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Brera 3.2 #1649226
09/03/2021 14:51
09/03/2021 14:51
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 947
Dorchester
R
respace Offline OP
Enjoying the ride
respace  Offline OP
Enjoying the ride
R

Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 947
Dorchester
Anyone had any experience of these? Anything in particular to look out for?

Re: Brera 3.2 [Re: respace] #1649243
10/03/2021 12:00
10/03/2021 12:00
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,090
highlands
jimboy Offline
Club Member 857
jimboy  Offline
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Forum is my life

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Posts: 5,090
highlands
I’ve no first hand experience. But I know of some getting rid of after a year or so due to the fuel consumption alone. They do look the business, but very expensive for parts.


I'm an old git & happy with it,most of the time
Re: Brera 3.2 [Re: respace] #1649244
10/03/2021 12:07
10/03/2021 12:07
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,162
Glos
Brilly1uk Offline
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Brilly1uk  Offline
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,162
Glos
Not the 3.2, but I have owned a 2.2 Spider for a few years.
The main issues common to both I believe, are things like rusting to the front subframes due to water being trapped by the engine shield and electrical gremlins often triggered by a flat battery.
Check the windows switches work well as they are a weak point.

Both cars are heavy, especially the 3.2 lump and therefore the top and bottom suspension control arms often need replacement.

The 3.2 certainly makes a lovely noise but neither is really a sports car - more a stylish GT? cool
Early 3.2s tend to be 4 wheel drive adding to the mass, but front wheel drive was also available.
Had they been RWD like the latest Giulia, I am sure they would have been a greater sales success?

One concern is Alfa have stopped supplying spares now and so you may be dependent on salvaged items and all that entails.

A Brera at least does not involve any worries about the folding roof failing! shocked

Finding a car without severely scratched dash and aluminium interior trim panels is rare, as keys and any jewellery tend to dent the soft metal trim.
The later fake carbon fibre trim is probably hardier than the aluminium.
I suspect eventually, many cars will have their interior trim panels painted instead?

For future classic value, I would say the 3.2 is the one to go for, but unfortunately it is not the old Alfa Busso unit.
It goes without saying a 3.2 is not one for someone concerned about fuel economy or low emissions. rolleyes

For anyone wanting a lot of car for the money with some Italian style thrown in, I would say they will always put a smile on your face when you look back at it.


Fiat Coupe 20VT
Alfa Romeo Spider
BMW X3
Re: Brera 3.2 [Re: respace] #1649249
10/03/2021 17:40
10/03/2021 17:40
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 947
Dorchester
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respace Offline OP
Enjoying the ride
respace  Offline OP
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R

Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 947
Dorchester
Thanks for the comments, I had the V6 GTV and it nearly bankrupted me as a daily driver so understand about the economy. Thankfully I don't need to run it everyday if I decide to buy, going to see it tomorrow, it's owned by one of the guys at the specialists who maintain my coop and he's serviced it for the last 10yrs so can vouch for it.

Re: Brera 3.2 [Re: respace] #1649257
10/03/2021 22:27
10/03/2021 22:27
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,162
Glos
Brilly1uk Offline
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Brilly1uk  Offline
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Posts: 2,162
Glos
Knowing the history is a good indication of how well it has been looked after - so that sounds encouraging.
Hope it goes well.


Fiat Coupe 20VT
Alfa Romeo Spider
BMW X3
Re: Brera 3.2 [Re: respace] #1649268
11/03/2021 09:26
11/03/2021 09:26
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,573
Glasgow,Near Florence..If only...
paul Offline
My life on the forum
paul  Offline
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,573
Glasgow,Near Florence..If only...
good looking car ,some really nice specs available too, I drove one years ago ,wasn't too impressed as it is heavy and felt it to drive ...as above my brother had the same engine in his spider rarely got above 18-20 mpg and that is not as heavy as the Brera shocked
personally I'd rather pick something with the Busso V6 engine in it ..........but thats only my opinion wink


was Paul S,now just paul...Member since Oct 2000,Coupe may be FATALLY injured - :(oh no it's not smile
Re: Brera 3.2 [Re: respace] #1649270
11/03/2021 09:59
11/03/2021 09:59
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 947
Dorchester
R
respace Offline OP
Enjoying the ride
respace  Offline OP
Enjoying the ride
R

Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 947
Dorchester
I had the Busso V6 in my GTV it was wonderful but sometimes only got 14mpg even when not revving it! Is this something from the GM merger? Crossfire engine? From what I've read I might struggle to fit in it as there's not a lot of headroom apparently.

