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Anyone with experience of any Alfa V6?
#1536686
04/05/2015 23:31
04/05/2015 23:31
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 836 Hereford
HiraethHuw
OP
Enjoying the ride
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OP
Enjoying the ride
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 836
Hereford
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It's now dark, the curtains are closed so I can't see my Coupe, so I don't feel like I'm betraying it by looking at other cars on t'internet. Alfa V6. It's all about the sound. My mate has restored an Alfa GTV6 1984 and it sounds the biz. He also has a GTV V6 which I had the pleasure to drive and used it to stay with an Audi R8 around the lanes. It's an epic car. For me to get into Alfa V6 ownership, my budget stretches to one of these . Alfa 156 2.5 But one of these has come into view GTV V6 3.0 I guess you have to view on merit, rust being an issue, cambelt change too. Are they a strong engine? Do they have h/gasket issues? Dodgy cranks? Like Coupes, they are at rock bottom prices and can only go up in value or get scrapped so it's now or never...
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Re: Anyone with experience of any Alfa V6?
[Re: HiraethHuw]
#1536691
05/05/2015 00:14
05/05/2015 00:14
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Nello
Unregistered
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Nello
Unregistered
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Not owned personally but the pre-Brera V6 Alfa units are the Busso engine - very strong and well tested as used since the late 70's...
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Re: Anyone with experience of any Alfa V6?
[Re: HiraethHuw]
#1536739
05/05/2015 14:29
05/05/2015 14:29
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,367 Staffordshire
Nigel
Forum veteran
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Forum veteran
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,367
Staffordshire
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We get to work on quite a few at Motormech - the Brera/159 engine is not an Alfa lump, and its shows - much softer sound with nowhere near as much character
The "proper" Alfa V6 Busso lump comes in several flavours, with 2.5 and 3.0 versions in 12v form and 2.5, 3.0 and 3.2 versions in 24v format
There was even a 2-litre turbo version
Earliest (usable) cars with the Busso lump will be the 156 (166 and 164 versions are pretty rare now)
Next up would be the GT (3.2) - quite a few around and not yet collectable, so can be had for reasonable money
After that, would be the GTV/Spider, which have recently starting fetching very strong money, especially the GTV Cup
Last would be the GTA versions (147/156), which have always fetched top dollar
TBH, if you're only after the sound, a £1k 156 will do everything you want (although it will also need some regular preventative maintenance - they were never the 3-series rival they were intended to be....)
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Re: Anyone with experience of any Alfa V6?
[Re: Hyperlink]
#1536798
05/05/2015 20:16
05/05/2015 20:16
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Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 853 East Anglia
one4seven
Enjoying the ride
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Enjoying the ride
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 853
East Anglia
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The GTV and GT are the wrong way round. I think maybe Nigel is listing those cars in an order other than cronologically (e.g. required budget and/or personal preference). Cronologically the GTA's are wrong in Nigels list too; 147 and 156 GTA were released in 2002. The GT didn't get the 3.2 until 2004.
Ollie
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Re: Anyone with experience of any Alfa V6?
[Re: HiraethHuw]
#1536805
05/05/2015 20:46
05/05/2015 20:46
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Wombat
Unregistered
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Wombat
Unregistered
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I have a bit of a history of busso V6 Alfas, starting with a skinny 155 V6 back in the early 90s, and more recently a 156 V6, which started as a 2.5 with a blown bottom end and ended as a 3.0 24v conversion before being wrecked by a Czech truck driver on the M25.
The engine lived on and got transplanted into a 155, which was an awesome car to drive, although there was always further development work to do.
More recently I have had another 156 V6 2.5, and my daily drive currently is a 12v 2.5 155 (when I am not driving the Coupe).
I can't really add to anything above about what to look for. They are strong engines if well maintained, and high miles should not be a worry if there is proof the car has been looked after. Watch ut for evidence of overheating. The rear bank of cylinders gets warm, which can lead to head gasket failure, although its meant to be quite rare. Heatproof wrapping the rear manifold is meant to help this (and protect the bulkhead electrics).
I would happily snap up a V6 24v GTV. Not only is the engine excellent, but if the suspension has been looked after, the handling is exceptional. The rear wishbone subframe solves a lot of the FWD understeer problems as it has an element of self steering that gives really sharp turn in.
A GTV would make a great stable mate for a 20VT Coupe!!
Last edited by Wombat; 05/05/2015 20:50.
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Re: Anyone with experience of any Alfa V6?
[Re: Hyperlink]
#1536806
05/05/2015 20:53
05/05/2015 20:53
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,367 Staffordshire
Nigel
Forum veteran
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Forum veteran
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,367
Staffordshire
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The GTV and GT are the wrong way round. Apologies - should have made it clearer - my order is my personal take on affordability, with the 156 at the cheapest end and the GTA models at the pricey end Although I'd say the GT is the better car, the GTV and especially the Spider appear to be enjoying a resurgence in popularity at the moment, with the V6 models commanding very good prices
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Re: Anyone with experience of any Alfa V6?
