Someone Else's Problem: Organ on Four Wheels (2005 Alfa Romeo GT 3.2 V6)

gt1750

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Joined
Sep 17, 2009
Messages
1,638
Location
Neu-Ulm, DE
Car(s)
'91 Saab 900 Turbo Cabrio, '18 Ford Smacks
Ever since I sold the 159 back in October 2019, the Italian mutation of Carowner virus was trying to manifest itself more intensively. I was looking to replace the 2005 Smart ForFour that was purchased as a sensible second car, but was getting less and less use, with something less economical and maybe even less practical, but still seating four. I was even thinking of getting my first oldtimer - a 75 TS, but the lack of mechanical skills and garage space together with not-so-generous budget put me back into FWD Alfas. I knew I wanted a Busso V6 again, but not the 2.5 I had already and also not the turbocharged 2.0. That meant my choice was limited to the 3.0 12V/24V and 3.2 24V units and the models they were put into - the 164, 166, 156 GTA, 147 GTA and the GT. The 916 GTV was out, because the rear seats are not really that usable. The GTAs tend to cost a lot if the car is in a decent original condition.

So fast forward to late may, when the C-19 restrictions eased down a bit and I was heading to a specialist in Pforzheim to check four (!) 166 3.2 V6s he had on offer. The first one I tried disappointed me, because of it's generally poor condition and unattractive all-beige interior. Other two looked similarly scruffy, but there was a decent looking grey one I was willing to try out. In the meantime, he showed me a grey GT 3.2 that was imported from Switzerland and not advertised for sale yet. As soon as they got it running and I heard it idle, I knew this is the one. The test drive revealed no obvious issues apart from worn front brake pads, the price he asked was very acceptable and offered to do change the cambelt (previous documented change in 2015), do the brakes and a few things for an extra price. Come June, the car was delivered to me with fresh German TÜV and necessary paperwork, ready to be registered. That wasn't quick however, because getting an appointment and additional papers for the registration took some time due to C-19 restrictions. But I was able to finally get the car registered mid-June.

When I got it, the Alfa was on non-original, scuffed 17" rims with winter tyres. So I ordered a set of 18" rims (that needed spacers on the V6 because of bigger brakes up front - the e-shop recommended added a set of 15mm ones), summer tyres and after everything was delivered, took the Alfa to a workshop to get it all fitted. And also to get the AC checked, because there was no cold air coming from the vents. The workshop discovered, that one of the new rims came damaged, so the e-shop sent me a new one, free of charge. Then they fitted everything onto the car, refilled the AC (which did the trick) and told me one of the rear bearings was too noisy. I blamed the winter tyres before, but apparently the noise didn't go away with fresh summer rubber... Anyway, I wanted to get the wheels in the car papers to make them legal and guess what? The TÜV guy told me it's a no go, because the spacers push the wheels in the rear too far outwards and there could be a contact between the rubber and the wheelarch if the car's fully loaded. Well then... I got another shop to change the wheel bearing and install thinner (10mm) spacers and just on the day I was going to leave for Ringmeeet, I finally got the wheel/tyre/spacer combo into papers.

Anyway, here are some pics:

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Now for some basic description: She's a 2005 Alfa Romeo GT with the sweet sounding 3179cc V6, powering the front wheels via a 6-speed manual box. The engine also looks nice:

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The interior is all-black and despite having over 200k km on the clock now (197.800 when bought), the leather is well preserved, and there are almost no rattles to be heard.

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The front seats are super comfy and supportive, the rear ones even offer acceptable space for adults. And you can even fold them to extend the luggage space, unlike in 156/166/164! This is how the boot looks like BTW, it's reasonably spacious for a coupe:

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The GT is reasonably well equipped:
- xenon headlamps
- cruise control
- heated seats
- dual zone A/C
- integrated subwoofer (part of the BOSE sound system, but for some unknown reason, the front speakers don't have the logos) and CD changer

The car is largely stock, bar a few things:
- the aforementioned and pictured 18"rims
- duplex CSC Marmitte exhaust that sounds and looks great (standard is two chromed tips of the same size and shape on the driver's side)
- Kenwood radio unit with DAB, Bluetooth and USB (replaced the shitty and outdated original unit with satnav)

The exhaust and radio were installed by the previous Swiss owner, and they have earned their right to stay.

So far I put around 3.000 kms and two touristy Nordschleife laps on it and loved it so far. The engine sounds glorious and has the right amount of oomph, the throttle response is instant, the handling is nice and direct (possibly the best out of the Alfas I owned so far) and I love looking back at it. I just have to keep an eye at the coolant level, the engine seems to have developed a thirst for it. Might have to visit the workshop again - but that's the Alfa Romeo experience I've been missing all that time, right? :D
 
Phew, he's back. For a while there I thought you had be replaced by a "Sugar, in water" type alien. Looks very nice but you're braver than me parking an Alfa in a field of flammable stuff. :LOL:
 
And just today I was telling my brother about you and your Alfa Romeos...great purchase!
 
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NOICE.
 
As I said at the ringmeet...so much want. :9
 
A proper driver's car. I was seriously impressed. Sound is proper, steering is proper, seating position is proper, heel and toe works like a charm.
I thought the car would be totally front-heavy, but it's not. Also, very good brakes.

I wish you lots of fun with this!
 
how is that possible? An italian car that looks this good despite being so old and having THAT many miles on it!
Very,very jealous
 
how is that possible? An italian car that looks this good despite being so old and having THAT many miles on it!
Very,very jealous
Right?!?

That interior is holding up great.
 
*poke*
 
It's too bad we could never verify you owned it before selling it. :D
 
Why are you selling it?
Not enough use. I have 3 cars mostly standing around, doing nothing and costing money so I think reducing that by one might be the sensible thing to do.
 
Busso ownership is not sensible to begin with but I see your point 😁
 
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