Super Sedans

[Andrew]

I had a manual-trans 1972 3.0 Bavaria that could do no wrong, an E28 535i that would cruise effortlessly at 100 MPH even with 217,000 miles on the original everything, and now have an E36 328i that is a pretty awesome car, if with less personality than the previous two.

I like BMWs.

Andrew

[rloewy]

I had a '72 '02 which was very nice. I bought it instead of a Giulia Super because it was a 1/3 of the price for a near flawless example (and much easier to find). It was a great little car - but I am guessing that if I did buy a Giulia instead - I would still own it...

I currently own a '91 E30 318i with a twin-cam engine. Probably the best little RWD sedan from that era - and actually more fun to drive than the '02 while retaining a real character (they seem to have gone subdued with the generation after that).

Like most car companies, they (BMW) had their more interesting and less interesting models - if you choose the right one - they are very rewarding.

[JOEBMW]

jarrington, Andrew, rloewy

We share very similar feelings. I currently have 6 BMW in the garage and one afla!!

[dmurton]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JOEBMW jarrington, Andrew, rloewy We share very similar feelings. I currently have 6 BMW in the garage and one afla!!

[alfavirusnz]

I`ve got a theory that BMW and Porsche are the most similar to Alfa Romeo, compared to most other brands. They are more driver orientated than say Mercedes generally. Like you chaps I also own a BMW (E36 318i manual) plus W202 C200 MB (my business car) and have owned a 2002 tii, and a E28 520i.
The only thing though is all the BM`s I driven have still lacked that character and appeal (to me) that Alfas have. If you look at a Giulia and compare to the contempory BMW-the Neuwe Klass saloons, there is no contest, even compared to the later 02 coupes-Alfa with its eager performance, great sound and vice free handling beats BMW.

Richard J

`65 Giulia Ti, `69 GT Junior, `74 GTv 2000, `76 Alfetta GTV, `77 Alfetta GTV, `84 GTV6
plus E36 318i manual, Merc W202 C200, Merc W124 280E.

[Gary73Super]

I'm another long-time BMW 2002 and E30 devotee who then discovered Alfas a few years ago. Started with a '71 2002 out of college around 1990. Then had a pristine '88 M3 (E30, the real M3) for 13 years as my nice weather driver, an '88 325iX as my foul weather driver over much of the same time, then getting back to basics with a restored '74 2002tii (hence the board name just as I was discovering Alfas) in Inka orange, and now an '89 325iX as my daily driver that enables me to enjoy the '73 Giulia Super as my fun car.

I love the original E30 all-wheel drive iX obviously for it's performance first character versus the safety first orientation of the current lot of "xi" offerings. But, I have to admit with gas prices where they are, I'd trade it for a top condition E30 318is 4-cylinder thinking back to a right-hand drive E30 316i I drove in England for a few weeks in the early 90's on a business trip and how much fun that was even without the power of any of my E30's. The E30 is the last BMW where you can immediately recognize its lineage as a direct descendant of the 2002 in body design, interior appointments, driving feel, and being engineered to keep going forever.

Gary

[Gary73Super]

Sorry to perpetuate this thread hijack, but thought I'd throw out a couple pictures of my '88 M3 and '74 tii together a few years ago when I briefly owned both at the same time. Got to give BMW credit from the late 60's through the E30 model run in '91 of staying true to the vision of offering a lightweight and reasonably powerful 4-cylinder sports sedan, rear wheel drive of course (I forgive them for the pollution control strangled U.S. spec E21 series 320i). I don't think anyone else had a run like that including Alfa. Maybe in Europe a 75/Milano Twinspark would qualify as the spiritual successor to the Giulia Super, but in the U.S. we weren't lucky enough to see that version. After the BMW E30, things went kind of kablooey with each successive 3-series generation getting bigger and heavier, although the E36 318ti offered a glimmer of hope until that model was killed off as not being upscale enough for U.S. BMW buyers. Even the diminutive (BMW) Mini Cooper weighs as much as the E30 M3 and the new bloated 1-series makes my all-wheel drive 325iX look like a lightweight.

Gary

[Andrew]

I am an over-the-top Alfa nut, but that hasn't ever stopped me from liking other cars too. BMWs, air-cooled VWs, old Fords, Fiats, you name it. I've had plenty of non-Alfas and liked them all (except a Rover 2000TC).

Andrew

[acurtiss]

My Super is currently awaiting some $$ for bottom end and suspension work, so my '69 BMW 1600 is the daily driver. It has Bilsteins and a set of new tires but is otherwise bone stock -- not even a radio. And I *love* driving it. It's exceptionally responsive, revvy, and has the big, clean greenhouse that characterized BMWs until the 90s. I might rather be driving my Super, but I also might rather the BMW suffer a door ding or two.

[reuven]

Giulia Super... but I am not objective...

YouTube - Alfa Romeo Giulia Super Beautiful and Fast

[perholmen]

I got my Giulia on the road again - after having a new 40% torsen LSD fitted - yet to try out on a track day and the carbs and/or timing need som adjustment. It hesitates a bit when giving it gas - even though I have rebuilt the carb during the winter.
So here is how it looks with the Alfaholics 7x15" GTA replicas fitted. It now runs 195/60 Pirelli P6000.
As it shows on the pictures, my '72 Guilia is lowered substantially rear and front. Nice profile/rake!!
Only issue I have had were solved very quickly - rear right hand outer had slight rub on the outer casing where tire meets the lip of the rear panel. Soled this by bending the panel out slightly - only needed another 2mm clearance.
On the front right the wheel rubbed, making it totally impossible to make a left hand turn - real head turner when we drove the car from one garage to the workshop - each corner had us stopping and reversing in order to make the turn.
Solved this by adjusting the camber of the wheel which has give enough clearance.

I am quite pleased with the result and find the wheels a really nice match to the car - opinions!!??

[reuven]

Quote:

Originally Posted by perholmen I got my Giulia on the road again - after having a new 40% torsen LSD fitted - yet to try out on a track day and the carbs and/or timing need som adjustment. It hesitates a bit when giving it gas - even though I have rebuilt the carb during the winter. So here is how it looks with the Alfaholics 7x15" GTA replicas fitted. It now runs 195/60 Pirelli P6000. As it shows on the pictures, my '72 Guilia is lowered substantially rear and front. Nice profile/rake!! Only issue I have had were solved very quickly - rear right hand outer had slight rub on the outer casing where tire meets the lip of the rear panel. Soled this by bending the panel out slightly - only needed another 2mm clearance. On the front right the wheel rubbed, making it totally impossible to make a left hand turn - real head turner when we drove the car from one garage to the workshop - each corner had us stopping and reversing in order to make the turn. Solved this by adjusting the camber of the wheel which has give enough clearance. I am quite pleased with the result and find the wheels a really nice match to the car - opinions!!??

[perholmen]

Not any more - have'nt tried it with anything but myself, 4 spare wheels in the trunk and a lot of tools.