Dude, the knowledge you have of Alfas is impressive. If I ever get one I'll be buying one from you.

We're lucky over here in Australia. We dont get the rust issues at all. Re the glove box handle...same in the 147. Mine came clean off. Super-glued it back on. Worked perfectly and never came off again. Highly recommend this as a permanent and zero cost fix. Some people are funny about the idea of gluing it back on (myself included) but given it's a sealed unit, you dont loose anything. It's not like it was removable and replaceable from factory. Glue works :D

Still, this is one great Alfa coupe worth buying. Got one for 4 years now and I really enjoy it.

spot on with all these issues, i'd also be tempted to mention the swirl flaps again and also the front window screen drainage hole that allows collected water to be drained away has a tendancy to block with dirt, if un-noticed this can start corrosion.

Every time I start thinking about getting an Alfa I watch one of these videos and revert to keeping my Mercedes. A Merc buyers guide is mainly about what options to look for. Alfa BG's are about what will explode first...

Sticky window switches clean up very nicely with a good rub with some brake cleaner or aceton free nail polish remover. You end up with very smooth black switches witch look and feel great and the symbols stay on.

Came here to see if door handles are mentioned, and they are! I managed to snap both of mine off,luckily not at same time. But what a pain opening door from passenger side to get in.

Thanks for the info ive just bought a gt after watching this and subscribed

Very good thank you. The problem is that Alfa's were never designed for the UK market...too much water leading to rot.. Citroen the same, owning and drive an elderly Citroen in the south of France is a very different experience...

If the pull part of the door handle fails you can repair it with some 3mm thick stainless wire and a link from a bike chain. Ince done it's better than new

Door hinges/stoppers can go bad and the door will sag a little bit making it rub on the bottom when closing. The side windows will some times only move upwards in slow increments, very often you can fix this by pressing and holding down the buttons for about 10 seconds. Front headlamps can start leaking and fogging up very easily. Can be fixed by removing and applying glue to the seam between front glass and back cover, or separating the two and regluing them. Often you have to buy new headlamps, which costs over 200 pounds a piece. Taillights and other lights can also fog up but isn't that crucial. Behind the front wheels it is common for sand and debris gathering behind the inner wheel guards, which can trap moisture and eventually rust. Same goes for in front of rear wheels as well. For the Twin Spark engine it is common to have excessive oil consumption, this can be prevented by buying higher quality oil (any quality brand name eg. Castrol Magnatec/Edge, Mobil1 etc. will do, and running 5w-40 can be beneficial in cold weather) and changing more often (Alfa reccomends changing every 12000 miles, I would change it at most at 6-8000 miles). Camshaft variator can go bad for the TS. This is identified by a diesel like rattle on startup. Running fresher oil and 5w-40 instead of 10w-40 can limit this as its thinner while cold. You can repair the camshaft variator but unless you're very skilled your best bet is buying a new one, will set you back a little over 100 pounds. Cam belt interval is every 3 years or 36000 miles (used to be twice this but was lowered to these values in 2006, for good reason). Exceeding this can result in a cam belt, tensioners, water pump etc. failing. plugs can be stuck in the twin spark engine, be cautious of the smaller 4 plugs as they very easily break both when tightening (only rated for 10nm for tightening torque) and especially removing if they havent been replaced before (usually the case), which can potentially be a very large job removing.

I’ve got a 1.9 jtdm and its a great car, probably the most economical car I’ve ever had in fact! Maybe I should do a feature on my channel?? 🤔

Wished I’d known about you earlier I would have saved myself a lot of time and expense lol.

Just what the doctor ordered! I would love to see a review on the 2.0 JTS.

Another great video, really informative channel! Got a 2.0 JTS GT myself and absolutely love it :)

Bought my gt 54 plate jtd last September for 900 quid, just gone through the mot no problems. Haven't spent anything on it bar for a window ecu jobbie! Great cars.....has dented cills of course. Great video btw.

