159, Brera & new Spider Experiences

...and I can't vote a second time for my second Brera.

I'd like to get a vote in for my wife's Spider but I can't - hers was perfect.

Someone had scuffed the number plate holder (probably when it was stored at the docks) but HR Owen screwed a new one on for free in 5 minutes so i don't think that's even an issue.

An update on my Spider with the paint problem.......

car replaced........took delivery today of a new Spider LE courtesy of ARUK.

Originally Posted by stainlesteve

An update on my Spider with the paint problem.......

car replaced........took delivery today of a new Spider LE courtesy of ARUK.

Good news Was it an FOC swap

Any idea what will happen to your rejected vehicle

Yes, good news, FOC exchange. I have been told it will be resprayed and I presume resold. Given that the paint is too hard and the top coat not bonded properly I'd be surprised if it's a permanent cure.

Something of note is that during the 20 mile drive back from the dealers the LE seems to have a more responsive engine than the last Spider (no flat spot on take off) and seems far livelier....just hope the paint stays on!

New spider less than 1000 miles and passenger door wont open from the outside.

Had it in the dealer yesterday and they say the lock needs replaced.

What i cant work out is how they say its the lock when it opens ok from the inside

159 now 2 year old but bought new from dealer and paint work had obviously been a problem in the factory.
Round the door had been rubbed through to bare metal and not repainted but had been lacquered.
So we had this lovely ring effect when you cut through lacquer paint and primer i'm sure you know what i mean.

Trim around seat belt not fitted properly and kept coming of.
Took dealer a year to get part and fit lol lmao

Still this is my 4th alfa and as much as i hate them at times i love them 10 times more

Just taken my 159 back to its roots driving from Manchester area to the Tuscan Alps. 1200 miles each way with long motorway drives but also some challenging mountain roads in Italy. Car absolutely fantastic - no problems [apart from a slow puncture in Italy] and even covering the 1200 mile return trip in 2 days fairly solid driving got out feeling as if I'd been in my favourite armchair!!!

So when would it be safe to cast a vote? I've just clocked up three months.

An update on my replacement Spider LE, after my battle with Alfa and receiving my new car...... one week on and less than 100 miles it was totalled by a woman coming out of a side turning without looking, 60 mph combined head on crash speed. Ah well maybe third time lucky!

Originally Posted by stainlesteve

An update on my replacement Spider LE, after my battle with Alfa and receiving my new car...... one week on and less than 100 miles it was totalled by a woman coming out of a side turning without looking, 60 mph combined head on crash speed. Ah well maybe third time lucky!

Wow Terrible. Everyone okay?

I hope you'll get no hassle from the insurance companies, regarding liability and providing a suitable replacement.

Originally Posted by stainlesteve

An update on my replacement Spider LE, after my battle with Alfa and receiving my new car...... one week on and less than 100 miles it was totalled by a woman coming out of a side turning without looking, 60 mph combined head on crash speed. Ah well maybe third time lucky!

JEEZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

All OK thanks to superb safety protection, just sore ankles and whiplash. I can vouch for footwell airbags! AA/Zurich Insurance excellent, had a Brera at my house within 12 hours and wrote car off within two hours of the first working day. No issues with liabilty thankfully, I had right of way, she stopped at the junction then accelerated straight into me, I couldn't do a thing, her car (people carrier) then pushed me off the road into a ditch. The third party told the Police it was her fault. AA also instructed solictor to handle claim.

Just waiting to hear about replacement (again) car!!!

On reflection, I think you have a worse AR jinx than me!

Really hope it works out asap...

Tell me about it!

Thanks

Glad to hear things are going smoothly so far. Fingers crossed that they authorise a new vehicle for you. 1 week into ownership it should be a no brainer, but... well, insurance companies.... y'know?

Good luck.

Alright folks thought it was time to do a bit of a report on my Bella…

This is the second 159 1.9 16V JTDm I’ve had, and the build quality is excellent, it’s a Lusso, and I’ve just passed the 10000 Miles 16000, Km
The leather seats are very comfy and the few extras over the Turismo are cool.
Blue & Me works well with my Mobile phone & the text reader is cool..
The Auto lights are a nice idea, but mine are always on..
Cruise Control, I’ll never buy another car without it! Great for sticking to the limit when needed.

Tyre wear was a big issue on my last 159, but this time its good, I rotate that Tyres every 5000 miles. And so far they are wearing evenly, and looks like I’ll get about 16,000 out of them.
What I have noticed is, the camber is different to the last car, this will have helped wear. But no noticeable difference to her cornering ability.

Oil consumption is nil, and I find the engine a bit smother than my last Bella,
Fuel consumption is just about 41-43MPG, although I did a week when I watched the clock religiously, I got and average of 46 MPG, but not as much fun…

Wipers on Auto are just Mad, but I’m not bothered about them, they keep missing a spot on the window. But I’ll get them to change them under warrantee..

Breaking, Well well.. Hazard warning lights coming on! I laughed at this; under hard breaking folks could get a shock. As she does like to pull a bit, but I’ve had Rallycars that have done a lot worse, and wide Tyres don’t help..
My advice to anyone is try out the breaks on a long wide stretch of road, and get to know how your Bella reacts under hard breaking..

I’ve had no squeaks or rattles, paint work is still a bit soft for my liking, stone chipping is a curse, but then again its those lovely Irish country roads and that Italian nose up front.

Overall I’m very impressed with my Bella, just like before its on the twisty stuff she comes into her own, you really have to do something very silly to upset this lady.
For now I’m enjoying the drive, and it looks like I’ve found the right car for me for the foreseeable future… Will I buy another? Ohh Yes where do I sign
Cheers...Drive safely,