Alfa Finally Made A German Car, Why Did It Fail? Prodrive Alfa Brera (S) 

Excellent info, thank you.

Good info, thanks. I drove a 159 JTD when it was a new in 2006/7. At the time I had a new E90 320d.......the Alfa was a a car I wanted to like but just couldn't quite get there. It was the 2.4 so it certainly went well but it was nowhere near as good as the BMW - you could really feel the weight, not helped by the very quick steering that seemed to accentuate the heft when changing direction quickly. Tbh it felt like a stylish Mondeo - but it did drive better than a Saab 9-3. Mind you, that's not difficult. 😂

Ex SAAB. The stories you could tell. A channel/podcast in the making perhaps ?

Great info, thanks for posting.

The FIAT Coupé was a car from an earlier era, the 159 family weighed as much as its competitors (era of increased weights, unfortunately). The problem is that people always expect exceptional data from the Alfa. ..And the 159 steering and security was exceptional, indeed

Sure it's an Alfa... You mentioned excite and entertain, but missed frustrate and occasionally infuriate. It's part of the love affair, so says tradition.

Had mine 6 years, never selling Black 159 ti

agreed. BeeMers and Mercs are common as muck in Ireland, But i've had people stop and ask me about my 159, and compliment how handsome it is. Alfa's are rare on Irish roads now and that adds to it IMO

I've noticed the same thing. They love German cars

Italian cars are unreliable give me a German car everyday of the week

To some extent yes, def 20 yrs ago, but the only ppl that lust after german cars today, and truly believe they are special tend, to be sheep stuck in that era for whatever reason. I mean have you seen the average bm/merc/audi driver? Hardly classy, better described as plastic gangster debt slave 🤷‍♂

I have an 159- unique in every way and steady on Motorway not the “floaty” Mercs or BMWs

That would be my pick of the bunch too. Enjoy it!

I have this - brilliant!

100% agree with this - it's definitely a long range cruiser - the weight helps the ride I think. Mine has one of the most comfortable seats I've ever experienced. 122k miles on mine (2.4 JTDM 210BHP) and it hasn't missed a beat. Great car

I’m approaching 200k on my 5-pot tractor, about 90k of which are mine. The only time it skipped a beat was when the alternator gave out once. Other than that, it’s been solid as a cliff. And the interior is such a nice place to be. And I got it for a steal. What is there not to love.

Same story me and my jtdm 1.9 sw I bought brand new in 2007

could you tell me how you did the swap from the 2.2 to the tbi?

Agre!

No

I'm sure (without checking) that you are able to import older cars into the US. They have to be over 15 or 20 years old. I have a Brera, and my GTV6 with me in the UK was an ex Florida car. I imported it into Canada, and then to the UK when I moved here.

Um no. The Giulia/Stelvio have fine interiors. The ARs from that time frame were not great in terms of interior quality. Beautiful and some were nice drivers.

i had brera 2.4jtd the interior its one step better than 159 bcs the car its in the factory of pininfiarina. (not by alfa)

@@DavidM-mb1vx I agree with Road of Plenty. The 159/Brera had an outstanding dash layout for the day. Smart and classical. The Giulia is just not as special to sit in and use.

@@DavidM-mb1vx There's nothing wrong with the interior quality of the Stelvio/Giulia, but I perceived the quality as higher in my 159, which I owned for over eight years.

Can you tell me about the seating position... Never driven a Brera/159, but I've driven a GT, felt like driving a bus, pedals are too close and too los, legs don't stretch like in a proper car, it feels like you sit on top of the pedals and you push them downwards... Is it the same situation with the Brera?

I have the Spider and I love it even with the roof faults Still makes me smile every time I drive it and there are so few about

The observations about the 2.2 engine's power profile allied to gearing - the Brera / Brera S has a very low 1st gear and a largely redundant 5th. I often wonder if the formulation had its origins in the need to meet the demands of Northern Italy's topography. ( I remember one old mechanic mentioned this about Lancias ). On those winding roads off the autostrada the gearing might be truly useful. As it is it is the intermediates that matter in the UK and they keep the car on heat quite nicely.

i had too 2.4jdt its the best engine alfa made. Its clos to 3.2 stock and with remap its much faster

@@martintop2605 yes l had mine remapped and dpf removed and deleted. It was close to 270bhp. My friend had a Ford Focus ST and it was nowhere near as quick as the Brera. Sold it with 126,000 miles and the car was perfect.

@@martintop2605 yes l had mine remapped and dpf removed and deleted. It was close to 270bhp. My friend had a Ford Focus ST and it was nowhere near as quick as the Brera. Sold it with 126,000 miles and the car was perfect.

