MikeyRules

Yes I'm with you Rosso. I really don't understand Marchioni's thinking at all in Killing off Lancia!? He'd be better off selling the brand to someone who can do something with it. Ypsilon is one if not 'the' best selling small car in Italy and like you say has enjoyed some success across Europe too. Yes the Delta hasn't lived up to it's heritage and was probably doomed to fail from the off as everyone was bound to compare it to it's 80's/90's legacy. But as a 'c' segment car isn't as bad as the press made it out to be... Chrysler was definitely a limiting factor outside of Italy as perception is everything.

Yes I had a 2009 2.4 5 cylinder diesel Brera running just shy of 300bhp and 502nm... I liked the improvements Prodrive made to the 'S' but wasn't that enamoured with either of the petrol engines. The 2.2 (GM engine) is lack lustre, sounds drab and has a terrible flat spot on take off making it scary when pulling out of junctions. This is fixable though with an induction kit and mild remap, or you can learn to drive around the problem using more revs, although that kills the clutch eventually. The 3.2 again a GM engine is much better although nothing compared to the old Busso V6's and probably the one to have if you want petrol. This also is quite muted and a bit linear in power delivery but doesn't have the hesitation issue like the 2.2. There's not much to look out for providing the car has been well maintained and most niggles and issues should have already been dealt with under warranty. The issues I can remember are: 1. 19'' wheels ware out the inner edges very quickly as the car are set up this way. This is rectified by having the front aligned and set to zero camber. 2. Rocking drivers seat. This was quite bad in all 939 cars (Spider, Brera, 159) 3. Clutch pedal. The cable is attached to the back of the pedal with a toggle clip and this can detach making the pedal shoot straight to the floor! Quite scary if you're half way around the Evo triangle like I was when it happened to me!! The clutch pedal can also creak when pressed. 4. Boot and door seals. Check carpets are dry and don't show any signs of water ingress. 5. Power steering: There was a problem with the wrong colour steering fluid having been used. Can't remember whether red or green was the correct one, but basically the wrong one caused premature failure of the rack. 6. Rear arches really suffer from stone chips and pitting caused by stones and road debris being fired off the back of the front tyres. Their is some protection film fitted from the factory which isn't big enough or strong enough to stop the damage. The best cure is front mud flaps. 7. Wind noise: But tbh every Alfa I've ever owned has had this. The Italians just can't seem to get the door and seals to fit well enough, and the huge mirrors also whistle in the wind. I loved both my Brera and 939 Spider and most of those things listed above are just niggles really and not all present on every car. I'd have another as they get lots of attention and still look fresh and fantastic even 9 years on! Oh from memory the 'S' didn't have 'Sky Vision (SV) which is basically the glass roof with electric blind. The 'S' did have unique Prodrive wheels though, improved lighter suspension and re-designed exhaust tips.

I've just bought a new Motorola Moto G second gen with 5'' screen and android 5 lollipop for little over £100 and have to say Google ownership of Motorola has made it the bargain of the decade! I've always had HTC but couldn't justify the cost of the new HTC One M9, but so far I'm not disappointed!

Get some braided hoses on there while it's all in bits!

No just been and checked and can only see a tiny hole in the spoiler. Are you sure you haven't got the same problem I had? Mine had the hose come apart where it was joined together just by the battery.

It might be worth using a bit of silicon sealer around that 12mm hole to seal the unit?

Lol you weren't joking when you said you're a technophobe! I'll have to bring you into this century kicking and screaming! I suspect us 'Italian' car lovers all park the same? I.E. Either well away from everyone else or in a space that doesn't allow for door prangs! It is funny though how Italian cars do gravitate to one another in car-parks!

No although I suppose I could always take one off and check. (Yes 17s) The colour actually matched my car rather than the wheels which are lighter, but somehow it all seems to work, especially when they're dirty!