[Re: HiraethHuw]
#1536808
05/05/2015 21:09
05/05/2015 21:09
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Wombat
Unregistered
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Wombat
Unregistered
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Oh, just to add, water pumps were a weakness and require a cambelt change to get to them.
A lot of 24v engines came with plastic impellors on the pump which split and spin on the shaft when under load.
Spotting this is usually through the temperature climbing when the engine is driven at higher rpm, and getting it sorted quickly is necessary to avoid head gasket issues etc!!
This isn't that common, but is definitely a known issue on older engines. A water pump with a metal impellor is available, and if a belt change is needed, checking the pump and changing to a metal impellor is recommended.
Last edited by Wombat; 05/05/2015 21:11.
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Re: Anyone with experience of any Alfa V6?
[Re: HiraethHuw]
#1537078
07/05/2015 13:57
07/05/2015 13:57
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,831 Haslemere, Surrey
Mark_S
Forum is my job
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Forum is my job
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,831
Haslemere, Surrey
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I think the tax is £500 pa I seem to recall it is <£300 for GTV 3.0 V6
997 C4S
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Re: Anyone with experience of any Alfa V6?
[Re: HiraethHuw]
#1537079
07/05/2015 14:01
07/05/2015 14:01
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,244 Watford, Herts.
Hyperlink
Forum is my life
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Forum is my life
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,244
Watford, Herts.
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depends on co2 emissions
My GTA is £290. According to that advert the Co2 for the 166 would put it in the highest band which is £505. BUT ist registered pre 2006 so will also be £290.
Last edited by Hyperlink; 07/05/2015 14:21. Reason: to add pre 2006 bit
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Re: Anyone with experience of any Alfa V6?
[Re: Mark_S]
#1537120
07/05/2015 19:57
07/05/2015 19:57
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,831 Haslemere, Surrey
Mark_S
Forum is my job
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Forum is my job
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,831
Haslemere, Surrey
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I think the tax is £500 pa I seem to recall it is <£300 for GTV 3.0 V6 Checked and it was £285 last year.
997 C4S
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Re: Anyone with experience of any Alfa V6?
[Re: Possum]
#1537188
08/05/2015 11:05
08/05/2015 11:05
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,244 Watford, Herts.
Hyperlink
Forum is my life
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Forum is my life
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,244
Watford, Herts.
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Did not one of the Alfa V6 engines use the block and bottom end made by GM-H here in Australia with Alfa adding the rest? Thats the replacement v6 Alfa now use in the current range. As far as I am aware all the Busso V6 were made in Italy with some being re-engineered in South Africa (and other places)
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Re: Anyone with experience of any Alfa V6?
[Re: HiraethHuw]
#1537767
12/05/2015 21:07
12/05/2015 21:07
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,466 Kent
Submariner
My job on the forum
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My job on the forum
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,466
Kent
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This will make you buy one go to 1min 50secs for an earful of mine, filmed in March. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MR6RTWqI314I bought a GTV V6 after Brooklands a few years ago when a chap called GeoffyB went round the track at AutoItalia and his GTV V6, sounded the best car of all of them Fezzas Lambos et al. Don't buy a cheap one it will be a money pit for you, get one that has been cared for by an enthusiast, you are looking at circa £3500 to £5500 for a good one. Bloke I bought mine had all the history with it, he had just had the belts done (had the year before spent £1500 at Autolusso on Q2 and revamp) and was literally in tears when I drove away. Mark has the Cup model, I do not see the point paying such a premium for one personally and a V6 Lusso in better nick is a safer proposition in any case, but each to their own. The red also goes pink in the sun like the red LE's. I have the Vela blue metallic with beige leather. Mate of mine from AlfaOwner has around 140K on his Busso and it goes like stink and is in fine fettle. The Busso V6 is apparently a very robust engine unlike the 2.0 in the GTV. Mine has done 1600miles since last oil change and has not required a top up. I have a Q2 diff and GTA flywheel and clutch and BMC airbox, polybushed suspension (rear can eat itself) cat back pipe etc, factory spoiler and front lip...... What a car! Better handling than a standard Coupe due to the strengthened floor plan and suspension, it has ooodles of torque and power everywhere and it is brilliant to drive a large capacity 6 cylinder engine. Great looking and like little else on the road like it a la Coupe. Coupe or GTV V6?......as a recent revisit review of the GTV said you can roll up outside a Michelin starred restaurant in one and not look out of place, oodles of class and panache; I will never be selling mine. Rust is not a big problem as akin to the Coupe the panels were treated I think what apparently was not was the floor plan!! So make sure there is no rust a favourite place is in line with the door pillar under the car. Rog has treated mine with Dinitrol and it is like a new car underneath with a lovely browny colour, not that she goes out in the rain. Only about 600 V6's left in the UK too.
Last edited by Submariner; 12/05/2015 21:25.
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