Alfa Spider 939

I'm presently looking into buying a Spider, preferably a diesel as a 2nd car/everyday hack.
Prices seem to be rising for good ones and although it appears better driving experiences can be found elsewhere (but I have Coupe for that!), I find myself liking them rather more than the TT, Z4 and Merc alternatives.
Has anyone got an experience of the 2.4JTDm diesel?

They seem quite colour sensitive, with alloys also making quite a difference to the way they look.

Cheers

No direct experience but my next door neighbour has just p/x'ed her 939 Spider for an Abarth 500 after hearing how much her roof mech would cost to fix. So my advice would be to check that on any future purchase.

I had a 2.4jtdm diesel. Great performance engine. The edc16 Bosch ecu is readily mappable. Mine suffered an ac (stretch) belt failure which went into the cam belt causing it to skip a few teeth and the pistons to hit the valves. My advice would be, get the egr removed, the dpf taken out, the ecu re programmed accordingly and change the belts more religiously than the service interval suggests

The Alfa owner forum will have plenty of cam belt failure, egr blockage, swirl flap disintegration and dpf blockage stories. In addition to the so called 'black death' caused by injector seat failure.
My personal preference but I would always a favour a petrol over the diesel variant after my stinging experience.

lots of info over at Alfaowner.com

buyer guide and tech info thread have plenty to digest.

I had a 2.2 petrol Berra and the local Alfa specialist (when he told me to sell it) said if you ever get another go for the 2.4 diesel and have it remapped. That's the best option. I think that's the same Diesel engine as the spider though I'm not 100% and I can only speak for the Brera - but if you think the coop is amoney pit..........!

Cheers everyone.
The first one I went to look at had a problem with the roof, so I walked away. It was pretty knocked about anyway!

Another I have seen online has been away at Alfa getting the roof fixed, so I have asked the question whether the roof is covered by their 12 month warranty????

I believe the 159, Brera and Spider engines are all the same. As the petrols are GM engines and not Alfa, I thought I'd go with a diesel based on their relaxed nature?

I have just taken a call from the garage to say the one I was interested in has been sold today, so it looks like the search continues....pity as it was low mileage and looked very clean.

This is correct.
2.4jtdm is a diamond engine, when operating correctly. There are a few 500bhp breras trundling around in the UK with enough torque to silence some v10 Lamborghini s.

The Alfa owner forum is great.... Not as good as this one obviously... But great.

http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa-147-...#/topics/232563

For issues. If you can spanner its all pretty straight forward. Diagnostics gear is cheap and easy to get and use. Recommended.

Mario also has one so might be worth a pm. I belive his is remapped with dpf removal etc

Mario?

http://www.fiatcoupeclub.org/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showprofile&User=6699

Click on like to his profile to send a pm.
Mario is a moderator and ex-fccuk president

The torque of a high powered diesel is massively impressive but the lack of top end power and screaming engine noise does spoil the torque party a little

Might have to look at 2.2JTS instead as diesel's as they seem more readily available?
That leads to a debate about "stretched timing chains"!
I have come across a private locally advertised 2.2JTS with one owner and low miles.

Yeah - I struggle to get my head around diesel convertibles- there's something philosophically wrong about the whole idea. You see loads of SLK 250cdi about and, whilst the 250cdi was a great engine in my E class wagon, it feels all wrong for a 2 seater convertible (not to mention the diesel fumes/engine clatter). I'm also not sure you want mountains of torque in a FWD convertible. I've not driven the 939 Spider but the 916 doesn't have the stiffest chassis (until I got my MiTo, I rated it the most disappointing Alfa I'd driven) and struggled to use the power/torque it had.

So, yes, a petrol engine would be my choice.

The alfa forum is full of issues on all of the 939 Spider/Brera's, so it seems a case of the heart ruling the head?

Have been following this post with interest as my better half recently announced she would like a first generation Spider convertible in Zoe yellow. Are the issues above just around the 939 or all spiders?- should I just convince her to get a broom yellow coupe instead?

Apologies to all 916 Spider (assuming that's what you mean by first generation - Alfa Spiders go back decades and decades) drivers but the chassis is just so wobbly it redefines "scuttle shake". Again, it's fine if you just want a cruiser and the TS engine is probably good and reliable (I've lost track what generation of TS it is) but the V6 must be a handful in the wet.

