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Alfa Spider 939 #1603380
26/06/2017 17:56
26/06/2017 17:56
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,162
Glos
Brilly1uk Offline OP
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Glos
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


Fiat Coupe 20VT
Alfa Romeo Spider
BMW X3
Re: Alfa Spider 939 [Re: Brilly1uk] #1603394
26/06/2017 21:45
26/06/2017 21:45

N
Nello
Unregistered
Nello
Unregistered
N



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.

Re: Alfa Spider 939 [Re: Brilly1uk] #1603398
26/06/2017 22:31
26/06/2017 22:31
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 229
Perth, Western Australia
Hoops82 Offline
Making a profit
Hoops82  Offline
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Posts: 229
Perth, Western Australia
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

Last edited by Hoops82; 26/06/2017 22:48.


Resting UK
Re: Alfa Spider 939 [Re: Brilly1uk] #1603399
26/06/2017 22:34
26/06/2017 22:34
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 229
Perth, Western Australia
Hoops82 Offline
Making a profit
Hoops82  Offline
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 229
Perth, Western Australia
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.

Last edited by Hoops82; 26/06/2017 22:47.


Resting UK
Re: Alfa Spider 939 [Re: Brilly1uk] #1603432
27/06/2017 10:35
27/06/2017 10:35
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,244
Watford, Herts.
H
Hyperlink Offline
Forum is my life
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Joined: Jun 2006
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Watford, Herts.
lots of info over at Alfaowner.com

buyer guide and tech info thread have plenty to digest.

Re: Alfa Spider 939 [Re: Hyperlink] #1603443
27/06/2017 12:34
27/06/2017 12:34
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 13,200
england
C
came2dance Offline
I AM a Coop
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C

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 13,200
england
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..........! crazy


[Linked Image]www.chrisdoyle-photography.co.uk

Re: Alfa Spider 939 [Re: Brilly1uk] #1603447
27/06/2017 14:25
27/06/2017 14:25
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,162
Glos
Brilly1uk Offline OP
Club member 1034
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Posts: 2,162
Glos
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.


Fiat Coupe 20VT
Alfa Romeo Spider
BMW X3
Re: Alfa Spider 939 [Re: Brilly1uk] #1603475
27/06/2017 22:39
27/06/2017 22:39
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 229
Perth, Western Australia
Hoops82 Offline
Making a profit
Hoops82  Offline
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 229
Perth, Western Australia
Originally Posted By Brilly1uk


I believe the 159, Brera and Spider engines are all the same.


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.



Resting UK
Re: Alfa Spider 939 [Re: Brilly1uk] #1603511
29/06/2017 04:06
29/06/2017 04:06
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 8,960
west bromwich
C
coupedummy Offline
Je suis un Coupé
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C

Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 8,960
west bromwich
Mario also has one so might be worth a pm. I belive his is remapped with dpf removal etc


[Linked Image]
Re: Alfa Spider 939 [Re: coupedummy] #1603554
29/06/2017 20:35
29/06/2017 20:35
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,162
Glos
Brilly1uk Offline OP
Club member 1034
Brilly1uk  Offline OP
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,162
Glos
Originally Posted By coupedummy
Mario also has one so might be worth a pm. I belive his is remapped with dpf removal etc


Mario?


Fiat Coupe 20VT
Alfa Romeo Spider
BMW X3
Re: Alfa Spider 939 [Re: Brilly1uk] #1603564
30/06/2017 04:34
30/06/2017 04:34
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 8,960
west bromwich
C
coupedummy Offline
Je suis un Coupé
coupedummy  Offline
Je suis un Coupé
C

Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 8,960
west bromwich
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


[Linked Image]
Re: Alfa Spider 939 [Re: Hoops82] #1603807
03/07/2017 07:50
03/07/2017 07:50
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,051
South Cambs
B
Barmybob Offline
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Je suis un Coupé
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,051
South Cambs
Originally Posted By Hoops82
There are a few 500bhp breras trundling around in the UK with enough torque to silence some v10 Lamborghinis.


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 frown


Gone Audi mad!
Re: Alfa Spider 939 [Re: Brilly1uk] #1603877
03/07/2017 21:43
03/07/2017 21:43
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,162
Glos
Brilly1uk Offline OP
Club member 1034
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Joined: Apr 2012
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Glos
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.


Fiat Coupe 20VT
Alfa Romeo Spider
BMW X3
Re: Alfa Spider 939 [Re: Brilly1uk] #1603894
04/07/2017 06:56
04/07/2017 06:56
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,852
Cambridge & Cotswolds
M
MeanRedSpider Offline
Je suis un Coupé
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M

Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,852
Cambridge & Cotswolds
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.

Re: Alfa Spider 939 [Re: Brilly1uk] #1603898
04/07/2017 07:10
04/07/2017 07:10
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,162
Glos
Brilly1uk Offline OP
Club member 1034
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Posts: 2,162
Glos
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?


