Alfa Romeo Brera 3.2 Q4 in the workshop for some repairs and upgrades.

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  • čas přidán 25. 08. 2024
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Komentáře • 134

  • @Matteo_Licata
    @Matteo_Licata Před 3 lety +35

    Great to see you uploading again! The Brera is a surefire classic: looks to die for, and very low production numbers. The last Alfa Romeo styled by the great Giorgetto Giugiaro. I should definitely find one myself for a video on my channel!

    • @gearhead9828
      @gearhead9828 Před 3 lety

      Was the 159 styled by Giugiaro as well? Thanks!

    • @Matteo_Licata
      @Matteo_Licata Před 3 lety +1

      @@gearhead9828 Yes it was. The two cars were designed simultaneously, as part of the same project.

    • @gearhead9828
      @gearhead9828 Před 3 lety

      @@Matteo_Licata Thanks Matteo!

  • @DRILLBABYDRIL
    @DRILLBABYDRIL Před 3 lety +7

    Had my 3.2 Q4 9 years in March. Still love it like the first day a bought it. The good thing about the Brera it’s a car you don’t have to drive fast unlike a Golf R to enjoy it…
    It’s far better that a 500 Abarth I can say that

  • @porsche356a
    @porsche356a Před 3 lety +13

    Neil, I think the 3.2 JTS engine was manufactured by Holden here in Australia, and sent back to Alfa for tuning. There is no way you can go from the opera of a Busso, to Kylie Minogue!!

  • @n.handley9087
    @n.handley9087 Před 3 lety +11

    Ace video, just what I needed on this dreary Sunday thanks Neil 👍
    The Brera was a confusing addition to Alfa's line up when they already had the Busso in the GT.

  • @richardedwards7780
    @richardedwards7780 Před rokem +1

    Nice video!! I bought one (2.2 JTS) a few months ago and love it. I can confirm the UK weather is the problem with the rust as mine doesn't have a single spot - I'm in the north of Italy. Another reason I left the UK!!

  • @Wreck-Gar
    @Wreck-Gar Před 3 lety +3

    The subframe looks excellent. I love how you fix the part rather than bin it and get another 👍

  • @paulwootton5378
    @paulwootton5378 Před rokem

    Well...I don't know about any one else...but...I couldn't even see where that welding repair had been made....Alfa Romo quality at it's best

  • @freefall6696
    @freefall6696 Před 3 lety

    Terrific work. Speaking as an utter ignoramus (but owner of a beloved GTV6 3.0.) it makes for hypnotic watching to see such Alfa expertise and TLC in action. Thanks Neil.

  • @Dave.S.TT600
    @Dave.S.TT600 Před 2 lety +1

    Excellent video, Thanks... and loved the roadtest comments at the end which really summarised the car's character.

  • @philzvids3577
    @philzvids3577 Před 3 lety +2

    Really interesting video - especially the sub frame repair.

  • @nicholasgibbons6122
    @nicholasgibbons6122 Před 3 lety +2

    Great video Neil. Just done my 159 ti springs and I'm glad they came apart more easily than that Brera. I did mine on axle stands on the drive for added pain.

  • @_RicksGarage
    @_RicksGarage Před 3 lety +3

    I have literally just swapped the springs on my GTV using the same suicidal spring compressors 😂. Had them for years but they do the job. Nice video Neil 👍🏼

    • @ItaliaAutos
      @ItaliaAutos  Před 3 lety +1

      Yeah it is easier but you risk your fingers lol

    • @robertjusic9097
      @robertjusic9097 Před 3 lety

      How hard is it to change the springs?

    • @_RicksGarage
      @_RicksGarage Před 3 lety

      @@robertjusic9097 if you’ve done springs before then you should find it easy. It’s always a little bit fiddly but it isn’t difficult at all. I have a video coming in the next week coving the full job front and rear on my GTV but Neil has covered the basis of coil spring removal.

    • @daveffs1935
      @daveffs1935 Před 3 lety

      @@robertjusic9097 it's easy enough, did the rears on my 2.4 saturday, probably 2 hours all in while figuring it out as i went.

  • @andrew1212w
    @andrew1212w Před 3 lety +3

    Fantastic video you explain stuff really well, the Brera is my favourite Alfa. Please keep uploading videos 👍

  • @honda0105
    @honda0105 Před 3 lety +2

    Great to see you back Neil. Another top job and keep the videos coming. Take care mate.

