Alfa, the sacrifice

[Silverbird_96kw]

Congrats on the car.
Love driving them when wife brings them home - love the Misano Blue but the green would be another hard one for me to make...

Happy safe sMiles

 

[Nish_H]

Alfa has been going well so far. Wife has sort of forgotten about the RS4, I say sort off cos she reminds me occasionally that she misses that car. And so do I.
With that being said, once you adjust and temper your expectations and enjoy the Alfa for what it is, it’s a car that deserves more opportunity versus the mainstream brands.
We’ve gotten used to the engine and power delivery, how to maximize from the mild hybrid technology, comfort and spec is better than most at the same price point, and visually (maybe be a bit biased) is arguably the best in its class. Misano Blue paint is great, teledial wheels in 20” just adds to the presence.

Does it feel special being a Speciale model, well yes and no. Feels special versus the lesser Alfa Tonale model, but you can’t stop feeling that this car deserves much more power in terms of how it feels dynamically. I’ve pushed it in the corners and it’s very composed.

In terms of the hybrid system, car starts in all EV mode; this took a bit getting used to with the green ready message only tell tale sign that you can now drive. Then if there’s no or minimal throttle response, say like going down a hill, car will switch to EV until more throttle is needed. Experienced this up to 90km/h

Then I’ve also noticed that it can run in full EV mode with normal, albeit with sedate throttle input up to 35km/h. So in and around my estate, it’s in EV.

Used it this weekend for our first weekend away, and again performing flawlessly.

So far, all good.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Benji]

What sort of fuel consumption figures are you getting with the car?

 

[Nish_H]

Its

What sort of fuel consumption figures are you getting with the car?

It settled at 8.0l/100kms, so far.

Minimal highway driving, however, let’s see if we can get that down. It is my wife’s primary mode of transport, and she does drive “spiritedly“

 

[Nish_H]

Had a week long holiday at Ngwenya Lodge, close to Kruger and used the Alfa. Almost a 1000km return trip.
Car went in to Alfa for its first service. I booked it at Alfa Midrand and the entire experience was fine. Nothing to rave about, but also nothing terrible. They had the car for 2 days as together with the service, car required quite a few of software updates.

The car was a pleasure to drive and now that it’s passed 10k kms, had its first service and also not sure if the SW updates had anything to do with it, but does feel more responsive and “powerful”
Had enough of power needed for the many many many trucks on the route that required careful planning to overtake on the single lane “highways”
The adaptive cruise control with lane assist worked like a charm, and despite no real constant speed due to truck overtakes and roadworks with stop and go, car averaged a very respectable 7l/100kms.
Didn’t want for anything more from a car for the trip and was a very pleasant return journey.

The roads were fantastic all the way through, apart from the roadworks and again I’ll mention the insane amount of trucks we encountered.

So far it’s been a happy ownership experience as my wife’s daily, so may just keep this for a while (although I’m regularly looking at Cayennes and Macans).

 

[tamgoem]

It's a real pitty they did not bring the PHEV version of this to local shores. I adore it, especially in the green. Not terrible economy your are getting, any idea of how long they expect the drive belt from the ISG to last on this?

Absolutely stunning car to look at in the flesh.

 

[Nish_H]

One year with the Alfa and have completed approximately 13k kms.

Most of this mileage was my wife using the car and with it being used for our holidays and longer weekend trips.

We’ve enjoyed the car for the following reasons:

It is a comfortable SUV, with enough space for our family needs. Ride quality is very good even with the 20” wheels.
For long distance, it is really a pleasure with a whole list of creature comforts and Level 2 autonomous driving. All these functions work well when they are working (more on this later)
Harmon Kardon sound is good and satisfies my needs as I do enjoy my music. Very simple to setup Apple CarPlay or AA.
Seats are extremely nice, with some good side bolsters and hugs you well when needed
Which brings me to the dynamics; according to many reviews it’s the most dynamic in its class. I can attest to this with it being simply magnificent on twisty roads.
However, steering is very light and lacks any feedback. Does stiffen up in dynamic but can be better.
Power wise with 118kw and 240Nm is fine, but when you realise how dynamic it is, it is crying for more power. You get the 280HP PHEV and 2.0T in other markets
Fuel consumption has really gotten better ever since I’ve been driving it, as I make the most of the hybrid technology. Managed to get it down to 6.7/100kms at times.
Return trip to Wild cost returned a 7l/100kms
Service at Alfa (been using Midrand) has been good. No real issues to bring up.