Fiat Coupe 20VT
Alfa Romeo Spider
BMW X3
Re: Alfa Spider 939 [Re: Brilly1uk] #1603900
04/07/2017 08:19
04/07/2017 08:19
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,621
Leicester UK
Ballypete Offline
Club Member 1578
Ballypete  Offline
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Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,621
Leicester UK
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? hehe


Doris the 1998 Portofino Blue 20V and Zoe the 1999 Alfa Romeo 916 Spider
Bog standard needn't be boring...
Re: Alfa Spider 939 [Re: Brilly1uk] #1603902
04/07/2017 08:35
04/07/2017 08:35
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,852
Cambridge & Cotswolds
M
MeanRedSpider Offline
Je suis un Coupé
MeanRedSpider  Offline
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M

Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,852
Cambridge & Cotswolds
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.

Re: Alfa Spider 939 [Re: Brilly1uk] #1603924
04/07/2017 16:06
04/07/2017 16:06
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,462
Kent
Submariner Offline
My job on the forum
Submariner  Offline
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Posts: 1,462
Kent
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.

Re: Alfa Spider 939 [Re: Brilly1uk] #1603978
05/07/2017 17:51
05/07/2017 17:51
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,852
Cambridge & Cotswolds
M
MeanRedSpider Offline
Je suis un Coupé
MeanRedSpider  Offline
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M

Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,852
Cambridge & Cotswolds
Yup - the concept of a V6 916 Spider is a good one...

Re: Alfa Spider 939 [Re: Brilly1uk] #1603984
05/07/2017 18:50
05/07/2017 18:50
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,162
Glos
Brilly1uk Offline OP
Club member 1034
Brilly1uk  Offline OP
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,162
Glos
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!!!) confused
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???


Fiat Coupe 20VT
Alfa Romeo Spider
BMW X3
Re: Alfa Spider 939 [Re: Brilly1uk] #1603999
05/07/2017 21:05
05/07/2017 21:05
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 836
Hereford
H
HiraethHuw Offline
Enjoying the ride
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H

Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 836
Hereford
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.

Re: Alfa Spider 939 [Re: Brilly1uk] #1604003
05/07/2017 21:25
05/07/2017 21:25
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,162
Glos
Brilly1uk Offline OP
Club member 1034
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Posts: 2,162
Glos
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! laugh
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.


Fiat Coupe 20VT
Alfa Romeo Spider
BMW X3
Re: Alfa Spider 939 [Re: Brilly1uk] #1604013
05/07/2017 22:29
05/07/2017 22:29
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 730
t0m0 Offline
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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)

Re: Alfa Spider 939 [Re: t0m0] #1604130
07/07/2017 10:29
07/07/2017 10:29
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 229
Perth, Western Australia
Hoops82 Offline
Making a profit
Hoops82  Offline
Making a profit

Joined: May 2007
Posts: 229
Perth, Western Australia
Originally Posted By t0m0


The injectors aren't any different than any other modern car...they all play up

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.



Resting UK
Re: Alfa Spider 939 [Re: Brilly1uk] #1604254
09/07/2017 21:32
09/07/2017 21:32
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,162
Glos
Brilly1uk Offline OP
Club member 1034
Brilly1uk  Offline OP
Club member 1034
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,162
Glos
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.... smile


Fiat Coupe 20VT
Alfa Romeo Spider
BMW X3
Re: Alfa Spider 939 [Re: Brilly1uk] #1604263
10/07/2017 06:58
10/07/2017 06:58
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 836
Hereford
H
HiraethHuw Offline
Enjoying the ride
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H

Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 836
Hereford
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 cool

Re: Alfa Spider 939 [Re: Brilly1uk] #1604282
10/07/2017 11:16
10/07/2017 11:16
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,162
Glos
Brilly1uk Offline OP
Club member 1034
Brilly1uk  Offline OP
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Posts: 2,162
Glos
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. smile


Fiat Coupe 20VT
Alfa Romeo Spider
BMW X3
Re: Alfa Spider 939 [Re: Brilly1uk] #1604344
11/07/2017 14:00
11/07/2017 14:00
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,162
Glos
Brilly1uk Offline OP
Club member 1034
Brilly1uk  Offline OP
Club member 1034
Competition Level

Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,162
Glos
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! rolleyes


Fiat Coupe 20VT
Alfa Romeo Spider
BMW X3
Re: Alfa Spider 939 [Re: Brilly1uk] #1604495
14/07/2017 19:31
14/07/2017 19:31
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,162
Glos
Brilly1uk Offline OP
Club member 1034
Brilly1uk  Offline OP
Club member 1034
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,162
Glos
Pick her up tomorrow! cool
Another adventure begins..... crazy


Fiat Coupe 20VT
Alfa Romeo Spider
BMW X3
Re: Alfa Spider 939 [Re: Brilly1uk] #1604496
14/07/2017 19:55
14/07/2017 19:55
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,609
S. Wales. Way beyond my means
Gripped Offline
Club member 1924
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S. Wales. Way beyond my means
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.

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