  • @Strike86
    @Strike86 Před 3 lety +1

    Ace video Neil, this car will be a corker once the respray work is done.
    Personally I had a 159 2.2 and I loved it because it was quiet, beautiful and well made. They're not sporty cars but they are really nice to live with. For me the styling was enough.

  • @GrumpyToffee
    @GrumpyToffee Před 3 lety +1

    Good to see you back Neil - and now of course I'm looking at Alfas on Autotrader again! Must.....resist.....temptation......

  • @zozoz8616
    @zozoz8616 Před 3 lety +2

    I was so excited to wait 2 day for a premier

  • @tobton22
    @tobton22 Před 3 lety

    Good to see you back on the CZcamss, Neil!

  • @matthewbell1968
    @matthewbell1968 Před 3 lety +1

    Great to see you back Neil, always enjoy your videos 👍👍

  • @grotesmurf1
    @grotesmurf1 Před 3 lety +3

    Such a shame they never got the V8 lump from the Masserati in the Brera.....would have made a epic Alfa!

  • @red75v67
    @red75v67 Před 3 lety +1

    Good to see the mig come out. I remember reading about the Brera before it was released. It was designed with a V8 in mind but the bean counters at GM got involved and this is what we are left with. A great looking but overweight and underpowered coupe. The GT is a much better choice.

  • @paultaylor9652
    @paultaylor9652 Před 3 lety +1

    Nice work, I wouldn't say no even with that engine when it's painted and detailed.

  • @rynooosth
    @rynooosth Před 9 měsíci

    Nice job Neal

  • @timmytackle9181
    @timmytackle9181 Před 2 lety +1

    The weld to be successful needs to be a pretty constant weld your stop start technique might fool the MOT inspector but would not be a useful repair otherwise and the patch metal is too thin for a subframe

  • @alanwardle6083
    @alanwardle6083 Před 3 lety +1

    Welcome back Neil, great content 👏

  • @Dave.S.TT600
    @Dave.S.TT600 Před 2 lety

    23:10 an allegorical, existential masterpiece of symbolism that represents so much more, than just a Dud strut at the end of it's life.

  • @leeturnock6721
    @leeturnock6721 Před 3 lety +2

    Nice video, very informative

  • @autoazure
    @autoazure Před 3 lety +1

    Love it! Exactly as I would have done!

  • @stewarthaddon3219
    @stewarthaddon3219 Před 3 lety +8

    For me, a decatted, remapped 2.4 20v is a much more exciting engine....Ive had a 2.5 v6 156 before and yes, its smooooth, but not necessarily exciting.
    Great video again Nelly.

    • @CosmicSeeker69
      @CosmicSeeker69 Před rokem +1

      Interesting comment.....I'm a massive derv fan - but there's no comparison in the audio feedback. Do you know how the weight of each engine compares?

    • @stewarthaddon3219
      @stewarthaddon3219 Před rokem +1

      @Graham Hobbs the dervy sounds awesome with a straight through pipe on, but you're definitely right about the soundtrack Grezzer. The v6 is surely heavier?

    • @CosmicSeeker69
      @CosmicSeeker69 Před rokem

      @@stewarthaddon3219 well I doubt that as traditionally diesel engines need strong blocks to give reliability with the high compressions used - whereas the Busso had a tight 60,° V made from aluminium. Likewise maybe the crank but certainly the flywheel of the Busso would be lighter

  • @aldeacristian4582
    @aldeacristian4582 Před 3 lety +1

    Another great video from Neil!

  • @gaijin_nnsu
    @gaijin_nnsu Před rokem

    That is so strange to me when someone buys and installs tuning belstien parts without replacing the dust cover with a new one. Do they want suspension to die faster? 😅😅😅
    It's not a KYB Excel G to keep an old ones.
    Also, I would use some stretch to keep springs from scratching.
    But the work with a frame is awesome.
    I was worried about primer and coating but you did everything the best way.

  • @Boris-xx7dw
    @Boris-xx7dw Před 3 lety

    Great video mate , loved my Brera to look at lol but thats about it lol . you mentioned the 166 we want a blog on it lol .

  • @BojanBojovic
    @BojanBojovic Před 2 lety

    New parts, ahhhh sooo satisfying. :)

  • @jeremyaustin9103
    @jeremyaustin9103 Před 3 lety

    Welcome back.
    Sorely missed.

  • @neilmicklewright5630
    @neilmicklewright5630 Před 3 lety

    Great video. Keep them coming.

