GTV V6 - what to look for?
Discussion
Hi all,
I quite fancy a GTV V6, seen a few around for circa £4k. What should I be looking out for? Any common faults / recalls / routine items that I should check?
Mostly cars at this price have done circa 80k miles, how long should I expect before major problems?
I'm coming from a BMW, so how does reliability compare?
Cheers for any advice!
Dan
I quite fancy a GTV V6, seen a few around for circa £4k. What should I be looking out for? Any common faults / recalls / routine items that I should check?
Mostly cars at this price have done circa 80k miles, how long should I expect before major problems?
I'm coming from a BMW, so how does reliability compare?
Cheers for any advice!
Dan
I'm doing the same... see posts further down this thread.
Seems rear suspension, cambelts, and heavy clutches need to be looked after.
I found this very useful:
http://www.alfaworkshop.co.uk/alfa_romeo_gtv.shtml
Seems rear suspension, cambelts, and heavy clutches need to be looked after.
I found this very useful:
http://www.alfaworkshop.co.uk/alfa_romeo_gtv.shtml
Cheers for the pointers guys.
What's the deal with servicing? From what I've read they're very sensitive service schedules, is it best to go to an Alfa dealer, or are there good independants? I'm based in North London, anyone know anywhere around here (or into Herts) that has a good reputation?
What's the deal with servicing? From what I've read they're very sensitive service schedules, is it best to go to an Alfa dealer, or are there good independants? I'm based in North London, anyone know anywhere around here (or into Herts) that has a good reputation?
dan101smith said:
Cheers for the pointers guys.
What's the deal with servicing? From what I've read they're very sensitive service schedules, is it best to go to an Alfa dealer, or are there good independants? I'm based in North London, anyone know anywhere around here (or into Herts) that has a good reputation?
Veloces are an Alfa-only independent, based in Barnet. They are pretty good. I would never take a car to Alfa direct - pay triple, bad service.What's the deal with servicing? From what I've read they're very sensitive service schedules, is it best to go to an Alfa dealer, or are there good independants? I'm based in North London, anyone know anywhere around here (or into Herts) that has a good reputation?
pdV6 said:
Ditto the above advice. A proper specialist will do a far better job for a lot less money. IIRC there are quite a few around London.
Also, having independent service history shouldn't affect the resale value, either. Well, not to those people who know Alfas, anyway. I would personally rather buy a car that WASN'T ever serviced by Alfa. But you'll always get the cocks who demand A-FSH as a rule, BMW-style. I'd rather not sell my car to those sort of people.dan101smith said:
Cheers for the pointers guys.
What's the deal with servicing? From what I've read they're very sensitive service schedules, is it best to go to an Alfa dealer, or are there good independants? I'm based in North London, anyone know anywhere around here (or into Herts) that has a good reputation?
You could try K & L an independant in Golders green. Have'nt used them myself but other Alfa owners speak highly of them.What's the deal with servicing? From what I've read they're very sensitive service schedules, is it best to go to an Alfa dealer, or are there good independants? I'm based in North London, anyone know anywhere around here (or into Herts) that has a good reputation?
Phil
I'd forget the TS. It's only slightly more economic than the V6, maybe you get cheaper insurance and lower purchase price. But it's under power, doesn't sound as good, the engine is less reliable than the V6, and most importantly, you have to live with it kowning you are not having the top of the range model.
With the sort of money you have, you can buy an early average mileage V6. To be honest with you, with this sort of car, you always need to count in the contingency fund. Most repair and maintenance works are costly. For instance cambelt and water pump change can set you back £800. Head gaskits failure are quite common too and will set you something like another £800. Suspansion bushes, particularly the front ball joints will fail at some point and need repalcement. Rediator will need replacement at some point too. Last but not least, the famous air flow metre failure…… Not to scare you off really, I'm sure if you go for other cars, they will have other common faults too. It's not only Alfa. Probably the cars you are looking at have 1 or more of the ablove done already. Even count in the above work need to be done to the car, for the same sort of money, you will struggle to get anothr car to give you the look and the performance. So please don't be put off, buy with an open eye and good luck with your hunt.
With the sort of money you have, you can buy an early average mileage V6. To be honest with you, with this sort of car, you always need to count in the contingency fund. Most repair and maintenance works are costly. For instance cambelt and water pump change can set you back £800. Head gaskits failure are quite common too and will set you something like another £800. Suspansion bushes, particularly the front ball joints will fail at some point and need repalcement. Rediator will need replacement at some point too. Last but not least, the famous air flow metre failure…… Not to scare you off really, I'm sure if you go for other cars, they will have other common faults too. It's not only Alfa. Probably the cars you are looking at have 1 or more of the ablove done already. Even count in the above work need to be done to the car, for the same sort of money, you will struggle to get anothr car to give you the look and the performance. So please don't be put off, buy with an open eye and good luck with your hunt.
Not familiar with head gasket issue, in fact V6 engines are renowned for being robust. As with any engine the cam belts need to be changed in accordance with manufacturers instructions. Not aware of any specific issues with radiators either. AFM's can be troublesome if you use aftermarket air filter elements usually because some filters purporting to be for the V6 are'nt and are an inch or so too short thus allowing ingress of dirt which can harm the AFM, likewise if certain makes of performance filter are installed in an over oiled condition the same thing can happen, so easily preventable. As for suspension the front is pretty robust however the rear bushes can wear prematurely particularly on earlier models. Switching to Powerflex or the like will dramatically aid future longevity.
Buy and enjoy, I did and have yet to regret it.
Phil
Buy and enjoy, I did and have yet to regret it.
Phil
xyyman said:
As with any engine the cam belts need to be changed in accordance with manufacturers instructions.
Well, you'd be wise to ignore the manufacturer's instructions and change them sooner as it happens! The 2.0TS needs to be done by 36k (not 72k stated in the book) and the V6 can go to 48k (rather than 72k) but when buying 2nd hand, if in doubt get it changed anyway as a matter of course.
Two litre now appears to be officially recommended at 36K: http://www.alfaworkshop.co.uk/alfa_romeo_gtv.shtml
NB the "or after five years" is usually the critical bit when buying second hand.
NB the "or after five years" is usually the critical bit when buying second hand.
pdV6 said:
xyyman said:
As with any engine the cam belts need to be changed in accordance with manufacturers instructions.
Well, you'd be wise to ignore the manufacturer's instructions and change them sooner as it happens! The 2.0TS needs to be done by 36k (not 72k stated in the book) and the V6 can go to 48k (rather than 72k) but when buying 2nd hand, if in doubt get it changed anyway as a matter of course.Phil
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