Re: Brera 3.2 [Re: respace] #1649282
11/03/2021 17:15
11/03/2021 17:15
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 947
Dorchester
R
respace Offline OP
Enjoying the ride
respace  Offline OP
Enjoying the ride
R

Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 947
Dorchester
Now have 2 inappropriate, impractical Italian money pits to maintain! If you hear of any murders in the Dorset area you'll know it didn't go down well with the missus!

Re: Brera 3.2 [Re: respace] #1649283
11/03/2021 18:11
11/03/2021 18:11
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,090
highlands
jimboy Offline
Club Member 857
jimboy  Offline
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Forum is my life

Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,090
highlands
Originally Posted by respace
Now have 2 inappropriate, impractical Italian money pits to maintain! If you hear of any murders in the Dorset area you'll know it didn't go down well with the missus!


Life’s too short, especially at the moment, well done cool

I bit the bullet and spent far too much on my Coupe but I’m happy. Enjoy.. driving


I'm an old git & happy with it,most of the time
Re: Brera 3.2 [Re: respace] #1649285
11/03/2021 18:59
11/03/2021 18:59
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 17,114
FCSS 01684 593187
Countrycruising Offline
Club Rep Europe, member 914
Countrycruising  Offline
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Forum veteran

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Posts: 17,114
FCSS 01684 593187
I have a Q4 Brera in my collection, missed the boat buying a GTV Busso so picked one of these up fairly cheaply, back box delete sounds sweet cool

Re: Brera 3.2 [Re: respace] #1649288
11/03/2021 22:56
11/03/2021 22:56
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,162
Glos
Brilly1uk Offline
Club member 1034
Brilly1uk  Offline
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Competition Level

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Posts: 2,162
Glos
Great news respace - hope you really enjoy!
If Joe has fallen for one too....that must be good news all around? smile


Fiat Coupe 20VT
Alfa Romeo Spider
BMW X3
Re: Brera 3.2 [Re: Brilly1uk] #1649289
12/03/2021 08:24
12/03/2021 08:24
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 17,114
FCSS 01684 593187
Countrycruising Offline
Club Rep Europe, member 914
Countrycruising  Offline
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Forum veteran

Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 17,114
FCSS 01684 593187
Originally Posted by Brilly1uk
....that must be good news all around? smile



............ before you go there asking if I work on other 939 now, no afraid not, this is just an investment addition much like the Busso would have been, I'm still full time Coupe.

Re: Brera 3.2 [Re: respace] #1649291
12/03/2021 09:43
12/03/2021 09:43
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,573
Glasgow,Near Florence..If only...
paul Offline
My life on the forum
paul  Offline
My life on the forum

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,573
Glasgow,Near Florence..If only...
Originally Posted by respace
I had the Busso V6 in my GTV it was wonderful but sometimes only got 14mpg even when not revving it! Is this something from the GM merger? Crossfire engine? From what I've read I might struggle to fit in it as there's not a lot of headroom apparently.


yes its from GM but Alfa worked on the heads love

Brera's are lovely looking cars , apologies I didn't read your posts properly, i hadn't realised you already had a Busso engined GTV .....fuel economy is not its best point shocked laugh


was Paul S,now just paul...Member since Oct 2000,Coupe may be FATALLY injured - :(oh no it's not smile
Re: Brera 3.2 [Re: Countrycruising] #1649326
13/03/2021 15:09
13/03/2021 15:09
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,162
Glos
Brilly1uk Offline
Club member 1034
Brilly1uk  Offline
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Competition Level

Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,162
Glos
Originally Posted by Countrycruising
Originally Posted by Brilly1uk
....that must be good news all around? smile



............ before you go there asking if I work on other 939 now, no afraid not, this is just an investment addition much like the Busso would have been, I'm still full time Coupe.


We hear you Joe! smile


Fiat Coupe 20VT
Alfa Romeo Spider
BMW X3
Re: Brera 3.2 [Re: respace] #1649337
14/03/2021 20:28
14/03/2021 20:28
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 12,643
Watford
MarioCirillo Offline
Ex El Presidente
MarioCirillo  Offline
Ex El Presidente
I AM a Coop

Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 12,643
Watford
Originally Posted by respace
Anyone had any experience of these? Anything in particular to look out for?

I had the 2.4 D - remapped at AHM - that was so much more fun to drive. Tried the 3.2 and same feedback as everyone else. Sluggish / Heavy / not as fast or fun as the remapped 2.4


Proud Owner of Rosso Speed LE041
Re: Brera 3.2 [Re: respace] #1649390
16/03/2021 17:26
16/03/2021 17:26
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 947
Dorchester
R
respace Offline OP
Enjoying the ride
respace  Offline OP
Enjoying the ride
R

Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 947
Dorchester
Canny these Italians, I booked the coupe for water leak, mentioned I liked the Alfa, next time I try booking it in they have one for sale. Just collected the alfa, they said their serving a LE with over 200k on the clock. I now realise I said I love the LEs an d the Plus, I'm dreading booking in for the next service!

