Buying a diesel Giulia. What to check and be mindful of?

[GeorgeA380]

Good afternoon everyone.

I'm looking to buy a car and always wanted an Alfa Romeo, especially the Giulia. I also want a diesel for fuel economy but the ones that fit my budget have 45k miles or even more. Don't know what to expect from a car with this milage in terms of servicing needs etc, but if anyone owns one or have experience please share your thoughts and info with me it will really help me.

Thank you for your time
George

[Mr_J]

45k miles is nothing at all.

I can't comment on the diesel engine but the petrol engine has a 9,000 service interval.

Something I'd not spotted before buying one. I'd also not appreciated the £500(?) premium on VED for the first few years. Something else to be mindful of.

If your intention is to use a main dealer or specialist do you have one nearby? My nearest dealer is 50+ miles away. I did eventually manage to find a semi-specialist 25 miles away.

[GeorgeA380]

Thank you for your response Mr_J

The milage is not too much but isn't more heavy servicing needed when you go above 50k? Not entirely sure on this one so can me massively wrong.

The road tax should be £190 now because the list price is well below £40k, unless I misunderstood how this works.

I read through the forum and found that power developments is a reliable independent specialist which is like 36miles away but happy to do the trip if they are that good. I'm in southeast London.

[Mabozza]

Good readers ride thread here on a high miler - https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[GeorgeA380]

Thank you Mabozza, good find, I missed that 😀

[r159]

Get the Speciale

Cam belt should have been done based on the mileage/age you’re looking at. Check condition of inner shoulder of front tyres as they may be worn more than the rest of the tread. Everything else is as per any other car.

Enjoyed mine immensely.

[GeorgeA380]

Thank you r159.

Did any of you had any issues with the battery at all? I've been reading is one of the most common faults.

[r159]

Yep

[Rob 131 Sport]

I’m sure you’ll love it. My experience of Alfa’s is that they’ve been totally reliable if well maintained.

The hardest part will be choosing the colour.

[GeorgeA380]

Thank you all for your comments, I might have to consider the petrol too cause I don't trust what taxes and ULEZ charges they might introduce for diesel cars in the near future

[Alfahorn]

Mabozza said:

Good readers ride thread here on a high miler - https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

That’s my car.

Update: 129,000 miles continuing to do a sterling job, no issues to report, MOT next month otherwise it could just do with a clean.

[Alfahorn]

GeorgeA380 said:

Thank you all for your comments, I might have to consider the petrol too cause I don't trust what taxes and ULEZ charges they might introduce for diesel cars in the near future

I regularly use mine in London around the Barnet & Camden Boroughs.

[GeorgeA380]

Alfahorn said:

Mabozza said:

Good readers ride thread here on a high miler - https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

That’s my car.

Update: 129,000 miles continuing to do a sterling job, no issues to report, MOT next month otherwise it could just do with a clean.

Looks epic! Wish I can have one

[GeorgeA380]

Alfahorn said:

GeorgeA380 said:

Thank you all for your comments, I might have to consider the petrol too cause I don't trust what taxes and ULEZ charges they might introduce for diesel cars in the near future

I regularly use mine in London around the Barnet & Camden Boroughs.

Thank you. I know now it's ok, they just really want to kill diesel cars that I'm afraid I won't be able keep it for more than 5 years and will be forced to sell it.

[Alfahorn]

GeorgeA380 said:

Looks epic! Wish I can have one

It’s great. It’s got the usual stone ships and the odd London car park ding, however it’s overall in good condition for the miles. When it went in for service at 127,000 miles the specialist said it was in good fettle and didn’t require any additional work.

It was an absolute steal and is doing exactly what I’d hoped for.

It’s a shame this engine is no more. I plan to have it for a couple more years and yeah probably go to the darkside (BMW), I as also know a superb BMW specialist.