I Got Clarkson's Favourite Hatchback!

[@TheAlfaNut]

Let me know in the comments if you like Breras or not and how you think I should improve the car? Cheers Chris!

[@thethinker247]

There nothing even now that looks like it on the road today.In my humble opinion a remap would be a must along with suspension upgrade Koni/Bilstein adjustables.The rust prevention plan also to prolong the life of the car.As anyone knows about Alfas they are an ongoing project but the day you get to hit the open road is worth all days laying underneath it.

[@TheAlfaNut]

@thethinker247 hi mate, thanks for watching! More project videos to come on this car - hopefully on the road by end September 👍🏻

[@r4mbo67]

Had my Brera for 2½ years . 2.2 petrol , Misano blue, later interior. Just done a 350 mile trip in it and it averaged 37.1 mpg . It has the most comfortable seats I've ever sat in 😊 and has been totally reliable

[@TheAlfaNut]

Hi Rambo - good to hear, the Brera is a massive bargain at the moment and I'm looking forward to getting mine into shape!

[@Ollies.Octane]

Welcome to the club my friend! brought my 2.2jts last year at 15 years old for £700 running with MoT and re did it all on my youtube channel and still maintain it (this one on my comment) good luck and have fun with your new purchase!

[@TheAlfaNut]

Cheers Ollie! I’ll check out your car too! 😎👍🏻

[@MaliciousAlfa]

That 2,4 JTD engine is great, despite the dual mass flyweheel issues. My father owned a 156 with said problem but after fixing he drove that for a good long while. He currently has a 159 estate wich sounds and looks absolutely bonkers. I currently daily a 156 2,4 JTD Ti spec Sportwagon and it is absolutely fantastic to drive. Altough i suspect the dreaded flywheel problem may occur in the future. I really hope not because sourcing a repalcement clutch and flywheel was an absolute nightmare for the earlier mentioned 156. Anywho, hope you enjoy your Brera.

[@Josh_Wright]

I have a 159 2.4, thankfully the clutch and DMF was done by the last owner about 6-7,000 miles ago but from what I know it isn't that hard to get a clutch kit for the 939 series. I should hopefully be fine for tens of thousands of miles though lol

[@TheAlfaNut]

Thanks for watching mate - I’ve got a new clutch & flywheel kit to fit so hopefully it will go well 👍🏻

[@TheAlfaNut]

Fingers crossed Josh! 👍🏻

[@davefarrell8453]

Hi Chris, good to hear you rescued that Brera. I've had my 2.2 Prodrive for over 7 years now and I wouldn't want to be without, which is why it is going in for a full suspension replacement tomorrow, having started buying the bits in May. Last year I had to replace the front subframe that, while bad, did not have the massive gap of no metal that yours has. My understanding is that you can no longer mend subframes in that condition. Looking forward to how you get on 👍

[@TheAlfaNut]

Cheers for watching Dave - good luck with your suspension rebuild.👍🏻 Repaired Subframes are supposed to be an MOT fail, but only if the repair is obvious! 😉👍🏻

[@therushden]

nice to see you in my county 😁bottom pulleys tend to go on 2.4 and the alternator belt is a pain to do. great engine tho and only sound diesely on start up.

[@TheAlfaNut]

Hi mate! Yes I think so too - seems to be the best engine for the “winter driver” purposes! 👍🏻

[@johnphaceas7434]

I've seen reports about a few diesel monsters (both Brera and GT) that have been mapped to get crazy horsepower and torque numbers (one GT 1.9L turbo had 280bhp and 600Nm so a remapped 2.5L 5-pot with 240bhp and 400Nm should be a bit of fun without threatening useability or reliability too much.

[@TheAlfaNut]

Hi John, indeed - that was my thinking too. I suppose I should make sure everything is working properly first though! 🥴👍🏻

[@nostrodelaantares8416]

Damn... That massive chunk missing below in the subframe, looks like it was bitten like a biscuit! But it has lots of potential as a winter car. It's heavy and wide which could probably help with having better traction in the snow. And is also so damn pretty 😍 Great find for that price!

[@TheAlfaNut]

Thanks for watching mate! Yes its s big hole in the subframe but not too difficult to fix, once I get it unbolted! We don’t get much snow in the South West, just rain and salty roads! 🥺🫣

[@peterli6138]

This is how I got into Alfa ownership some years ago. Mine was a 2.2 JTS M/T in dark grey. Stunning looks, almost Mercedes-like interior quality, reliable motor, and (very important for tropical HK climate) powerful air-con. A year later I tried the Alfa 916 GTV Twin Spark, and later 156 2.5 V6. Since then it was no turning back

[@TheAlfaNut]

Hi Peter, thanks for watching and commenting. What do you drive now?

[@g4zzauk]

thats a keeper, my mate has a brera 2.4 remapped and its rapid to be fair ......thats well worth some love.

[@TheAlfaNut]

Cheers for watching Gazz - it will need a bit of time and effort but I think these are underrated cars generally. 😎👍🏻

[@davidhall7744]

These are gorgeous 😍🇮🇹 Looking forward to seeing its progress 😉👍

[@TheAlfaNut]

Thanks for watching David - hoping I can make it drive great too! Wish me luck

[@AlfaGrale]

Hi again Chris. That Brera looks nice for it’s age. Everything you mentioned are normal wear & tear for a nearly 20yo Brera. You should also check the curtain of the SV window. I’d be surprised if is still working. I have a 2008 Brera (bought since new) and I am using it as a daily company car for the last 5 years. It’s very nice and comfy for daily. For improvents beside the remapping I would also check and do the mods that Prodrive did on the “S” versions. Like suspension etc… P.s. I also do support the “Know your devil” philosophy. Not many people undertand this

[@TheAlfaNut]

Hi mate, yes the SV blind is still working 😂👍🏻 also the air conditioning is working well too! What engine does your Brera have?