Re: Brera 3.2 [Re: respace] #1649478
19/03/2021 16:48
19/03/2021 16:48
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,162
Glos
Brilly1uk Offline
Club member 1034
Brilly1uk  Offline
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Competition Level

Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,162
Glos
Originally Posted by respace
Canny these Italians, I booked the coupe for water leak, mentioned I liked the Alfa, next time I try booking it in they have one for sale. Just collected the alfa, they said their serving a LE with over 200k on the clock. I now realise I said I love the LEs an d the Plus, I'm dreading booking in for the next service!


Could not bring myself to have diesel Spider though! laugh


Fiat Coupe 20VT
Alfa Romeo Spider
BMW X3
Re: Brera 3.2 [Re: respace] #1649482
19/03/2021 17:30
19/03/2021 17:30
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 947
Dorchester
R
respace Offline OP
Enjoying the ride
respace  Offline OP
Enjoying the ride
R

Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 947
Dorchester
The coop is ready for collection, I'll do a quick reckie to see if there's a LE hanging around first!

I understand the comments about the Brera it does feel heavy, if you use the gears it does move though you can put it in a high gear and it'll pull from low revs, you can treat it like an automatic. Although it has more power (in theory) than the GTV it doesn't feel like it on the road, a weight thing I suppose. Anyway it was very cheap, everything works including loads of things I don't understand and I've got servicing at reduced rate and parts at cost so pretty good. All I need is a petrol tanker permanently attached.

Re: Brera 3.2 [Re: respace] #1649788
03/04/2021 13:42
03/04/2021 13:42
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,462
Kent
Submariner Offline
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Posts: 1,462
Kent
The increase in power of the Brera over the GTV V6 is lost by the 200kg+ weight penalty....it feels as you say much more lardy and nowhere near as exciting or responsive to drive as the GTV V6 (which is fairly heavy itself).

Re: Brera 3.2 [Re: respace] #1649792
03/04/2021 18:14
03/04/2021 18:14
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 947
Dorchester
R
respace Offline OP
Enjoying the ride
respace  Offline OP
Enjoying the ride
R

Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 947
Dorchester
I hadn't realised how different it would feel, going from the 16vt to GTV v6 felt like a bigger, heavier brother (albeit one that got a bit out of hand on fast corners). This is very different refined, sedate, almost dare I say it germanic! I guess it's a sign of how far technology has moved, the coop feels light, raw, noisy and quick whereas the Brera is heavy, effortless, quiet and very quick but you don't notice how fast because all the tech anaesthetises you.

Re: Brera 3.2 [Re: respace] #1650035
13/04/2021 14:51
13/04/2021 14:51
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 947
Dorchester
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respace Offline OP
Enjoying the ride
respace  Offline OP
Enjoying the ride
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 947
Dorchester
Weird development today, I hadn't got round to pairing the hands free so set it up and 4 warning lights came on. 3 VDC, hill holder and ASR went off again but yellow check engine has stayed on. Can't see any connection between pairing a phone and any of this but going in next to investigate the engine light.
Any guesses?

Re: Brera 3.2 [Re: respace] #1650124
15/04/2021 19:48
15/04/2021 19:48
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,162
Glos
Brilly1uk Offline
Club member 1034
Brilly1uk  Offline
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Competition Level

Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,162
Glos
It may have just be a coincidence, but such is Alfa ownership!
Can you try plugging in a OBD 2 reader to see if you have any fault codes and perhaps try clearing them?


Fiat Coupe 20VT
Alfa Romeo Spider
BMW X3
Re: Brera 3.2 [Re: respace] #1652574
21/08/2021 09:38
21/08/2021 09:38
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,700
burning oil in the alfa
whatmoretyres Offline
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Posts: 3,700
burning oil in the alfa
Part of the reason the stop gap GT was continued even after the brera launched have been mentioned above

Too heavy to be considered sporty
De-tuned GM blocked cars less powerful then that should be to get under emissions
Pointless rear seats
Compromised final shape after hugely impressive motor show demo cars
Poor mpg on all cars, 2.4 diesel best compromise
2.2L sent out with horrible flat spots in the Rev range
Most of these issues resolved with the Prodrive S editions, which are now premium priced

Total biased as I have had a diesel GT for ages, but in my opinion a 3.2 GT with quaife diff is a better car,
More practical, faster, economical and cheaper to run


Smart Fitness and GPS seller tongue

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