916 V6 Spider's command very good money...although I have a 916 V6 I do not like the soft top styling looks very odd and dated to me. On a few runs with Alfa Owner the 939''s have been fairly off the pace...look nice though.

Yup - the concept of a V6 916 Spider is a good one...

Found a nice looking 939 2.2JTS Spider locally with a private seller.
I have given him a call and he seems straight enough on first impressions, with a bit of alfa ownership history.
2 owner car with just 43k, last owner 7 years.
Aiming to go and see it in the next couple of days.
Am I feeling brave or stupid, (as obviously, I'll have no comeback if I buy!!!)
Whilst the diesel has a recommended cambelt service date, the 2.2 petrol JTS has a timing chain and so far as I can tell, is not a normal service item?
The alfaforum talks about a rusted front cross member issue, upper wishbone ball joints and hydraulic roof motor issues.
I am thinking if I like it and want to buy privately, to ask for a third party specialist report for peace of mind?
Over kill???

Hi Mark.
Sorry I didn't get to introduce myself at Joes Fcss bash. I did talk with your dad though. It didn't click til afterwards. D'oh.
The jts isn't the best engine. I remember reading on here a while ago of someone who scrapped their jts engined Alfa because of injector issues.
Best talk to Njs Alfa at Pershore, or Duncan at Alfanet in Bristol 07968 488942.
Njs is a big concern, check their website.
Duncans garage is smaller but he knows as much as any specialist about Alfas.
Great looking car. Hope you get one and deal with issues if they arise.

Cheers Huw
Sorry I missed you at Joe's anniversary bash.
If I was being sensible I'd keep away from the Spider all together, but then if I was really sensible, I won't have bought the Coupe either!
To be honest, I'd decided to go for a diesel, but at the moment finding a lowish mileage one in a good colour etc is proving tricky at sensible money. The 3.2 would be really nice but difficult to justify as a daily driver/2nd car.
Hence I thought the 2.2 JTS might be worth a look.

NJS sometimes sell cars that they have serviced so that might be worth a shout. The 2.2 also needs a remap or some sort of hole drilled in the exhaust to cure a hesitancy issue...look on Alfa forum....If its a spider I wouldn't want a diesel.

The injectors aren't any different than any other modern car...they all play up just look at ebay adverts for any type of car. Some modern cars especially Alfas get a bad rep as the home mechanic can't work on them as easily as older models(these are the words of Neil from NJS)

I respectfully disagree with this. A direct injection engine with a single anchor point on the injector and a torque preload of 15nm is not like many other designs. The only other manufacturer to make that mistake was Mercedes with their cdi range and the 9nm rating they used with a hex or torx fastener caused them all sorts of ( more) troubles.
The best DI designs regarding high pressure rails with damped vibrating fuel lines above use two or more fasteners above each injector with higher preloads and have resulted in far less recorded failures.

Test drove a local privately owned 2.2 JTS 939 Spider at the weekend and have to say I was pretty taken with it, despite a few interior cosmetic issues and the need of really good valet!
Performance-wise, it's no 20VT, but "adequate" came to mind.
A very low mileage car for the year and only on its second owner.
The car is off for new MOT this week and subject to that, then I have agreed to buy it, despite planning to go for a diesel!!!!
She needs the 18" alloys refurbing and a few other things doing, but another journey begins....

Sounds promising.
Did you notice where they had had it serviced?
Better get yourself some new shades ready for some serious roof top down summer posing

Its been serviced at Cloverleaf in Gloucester (an Alfa "specialist").
I'd post a pic of the Spider, but I gather Photobucket have pulled the plug for "3rd party" use?
Re the shades, if and when the sun shines, I need a hat to protect my follicly challenged head!!!
I am looking forward to seeing the Coupe and the Spider side by side on the drive.

I've been looking on the Alfa forum for tips and guidance about the 939 etc and have to say for ease of use, our "specialist" Coupe forum site is a lot more intuitive to use?
It also seems generally and friendlier place too!
Does anyone no of an alfa specialist who sells used spares?
There did not appear to be a parts for sale section I could see other than via "sponsors"?
I have a few "nice to have" items on my shopping list already!

Pick her up tomorrow!
Another adventure begins.....

Sounds great Mark. Looking forward to the photos.