The not so good:

On my way back from Wild Coast, when I stopped in Estcourt every single warning light popped up. None of the driving safety (adaptive cruise control, lane departure, anti-collision, drive modes, etc etc) were working. Car drove fine - was like driving an old school car with just engine and gearbox and no fancy electronic systems. Even the hybrid system was not working.
Made it home safely and then went to Alfa. Diagnosis was a leaky thermostat that had a crack where the coolant leaked onto some electronics. Didn’t really make sense but they did replace the thermostat and car is perfectly fine.
These cars are not selling in SA as expected and you would see crazy trade in assistances on new models (up to 162k for the lesser Ti models). Doesn’t phase me as I did get a good deal.

Just to note, that parts availability has not been an issue. Thermostat was in stock and car was ready in a day.
My front camera also got damaged (no idea how or when) and this part was also readily available.

Overall it’s definitely been more positive ownership experience and for the month I’ve been using it as a daily, I can’t complain, or fault the car.

Replacement would most likely be a Cayenne, but would rather keep the Alfa with the peace of mind Motorplan till 2028.

This is the fuel consumption when I got to Wild Coast

Christmas tree of warning lights

It is a good looking SUV

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Nish_H]

Another issue picked up with the Alfa.

Wednesday morning as we were about to leave for school, my (electric) boot didn’t open. Car unlocked and then I realised nothing on the dash was on.

So thinking it was the battery I used the Mini and did the school run and when I got back home put my CTEK charger on the Alfa battery.

In the meantime, as car is on plan and deciding to just let Alfa sort this problem out, I contacted them.

I then unplugged the charger (probably on for about 2 hours) and car started. So now I know it’s definitely the battery. Called Alfa Assist and they sent a flat bed. Service was pretty good and fast with the flatbed at my house within 25 minutes. In that time while waiting for the flatbed, I tried to start the car and again, nothing.

The car was originally booked in at Alfa for yesterday (Friday) as since my last issue, the car was using a lot of coolant and then this issue came up on Wednesday.

At Alfa they tested the battery and it passed. Go figure!
And regarding the coolant issue another thermostat problem which had to be replaced. They replaced the thermostat on Thursday and did all the necessary checks on the battery ensuring nothing is draining the battery and nothing was picked up. Car passed another battery test with the test showing an almost “perfect” battery. Warranty won’t pay for a new battery if it passes the test!

Picked the car up on Friday and they showed me all the photos, the battery test results and all other testing that was done and everything checked out. Car has been great and now I will continue to monitor.

It’s an amazing car when working properly but these recent issues are getting me irritated and now considering changing to another Porsche.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[AshG108]

Another issue picked up with the Alfa.

Wednesday morning as we were about to leave for school, my (electric) boot didn’t open. Car unlocked and then I realised nothing on the dash was on.

So thinking it was the battery I used the Mini and did the school run and when I got back home put my CTEK charger on the Alfa battery.

In the meantime, as car is on plan and deciding to just let Alfa sort this problem out, I contacted them.

I then unplugged the charger (probably on for about 2 hours) and car started. So now I know it’s definitely the battery. Called Alfa Assist and they sent a flat bed. Service was pretty good and fast with the flatbed at my house within 25 minutes. In that time while waiting for the flatbed, I tried to start the car and again, nothing.

The car was originally booked in at Alfa for yesterday (Friday) as since my last issue, the car was using a lot of coolant and then this issue came up on Wednesday.

At Alfa they tested the battery and it passed. Go figure!
And regarding the coolant issue another thermostat problem which had to be replaced. They replaced the thermostat on Thursday and did all the necessary checks on the battery ensuring nothing is draining the battery and nothing was picked up. Car passed another battery test with the test showing an almost “perfect” battery. Warranty won’t pay for a new battery if it passes the test!

Picked the car up on Friday and they showed me all the photos, the battery test results and all other testing that was done and everything checked out. Car has been great and now I will continue to monitor.

It’s an amazing car when working properly but these recent issues are getting me irritated and now considering changing to another Porsche.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

If yo udo change, Macan FTW