Can certainly vouch for the door handle issues. The drivers door handle broke off my 2010 Cloverleaf last year, which I got replaced. The passenger side has just recently broken now as well. :(

Encountered most of these problems in my car... Spent fortunes and ended up selling as baby was on the way... Still love this car and the design of it. My window seals needed changing annoying when washing the car. Will I buy one again hmmm if history is good than only otherwise no lol

Some interesting Alfa's and Fiat in the background

Verry fun to drive car... Mine is 1.9 jtd from 2005,bought it 2 years ago and it's an endless money pit, had all the problems you've mentioned plus a lot more electrical problems. The only thing I did not touch is the engine, turbo and injectors... Yet!!

Just saved me from a nasty swap big Thanks mate. This video is a massive Help

Thanks for the buyers guide - very informative! Nice Giallo 145 in the background!

I was going to buy one but coming from a Honda of the 90's (CB7 Accord, EF8 CRX, EG2 DelSol, BA5 Prelude and CD5 Accord) this has not only have problems I normally would not get in a 30 year old Honda but it seems to be more of it. The main problem on a 30 year old Honda is essentially wear and tear of funnily enough the non mechanical components (seat bolster, seat belts, steering wheel, interior door handle and of course paint). No inherent electrical problems, little to no plastic failures, little to no big rust problems (not at the 10-13 year old mark anyway) and little to no engine problems, cooling or transmissions (other than age related seals or clutch which is intended to be replaceable anyways).

Great and useful video! Looking at a gt with the 2.0 jts engine. Is it å good engine?

What a beautiful car but apparently this one was never maintained properly.

great vid btw. Subbed even though I'm in Aus. You clearly know your stuff.

The first think you said with the pan on the shocker happened exactly with mine in 4 months of owner ship. Luckily i had 6 months of warranty xD other then that i only had the thermostat fail and a shit ton of light bulbs. Compared to my previous car that is a lot of problems but the fun of the car is soooo worth it! own the 2.0 JTS

Love you channel please keep posting more videos, starting work on my Alfa Romeo gt run out edition next year. :-)

Just bought my 2nd gt, my four alfa! Cloverleaf in blue love it dont see many of them about.😀

Thanks 👍 like the Gt looking for a 3.2 but still have my 147 but good Tips from you keep up the good work 😀💪👍👍.

This doesnt apply to Australia for instance. The UK is much wetter and here in Oz, theres rarely any rust under the car. In Australia cars dont really have rust during their lifetime until they are well into their retirement years.

Great looking car but this video will help my head rule my heart when I go to look at one this weekend! Thanks for this in-depth guide, I'll keep it all in mind, it will look like I know what I'm doing :D

I feel a bit better about the 04 model I have just bought. Most of the niggly things are ok, but I do have a creased sill and corrosion on the bottom corners. I have not been able to drive it because my back box disintegrated, and I cannot find one. Soon she will be going in for a stainless bespoke system. I do have an oil leak but it seems to be from the rocker cover, so no drama. The underbody work looks quite straight forward so I am thinking of having a go at that myself. Unless a friendly welder with a passion for old Alfaesses passes by. I have a black interior with silver body. I get a lot of remarks on how pretty it is. I love it, but sometimes think I should have got that V6 156 I saw. Mmmm Maybe a V6 after this one.

200 000 miles? I got two Alfas with this engine, GT and 159, GT has 317 000 miles, and 159 has 360 000 miles, and there's nothing wrong with them, both working like gold ;) If you think you can buy 13 years old diesel with less than 200 000 miles, then in 95% cases it's just fake mileage.

Got this car for 1 year, amazing interior, amazing sound system, and amazing handling but problems was alot... every month some problems was showing :))) but still i miss this car cuz it has soul

I am going bring my Alfa to your garage for a service

That's rough ruff ruff. There are electrical gremlins mainly the crappy airbag warning light under the seat also the rev and speedo will just intermittently stop and restart.

Seeing a LOT of crossover parts and layout from the fiat coupe in there!