@@johnthelwell3244 Nice mate my was stoc i sell it on 45k miles it was my dream car as a student. Now im driving 530d f10 dpf off and remmap on 320ps. Its on another level especially with the rear wheel steering option but i always will remember the alfa :)

@@martintop2605 "i had too 2.4jdt its the best engine alfa made" Blasphemy! 😁

Lovely colour combination! What wheels were on it?

@@owensteele1645 don’t know what they’re called. The five spoke five hole design, 17”. Not those on the car in the video. I’ve checked it on the DVLA site and not longer on there. Perhaps had a change of number plate but I fear it’s been written off.

@@owensteele1645 don’t know what they’re called. The five spoke five hole design, 17”. Not those on the car in the video. I’ve checked it on the DVLA site and not longer on there. Perhaps had a change of number plate but I fear it’s been written off.

Absolutely right. The GM ones were all rather kame, but the 1750 transformed both the engine and chassis dynamics. A much better car than any other Brera in my opinion.

It's a better engine overall, but it sounds like crap.

I am Brera 2.2 Jts owner. For me, was the best to have, after the 3.2 V6, because i have no any confidence in turbo motors, in all constructors... With atmospherical motors, no turbo broken....

@@AC-busso I've driven hundreds of thousands of kilometres with various turbo- and supercharged engines, without a single one failing. Your argument may be valid, but on a scale of the average user it's irrelevant. Especially since in the case of the 159/Brera, the TBi is a more reliable engine than the JTS.

@@louisk6485 Yes, maybe i thinks such way, because of ancient turbo generations, not water cooled) Anyway, i knows people with turbo worries, with not sport cars, as Scenic diesel turbo... The cost of replacement is always expensive, and never the fault of constructors, despite many owners cases... That's why)

Hi David - I’m the owner of the Brera in the video. As you quite rightly point out - the tailpipes are standard Brera (the original Prodrive tailpipes on this car sadly perished with general wear and tear and were replaced in 2018 with standard Brera tailpipes as the originals were bespoke and are thus unavailable). The car is 100% authentic Prodrive (Alfa Romeo UK confirmed this when I was purchasing the car) and it comes with the original numbered and signed certificate and hardback book (as shown in the video). Hope this clears up any uncertainty, Roland.

🙋‍♂️ nice story

I reckon that iteration of the model is destined for higher status in time to come.

@@keyboarddancers7751 I agree

3.2 V6 Q4 SV

@@colinwatson4172.. Or as the lady at the insurance company said "oh that's a long name isn't it?"

@@bingonightly . 500 road tax was to long a number back in 2012.

Cheers Ryan, keep well Buddy!

You are right. Have You idea about the Series 3 design from the same era?

@@studiocalder818 Yes I have an idea about the 3 Series from the same era being overrated not such an incredible car when you began to analyze it the E90 design was mediocre compared to it's predecessors the E30, and E21. The Alfa was the better car all round!

I too have the 3.2 Q4 here in Tassie. And I spent the money, imported the Prodrive rims (with Ti lugnuts), shocks and springs. Mine was a Series 1 with gorgeous two tone interior so I fitted the lightened suspension setup as well off the Series 2 and of course a nice TI spec steering wheel. Exo is by Wizard and I had them fit the Prodrive back box tips (nice D shapes to mirror the rear lights). The Brera in this video doesnt have the right rear boxes so maybe isnt a true S? Mine is stunning looking (argento with silver rims), good handling on our winding mountain roads. Next up - full headers and maybe fit the supercharger to get the boost the engine needs. Maybe even a set of 19 or 20" Fuchs forged rims?

