Selespeed

[sspromo]

I'm looking at a 2003 ALFA ROMEO 147 MY2002 SELESPEED TWIN SPARK.  It has 70K on it and has service history.  I don't know if the cambelt has been done but obviously will do it if it hasn't immediately.  After reading through a lot of posts here I have some concerns about the whole selespeed setup.  I know that it will be impossible to quantify but can somebody give me an estimation of lifespan on these?  I will get a pre purchase inspection and am looking at a warranty on the car.  Does anybody know if the selespeed is normally covered as part of a warranty? 

Simple questions I know but having no experience with an Alfa (other than wanting one!) before I'm just trying to get some information.

Thanks for your replies Colin to my other posts.

[wankski]

sele is good if you are prepared to look after it. That means you are willing to set aside 70 pound plusa round 250 pounds for a new accumulator and pump.... these things go...

if you are not prepared to get the scanner tool on your laptop, i would say don't get one. You will need to monitor the system and annually recalibrate the system... about 70 euro if you have a laptop...

also factor in at this time the seles would be due possibly a clutch... they tend to burn through them. around $1500 replacement.

if you are not willing to do the maintenance then i have to say pass - as it will stop you somewhere when not properly monitered, and you will be disappointing with it..

go the manual if not prepared for the above.

[sspromo]

I'm happy to look after it and maintain it.  My thoughts were to just take the advise of an Alfa specialist on how to maintain it properly.  I suppose what I'm asking is, if in as new condition and mainitained properly, does anybody have an estimate on lifespan of the box, clutch and associated parts.

[wankski]

it depends on usage.. the sele does not know how to neutralise and basically clutches in all the time... as a result it runs a self-oiling polymer throw out bearing, not a metal one...

with high use, don't expect a long clutch life, esp if it hasn't been anually calibrated...

so if inner city and lots of low speed driving and gear changes - waiting at lights.... expect 100k kms or less for the clutch kit. The part is not that expensive, but labour kinda is. see above pricing.

The actual sele actuator can last a while, but the pump is overworked for what it is and the pressure buffer, the accumultor can go. When this happens it will leave you stranded.

Likewise the elctrovolve that operates the clutch can go bad with frequent use, esp if again not calibrated frequently (this includes setting clutch throw out)

If i were getting a old sele now, I would get a new pump and accumulator and recalibrate the system with new tutela cs straight away. Keep the old pump and cumie as a spare. If you do so now, you can get them relatively cheap from UK, see above pricing - rather than wait for a breakdown and be victim to local pricing (circa 700AUD for a pump!)

I strongly suggest YOU become familar with alfadiag and/of Fiatecuscan... anytime a error code pops up, you will pay around $120 to a mechanic to clear it each time, unless they pity you.

I say this as if you experience the above failures you will be quite angry with it all. Most people buy an old sele thinking it's an auto. it's not. The system itself is not that complicated but needs constant monitoring of system pressure to alert you of a looming problem, to clear codes, and to diagnose an issue and to of course calibrate the system.

If you are not willing to do this - i suggest you pass and go for the manual. If you want an auto and don't want to baby the car - get an auto (i.e. diesel alfas were fitted with auto boxes).

the system is getting old now and is a hydraulic circuit... the three electro-valves are getting on, and the clutch and pump will be near enuff toast...

if you really want one, read up on FES and alfadiag, and be prepared to shell out for a new pump, clutch and ultimately set aside some money for a new actuator should the worst occur (around 700 to 900 GBP from the UK)... locally around $3-3.5k...

I wouldn't suggest preemptively swapping the actuator, but be aware that could arise... I would get a new pump and accumulator now (~250+70 quid respectively) and come to terms with the sele ecu, and you should be happy...

the gears themslves are a std manual box with a external slave. No calibration tho can result in worn synchros tho, as the box hard shifts the gears.

if you're not a tinkerer, and prepared for some pre-emptive work - best leave it.

If you are however, you'll love it. JMO.

[tony8028]

With everything we know about Selespeeds, why would you even consider buying one? There is no shortage of nice manual 147s on the market.

Sorry if this sounds harsh and I am bound to offend all of the selespeed owners out there, but google 'selespeed nightmare' see how you go.

Its bad enough having to do the belts every three years without wondering when your gear box is going to blow up.

[wankski]

Its bad enough having to do the belts every three years without wondering when your gear box is going to blow up.

i have to admit, that is my theory exactly... the TS is enough of a handful to keep going, rather than having to worry about the gearbox as well, which in the manual versions, are pretty worry free.

[tony8028]

i have to admit, that is my theory exactly... the TS is enough of a handful to keep going, rather than having to worry about the gearbox as well, which in the manual versions, are pretty worry free.

mate my 147 TS is just a bloody dream (TOUCHING HEAD AS I SPEAK!). I have driven it all over australia and it just goes and goes. The a/c even blows cold air (yes you are still reading an Alfa forum).

I still prefer my old 33 as a car to drive, but I love the mod-cons of the 147 and the styling of course.

[colcol]

Yes Tony, i can see where you are coming from, people say to me it must be terrible having to drive that old Alfa Romeo, [33], after driving the 156 JTS, no the 33 is a great drivers car, that turns 54 year olds like me into 18 year old hoons, that exhaust note and general feel do it to you, but the 156 is more an Executives car and i drive it more slower than the 33, but it is as enjoyable, but in a different way, less things go wrong with it, and the design and exucution of the car is more fitting with a large car company, the 33 has things on it that look like it was designed and made by a backyarder, but next Easter Tuesday, i have had it 26 years!, Colin.

[tony8028]

Yes Tony, i can see where you are coming from, people say to me it must be terrible having to drive that old Alfa Romeo, [33], after driving the 156 JTS, no the 33 is a great drivers car, that turns 54 year olds like me into 18 year old hoons, that exhaust note and general feel do it to you, but the 156 is more an Executives car and i drive it more slower than the 33, but it is as enjoyable, but in a different way, less things go wrong with it, and the design and exucution of the car is more fitting with a large car company, the 33 has things on it that look like it was designed and made by a backyarder, but next Easter Tuesday, i have had it 26 years!, Colin.

The thing i miss the most is not only the note, but the spluttering and backfiring when you take your foot off the gas! Just so much fun.

I will buy another 33 one day....i like the look of the 16V but the ones I have driven have not had that spluttering sound to them!!!

[colcol]

Its not spluttering, its valve overlap that gives it a delightfull crackle, when lifting off, turning it in to corners, i have a standard stainless exhaust system, and it seems to amplify it, the police who regulary pull me over reckon its a bit loud, but i tell em its standard, do i look like a 18 year old hoon about to have his car impounded?, Colin.