Brilliant guide - Thanks for sharing all your knowledge 👍

Springpan rusting off from shockers is annoying. Had it twice, once popped the tyre also. Make sure you replace both of shockers when that happens.

Phew, just dodged an Italian bullet. Thanks.

Great info! I've always liked these and looking at possibly getting a 1.9 diesel in the near future, as an economical daily driver for the miles I do, but with the beautiful Alfa styling! You mention the gear box whine you can get in 2nd and 3rd gears, so im wondering, since I know this is the same engine as found in the Astra and Vectra etc, is it the same gear box they use, which also suffers with the same bearing issues?

2005 1.9 with 220 bhp, well said, very nice to drive :D

Why don’t people just spray anti rust protection on the underside, like they do in colder climates such as in Canada? Is there a reason why not to? I love the leather interior on Alfa’s.

where did you find that old can!? I have mine for about 16 years and the only thing in common with this one is the sticky interior. I changed transmissions a week ago after 16 years! a clutch. The gearbox is the same, without intervention, it works like butter.

Hi Neil, you mentioned on the GTV guide that it was easy and relatively inexpensive to "clone" the key for that model. Does the same apply to a (2004) GT?

Hello, I don't have a light in the box or the warnings either. What can be ?? thank you

You sound a little bit Australian, interesting! I think it's the upwards inflection at the end of your sentences, lol. :)

Great guide! I have a 2004 model, doors seem to let in a lot of water in heavy rain. This causes the ecu to go nuts and create all sorts of problems, including opening windows on it's own even when the car is off. Any ideas how to seal this properly ?

Hi Neil, what's the availability of oem sill repair panels or are those on ebay ok to use please? Loving the content btw, still working my way through the old ones, keep up the good work 👏

Had my gt cloverleaf 1.9 jtdm around 3 and a half years odd problem only big expense was the clutch as its a dual mass flywheel one but what a great car to drive looks awesome loads of power reliable would I change it for a German car NO had a 156 before this one and that let me down once in 13yrs

I'm 20, looking for a GT in the next year or two. I would love a 3.2 but im going to opt for the 1.9 i think

2 Tips on the headlight / sidelight bulbs. Always replace in pairs, and never start the car with the lights switched on or you'll go through bulbs like a kid goes through sweeties.

Just an additional warning for those of you with the 3.2. The standard diff is not up to the job, mine went recently and chucked bits through the casing, taking out clutch and gearbox on the way. Still waiting for a Quaiffe and a rebuild 4 weeks later

Get your Alfa re under sealed when you get it should last forever then!

The flimsy door handles is the reason they let you open the windows (but not close them) from the key fob. Thoughtful Italians.

Plastic door handles, what year did they change them?

Wow, it's a lot of rust compared to the average Alfa's here in Italy. Probably because of the weather

Hi Neil, great video I'm looking at buying one now as they seem to be creeping up in value. Which would you recommend the 1.8 TS or 2.0 JTS please? I'm staying way from anything diesel and 3.2 is way too expensive to tax here in Ireland, depending on year 1800 to 2400 euro per annum!!! Thanks in advance

So everything gets rust? 😭😭

Hola me dejo de funcionar las luces de cuadro y los warnings . Alguien me puede decir por qué ?? Alfa romeo gt 1.9 jtd 2006

man looking at those alfa buying guide videos I must say I didn't know Alfas are so badly made, could be mistaken for chinese products if they werent so beautiful, I mean... so many things can break on Alfas I would never thought they can break on any car... I have 2007 3-series and it works like a charm, all car parts are very robust, except some trim materials... but I would still like to have an alfa

Thank you for your review

Dude,, u seems quite expert in alfa

Thanx for all that valuable information Is there anything that doesn’t rot, break or fall off this car? Still looks a beauty 🙃 & I still want one 🙄

Can we call this Ultimate indepth review will ever see for Alfa? 😊

Hallo Can you take about the cluch and his problems in the Alfa Romeo147

Beautiful car by Bertone. His last in fact. Messy quality. Wouldnt dare buying one now

I have a 1999 156 2.0TS Thanks to mayor of London I can no longer drive it across London and in a year ish I won't be able to drive it around the corner from my house 😤😤😤 I'll have to get rid and buy another Alfa model from 2006 onwards.

