thinking of buying 147 selespeed

[italianchick]

Hi everyone, I'm new here, but need some expert advice please.  I LOVE alfas and want to buy my first alfa 147.  I only drive auto so am going for the selespeed.  but i'm worried about reliability and cost to service & parts.  I'm looking at a 2003 147 selespeed.  any advice/warnings etc?  I've read so many reviews that say how many problems there are with these cars, but then i've read lots of reviews where owners are quite happy with the car.
I do want reliability and don't have money to burn, but I really want my dream car too as life's too short to drive a corolla i think!

[John Hanslow]

Like any car, make sure that you get a pre purchase inspection & also check out service books and service report/invoice for work done as this details work done and also outstandings. 

The dealer network with factory equipment reset the selespeed units on the vehicle at certain service intervals.

Can be problematic but there is a wide choice of dealer and also cheaper Alfa specialists who look after you.

Cheers.

[Neil Choi]

Hi there,

Like all things and Alfa's, the 147 is a fabulous car and looks great.  It drives and handles well.  You just to have be aware of the associated cost involved.  Like all mechanical, electric and electronic things, there will be a time for some service, maintenance and repairs.  As long as you factor in the cost, then you will be certainly be happy with your 147 selespeed purchase.  As in other previous like threads, make sure the car has a good history, well looked after and loved.

You just have to factor in cost for cam belt changes, selespeed service and maintenance, tyres etc etc, pretty much like any other car ie standard clutch or automagic box repairs and even climate control units these modern days etc, they all go at some stage.  Remember, you will only hear horror stories of my "brand X" car is crap because of..........  so I will never buy another.

It is the passion for Alfa's and knowing upfront of what to expect and cost, then you will be happy with your Alfa purchase.

Much like loving common garden variety Fords or Holdens and knowing they are ugly and handle like barges, then you will appreciate and be happy with them.  Personally I can't.

Like everyone's advice, speak to your state's Alfa club, members and the sponsoring Alfa Service repairers.  Speak to enough Alfa lovers, you will narrow down to a few key repairers who will give you honest advice.

Final words, just factor in the $ for certain repairs, talk to specialist repairs for some cost and you will be happy.

Cheers
Neil

[italianchick]

thanks guys!   Your advice is very helpful. I'll make sure to get inspection and check service history.  I just took it for a test drive an hour ago and it was amazing!!!

[wankski]

hi italian chick,

i agree with the others, it is wise to have an ALFA SPECIALIST review the car before purchase...

but be aware the following:

1. every 3 yrs u will have to do the cam belt, around $1000, and unless it has been done recently and confirmed to have been done by a well known alfa garage, I would factor that in to the cost. Why so anal? in these cars, if the belt slips it destroys the engine head and damages the big end shells of the bottom end... translation = $4-5k to make right.
2. the selespeed unit is touchy as electrical connections (incl relays and fuses) usually lead to errors, as does a low voltage battery. U should be prepared to get informed about these things if you are considering a selespeed.
3. the front wishbones can also be an item that you may have to factor in, this will run at least $1000  
4. the worst case potential cost is being quoted for a new selespeed actuator, quotes range from at least $3.5-4.5k, the knowledge and willingness to repair the actuator itself in Australia is relatively low: example, Alfa australia will not sell you an actuator part, even though the same item is available as a fiat item! there is little by way of selespeed unit support in aus.
5. the selespeed still has a regular manual gearbox underneath, so clutch replacement usually at around 110-120k kms should also be factored it. This also runs $1000+

if you are prepared to learn the basics about the selespeed system and accept the above costs in addition to normal running costs, then there is no reason why you shouldn't own a 147 at all!

great to hear you liked the test drive!

edit: just incase u are young, or still on your Ps and have the condition of auto only - the selespeed system is still registered as 'manual'.. FYI.
 

[italianchick]

wow, fixing it can get expensive hey... It's a worry that there is little selespeed unit support in Australia too.. I'm in Adelaide - does anyone have any info about alfa mechanics over here? Who I should go to etc?? I was going to get the RAA to do the inspection, but sounds like that's not such a good idea.
Thanks so much for your advice guys! You've all been great and really helped give me a better idea of what's involved with the 147 - being a female I don't know much about cars but I know I luv Alfa's and in typical female fashion I totally luv the way they look!  They are a work of art, not just a car.  I'll test drive a few more and get as much info as I can.  Thanks again guys - really appreciate it! 

[wankski]

hey italian girl,

I don't mean to employ 'shock and awe' by rattling off a few of the expenses, but as always buyer beware. You may be lucky, or you may as equally likely be the worst case scenario.

You are right in saying its not a good idea to use the RAA for the inspection - they will only do obvious checks common to all cars...

As you'd expect, all the expensive alfa things are just that, unique to alfa.... Selespeed as i say remains a mystery to many self purported 'euro car specialists', and as such, only a person that is an alfa specialist with knowledge of the system should check it out (they'll be able to plug into the system and see how its going, where the clutch is at, if its holding pressure properly etc)
They'd also know to check for the wishbones and give you an accurate appraisal of cost to make things right (which is a bargaining position for you don't forget, so it's money well spent!). The twinspark engine also has some consumables, and looking over the logs the alfa guy will know what's due just by looking at the log, or listening to the car run, eg cam phase variator, water pump... they'd be able to diagnose tappets, worn bearings, etc

u'd be surprised what some mundane service parts run, eg, spark plugs = $200 parts alone, up side, they last around 100k kms... again, as i say, if you are looking at a car w/ 100k on it and they haven't been done, subtract some money to cover it...

some alfisti take it upon themselves to defend the marque and will tell you the common experience isn't always 'the worst case', but all i will say to that is that there is a reason why alfas have such low retained value, and why they can be picked up for what is a bargain price considering that when they are working smoothly, u are getting a hell of a lot of car for the money. Just don't be persuaded by the purchase price into thinking it will be correspondingly as inexpensive to run.

