The Car Thread.

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

a tyre fitter hasn’t balanced the wheels properly.

I'm really not sure what's going on - it's had three people there try it, and I repeat, I've never had an issue with them in the twenty odd years I've been using them. I'm not the sort to throw away a previously satisfactory business relationship that easily.

The one thing I'll throw in is that it does get harder when wheels are bigger, and these are 19" ones. Not that this is an excuse - they've fitted several sets to the RS4 before without issue. Fingers crossed that starting from scratch will sort it.

 

[JDL]

My twin bro, who I live with has an Alfa Romeo Mito Cloverleaf Multi Air Turbo. It's a 1.4 litre, 170bhp. It has 3 engine map modes. All weather mode, Normal Mode, and Dynamic. In Dynamic mode this car is a beast. It absolutely flies. He lets me use it while my Chrysler 300C is being fixed. I love Alfa's.

 

[plastic penguin]

My twin bro, who I live with has an Alfa Romeo Mito Cloverleaf Multi Air Turbo. It's a 1.4 litre, 170bhp. It has 3 engine map modes. All weather mode, Normal Mode, and Dynamic. In Dynamic mode this car is a beast. It absolutely flies. He lets me use it while my Chrysler 300C is being fixed. I love Alfa's.

Yeah, those 3 driving modes (Dynamic, Normal and All Weather) is known as DNA. My Alfa doesn't have it but have driven a few (my 159 1750 TBI had it). It sharpens up the throttle response, stiffens the suspension and makes for a bknkers drive.

 

[JDL]

Yeah, those 3 driving modes (Dynamic, Normal and All Weather) is known as DNA. My Alfa doesn't have it but have driven a few (my 159 1750 TBI had it). It sharpens up the throttle response, stiffens the suspension and makes for a bknkers drive.

Yeah. Considering it's only a 1400 it goes like stink in Dynamic mode. But I want my old Chrysler back, I'm hoping it's not too far gone.....electronic problems.

 

[WayneKerr]

I'm really not sure what's going on - it's had three people there try it, and I repeat, I've never had an issue with them in the twenty odd years I've been using them. I'm not the sort to throw away a previously satisfactory business relationship that easily.

The one thing I'll throw in is that it does get harder when wheels are bigger, and these are 19" ones. Not that this is an excuse - they've fitted several sets to the RS4 before without issue. Fingers crossed that starting from scratch will sort it.

How did you get on? Sorted?

 

[plastic penguin]

Yeah. Considering it's only a 1400 it goes like stink in Dynamic mode. But I want my old Chrysler back, I'm hoping it's not too far gone.....electronic problems.

I'm pretty sure they've underrated the paper spec. The 159 1750 TBI is quoted as 0-62 in 7.8 secs. In Dynamic mode it felt closer to 7 seconds.

 

[WayneKerr]

I'm pretty sure they've underrated the paper spec. The 159 1750 TBI is quoted as 0-62 in 7.8 secs. In Dynamic mode it felt closer to 7 seconds.

Did you have a stop-watch on you?

 

[WayneKerr]

Never had a stop-watch on my bike but for a little 600cc the specs are: 0-60 3.5 seconds, 500bhp/ton, red-lines at 14-16000rpm. Quick, yes; scary, yes; but slow by today's standards.

 

[plastic penguin]

Did you have a stop-watch on you?

Nope, but owning 30 cars or more from Lotuses, Mini 1275GT, fast Fords to Dolomite Sprints, Alfas feel feistier than the paper specs would suggest

 

[WayneKerr]

Nope, but owning 30 cars or more from Lotuses, Mini 1275GT, fast Fords to Dolomite Sprints, Alfas feel feistier than the paper specs would suggest

So without a stop-watch you believe you could categorically tell a 0.8 second difference sitting in either the driver or passenger seat? You're a far better man than I.

 

[Friesiansam]

So without a stop-watch you believe you could categorically tell a 0.8 second difference sitting in either the driver or passenger seat? You're a far better man than I.

It's not the performance, it's the character of a good Italian engine, makes you want to drive it harder.

 

[plastic penguin]

It's not the performance, it's the character of a good Italian engine, makes you want to drive it harder.

That's certainly a aspect.

The biggest problems with Alfas and performance is that while revivals such as BMWs all fitted turbos but Alfa refused to go down that route.

Only when they produced the 1750 TBI and the newer Giulia did they start fitting turbos.

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

How did you get on? Sorted?

I think it's 95% right now. Only other option is to swap wheels front and back - haven't the energy for that right now!

 

[WayneKerr]

It's not the performance, it's the character of a good Italian engine, makes you want to drive it harder.

This I totally understand and fully appreciate. It is a complete sensory experience.

I alluded to my bike earlier, a ZZR600, I also have a BMW 1100S. On spec sheets the BMW is just as quick to 60 as the ZZR but is in a much lower state of tune and, therefore, quieter. The ZZR is in a higher state of tune and has an intoxicating induction howl as it comes on cam at 8000rpm and takes off like a scolded cat towards its redline. You can imagine which one fulfils all the requirements of rarefied sensory experience and leaves you wanting more. I'm guessing similar to driving an Italian thoroughbred.

 

[JDL]

Simon's Mito.

 

[plastic penguin]

Simon's Mito.

My daughter had earmarked the Mito as her first car, but insurance costs, even for entry-level model, is much higher.

Personally I prefer the Giulietta, especially with the 1750 TBI power plant. 0-62 in 6 secs is the spec quoted for the auto box version.

 

[JDL]

Yes, that was out of his price range unfortunately. I guess we'd all like a Giulia Quadrafoglio, but how many of us can afford one of those beauties!😂

 

[plastic penguin]

Yes, that was out of his price range unfortunately. I guess we'd all like a Giulia Quadrafoglio, but how many of us can afford one of those beauties!😂

My ambition is for a Guilia 2.0 Veloce. Has most of the bells and whistles of the Qudrafoglio, cheaper to run and non too shabby 0-62 time in a tad over 5 and a half secs

 

[JDL]

Good luck materialising your ambition. Very, very nice car.👍🏻

 

[plastic penguin]

Good luck materialising your ambition. Very, very nice car.👍🏻

I test drove one back in 2017, and compared to my nieces Audi 2.0 S-Line of similar vintage, the Alfa, as driving experience, was sensational. Admittedly Audi has a better interior build wise, but the Guilia is far from shabby.

 

[plastic penguin]

This looks a nice Veloce. In Misano blue.

 

[JDL]

I test drove one back in 2017, and compared to my nieces Audi 2.0 S-Line of similar vintage, the Alfa, as driving experience, was sensational. Admittedly Audi has a better interior build wise, but the Guilia is far from shabby.

Audi= Boring, Alfa Romeo = Not Boring 😂

 

[WayneKerr]

Audi= Boring, Alfa Romeo = Not Boring 😂

Like so many things in life. Some prefer boring over temperamental

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

Audi= Boring, Alfa Romeo = Not Boring 😂

Whilst there's some truth to that, like all generalisations there are exceptions. Mine being firmly among them.

 

[plastic penguin]

Audi= Boring, Alfa Romeo = Not Boring 😂

Not boring. Audis are very nice, having owned 2 from yesteryear. One was a company A4 T-Sport and the other was a fairly limited edition 80 Sport. Great motorway cars.