2002 2.0 147 ts

[ChrisQP09]

Bought this today as a run about, pleased with it so far. Car has 90k miles and what seems to be a pretty extensive repair/service list.

The best thing so far are the competition pack seats which have 458 like bolstering on the seats and lovely center and side contrast stitching. Im planning on only using the car 3-4 days a week but has anyone any advice on Alfas?

 

[CatmanV2]

Bought this today as a run about, pleased with it so far. Car has 90k miles and what seems to be a pretty extensive repair/service list.

The best thing so far are the competition pack seats which have 458 like bolstering on the seats and lovely center and side contrast stitching. Im planning on only using the car 3-4 days a week but has anyone any advice on Alfas?

Shed loads Change the belts 36k rather than the 50 they used to quote. Check the oil regularly. Bushes have a limited life span, and will creak and groan. Side light bulbs are a total PITA to change. Nice cars, though. Mrs Catman has one as a parent mobile and it just works (TM)

C

 

[GeoffCapes]

The competition seats are actually Recaros. And they're awesome. Had them in my 2002 2.0 TS.
The heated seats normally fail because the switch overheats.
As Catman said, bushes fail, probably ever 3 years.

Where are you based? As finding a good indie, unless you are handy with the spanner, can be tricky.

 

[ChrisQP09]

I live in NI. The car does indeed need a side light bulb fitted, and the bushes and wishbone were recently changed. Belts have been done and the heated seats work, 'on occasion', with spare switches supplied lol.

PS: The petrol cap is an absolute f**k to remove, so no guesses as to who looked like a tw*t trying to fill up earlier lol.

 

[CatmanV2]

I live in NI. The car does indeed need a side light bulb fitted, and the bushes and wishbone were recently changed. Belts have been done and the heated seats work, 'on occasion', with spare switches supplied lol.

PS: The petrol cap is an absolute f**k to remove, so no guesses as to who looked like a tw*t trying to fill up earlier lol.

It shouldn't be. Try some silicone spray on the inside of the cap.

C

 

[GeoffCapes]

I'm guessing it's the spinning lock.
Had that on both my 147's.
The trick was to turn the key slowly and then in unlocks. A bit temperamental.

 

[outrun]

I've had two of these. Same advice as above - change the belts and the oil more regularly than service book suggests. I had a right pain with abs sensors on mine which are connected using typical Italian paper thin wiring connected to a plastic plug made of chocolate toffee. They are easy to break when you're changing wheel bearings, or servicing the brakes or going over bumps or changing the radio ! Well, any reason really !

I liked them but there's no doubt that the build quality is not so great.

 

[CatmanV2]

Oh there's the airbag connectors under the seats as well. They are a bit ropey. Clock spring can fail giving ESP warnings, and the passenger airbag switch on the glove box is known for causing airbag warning. Where have we heard that before?

C

 

[outrun]

Oh there's the airbag connectors under the seats as well. They are a bit ropey. Clock spring can fail giving ESP warnings, and the passenger airbag switch on the glove box is known for causing airbag warning. Where have we heard that before?

C

Hey. Mr Maserati - do you want to have a bag of these airbag switches? They're top quality, honest. My Mamma make them using her secret recipe.

 

[GeoffCapes]

Don't forget the brake light switch. A broken one of them gives you ASR/ABS warnings. £12 fix.

 

[ChrisQP09]

Sold the car. Sort of impulse bought it just to have another daily, so $$ back in the chest!

Overall impressions nice for what it is but really underpowered.

 

[Contigo]

Qp?