  • @WndhLoL
    @WndhLoL Před 3 lety +1

    Brilliant work as per usual (y)

  • @alfonsopla4633
    @alfonsopla4633 Před 3 lety

    Nice video Nail😜. Have you ever considered to install an AUTODELTA kit? I have a Brera 2.2 JTS 2006 and if I am not wrong there is a compressor and turbo kit to power up this engine. Great to see you back. Take care mate.

  • @krasimiratanasov9556
    @krasimiratanasov9556 Před 3 lety +2

    Nice video Neil. I got Brera 2.4 2009 have oill leak between engine and gearbox ben to garage and they said need new engine. Any chance this to be repaired...? Thanks

  • @gmcpud
    @gmcpud Před 3 lety

    Great. I enjoyed that.

  • @carlparker1516
    @carlparker1516 Před 3 lety

    Nice work

  • @ThisRandomUsername
    @ThisRandomUsername Před 3 lety

    How do you stop the inside surface from rusting? Don't they dip the parts from the factory to get primer inside the tubes?
    Good to see another video of yours again.

  • @Brisbane2024
    @Brisbane2024 Před 3 lety

    I did the front and rear suspension refurbishment on my 156 some months ago in my privat garage. It was horrible work, especially to get the shock absorbers removed from the aluminium fork. For info, it’s same construction as on the Brera. The aluminium fork can be changed against an iron cast part, as the aluminium part is no longer available.
    I wonder about the use of grease for the clamp area, which significant reduces clamp force and might cause screw be stressed by shear force.
    Also grease at the screw/nut area forged the required screw torques. I personally would not put any grease or other friction reducing lubricants to any clamp connection.
    Just a question regarding the subframe. As far as I know the Hammerit rust converter must be removed by washing after residence time, because it is an acid and would accelerate new rust if not washed away. However, good repair work. I did similar work with a Alfa 147 subframe a year ago. Subsequent I did a complete rust protection with Mike Sanders inside and painting with special stone chip protection, similar as you did.
    Thanks for that video👍

  • @dee106ful
    @dee106ful Před rokem

    The suspension on these was never right from the start. No matter what you try it will always be crashy. The issue was it used the old 155 frame technology

  • @superloopy24v
    @superloopy24v Před rokem

    Did you 'Kurust' treat the whole subframe before primer and stoneguard? I refurbished and re-bushed the rear arms on my 159 q4 last summer at the same time as replacing the rear shocks and springs and Kurust treated the whole of both arms before any further primer and paint. I decided on chassis paint for the finishing coat on my arms.

  • @nikolajolevski3232
    @nikolajolevski3232 Před 3 lety

    Job well done..👍🇲🇰

  • @ro63rto
    @ro63rto Před 3 lety +2

    For the amount of restorations you do, would it be worth investing in a dry ice blasting machine?

  • @RumpleXstillXskin
    @RumpleXstillXskin Před 3 lety +1

    Enjoined that nelly thanks 🙏 👍

  • @mcmkcd
    @mcmkcd Před 2 lety

    Watching these videos, I'm really astonished how cars are rusting in UK....weather at home is quite the same as it is in Uk (at least south UK) & I have no reports of cars rusting the same way...I don't know why rust seems to be a bigger problem in UK than here, could it be a larger use of salt on the roads?

    • @ItaliaAutos
      @ItaliaAutos  Před 2 lety

      Wait till you see the 159 in an upcoming video

  • @sloddybammer
    @sloddybammer Před 3 lety

    Looks like I’m looking for another gtv 6 then.
    I gotta say I’m a little disappointed about the brera not being as much fun but it is better to find from someone’s opinion I trust!
    The idea of the brera was a good option for me as I could do with the boot space but if I’m not going to get what I got from my gtv then there’s no point, so I’ll keep looking out for the right gtv👍❤️

    • @ItaliaAutos
      @ItaliaAutos  Před 3 lety

      Yeah skip them. Best alfa to buy now is the giulia with any engine in it.

