147 GTA standard equipment question???

[patanga]

Hi folks... I have a 2006 147 GTA and was surprised to see that instead of a spare tyre it has an air compressor and a puncture repair kit.... I can not find a wheel jack or wheel nut brace in the car either so I'm hoping that someone can tell me if the 2006 GTA is supposed to have a wheel brace and jack or did Alfa not consider such a tool to be required on this model? There is an extra recess in the middle of the hatch floor which could be for a tool kit or jack but as for what belongs in there I don't know. Any feedback or pictures would be appreciated. Thanks

[TorW]

That is correct. Starting in I think 2003 or 2004, both the 147 and the 156 (not sure about the 166) had a compressor and a "puncture repair spray can" instead of a spare wheel. There are probably lots of opinions about it, but a spare wheel is just extra weight in my opinion. Truth be told I haven't had a flat tyre because of a puncture since the eighties, although I only drive about 20.000 kms a year.

The floor recess will probably hold a regular spare wheel if you remove the styrofoam insert (which holds the compressor, the rattle can and some tools), but good luck buying a single wheel and finding a jack that fits in there.

[patanga]

Thanks for the reply... Yes there is a styrofoam insert in the rear on the 06 model. The compressor sits on the right hand side but to the centre there is a square recess that is approx 250mm x 250mm... As it is empty in my GTA I was wondering what might have gone in there if anything?..... Are you saying in your reply that the 147 GTA did not come with a Jack or wheel brace as standard equipment?

[TorW]

I'm not sure what the '06 GTA was delivered with, but my '04 2.0 TS had a compressor and a rattle can with puncture repair in a pouch, a philips/flathead screwdriver, a 10 mm spanner (for the battery poles, I guess) and nothing else. No scissor jack, no wheel nut tool. The rationale behind the latter is easy: it's not needed since you don't have a spare wheel, plus a floor jack and a lug nut tool sets you back no more than €35. I already had that since we tend to have eight wheels for the cars here (regular plus mandatory snow tires from Nov 1).

If I recall correctly, there was also a square opening in the styrofoam insert with nothing in it. Perhaps a handy space to put your own tools? Who knows.

The only time I used the compressor was when I increased the tyre pressure slightly at trackdays. Be aware that the compressor capacity is poor. A flat tyre takes about 20 minutes to get the correct pressure.

[Dormiglione]

The GTA was delivered with compressor but it was possible to order the car with spare wheel+tools or with regular size spare wheel+tools as an extra for afair 60,-- / 130,-- Euro.

Dormi