A beautiful car

Hi, love your videos and work. I have a 1.9 jtdm and am looking for an oil cooler and pipes, do you have any suppliers ? Cheers.

Hi Neil. I’m currently eyeing up a GT 2.0 JTS. Really tidy with full service and 57,000 on the clock. 09 plate. You seem to not be a fan of the JTS. Should I avoid this car and if so, can you tell me why? Cheers mate

Is replacing the shock absorbers an expensive fix? I don't expect you to give a figure just an idea as to whether it is a pricey job or fairly reasonable. Thanks in advance

Very curious which model of Alfa would you say is most reliable? And which year ? Out of 147/giulietta/ GT/ brerra which one would be all round best and reliable?

wonderful car!

Any chance you can do a video on changing the air filter on a 147/GT JTD engine? I can't for the life of me figure out how to get the air box cover off - too many things in the way!

Nice video thank you for sharing that info 👍🇬🇧

Do I need to do any changes to the suspension If I want to swap my 16in spoked alloy wheels for 17in ones on a 2004 2.0 JTS?

Alfa Romeo Gt JTD - does this car have pcv valve or just catch tank (oil seperator) ?

I am looking at a alfa 2007 159ti with 160000km on it,has a 2.2lt with selespeed trans,what should i look out for,i am in Australia would it be worth checking under car for subframe rust. thanks

Have you an video on changing alternator on alfa 159 2.4 jtd?

Can you please do a video how to replace the side grilles? 16:32

So what Alfa Romeo is more reliable? The GT or the Brera?

P0238 Turbocharger Supercharger Boost Sensor A Circuit Hight Any advice/tips regarding for this error on GT ?

Loose glovebox lever can be fixed for free by drilling a tiny hole from the inside :)

You can tell that the owner neglected it for quite a while. Luckily, most of repairs aren't really all that expensive.

Lovely video. The car looks nasty underneath tho. Would it be better to use £350 to rustprotect it?

La tenevi parcheggiata a mollo nel Tamigi? È il prggior sottoscocca che ho visto in vita mia...e ne ho visti tantissimi.

How much for a camshaft replacement/refurbishment/restoration on a 2.0 petrol engine?

Hello. Is gt q2 Jtd lower than regular gt Jtd? Are they use different springs? Will I lower my gt Jtd if I use springs from q2?

When the shockers fail like this what is the repair process. Which parts are required? Just bought a GT, this went after a long drive, looks visibly dropped on rear offside.

Great video. Keep it up.

Should i buy alfa romeo gt 1.9 110kw diesel 2006?

Can u please tell me, where is located AC condensation drain tube on GT?

I dont get it with the rusting becaus i havent seen a gt with a spot of rust, its true that we have almost no snow here but still here veryone is saying gts dont rust at all

What I can see of this car is that it hasnt been taken care of but here in the UK people dont care much about their cars. The issues on the underneath of this car will happen I think in any car in any country where you get snow or if you live close to the ocean. I am interested in a 2.0 JTS or a JTD but I prefer petrol cars to diesel cars and if I end up going for a diesel, has to be before mid 2007 cuz of the dpf. Whats your opinion of the 3.2 v6 engines? Regards

Hi, what about the pertrol engines. Are those as reliable as the diesel? Common problems?

Can i contact you for a question. About an gt from 2004

Any tips for an alternator change on these with a V6? Possible with subframe in? Thank you.

Do you have a link to the badges mate? Mine need doing again, I paid about £20 each last time I think it was about 5 years ago. Had mine just over 6 years, mapped by AlfaTune . Car has been a little neglected, want to give it some TLC.