    • @sloddybammer
      @sloddybammer Před 3 lety

      @@ItaliaAutos thanks for getting back to me fella but I really wanted a v6 again and definitely not a diesel as it’s not just the performance but sound is a huge part. I couldn’t stretch to a Quadrafolio so I will think on it but if you don’t mind I wouldn’t mind your opinion on the model before I commit. I’m not in a rush as the lease isn’t up on this car till next year so I have a bit of time unless the right car comes up! I’ve loved all my Alfa’s but my sud and gtv have always been in my heart lol x

    • @sloddybammer
      @sloddybammer Před 3 lety

      Great video mate btw and always look forward to the next ❤️

  • @anthonybrand6137
    @anthonybrand6137 Před 3 lety

    Neil, thank you for another interesting video, containing no nonsense, hard work. That subframe looked to be in poor shape...is that usual on Breras of this age?

  • @fhwolthuis
    @fhwolthuis Před 3 lety

    Great job! I wonder why they don't supply new dust covers with these new shocks, seems a bit of a shame to put the old and torn ones on again? And I always wonder how you protect the inside of the subframe against rust, or any patches for that matter. Isn't that necessary?

    • @ItaliaAutos
      @ItaliaAutos  Před 3 lety +2

      It gets waxoil sprayed on the inside if needed.

  • @SpecialVeloce
    @SpecialVeloce Před 2 lety

    Excellent video Neil, I have a question regarding the suspension, I'm assuming you've put the eibach pro kit and b6 dampers or a b12 like set.
    Has the harshness on bumpy roads went up. I'm to go a bit more comfy on b4 dampers. I'm on a 159 sw TI with tbi engine but very tempted to get the b6 dampers.

  • @JutKip
    @JutKip Před 2 lety

    Are these bilstein+eibach option best for brera?

  • @davestaddon5713
    @davestaddon5713 Před 2 lety

    Love your videos, but seriously, you really need to sort out that bench vice. Surely you find it irritating..no?

    • @ItaliaAutos
      @ItaliaAutos  Před 2 lety

      Lots of things irritate me but no time to sort them all I'm that busy.

  • @theexclusive1041
    @theexclusive1041 Před rokem

    Hi. Do you know of a national supplier. I need two rear axel bushes

  • @Andy-tt8zp
    @Andy-tt8zp Před 3 lety

    Completely off topic but do you think you will be doing video's of the Punto GT restoration?
    Love you video's btw

  • @alfanapodnosniku4155
    @alfanapodnosniku4155 Před 3 lety

    Hi, good job..but...what is strange...you don't clean old parts from rust and put toogether with the new ones...Why ? Also, why didn't you put a new protect rubber for shockabsorber...? lots of water and mud will attack them....anyway I like watching your jobs...Greetings from Poland (Alfa 159 2.0 jtdm owner) :)

  • @peterkleinveld9705
    @peterkleinveld9705 Před 3 lety +1

    Those subframes quality is appaling from FCA. Even my Lancia Thesis from a few years old had these rust issues.

  • @CathodeRayNipplez
    @CathodeRayNipplez Před 3 lety +2

    Do cars in continental Europe suffer rust on the same levels as the UK?
    Here is Au rust really isn't a thing at all.

    • @RyderGaming
      @RyderGaming Před 3 lety

      It varies. My 2005 GT came from Austria when it was barely a year old and lived on Hungarian roads and there's some rust on it and the side skirts need mending but it's not the worst. My 2014 Ford Focus that came from Germany has a lot more rust on it.

    • @mickymanchego3281
      @mickymanchego3281 Před 3 lety

      I have a 2009 brera 2.4 with 160k here in southern inland spain, it came from Italy and it is literaly like new underneath, original exhaust etc. very dry climate here.

  • @digi1234
    @digi1234 Před 3 lety

    you are allowed to weld subframes in the uk ?? any structural parts are not to be welded in my country.

    • @ItaliaAutos
      @ItaliaAutos  Před 3 lety

      Yes you just can't weld suspension components

  • @NaNa-wj8tw
    @NaNa-wj8tw Před 3 lety

    Neil, what was the cause of these subframe issues originally? Was it poor corrosion protection from the factory or the gauge of metal used being too thin?

    • @ItaliaAutos
      @ItaliaAutos  Před 3 lety

      Cheap chines metal and bad protection

    • @Strike86
      @Strike86 Před 3 lety +1

      Not galvanized unlike the rest of the chassis. Just painted (with crap paint).

  • @marchutchings8834
    @marchutchings8834 Před 3 lety

    damn, i wanted to watch it now............

  • @georgegillett6059
    @georgegillett6059 Před 3 lety

    Hi Neil, have you found some alfa models are easier to work on than others i.e. Guilia vs 159?

    • @ItaliaAutos
      @ItaliaAutos  Před 3 lety +1

      It just depends on what you have to fix.

