Happy New Year!

[MikeyRules]

Just wanted to wish all my fellow Delta owners a happy, healthy and fun filled new year!

 

Have you any plans for your Delta this year? I'm due a Cambelt asap, has anyone done theirs yet?

 

I was also toying with the idea of selling it, and getting another Alfa, but after doing a 700 mile return journey from Eastbourne over the Christmas break, I'm not sure it's worth selling as it still fulfils most of my needs.

[Nello]

Same to you mate - I'll be asking my mate mechanic when the MoT's due in April about the belt............. Will report back! We're holding on to ours now as the wife wants a 500X so I'll get to use it more!

[MikeyRules]

Ah that's good to hear... I wondered whether the 500x was still on the cards and whether it was arrivederci to the Delta or not. So is the 500x a future purchase or you going to run both?

 

I've just priced up the Gates Cambelt complete kit at £59..99, and the water pump is around £32, so not bad all in! Just waiting on Nige to confirm fitting and we're good to go! I had the oil and filter changed when the turbo was rebuilt last year, but might as well get it all done again at the same time.

 

You still got the Fiat Coupe or did you sell it?

[Nello]

The Coupe is still here mate but is up for sale now. I've had a couple of biters but need to sort a slightly leaking heater Matrix first before I seriously start to move it on.

I'm going to run the Delta as my daily instead and the 500X for Mrs Nello. My lads are just getting too big now (eldest just at 6ft!) to run the Coupe especially as I'm now doing most of the school runs so we both need x4 door cars............... 

 

My mate who owns Motor-Mech has the belt and Water Pump at about £180 for the Bravo so about the same done to the Delta (Mates-Rates!) - so not bad at all.......................

Edited January 10, 2017 by Nello

[MikeyRules]

Well good luck with the Coupe sale when you finally get around to it. It'll fly as they are becoming very desirable now especially one as nice as yours! I just wish I could afford it!!

 

Glad you're keeping the Delta. Mine has been far better than I ever thought it would be, hence me not in any hurry to move it on. I have a feeling it's going to cost me money in the near future though, as it approaches five years old, although having said that it's only just passed the 40k marker, so still a baby from that perspective.

 

Great price that for a belt/pump change!! Even my mates rates aren't that good! I've just paid £60 for the full kit (Gates) inc water pump, and the labour charge is £150, so didn't think £210 all in was that bad until you said yours!!

 

Having said that though I wouldn't sway Nigel for anyone... He's been a total star with my stock cars for sale. Complete PDI (120 point check) plus fluid/filter service for £95. It's not often you get a Master Tech to work on your car, as in most garages you'd get the junior mechanic while they sat in the office drinking coffee!!

[Nello]

Nice one mate. The Delta is just too good a car and too different on the street to change for anything else still currently. I'm still getting asked about it a few years on.....................

There are better cars to drive but very little better as a family runaround in the different design/style stakes for the money........

Mines currently on 54k and hasn't really missed a beat.

Tyres - service items (brakes) and thats it. I have a new Bravo T-Jet exhaust (same system) sat in my garage as my original unit developed a couple of holes but some gum-gunk filled them perfectly and its still going but will probably be all changed this year. Perfectly happy with 50k+ for an exhaust!

[Rossocorsa]

Still on my original brakes and exhaust at well over 60k

[MikeyRules]

Still on my original brakes and exhaust at well over 60k

Are you still happy with yours Alan? Any plans for 2017?

[Rossocorsa]

It continues to run fine, no plans to change I don't think any car justifies the cost of a change as to get anything better would need a big expense (and I don't have spare cash anyway). I changed the tyres a while back to Goodyear eagle asymmetric 3 and they really suit it drives the best ever on them, I also got hold of a full sized spare wheel which makes me feel more secure on long drives.

[MikeyRules]

Ah that's good to hear -  Sounds like we're all of similar opinion and position.

 

Just out of interest did you get a space saver and if so what size rim, or did you go for a proper alloy wheel?

[Nello]

Pretty sure Alan got a full size wheel Mike. I've thought about a Bravo one as I think they are the same hubs etc.

[MikeyRules]

Yep I look occasionally when I remember, but have only seen 16'' or smaller space savers, and couldn't remember the formula for rolling road radius to work out which was best as they differ quite a bit in price...

 

...and haven't really seen my exact alloy wheel for sale, just some Fiat ones that are a slightly different pattern. Will keep looking.

[Rossocorsa]

I originally bought a Bravo space saver and tool kit but recently picked up a set of 4 delta 18in alloys with passable tyres on for £150 they are a bit kerbed but I think well worth it as they are like hen's teeth. I had to cut down the tool tray as it was designed for the thin space saver but the 18in wheel fits the wheel well perfectly tbh I hadn't expected that as I believe Chrysler only ever supplied 17in if a spare was specified on a car with 18s Edited January 15, 2017 by Rossocorsa

[MikeyRules]

Wow that was lucky, so was that off a UK Delta then?

 

Just out of interest what size was the space saver? Most on fleabay seem to 14 or 15'' at about £40 and then they jump to £80/£90 for a 16''. I've not seen anything bigger at all?

[Rossocorsa]

I don't remember the space saver size for certain I'd have to look in the garage but I think it was 16in. The 17in share wheels that could be ordered on a new delta with 18s was I think (??) a normal 17in alloy with a normal tyre Edited January 16, 2017 by Rossocorsa

[Nello]

Was that the Limited 18"'s that were on ebay Alan? I had my eye on those! 

[Rossocorsa]

They were on eBay, condition not great though they'd need refurbishing to use really.

[Nello]

Yes I was going to go for them as I really like those wheels but the cost of buying / refurbing then a full set of 18" rubber put me off...............

[Rossocorsa]

The 18 in tyres aren't too bad on price but obviously less painful when you're tyres are worn out. The refurbishing would sting you though. I think at £150 the wheels were a good buy but at the sellers original asking price maybe not. Seller struggled to sell them hence he took my cheeky offer.

[Rossocorsa]

Wow that was lucky, so was that off a UK Delta then?

 

Just out of interest what size was the space saver? Most on fleabay seem to 14 or 15'' at about £40 and then they jump to £80/£90 for a 16''. I've not seen anything bigger at all?

It's 15in

[MikeyRules]

It's 15in

Ah ok, so I'm presuming the height of the sidewall on the tyre compensates for the fact it's a smaller rim? Or as it's only designed as a temp doesn't it matter?

Edited January 19, 2017 by MikeyRules

[Rossocorsa]

I don't know, never did get around to making sure it fits, the rolling circumference of all wheel options on bravo/delta will be very close irrespective of wheel size so I figure it should be ok next time I'm in the garage I'll check how it compares with one of the 18 in alloys

[MikeyRules]

Ok well that's good to know. I might very well buy one of the ones off eBay then with the toolkit.

[Rossocorsa]

I still don't know if it fits though!