[lotsalusso]

Hi Guys
New here and to Alfa Romeo!
I am looking to buy a 2.2JTS Brera and asked the seller for a video of start up and tick over before long drive to view vehicle.
I am just a bit concerned that the engine sounds more like a diesel than a petrol. Is this normal sounding for 2.2 petrol?
I know its only a short vid but I am just a bit concerned, due to high mileage (140K) and hope its nothing to do with the dreaded loose chain/stretch etc.
Purchase imminent so any help would be much appreciated! Had a thing for Breras for a long time and test drove all variants but somethings always stopped me.
Cheers

https://youtu.be/aDbLAjtMoM0

 

[barbycar]

You might be better posting on alfaowner.com for this one. There were no Brera brought in to north America so the knowledge base will be way bigger on a (generally) UK based forum.

 

[lotsalusso]

Thanks. Yes, I have posted there too but the post appears to be awaiting approval for some reason. Thanks all the same.

 

[Top Down]

Yes it does sound a little rattly. I used to have a Brera S with a 2.2 and my wife has a 2.2JTS Spider. Couple of things. The video is too short to establish condition, it should concentrate more under the bonnet. But more to the point of the 2.2JTS, whichever you chose, get proof if the chain has been replaced, at 140K it probably has been done twice, if only once it will need another change soon, budget £700 for a chain swap. Its not a mileage thing and it will tell you when it needs doing with a fault code, it wont just fail like a cam belt. Do a search on AlfaOwner.com, there will be loads about the 2.2JTS. Some people think its a poor engine, mostly people who have never owned one! I'll look out for you on the other forum.

 

[lotsalusso]

Yes it does sound a little rattly. I used to have a Brera S with a 2.2 and my wife has a 2.2JTS Spider. Couple of things. The video is too short to establish condition, it should concentrate more under the bonnet. But more to the point of the 2.2JTS, whichever you chose, get proof if the chain has been replaced, at 140K it probably has been done twice, if only once it will need another change soon, budget £700 for a chain swap. Its not a mileage thing and it will tell you when it needs doing with a fault code, it wont just fail like a cam belt. Do a search on AlfaOwner.com, there will be loads about the 2.2JTS. Some people think its a poor engine, mostly people who have never owned one! I'll look out for you on the other forum.

Thanks. No record of it ever being done apparently hence why I am a little cautious. Seller says no faults.
How long before it goes completley and would it be driveable in the short term i.e. 200 mile trip home?
Would it go into limp home mode etc?
And do you know what codes to look for?
Cheers

 

[alfettaparts2]

Exactly what Top Down said.
I'll add my 2 cents. And please don't be offended.
Run! Run away fast! The 159 is nothing other than a GM turd with a horrible GM engine. They are lifeless. Not like driving an alfa at all.
They have common unreliability problems, which one might forgive if they drove like a alfa.
Window regulators, fuel pumps, timing chains, alternators, power steering pumps, front suspension bush's, track rods, excess tire wear (regardless of wheel alignment) and I haven't mentioned the V6 yet.

 

[lotsalusso]

Exactly what Top Down said.
I'll add my 2 cents. And please don't be offended.
Run! Run away fast! The 159 is nothing other than a GM turd with a horrible GM engine. They are lifeless. Not like driving an alfa at all.
They have common unreliability problems, which one might forgive if they drove like a alfa.
Window regulators, fuel pumps, timing chains, alternators, power steering pumps, front suspension bush's, track rods, excess tire wear (regardless of wheel alignment) and I haven't mentioned the V6 yet.

I think I have come to the same conclusion. Just seen a few other breakdown/replacement videos and cant believe all the gubbins are all made of plasic. Shame. I thought it would be a fairly cheap and interesting alternative but Im now thinking that may be an oxymoron regarding these particular vehicles.

 

[alfettaparts2]

Again this is just my opinion.
Try a Giulietta. A qv if you can afford it. They have been a great car, much more akin to a true alfa.

 

[lotsalusso]

Again this is just my opinion.
Try a Giulietta. A qv if you can afford it. They have been a great car, much more akin to a true alfa.

Funny, I test drove a couple the other day - one 1.4MA and another 1.4slouch. The MA wasnt that bad actually but hated the seating position. Door card arm rest just felt miles away. Felt like I was floating.
Look, I know the Breras drive like ****, Ive tried them all, but, I just like them. Im sat here saying to the wife Im going to leave it and then the next minute saying I will go and take a look. We will see.

