My New Brera & Ball Polishing Alloys

[GhostyDog]

Hi Guys,

It's been a while since I posted here and lots has happened in the intervening time, one big change is that my GTA has gone to a new home and has been replaced after a stalled attempt at Bangernomics with a Rover 420 Si by a 2008 Facelift Brera SV.

One thing I've been wondering about though is how those alloys would look Ball Polished, I know that Maserati provided some of the wheel on the GranSport Ball Polished and wondered if anybody knows of a company that does this aftermarket?

This night time shot kind of gives you an impression of what it might look like.

Any help much appreciated.



Sean

 

[GransportFan1]

Nice car Sean.

 

[conaero]

Sean, tell me, coming from a Maser to the Brera, how bad is it?

Now I appreciate you are not going to slate your new car, but there is no denying its looks and its quite practical, but how do you honestly find the engine (what have you got) and the soul, weight, chassis, brakes etc?

I have always wanted one but only the 2.4TD interests me as I am not into American Pig Iron.

 

[GhostyDog]

Sean, tell me, coming from a Maser to the Brera, how bad is it?

Now I appreciate you are not going to slate your new car, but there is no denying its looks and its quite practical, but how do you honestly find the engine (what have you got) and the soul, weight, chassis, brakes etc?

I have always wanted one but only the 2.4TD interests me as I am not into American Pig Iron.

I think your confusing me with someone else, the GTA I speak of was my 147 GTA

But to answer your question, this is a 2008 MY revision Brera (final revision) in which it shed a further hundred kilos in weight over the previous revision which shed weight over the originally produced car. Alfa Romeo promised to reduce weight over the next 3 year model year revisions and they did. My Car is essentially the same as a Prodrive Brera S just without the nice wheels, rorty exhaust pipe and red stitched leather.

It is the 2.2 with 185 bhp which shuffles it to 60 in around 8-8.5 seconds and I find it adequate after the Busso Powered GTA and also very smooth in delivery, the car isn't a rip your face of adrenaline rush and more often than not I find myself just cruising along enjoying the ride. It handles very well, has some great toys and as you say is fabulous to look at.

What's not to like?



Mods I'm thinking of...

Alfatune Remap - better low end power delivery and 200 bhp
Brera S Exhausts
Ball Polished Alloys if I can find somewhere to do it.

Sean

 

[conaero]

Ah, sorry, I saw you mention GTA and thought you had a 3200GT Auto, but yes, now I remember, it was a white one was it not.

Well, its good to hear the Brera did get pulled up to date. I always liked the styling, but not the engineering (original) and the dash. I also drove a 159 in Italy and thought the gearbox was dreadful, but suppose Alfa have sorted this out now.

So, you would recommend it then yes?

PS, the >>>Northern Italian Car Night<<< link in your footer goes to a PH news article, can you correct or remove it, ta.

 

[GhostyDog]

So, you would recommend it then yes?

PS, the >>>Northern Italian Car Night<<< link in your footer goes to a PH news article, can you correct or remove it, ta.

If you want a car that makes youfeel good and doesn't take to the cleaners financially you could do much worse

I've changed the sig link have no idea how that happened.

So does anybody know a company that does ball polishing?

 

[conaero]

Joanna at Dick Lovetts apparently is the girl to speak to, mention this forum, you might get a bit of discount!

 

[dem maser]

how do you find the 2.2? i had one as courtesy car and found it little slow but a big drinker......

nice sound though......i do like the diesel...............

good to have you on here................

 

[Malcolm Pearce]

I have a always loved my 147GTA and park it most days beside a black prodrive Brera and can never make my mind up whether I should swop it or not for the Brera. Whenever I see a Brera on the road they do look wonderful and makr the TTs and Nissan whatever it is look dull. My only downer is the slap of metal in the cabin and the American V6 in the top models

I do think the Brera rather like the 155Q4 is a car that sadly may pass me by though and I will opt for a Gransport / 4200 in the new year.
Bet you miss will miss your GTA by the spring. If you do - drop me a line !
Best wishes
Malcolm

 

[dem maser]

I do like the S but not worth the 14k.....GS is a better car and will hold better value.....

 

[Andyk]

Sean, love the Brera.....Although lots say a missed opportunity for Alfa there is someone very arresting about the way it looks....Was down Devon way for the last few days and there was a silver Brera where we stayed and everytime I walked past it I wanted it.....Its such a great looking car........My 5 year old son loved it so much he found a model of one in a shop and bought it..........I can fully understand why you bought one.....Outside and inside is just perfect and the running costs will be well cheaper than a Maserati...........I could really see myself in a Brera V6 S Prodrive.......Let us know what you think of the car over the next few months......Love it.

Oh and on the wheels...You probably know what I'm going to say...Anthracite..............

 

[BigFoot]

Looking good GD!

 

[Malcolm Pearce]

Was driving from York to Leeds today and spotted a Brera in front and the thing really shifted on acceleration leaving me to a gear in the GTA to not be left well behind. It looked wonderful in red too.
I also grabbed a lift in a black spider yesterday and was surprised how well it coped over Leeds potholes. Far better than the reports I have read in the motoring press. If you forget the GM underpinnings they are a really underrated car though I still find the inside a little underwhelming. Would still love a prodrive version tho.

 

[Andyk]

Me to Malcolm..as EVO said the car the Brera should have always been.....

I would love this one...Right colour and right price...3.2 Prodrive's are usualy up for 17k plus....The only one for sale on PH at the moment as well....

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/3202824.htm