I REALLY LIKE THIS CAR JUST BECAUSE IT IS SO DOGGONE BEAUTIFUL. LOVE THE TRIPLE ROUND HEADLIGHTS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE GRILL, THE GRILL ITSELF, THE RAKISH TAPERED NOSE WITH STYLE NOTES FROM THE MONTREAL, THE SMOOTH CHAMFERING OF THE BODY LINES AS THEY FLOW BACK TO THE TIDY REAR END, THE SOLIDLY BUILT AND BEAUTIFULLY FITTED INTERIOR USING QUALITY MATERIALS SKILFULLY APPLIED. It is a MASTERFUL EXPRESSION OF A DESIGN PHILOSOPHY THAT COMBINES THE PRINCIPLES OF FORM FOLLOWS FUNCTION WITH A REFINED AND SOPHISTICATED AESTHETIC SENSE. The only GAFF that could be applied to the EXTERIOR would be the nearly complete blocking of the REAR THREE QUARTER VIEW which is/was a POPULAR STYLING CUE but WASN'T NECESSARY TO DO. IN FACT, YOU CAN SEE THAT THE WINDOW LINE WAS DELIBERATELY DISRUPTED BY BODY PANELS. YOU CAN SEE THAT THE WINDOW GLASS LINE WOULD HAVE NATURALLY CONTINUED THERE AND PROVIDED A GOOD CLEAR VIEW ALL AROUND, WHICH IS PART OF HAVING GOOD DRIVING SKILLS. ALAS, THIS CONCESSION TO A POPULAR TREND IS ALL TOO FAMILIAR and is REPEATED IN OTHER CARS, SUCH AS THE MAZDA 3. LOVED THE LITTLE ROUND ANALOG GUAGES ALIGNED NEATLY BELOW THE AIR VENTS and ABOVE THE RADIO. They give the DRIVER VITAL INFO AT A GLANCE WITHOUT NEEDLESS SCREEN READING. THEY'RE RECESSED TO ELIMINATE GLARE, which is a BIG PROBLEM ON THE MONSTROUS SCREEN DISPLAY APPLICATIONS SO PROMINENT IN CURRENT DASH DESIGNS. THE ANALOG GUAGES ARE NOT VULNERABLE TO SYSTEM BLACKOUTS OF FLY-BY-WIRE CONTROLS. A NEATLY DONE JOB USING TIME-TESTED AND PROVEN TECHNOLOGY, NONE OF THIS LATEST RAVE NONSENSE OF GARISH OVER-THE-TOP ELECTRONIC SCREENS ONLY CONTROLS. TESLA BE DAMNED. THIS IS A TRUE DRIVER'S CAR WITH MODERN LINES and a SOPHISTICATED MATURE DESIGN PHILOSOPHY. IT IS A COMBINATION OF TEUTONIC SOLIDITY and BEAUTIFUL ITALIAN CAR CRAFTSMANSHIP. A HEARTY WELL DONE LADS and HATS OFF TO THE DESIGN TEAM, the BUILD TEAM and ESPECIALLY MAESTRO MARCHIONNE. This VEHICLE IS A LONG TERM DAILY DRIVER and a COLLECTOR'S CHOICE. ANDIAMO.

That would be great!

The main reason it didn't sell was that it was shit...! Simple as that!

Your GT must have one of the last-produced Busso units. I was a valeter at a Fiat/Alfa dealer in Exeter, South West England from 2005 to 2011. The last-ever Busso-engined new car they sold was an ex-demonstrator December 2005 silver-with-red-leather GT 3.2 V6 WD55KDN. They never sold another new one like it since. It was absolutely awesome, very quick, smooth and looked gorgeous under the bonnet. I do remember these cars well and I miss those times.

@@owensteele1645 mine is a 2007 build. In Australia we got V6 GTs until 2010. The final ones sold were a 100th anniversary edition with special badging, different wheels and silver wing mirrors, as well as a greatly reduced price to clear them out of the showrooms.

I also have the 1750Tbi and I had the pro drive suspension added from Peters company and the geometry set up by Peter. Love the car, with all of it’s usual Alfa electrical gremlins. I haven’t done a remap as I think it’s fine at 200bhp. I may change the exhaust to a Wizard set up when the original has had it because it is so quiet it may as well be electric! Not what you want in an Alfa.

Right

One of the big issues with the 159 was indeed that it was perceived as a replacement for the 166 rather than the 156 due to its size, while not being really targeted as being one. I've actually been asked many times the question "ah, this came after the 166, right?" about my own 159. This became an issue 'cause the general public compared it with the likes of a 5 Series, E Klasse and A6 - cars from a higher market segment and with which, obviously, the 159 was never equipped to compete with - nor it was ever meant to be. The "over engineering" had one real positive effect - have you ever seen what remains of a car that was involved in a collision with a 159/Brera? It's usually carnage, they look like they hit a truck.Well, positive as long as you're the one in the Alfa, of course...

The gearboxes themselves are very strong and can handle ample power, the feel of the change on the M32 is as you say, tight and precise. Unfortunately it's the output shaft bearings that are the weak points, they tend to wear over time and require replacement. Upgraded sets exist and a gearbox overhaul isn't as expensive as you might expect due to this box being common to a whole host of Vauxhalls.

M32 change oil every 2 years and there should be no problems. M32 is a german box by Getrag, a good company.

6th gear bearing issue, can occur even if you never use 6th gear…

@@richardw1992 It’s not the output shaft that are the “weak points” on the M32 but oil starvation to them. The upgraded end plate addresses this with more and direct oil feed channels. Knowing this when I bought my 159 I changed the gearbox oil and put in 500 ml extra when topping up and it’s now on 157,000 miles with no issues.