159, Brera & new Spider Experiences

After many years of Alfas, my current 3.2 Brera is easily the worst.

The build quality is much improved, the road holding is great, the looks are great, everything else is poor.

The fuel consumption is dire at below 18mpg, my tuned V8 Cerbera does more FFS!
The seats & driving position are dire. The performance is lacklustre, the handling is dull & the engine lacks any kind of zest.

I've had many niggles, most of which would not be a problem in isolation, but the whole package, together with a largely non-plussed main dealer, has left a very bad taste in my mouth.

Overall score, 2/10 for Alfa with this one, & i have to say, the motoring press is absolutely right.

Originally Posted by cirvy

After many years of Alfas, my current 3.2 Brera is easily the worst.

The build quality is much improved, the road holding is great, the looks are great, everything else is poor.

The fuel consumption is dire at below 18mpg, my tuned V8 Cerbera does more FFS!
The seats & driving position are dire. The performance is lacklustre, the handling is dull & the engine lacks any kind of zest.

I've had many niggles, most of which would not be a problem in isolation, but the whole package, together with a largely non-plussed main dealer, has left a very bad taste in my mouth.

Overall score, 2/10 for Alfa with this one, & i have to say, the motoring press is absolutely right.

Er, did you test drive the car before you got it? I don't actually see any reliability issues raised.

Originally Posted by pete 159

Well all minor.
1. Brake squeal from day one,
2. Tailgate light that works when it feels like it.
3. Intermittent engine stutter when accelerating hard,
4. Over sensitive alarm,
5. Very erratic auto wipers,(I always get a laugh at the way the wipers work)
Plus 2 recalls, Roof bars
swirl valve
All very minor, when you pay nearly £24000 you expect to get a fantastic car to drive, the best looking car on the road and i think i have all of these things. Just the minor little problems

Hi Fraser/159/Brera peeps

Here's my list of 'minor' niggles:

1. Tailgate light that works when it feels like it - as with yours pete - faulty sensor on brake pedal - 5-minute fix at dealers
2. Squeaky driver's seat (maybe I'm too heavy?)
3. Squealing brakes
4. A/C display that appears/disappears at random
5. Annoyingliy large wheelarch gap like it's an off-roader or something; this car needs lowering

And a couple more serious ones:

1. Knocking front suspension - probably a consequence of our poor roads and speed humps but still annoying; had one front shocker replaced under warranty
2. Brakes/handbrake in particular - was literally run over by my car (with the handbrake fully on) whilst I left if to open a gate; luckily no broken bones and minimal damage to car but could have been far worse Dealer checked it and could find nothing wrong (surprise surprise); said I wasn't pulling the handbrake on firmly enough and that all 159s are like this

Good things:

1. Looks (of course)
2. Comfort
3. Stereo - better than I expected
4. Handling (except for the knocking noises)

A couple of others issues I'd like to air before signing off:

1. Whenever the car goes in for warranty repairs/servicing, if I want a loan vehicle I usually have to wait ages, and when it is finally available, I have to arrange my own insurance, at a cost of £30 each time with my present insurer, regardless of how long I need the loan car for. The dealer says that this is AR policy (you won't find certain German manufacturers treating their customers like this), and their hands are tied. So I've complained to AR about this and guess what???? No response

2. Tried to join the super new 'Cloverleaf club' on three separate occasions (surely I should automatically be joined up on buying a bl**dy brand new car?!?); still nothing back as yet! So I always nick a couple of the latest copy of their lovely glossy mag whenever I visit the showroom - it's the least I deserve!

3. I really like those new Alfa watches and asked the dealer if they'd be getting a selection into the showroom so that customers can try before they buy, as they are reasonably expensive (£100+), you know, in the old-fashioned way. But NO, they will only get one if you pay up-front. Bl**dy marvelous that.

Rant over. Shame really because the bad seems to outweigh the good! Still I'll probably go and buy another one for my sins. ARE WE ALL MAD

Hello all….

Just had my Bella in for her 55,000 KM service (about 34K’ish miles) so time for a bit of a report. I bought my Bella in March 2006

The 159 16V JTDm has been an exceptional machine, the build quality overall is very good, but some items, like the center arm rest (the Fridge) I find still get in the way when changing gear. The engine under tray squeaks if not kept tightened up, this can drive you nuts at slow speeds.
I found the standard audio system more than capable of coping with Ian Gillian &Deep Purple, pumping out…
The standard seats are very comfy, even doing long stints, 2hrs+

The 1.9 16V is an excellent engine, but earlier on at about 10K miles fuel economy suffered, I had it back and they changed the MAF. And it seems to have solved the problem. But she is still heavy enough in slow traffic, round town, and whatnot.
I thought the gearbox a bit notchy in the beginning, but don’t notice it know

A few months ago, when I looked in the rear view mirror I was putting out loads of White Smoke, no warning lights etc, I pulled in and had a look and found nothing wrong under the bonnet. While ticking over she was still putting out a lot of smoke.
I drove on to a friends house, and over the space of a quarter of a mile the smoke stopped. His neighbor is good with diesel engines, said turbo was fine etc. And I had her back and they said she was fine. So I’m not sure what happened there? But it has not happened since.

Rear tyre wear is still a problem, I am now on my third set of rear boots, and she’s being tracked again. The thing is, she drives straight, corners excellent, and so, ya got to wonder at this. The garage was excellent when I first brought this to their attention, and replaced the whole set.