  • @nsz2302
    @nsz2302 Před 3 lety

    So... about that Alfa 166. When will we see a proper video about it?

    • @ItaliaAutos
      @ItaliaAutos  Před 3 lety

      When it's fixed and doesn't break everything I look at it lol

    • @jonathanmagee9967
      @jonathanmagee9967 Před 3 lety +1

      Had a nearly new 166 back in the day but the paintwork was like orange peel to the point when I traded it in for a Fiat JTD that the dealer thought it had been crashed and repainted! Alfa’s of the era seemed to have variable quality paint jobs from the factory. It was a real head turner 20 years ago though to be fair.

    • @nsz2302
      @nsz2302 Před 3 lety

      @@jonathanmagee9967 I've got a very low mileage early 98' with the 2.5 cf2 busso. Special is the best word for it.

  • @JohnWess83
    @JohnWess83 Před 3 lety

    Is the brera 2.2 subframe same with 159 2.2?

  • @richardshaw1968
    @richardshaw1968 Před 3 lety

    Neil, do you ever use a copper mallet?

    • @ItaliaAutos
      @ItaliaAutos  Před 3 lety

      Rarely nowadays. Use a rubber mallet As well. If you know how hard you can hit somthing you can use what ever is bigger lol.

    • @richardshaw1968
      @richardshaw1968 Před 3 lety +1

      Fair play, as I say to the mrs it’s not the size of the tool it’s knowing what to do with it... you could see by the look on your face that you’re not into these Breras.

    • @ItaliaAutos
      @ItaliaAutos  Před 3 lety

      @@richardshaw1968 I've tried but I'm just not a fan of anything on the 159 platform.

    • @richardshaw1968
      @richardshaw1968 Před 3 lety

      @@ItaliaAutos I had a remapped 2.4 159, I enjoyed it but not a patch on the 2.2 giulia Speciale I have now…

  • @adrianshults4112
    @adrianshults4112 Před 3 lety

    Wish u would ware gloves while grinding

  • @fatwalletboy2
    @fatwalletboy2 Před 3 lety

    Good work neil.i take it the large patch uou welded in is not interfering with the clearamce or the car doesnt sit on that area given thst its now slightly prouder than the other side?

  • @The_Dee_Jay
    @The_Dee_Jay Před 3 lety

    Rather you than me tackling that crusty suspension 😕

  • @pfacka
    @pfacka Před 3 lety

    There is no way they could stick v8 in there. Even that V6 barely fits. People always judge it by sports car standards, which it isn't. Not with V6 under the hood and definitely not with a diesel. What are the alternatives: E90 coupe? a 996? a V8 Vantage? Okey. Last one ticks all the boxes, but now you are spending ~5x more.

  • @rynooosth
    @rynooosth Před 9 měsíci

    Brera is a nice car but to heavy

  • @sbaddison
    @sbaddison Před 3 lety

    Such poor preparation & finishing / protection from the factory. The black steel bits under my September 17 595 are already rusting at 8k miles😳

  • @mercedesfriesland
    @mercedesfriesland Před 3 lety

    Why are young Alfa's still has rust problems..🤔

  • @g00dfeeling
    @g00dfeeling Před 3 lety

    I thought that modern Italian cars don't have rust issues.

    • @CathodeRayNipplez
      @CathodeRayNipplez Před 3 lety +2

      I have an 11yo 159 and it hasn't a single spot of rust anywhere. Here in Au we don't cover our roads in car cancer either tho.

    • @richardjohnson3463
      @richardjohnson3463 Před 3 lety

      Top job. Top man

    • @timhancock6626
      @timhancock6626 Před 3 lety +2

      That's a 15 year old vehicle. How long do other cars last in UK conditions ? No longer let me assure you.

    • @CathodeRayNipplez
      @CathodeRayNipplez Před 3 lety +2

      @@timhancock6626 In saying 'UK conditions' you mean salted roads right? I ask as I live in a cold wet climate with a bit of snow on occasions and my cars are fine but we don't use salt. I'm surprised there isn't pressure to stop doing that as it simply kills everyone's vehicles (dunno what the fish in the creeks think about it?) to the tune of billions of dollars a year. Does northern Europe have the same rust issues as the UK?

    • @CathodeRayNipplez
      @CathodeRayNipplez Před 3 lety +2

      @Scott Taylor 10yo is not new but is still what most would reasonably call modern I would have thought.