All the best, and you're certainly going about it the right way by asking questions and driving as many as possible....   

[monoman]

Ciao italianchick,

A lot of people have provided lots of good advise on buying and owning a 147 selespeed, so I'll only add a few extra points,

Reason not to buy it no.1:  You have read the horror stories and you know they are all true.
Reason not to buy it no.2:  You know it will end in very expensive tears - and much sooner than you'd like.
Reason not to buy it no.3:  Not all selespeeds are duds.  Maybe, just maybe, you might find a good one - you might win tattslotto too, just don't bank on it.
Reason not to buy it no.4:  Best to work on the "there is no such thing as a good selespeed" principal and just don't buy one.
Reason not to buy it no.5:  When it breaks down again,  plead with the RACV dispatcher to bypass sending the roadside assist vehicle, and just send the tow truck, because they never have any idea how to fix it anyway.   This little trick will save you many hours of waiting.
Reason not to buy it no.6:  Make sure you keep some money in your glovebox for taxi fares, you'll need it when it breaks down again.  Never drive any further than you have cash in the glovebox for taxi fare.
Reason not to buy it no.7:  Selespeeds are programmed to break down when you are outside mobile phone coverage areas.  Expect to walk long distances to call the RACV if you ignore this rule
Reason not to buy it no.8:  One day you will be warning another newbie wanting a 147 selespeed not to buy one too.
Reason not to buy it no.9:  If it didn't break down today, it probably will tomorrow.  Best keep a good book in the car too.
Reason not to buy it no.10:  Make sure you live within walking distance of your Alfa dealer, or can afford the constant taxi fares to pick your car up.

I'm surprised there isn't a world-wide class action against Alfa Romeo to force them to buy them all back.

Of course you will ignore all this and buy one anyway.  Make sure you purchase the HIGHEST level of roadside assistance offered by the RACV and only buy a car from an Alfa dealer with and iron clad warranty.  Pay for the longest extended warranty you can get and sell the car before the warranty runs out.  Make sure the warranty covers replacing the selespeed and all associated electronic components frequently.  Get your lawyer to read the warranty document and explain it to you fully and to make sure you are fully covered.  Get the dealer to give you a MONEY BACK written guarantee should the car suffer a selespeed breakdown during the first 6 months of ownership.  Make sure you like the dealer's courtesy car - you'll spend more time driving it than your own.

If you must have an alfa 147, get a manual or don't get one at all.  I've not owned a manual so I'm only hoping they are better.

Life's to short to spend it waiting for the RACV.

Ciao

[L4OMEO]

Hey italianchick

If you look back through monoman's post history you will see he had a bad Selespeed experience. He's not the only one, but that doesn't mean you must expect the same. My own Selespeed had 130,000km on the clock when I sold it without encountering any issues and friends of mine have had similar experiences. Just make sure your decisions are based on a balanced selection of feedback 

There's some good advice earlier in this thread. It's the sort of stuff I usually recite to others but then completely ignore myself. Despite knowing better I tend to buy my Alfas from the heart not the head. I haven't bought a lemon yet but after since I'm on my 19th I guess it's only a matter of time before my luck runs out 

Good luck,
Rory

[wankski]

lol.... love it... I see you've had selespeed issues before monoman?  

don't mean to turn the knife but while 'better' in terms of reliability, manuals in these cars suffer issues too... ultimately tho, you can usually fix it, and at a good general gearbox place too... ultimately there is no $4k selespeed actuator to replace, but the manuals do have issues the selespeed does not.

1) internal slave - when this goes, you're clutch goes... box out, new throw out, new clutch, new slave - $1k+
2) worn synchros - always an alfa trait - there is no robot properly blipping throttle on the more onerous downshifts, so unless you know the driver...
3) sloppy gear shift - caused by broken bushing in that plastic retaining box, i forget what it's called.
4) clutch pedal failure - it will sink to floor and not come up, due to circlip failure at master.

also

5) getting stuck in 4th gear - due to swarf collecting at the coverplate - easy fix, but annoying

there have been total gearbox failures from time to time, but this can also strike the selespeed (actually perhaps moreso as the selespeed over uses the throw out compared to normal manual operation...)

Just saying, the manual option isn't the bulletproof alternative it can be in other makes.

cheaper than selespeed to fix for sure... - obviously electrical issues do not effect the manual gearbox in any way, expect perhaps speedo sender.  

[italianchick]

you know what guys... as much as i really, really REALLY want an Alfa... it would break my heart if it turned out to be a major disappointment (which there is a reasonable chance it will be).  I always follow my heart instead of my head and after just breaking up with my partner of 10yrs - I know I wish I had followed my head instead of my heart.  which is unfortunately (or fortunately) what I think I will do about my emotional attachment to the alfa 147     I don't have the money in case it goes bad, but more importantly I don't want to shatter my dream and have a negative experience with my beloved Alfas.    Thanks again everyone. You guys really know your stuff and it's been fantastic to have some trustworthy advice.  ciao 4 now