Hairdryers? Is this some sort of girl invention you speak of? ...and airing cupboards? What sort of 20th century wives tale is this? (As you can tell... I own neither lol!) These modern plastic lights are notorious for letting in moisture and the odd bit of wildlife. My MX5 had a dead fly in the nearside rear light and for the life of me I couldn't get it out. I have known people to carefully place a little bag of silica gel inside the cover where possible, although from your description this sounds like that's not possible either?

Yes I took my dad last year and it wasn't bad for a first attempt. We usually do Auto Sport in Jan and I have a club stand at the Classic Car Show there in November, so it's quite nice to have a third event there now. Tickets are just £10.50 with club code if you book in advance too.

I'm in Cheshire but the trouble and strife's family are in Bum so happy to centralise... I always seem to miss MITCAR for some reason or other. I do go to a few of the classic car shows throughout the year Tatton Park, NEC, and the Manchester Classic Car show etc. The next show I'm planning to be at is the end of March: http://www.necrestorationshow.com/ Not really good for a Delta catch-up though....

I forgot to mention the flashing mileage is due to the replacement head unit. Its the only conflict and fault code showing, and it won't clear either. I think its being caused by the steering wheel can bus adapter. When I can be assed I'll disconnect and try again.

Yeah I've got a friend like that who will have a go at fixing anything. He's a retired electronics' engineer and he loves a challenge... The only problem is that he's always busy so only any good if you can leave it with him for a few weeks. I'm pretty good with most things as have refurb'd a few houses, rebuilt a few cars both classic and modified etc., am ok at soldering, but have no idea when it comes to circuit boards.

Or even if it had just said 'Delta' and then would have done for both Chrysler and Lancia branded cars...

Yeah didn't bid either as I'm not sure it's something I want to be honest... What happened to that guy you were contacting regarding the Martini stripe sill strips? I still can't find any OEM style ones for sale anywhere...

Ouch that's no bargain... As Rosso says it's gotta be worth a butchers to see it it's something simple. Have you have a look if any cars are being broken on eBay?

Sounds easy peasy!

That's weird mine have stayed on and been fine... You must be like the ready-brek kid if your body heat is unsticking them in your pocket! Where did you get the fob covers from in the end?

I wouldn't have bought one if it hadn't been for the great used prices these go for. I still can't believe what a bargain it was, and is a lot of car for the money. I was after another Alfa GT, but £7.5 - 8k would have only got me a 2008 car with 40-50k on the clock, so the Delta won.

Never drove the n/a 2.2 so can't comment, but do know that engine was rubbish in both the Astra and Brera... (Although the American's did do a supercharger kit for it)The Z20LET is completely different in both delivery and power being turbo'd and highly tuneable, mine was like being behind a Vulcan bomber at full chat. One of my friends still comments 10 years on about a journey we did to Santa Pod raceway one summer where he tried to follow me down the M1 in his Courtney turbo'd VXR. (330BHP)

Here you go chaps: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/161509040331?_trksid=p2059210.m2749.l2649&var=460535140542&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT Buy two and get 20% off... I can't find the 'Delta' key ring fob in my eBay purchase history for some reason? It won't show me December when I select 2014? I was going to Dremel off the loop at the bottom of the 'D' and then stick to the dash on the passenger side like the earlier cars as I couldn't find the proper one? It is a bit sharp Neil if you're not careful lol

Not too bad to be honest, certainly better than expected. These were £2.50 each inc delivery. In black I bet you could hardly tell the difference. There were more expensive ones plus some OE.

Key covers arrived today... Have to say I'm not quite sure about the colours but at least they're not as boring as the black.

Well I'm under there all the time... so we'll agree to disagree Yeah my hill holder works great and comes on all the time, and was the same on all my Alfa's. I don't have auto lights or wipers but again on the TI's it worked well enough... The lack of low washer bottle warning is the same across the whole group and something most people complain about...and is irritating if you don't go under your bonnet often Rosso!

Oh come on...really! Saves money in production more like... The Delta isn't exactly nimble now is it!