Rule #1: Always park next to another Alfa, if possible

I'm only familiar with the US market giulia, but I think these wheels look great (maybe a blue car would look better lol). Wondering if they're factory or off another car - thanks!

Going on a long trip in October as the title says, going from Glasgow to Pompeii, in my 2018 2.2 diesel Alfa. Did a load of slightly overdue maintenance in February, the 60k service interval. Car has only done 40k but over the 5 years so did it anyway.

Getting it booked in for an oil change, the ZF service and MOT before I go, but can any of you lovely people think of any thing else I might want to do.

I should note the car broke down twice on me recently, once being the fuel pump and control module and one being the battery failed, so they’ve been replaced.

Thanks in advance

Firstly, I’m getting annoyed with the lack of availability of discontinued and obsolete parts for the 159 2.2 JTS. Coolant hose, engine mount, power steering pipe, etc You know the ones.

Sure, there are lots of parts OEM and others aftermarket when it suits but, geez, so many of my recent repairs have required those elusive parts that don’t seem to exist, no matter the cost!

Survived so far, thanks to the help of a few different mechanics and online advice but is it time to pass on the 159 to someone who else the time, patience and finances to keep it on the road?

Regular maintenance is key. I’m used to that now. It’s just common sense really. But, is it time to change up to a daily driver that is a little cheaper on parts - or, more importantly, doesn’t have quite such rare parts, for that matter?

But then, I’ve been spoilt. This is only my second car. My first was the SAAB 900 Aero. Classic ‘89 era. Both cars handle well. They’re driver’s cars. Solid. No body roll like the crap cars we’ve hired on vacation. You feel as one with them when you drive on longer road trips. Driving feels enjoyable, not just a chore like it does in, say, a Hyundai i30. You know the story.

But, very little options compare to my old SAAB and my current 159 on the market these days. That is, for under AUD$15k or thereabouts, give or take.

I’ve considered wagons, for their practicality, first and foremost. Audi A4? BMW 330i Touring? Volvo V60 Cross Country? Skoda Octavia RS? Peugeot 508 GT? Hmm… I like the idea of occasional capability on unsealed roads too, or rare drives above the snow line. I don’t really need a 4x4. A Land Rover would be nice, but gawd, that’d be worse than maintaining a 159….

See my dilemma? What’s your advice, fellow Alfistis? I’m asking here because you understand. You get me. You know what I’ve been through. You know how I feel behind the wheel of these cars. Because you feel it too. Nobody else does. But then, nobody else I know has owned an Alfa.

Secondly, as a side, how do the servicing, parts cost and repairs of a Giulia compare to the 159?

The Giulia is an incredibly emotional driver's car that brings joy on any good road. Sure, infotainment, fuel consumption and insurance costs are not top tier, but you get unmatched character and driving dynamics. I would have never let her go if it only came down to the driving experience.

After three years of my Italian adventure, it is time to say goodbye. I now need a more practical vehicle for financial reasons, but I fully savored these three years on the best roads in Europe, including the Strada della Forra at Lake Garda, the Schwarzwaldhochstraße, the Oberjochpass, the Eifel around the Nürburgring, and the Schauinslandstraße. Nothing from the German premium competitors comes close to the Giulia on real public roads. It is a car for drivers, not posers.

The Giulia is a beautiful and loyal companion that makes every drive fun. Those who enjoy taking a detour on country roads will be highly rewarded. My journey now continues in a Mazda 3, which I consider the closest thing to a modern Alfa Romeo Giulietta.

With all this talk of Alfas 2020+ being reliable... it seems true, I haven't seen too many issues about engine or transmission failures. Maybe oil/turbo leak or something with the radiator at most.

Also having checked many carfax reports, I haven't any major issues having to be repaired.

It seems like everyone here recommends getting the extended warranty.. but is there anyone here who doesn't have one? And ended up regreting it because of unforeseen repairs?

EDIT: thanks all, gonna skip the warranty and save $4.5k

So, had a full service done around 9500 miles - local garage. When car hit 10000 miles change oil service message is there every time I press start. Took it back to get it reset but they tried and failed, as has a second garage. Any thoughts welcome!

As the title suggests I am considering buying this specific Alfa Giulietta, the link for the car is here: https://olx.ba/artikal/7805395 (not malware I promise). It is a 2011 Giulietta Q2 2.0 JTDm engine with 200k kilometres. The price when converted is around 5.5k€ and for where I live this price is insane, almost too good to be true tbh. It has had a lot of work done to it as well:

Headliner reupholstered in Alcantara, including the pillars – €332

Three-stage paint correction/polish and ceramic coating applied – €332

110mm straight pipe from the manifold to the back, professionally done – €307

18" multispoke wheels, original from the Giulietta QV – €511

Used red leather seats from the Giulietta QV Line – €307

Novitec sport lowering springs – €190

New KYB front shock absorbers – €230

New Monroe rear shock absorbers – €184

Complete front suspension/control arms rebuilt

Minor service with all filters, including fuel filter, at 199,000 km

Steering wheel and gear shifter reupholstered – €128

Stage 1 tune with hardcut (rev limiter/pop) –

Full window tint including the windshield – €179

The only thing that really worries me is the exhaust and stage 1 tune, anyone with any experience on how these cars handle these modifications.