Overall my Bella is an excellent car, in spite of the tyre wear, if this is the price you pay for going round corners like you are on rails. So be it!
The folks at Lismard Auto World in Portlaios have been excellent in taking care of the car. Anybody thinking about buying, I’d give john Lynch a call, I’ve found them very good on price.
Roll on next March, when I hope to drive off in a 2.4

Originally Posted by Tobes

1. Whenever the car goes in for warranty repairs/servicing, if I want a loan vehicle I usually have to wait ages, and when it is finally available, I have to arrange my own insurance, at a cost of £30 each time with my present insurer, regardless of how long I need the loan car for. The dealer says that this is AR policy (you won't find certain German manufacturers treating their customers like this), and their hands are tied. So I've complained to AR about this and guess what???? No response

I have two "local" AR main dealerships. One provides a courtesy car without insurance, one with. Guess which one I use for all the warranty work?

Originally Posted by Tobes

1. Whenever the car goes in for warranty repairs/servicing, if I want a loan vehicle I usually have to wait ages, and when it is finally available, I have to arrange my own insurance, at a cost of £30 each time with my present insurer, regardless of how long I need the loan car for. The dealer says that this is AR policy (you won't find certain German manufacturers treating their customers like this), and their hands are tied.

Oh no it isn't. Methinks your dealer's winding you up

Hi Fraser

I agree with your sentiment but if AR are unwilling to respond to my query then what can I do? The dealer will not release their loan vehicles unless you provide them with an appropriate cover note!

I think this policy stinks. Why should I shell out £30 each time I need a WARRANTY repair?

Tobes

In future I will only buy from a garage if it promises to provide courtesy cars with insurance during warranty repairs. As I said, I know of one AR dealership who does, and one who doesn't, so to claim it's an AR policy is misleading.

Of course it's the dealership's policy. I doubt if you'll get them to change it, but tell them that you won't be using them in future until they change this policy.

Have voted "Car is wonderful"

8 weeks and 3,500 miles in a 159 SW 1.9 Diesel is hardly a long time, but I am happy.

Loads of good points, and a few minor niggles:

Rear arm rest seems to have been mis-built out of the factory, and is difficult to get back into position - trivial issue really - can be fixed at first service.
The auto wipers seem too clever for their own good - trivial.
Blue & Me voice control seems a bit hit and miss.
One or two minor rattles starting in the dash and drivers door - will see how these pan out.

Overall - very happy.

Pete

Originally Posted by ptcoll

The auto wipers seem too clever for their own good - trivial.

Don't they just. They seem to work best in proper rain. Slight drizzle sends them mental sometimes; going to fast sweep when the rain's almost off.

Originally Posted by ptcoll

Blue & Me voice control seems a bit hit and miss.

Surprised at that - I'm amazed by its capabilities. The only thing is to make sure that you're either very careful with you pronunciation or that contact names should be spelled phonetically. I find being using a firm and direct voice works best and I get the impression that it "learns" your own voice foibles.

This poll seems to be shaping up nicely.


I'm going to ask the dealer to disconnect
the wiper sensor at the next service.
That should switch them back to normal
"intermittent" operation.

First i have to say that my 159SW (2.4JTD) is probably the best looking and rewarding road cars i have ever owned. Unfortunatly it is one of the worst built and has dealers to match!

Problems so far:
1) Auto wipers that are completly random, checked by dealer and told that they are fine!
2) Missfire/hunting on light throttle accompanied by 'hole' in the power at about 3500rpm when accelerating. Had new EGR but no joy.
3) After 5800 miles the inside edge of the front tyres was completely bold, metal reinforcement come through with 7200 on the clock. When i contacted Hylton of worcester (supplying dealer) they said checked the alignment and everything was 'within tolerances'. Told to go and get new tyres and they would check it again. Very Poor!

Beging to wish i had kept my merc, it may have been a bus to drive but at least i didnt have to take it to the dealer every month, and when i did they fixed the problem not fob you off.

Have now raise the issue with Alfa customer services but they seem to have the same level of service as the dealers, no contact from them in over nine days.

People used to slag of MG rover for building crap cars, well i never had half the problem with my ZTT as this and when i did have a problem the dealer fixed it!

John

Originally Posted by Nev

This poll seems to be shaping up nicely.


I'm going to ask the dealer to disconnect
the wiper sensor at the next service.
That should switch them back to normal
"intermittent" operation.

This leaves an error light on the dash as i had exactly the same thought. decided i'd rather turn the wipers off than have a light on.
JOhn

Gosh, so does this poll thus far mean that of the 42 owners of the new 159/Brera, 10 of them ain't happy (25ish%!!) and 4 of the 42 have rejected....

Originally Posted by Hunter

Gosh, so does this poll thus far mean that of the 42 owners of the new 159/Brera, 10 of them ain't happy (25ish%!!) and 4 of those have rejected....

Of the 42 that have posted, yes. I know there are a lot more out there that frequent the forum, but I can't chase them all individually.

Incidently, I heard today about a 159 1.9JTDm that has done 65,000 miles in one year with no problems.

Yes, I think we need as many 159/Brera owners to vote in this poll to make a truer picture of the AO driver.... Perhaps a sticky poll for 2 or 3 weeks more Have you put a close time on this poll Fraser

Originally Posted by Hunter

Gosh, so does this poll thus far mean that of the 42 owners of the new 159/Brera, 10 of them ain't happy (25ish%!!) and 4 of the 42 have rejected....

I suspect it's a skewed poll, as owners who have problems are more likely to find it and vote on it. I certainly hope so.

Who is the 5th rejection...
Any ideas