Alfa Brera

Maundie

Maundie

Maundie

Soldato
Joined
20 Oct 2010
Posts
4,670
Looking for a motor for myself so the missus can have the 3 series and was wondering if anyone has had one of these and can advise anything good/bad, I've always liked the looks but had a nagging doubt regarding Alfa's legendry unreliability.

Not really going to be doing more 6k a year (unless I'm going to have to drive more for business) so I wouldn't really want a diesel.

Thanks in advance
 
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they're not as bad as the old alfas but still have niggly issues, read some owners reviews on auto trader/online and see what you think.

alpha lol.
 
Incredibly heavy. And they feel it when you drive them. All of the engines are thirsty.
However I still think both externally and internally they're very good looking cars.
 
Dis86 said:
Incredibly heavy. And they feel it when you drive them. All of the engines are thirsty.
However I still think both externally and internally they're very good looking cars.
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As above.

They drive appallingly for the look/power, massively understeery and not particularly confidence inspiring.

They do "look" lovely though, inside and out, though I'm not sure the fit and finish/build quality lives up to the appearance.
 
I'd forgotten about these.. They still look lovely and apparently all car guys have to own an Alfa at some point? (I've yet to as it scares me... Although I've owned French cars so it cant be too much worse?! :D)
 
Front subframe is a bit of an issue on these and the 159. Worth googling about it.

Gorgeous looking cars, though (Brera and 159)
 
Maundie said:
Yeah realised that when I'd pressed submit
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Fixed it for you :)


cheesyboy said:
Front subframe is a bit of an issue on these and the 159. Worth googling about it.

Gorgeous looking cars, though (Brera and 159)
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I keep looking at 159's and thinking that they are a lot of car for the money and look absolutely gorgeous inside and out, but it's hard to tell whether reliability really is as bad as is made out.
 
Armageus said:
Fixed it for you :)




I keep looking at 159's and thinking that they are a lot of car for the money and look absolutely gorgeous inside and out, but it's hard to tell whether reliability really is as bad as is made out.
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Thanks, I was also looking at the 159, actually driven a couple as my mate is the accountant for our local Alfa/Fiat dealer and he had several, he also said they are a lot more reliable than they used to be as they get less warranty work but I was just trying to gauge any owners opinions rather than someone who only drove 6 month old ones.
 
Armageus said:
I keep looking at 159's and thinking that they are a lot of car for the money and look absolutely gorgeous inside and out, but it's hard to tell whether reliability really is as bad as is made out.
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Same :D

Would love one, but also love trouble free (and cheap) motoring
 
Armageus said:
Fixed it for you :)




I keep looking at 159's and thinking that they are a lot of car for the money and look absolutely gorgeous inside and out, but it's hard to tell whether reliability really is as bad as is made out.
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If they are as reliable as my 156 i wouldn't be worried, only issues i had was bulbs in the heater controls, and the MAF playing up.

The Brera I'm not that keen on, takes the lovely front of the 159 and adds a strange looking rear.

the GT isn't much better at the back, but i would have that over the Brera.
 
The husband of someone I know has one...in the last few years he has owned it I could honestly say it has been in the garage more times than he has been able to drive it.

I love Alfa and I appreciate this could just be an absolute lemon but still puts me off.
 
Dis86 said:
Now this might be controversial but I actually think the 159 is better looking.
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It is much better looking IMO. The 159 is my favourite 'normal' car in terms of appearance. I don't like the back end or side profile of the Brera at all. In fact id almost call it ugly.

The 2.2JTS and 2.4JTDM are the ones to have, both very good engines by all accounts, but they both drink fuel. The diesel is particularly disappointing in terms of economy, I think they only do 40MPG on a run. Makes the whole diesel thing pointless!

The 1.8TBI is also a good one, but they tend to reside in the higher priced examples. It's a much newer engine, which features in the 4C! :)
 
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Just get a really sorted GTV :cool:

I would say that they aren't as unreliable as p[eople say, but mine is currently at the garage having a water pump and inner cv boots sorted :p

From what I see, only buy an Alfa if you really want an Alfa, otherwise you'll kick yourself that you didn't buy something more sensible.
 
I had one for a very short time before I left Alfa

Based on only 3 months of use, I did drive it every were 6k or in 3 months, and all that went wrong was a headlight baulb

It's very much it depends on when it was built / by who and then how it's been looked after.
 
I found that the Brera was very limited on headroom when I sat in it, I'm 6'2" - tall for an Italian I suppose, but not for a normal car. Beautiful looking things though! I would have one in a heartbeat over an Audi S3/Golf R etc.
 
Except not even the 1750tbi is comparable to either an S3 or a Golf R sadly.

A3 TFSI and Golf GTI perhaps. :p
 
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