 

[alfettaparts2]

At the end of the day its your decision. I daily drive a 147 GTA so who am I to talk lol

 

[Ranz]

My 2c.
The earlier GT Is nice to look at and be in. The 3.2 V6 is sublime. Drinks like a fish, tho. My son’s car has racked up 330+ km and is strong, and rattle and smoke free. Q2 diff installed to cure an inherent weakness.
My very experienced Alfa mechanic stated that the (new) Giulietta is the first newish Alfa he would consider buying. Like the GT, the big motor (1750 in this case) will make you forget the other bits.
If you’re not considering the motor in your Alfa experience, you’re missing half the potential fun.
Good luck.

 

[Top Down]

Exactly what Top Down said.
I'll add my 2 cents. And please don't be offended.
Run! Run away fast! The 159 is nothing other than a GM turd with a horrible GM engine. They are lifeless. Not like driving an alfa at all.
They have common unreliability problems, which one might forgive if they drove like a alfa.
Window regulators, fuel pumps, timing chains, alternators, power steering pumps, front suspension bush's, track rods, excess tire wear (regardless of wheel alignment) and I haven't mentioned the V6 yet.

That is totally unrepresentative of the of the 159 and the Brera I owned and the Spider we still own. You must have just had a bad one, you did own one didnt you?

 

[alfettaparts2]

No. That is representative of a alfa mechanic that has worked on these cars extensively for years. I admit my experience is bias because as a mechanic you only see the car when its due for service or 'maintenance' but please don't confuse that with ignorance.

 

[Top Down]

Well, when someone makes a sweeping statement like you did, its worth questioning what they base that on. Every forum has uninformed trolls, clearly thats not you. So your an Alfa mechanic, so you are nearly always going to see a car at its worst, that is a bit like a doctor saying he doesnt like people, they are always ill. No, The 159 family of cars are generally not as bad as you made out in the post I quoted, I hear little of problems with the 2.2JTS, its mainly diesel engined cars that seem to be the problem. Sure the 2.2JTS is not the best engine. And indeed I had problems, all under warranty with my 159, but when I analysed the problems I had had, it was all the Germany made bits.

My old Brera S and my wifes Brera Spider have been good, others too I know of. I did need a chain change on mine, but then I did drive it with enthusiasm. The chain is always much melined on the 2.2JTS, but come on, as a mechanic you will know how often cam belts, water pump and tensioners need changing on any belt driven engine and belt changes are a regular service item. And how many of those when the belt snaps, say "sorry, didnt mean it", no a wrecked head is the normal outcome.

 

[alfettaparts2]

You are correct I was not trolling. I clearly stated to the original poster that it was only 'my opinion' and went as far as to say 'please do not be offended'. I have been coming on this forum for about 25 years and while I may be opinionated I am always trying to help.
I completely disagree with your assessment of the 159 but if your happy with them that's fine.

 

[alfavirusnz]

I know the looks of a particular car are highly subjective but what about the GT? I think they are a nicer looking car plus have Alfa engines, the Busso V6 being a really nice engine, but the JTS isn`t too bad if its driven hard say once a week.
Breras look like a compressor has been stuck up their exhaust pipe.

 

[alfettaparts2]

Its interesting. I think the Brera looks really nice for a newish car but I wouldn't buy one for the same reasons I don't like the 159. Gt looks good and you can get the alfa engine. Problem I find with the Gt is the lack of visibility when driving. For me they are very claustrophobic. 3.2 is just a magic engine but as Ranz said they drink fuel. I believe that's the main reason they stopped production because they couldn't meet newer European emission standards. Putting around town In the gta I wont see under 15l/100k

 

[alfavirusnz]

Yes that`s what has put me off getting a 156 GTA, or GT 3.2. They have V8 thirst. The 159 and its derivatives Brera & Spider are diluted Alfas and way too big for me. I didn`t realise how much bigger the 159 is (we have a TI Sportwagon) until I parked the two 156`s I have across my street with the 159 in front of the others in a line to take a photo of the three and the size difference is quite significant which is just as it felt. The Spider V6 felt the same heavy and dead with an engine with nowhere the sound and liveliness of a Busso. - The 4wd though slung you out of a corner rather like a 911 Porsche .

 

[ITALCAROZ]

the JTS engine has a bad reputation here in OZ too. if you dont use the correct oil and dont keep it correctly full and dont change it right on time then then it can ruin the engine.

 

[Top Down]

the JTS engine has a bad reputation here in OZ too. if you dont use the correct oil and dont keep it correctly full and dont change it right on time then then it can ruin the engine.

Well thats the view Alfettaparts puts across in no uncertain terms! Here in the UK, whilst not seen as a diamond engine its not seen as the pariah you guys seem to find it. One of the issues which contributes to chain problems is the long service intervals, 21,000 miles is too long, most owners in the know will be changing at 10K. The guys at my Alfa Romeo dealer I have known for 35 years, the head tech I have known since he was an aprentice, he has only ever worked for Fiat/lancia/Alfa and we talk regularly about the cars and not once has he aired the same feelings I'm hearing here.