Soon we'll have enough Alfa's on the forum to have an Alfa meet! We'll bring the Giulietta.

Cheers Toby!
Without photobucket, I'm unsure how to post pics now?
Took my a coupe for a good motorway trip down to Taunton & back today. Despite a few jams caused by accidents, she did well.
A car in the centre lane post Cribbs Causeway, ran up the back of a BMW mini alongside me at relatively slow speed, so thinking about it, I suspect the coupe had caused a "distraction"!

How's the Guiletta BTW? - hired one last year on holiday and whilst initially being a tad disappointed, it did grow on me.

We like it. It's the 150bhp diesel and is pretty quick, very smooth and refined. They improved the sound proofing on the later models and spruced up the interior.

I'd like to try the petrols though, especially the 1.7TBi.

Compared to VW group, it's cramped in the back, but boot is a good size.

Build quality seems good, though did have a couple of niggles under warranty.

Main niggles are the ergonomics. Driving position is fine but nowhere to put clutch foot or accelerator foot when on cruise control. Also the speedo is obscured by the steering wheel.

It's special though. Much more interesting than VAG.

The hire one I had was a petrol - probably a 1.6.
Being a hire car it clearly was not loved and it had 100k on it.
The mirror control fell off as soon as I touched it, but like you say they are a nice variation on VAG competition.
Our Mk6 Golf GT is a cracking car though...

Agreed Mark. I love VAG, but Italian cars just have more soul. A Golf is a fantastic car, but I'd feel more special in an Alfa. (Especially at an Italian car meet )

We are lucky enough to sample both types of car !

One week in and having given a good valet of the interior, cleaning the cloth roof a couple of times and degunking the engine bay, the Spider is looking pretty good.
A sunny drive to Bath on Tuesday via the park & ride was enjoyable with the roof down, especially getting off the bus and being able to drop the roof to cool off was very satisfying!
Actually very impressed with the hands-free Blue & Me set up.
The ride is very comfortable, as are the seats.
And like the Coupe, it's a car you keep looking back at as you walk away!

Glad your enjoying your Alfa, Mark and that you have to look at it when you walk away.
I will have to sell my Alfa soon to make way for a crv tow car.
I think I'll miss the V6 rasp and fruitiness as much as I miss my old 20v's machine gun sound at high revs.
Where is equidistant between you, Toby and I?

Chucking it down here, so chance to check whether any leaks from the canvas roof!
Luckily all seems ok

I've used up a whole bottle of Autoglym Roof cleaner, but some persistent green still showing after a couple of scrubs.
Another go should do it, but are there any suggestions as to another product to use?

These two threads from Detailing World may help :-

Thread 1

Thread 2

Thanks Fishersj.
I've popped into Halfords and rather than buy another Autoglym kit at £23.50, I was directed towards the caravan section where a product sold for cleaning awnings was suggested.
Called Fenwick's Cleaner for Awnings & tents it comes in a 1 litre spray bottle and is step 1 of 2 for £9.99.
I am waiting for it dry to see how it has worked.

Your very welcome Brilly.

I seem to remember an episoded of Car SOS where they removed the hood of the car and pressure washed it but I reckon that is fraught with danger so didn't recommend.

The Fenwick's looks like a good idea and got my fingers crossed that it works for you. Two great cars you own now.

Best wishes

Steve

Had an Alfa specialist (NJS) give the Spider the once over and they found a few issues such has rusted rear discs and replacement handbrake cables needed.
Main work done was to address why the hood was jolting lose over bumps in the road.
It seems part of the hood has got tight and needs to be "stretched".
Touching wood, the roof seems ok now.

Did they say what it's like for corrosion underneath?
Early 159's has problem with the front sub frames rotting.
Can you drive it with the top down in this autumnal weather? Much buffeting (from the wind, not pork pies)?
A drop top is on the list of cars for me to own one day. Need the kids to grow up a bit first

At 21 & 18 I thought I could take the plunge!
We still have the coupe and an X1, plus the lads have been handed down our two VWs, so we have enough seats available when required.
NJS wax oiled the front subframe but otherwise said it was ok.
Not much top down driving at the moment but it was really enjoyable on the two sunny days I recall in the summer just passed!

Post photobucket!
Spider & Coupe

I WILL have driveway like that.

One day.....

Cheers Toby!
You beat me by quite some time to an alfa fiat combination!!!