next to the fog light. The result is a very noticeable induction suck on throttle, wish a woosh when you let off... The turbo combined with the other mods spools up instantly and acceration is seriously grin factor 9

[t3yls]

thanks for that. was at mango's today testing a 200bhp GT and it sounded like a petrol more than a diesel!! ...i wonder if it had a similar mod????

Hi. Just have to say thanks to all those who attended this weekend. It has been a pleasure meeting you all and working on your cars. The best bit has been the smiles I would like to take the opportunity to thank JBSmith for bringing his Brera from London for people to drool over and even let a very lucky few test drive (top bloke).

One last thing, a very big thank you to Hunter. I am sure all those who had upgrades are very happy you started this thread. For me you have done a service to Alfa Romeo.

PS Keep beating those beemers!!!!!

All the best. Back to day job tomorrow.

John.
Edit/Delete Message