All in all the car looks really good and the price seems too good to be true especially with the amount of extra parts and labour. Would really appreciate advice on how to approach this, still have my Fiat Punto Sporting as first car and been really looking forward to and excited to upgrade to something like the Giulietta 😃, but I know these cars can be a double edged sword...

Hi.
My 2017 giulia have some problem with a radio.
When i switch media source to aux or bluetooth i see on my screen that source is selected. But on speakers all i hear is fm radio.
I think i have to replace my radio unit, but i bought used one and multiecuscan said that unit is already written with other car. Anyone knows how can i clear that unit so i can proxy it into my car?

Bought it new in the summer of 2024 from a dealership five minutes from me.

- No problems at all in the first year. Brought in for routine maintenance at 4400 miles, they find an oil leak at the front crankshaft seal. Took a month to fix due to lack of parts.

- Dealership/service center near me closes a few months later.

- Get the car back, drives beautifully with no issues for another 9 months. Washing it on the driveway and notice a few oil spots. Schedule maintenance and repair at the only remaining Alfa dealer in my state, which is 30 minutes away and booked out for over a month. Car has a little over 8000 miles.

- Bring it back in. They find an oil leak at the same place that was repaired last time. After a little back and forth over whether my warranty will cover it, they agree to repair it, but do not know when they will be able to get to it because they are fully booked. So the car is sitting in their shop until they can find the time to fix it.

Bummed about it, but the inconvenience of these minor repairs is just not worth it to me anymore. I love the car. I still look forward to driving it for every 10 minute errand. Still get comments at gas stations and people at work. Not sure what the replacement will be.

Car is a ‘19 q4 stelvio. Title, should I replace the guibo ASAP or does this not look too urgent? Thanks!

p.s. I know alfa doesn’t sell the guibo by itself, any recs on where to order the part?

Who doesnt understand please translate the text , its in romanian

Hi!

I have a 2024 Stelvio, and I’ve been taking it to my closest dealership for maintenance every 10k miles. Last year, they told me I should follow the Alfa Romeo recommended service schedule, and this year, they told me that at 30k miles, I need to replace the spark plugs. I’m not very knowledgeable about cars, so I’m wondering , is that actually required at 30k, or are they just trying to upsell me? Please be kind, I don't know much about cars. Thank you!

Been having heavy rain the last two weeks so it’s been sitting in the garage. But was able to take her out this weekend for a spirited drive. She’s about to go under the one for some maintenance and upgrades I’ve been collecting and hoarding the last year.

Ciao a tutti, volevo chiedere a chi può e vuole rispondere, come prima macchina come può essere comprare una Giulietta a benzina e che motorizzazione prendere e cosa devo aspettarmi, sopratutto lato punti negativi se ce ne sono??
Grazie mille

Title said everything pick in choose who is who. 😁

I have recently bought a 2011 Alfa Romeo Giuletta 1.4 TB 120hp. For the last month it has started to display some errors on cold start but only in the mornings.

As shown in the video the first start of the day begins normally, the engine sometimes tries to stumble but after a few seconds the fuel gauge drops to 0 and then a couple of errors appear in my board beside the check engine.

The warning messages I get: "start stop unavailable", "vds unavailable " (sometimes it says vcs), "hill assist unavailable ", "steering assist unavailable ".

After I let it do it's startup even with these on and then restart the car the fuel gauge goes to 0 again and then it comes back in place. After a 3rd restart the problem doesn't seem to persist, only the check engine stays with "start stop unavailable ". And after a 4th start even that dissappears.

The spark plugs were changed recently alongside with the oil and the filters.

The battery passed all tests.

The ground cables are all cleaned and checked.

The cables in trunk hatch were fixed.

If I attempt to do a cold start but in the afternoon it starts fine.

When a diagnostic tool is inserted it only displays throttle failure and fuel pump failure.

Any ideas if this is purely voltage drop during cranking, a dying throttle body, or a CAN-bus communication error?

Feel free to ask questions about any other detail I might have missed.

Update 1: Just checked the communication from the fuel pump. The pump displays ok data and the computer sends the 12V through the cable. I start believing that the pump isn't priming properly or that the fuel goes back into the tank either after the engine cools down or after staying stationary for a more hours (10 or more hours).

Who doesnt understand , please translate from romanian