[@AlfaGrale]

@@TheAlfaNut I have the 2.2jts. Also very reliable engine but not tunable as the 2.4jtdm and of course a lot less powerfull. It is what it is 🤷‍♂️ a gorgeous looking coupe

[@977Radio]

Had my 2.2 JTS Prodrive Brera for a year now, still look back when I park up. It's my daily driver, and yes had a few problems with it, sagging headliner, wet driver seatbelt, drooping passenger sun visor, misting rear lights, driver side wiper rubbing against the bonnet, all little things to look out for and apparently well-documented. Welcome to the Brera Club.

[@TheAlfaNut]

Hi mate, thanks for watching and for the list of niggles! 👍🏻

I don't think that car will ever age. Future classic.

[@simonhodgetts6530]

The Brera is a gloriously beautiful car. With 2 fatal flaws. Weight and space. I have considered buying one, simply because they are so beautiful - but the chances of anyone with legs ever making it into the back seat are worse than nil. And sadly, the Brera (V6 apart) wasn’t fitted with Alfa’s excellent Twin Spark engines. Not driven one, but I understand that the weight over the front wheels numbs handling. So, gorgeous as the Brera is, if I were in the market for an Alfa coupe, it would have to be a GT, preferably with the 1.8 T spark engine.

[@TheAlfaNut]

Hi Simon, yes all valid points but the beauty of the Brera (and 159) is that their flaws can be sorted out relatively easily, making them far better to drive. Watch this space 👍🏻

[@timcolehan4135]

Congrats. I have a 3.2Q4 qtronic. Lovely car - great GT rather than sports car. Enjoy the car - they really turn heads. Big issue with those 2.4 is warped heads often caused by being ragged before warmed up. I do the water pump and cambelt.

[@TheAlfaNut]

Cheers for watching Tim - I’m halfway through changing the dm flywheel & clutch and so far the car seems well maintained & solid. Cambelt is only 2 years old but may be worth doing it anyway 👍🏻

[@JJHurst]

Just about to sell my Prodrive...I will miss it. It's been my second favorite Alfa I've owned behind my GTV 3.0. It's a real head turner and the interior is lovely....enjoy yours..!

[@TheAlfaNut]

Cheers for watching JJ - sorry you are selling yours, I’m looking forward to fiddling around with the Brera and sorting it out. 👍🏻

[@jami7772]

Have a 2.2 JTS. Leather dash which has to be replaced as the sun and heat has loosened and shrunk it. Big bills ahead but still loving it.

[@TheAlfaNut]

Oh dear, that does sound expensive - are you in the UK or a hotter country?

[@ttall3334]

As a lover of all things Alfa I enjoyed your video very much. I have always thought the Brera is a great looking car with those lovely headlights and the curved back end with quad pipes. As a petrol head I would, of course, want the petrol 3.2 liter. I have a '98 3.0 V6 GTV with quad exhaust system which makes the Busso just sing! Although I am not sure the Brera 3.2 is a Busso is it?

[@TheAlfaNut]

Hi mate, thanks for watching and commenting! I also have a ‘98 phase 1 GTV V6, currently being restored. Nice choice! Sadly the Brera V6 is a General Motors engine, definitely not a Busso 😥 The 2.4 turbo is the most tuneable and economical, so seems a great choice for a winter driver 👍🏻

[@mdm8898]

Holden

[@TheAlfaNut]

@mdm8898 Engine?

[@mdm8898]

@@TheAlfaNut Holden modified to Alfa Romeo engineers.My Spider 939 mounting 3200 V6

[@ianlee487]

Chris ive just got my 2nd brera both 2.4 both rosso red.a brera is 1 of the best looking cars ever made.so this is the 17th alfa ive owned. So along with my guilia quadrifoglio in trofo white i have my perfect 2 car garage so far .i was looking at your brera when i was on the look out for 1 hope you and the family are ok.

[@TheAlfaNut]

Hi Ian, all good here thanks mate, hope you are too? So, another 2.4? Let me know how you get on with yours?

[@1240enzo]

hmn a nice addition to the fleet. Alas out here in Oz, the cheapest Brera for sale (2.2 JTS) I could find was $12.5K. the majority of Breras are well north of $14k with the V6 versions commanding up to a tad over $30k. So definitely not available for the price of a packet of crisps.!!

[@TheAlfaNut]

Hi Enzo - Yikes, that's a lot of money! Is it because the Brera isn't very common in Oz? They do seem very cheap here in the UK at the moment and you can get a "fixer-upper" for well under £1k. The guy trying to sell this one kept reducing it with no takers, until eventually I agreed to take it off his hands for virtually free. Maybe I should book a container and start sending them over to you to sell? ;0)

[@georgebettiol8338]

@@TheAlfaNut In general cars that are of the Brera's age a more expensive in Australia than the UK. I consider that it's mostly because modern (ie. post 2000) Australian delivered cars don't succumb to the type of oxidation that UK cars are normally subject to. An Australian delivered post 2000s Alfa with a very rusty subframe or underfloor area would indeed by a rarity in Australia - and I have inspected many - some of which were in a very 'used' mechanical state.

[@Rob-oi9mf]

Good luck with getting it sorted Chris.Good set of winterTyres would be pretty high on my priority list..after the subframe.👊👍

[@TheAlfaNut]

Cheers for watching Rob, what winter tyres would you recommend? I’ve used various types in the past but Michelin Cross Climates seemed a good all weather tyre

[@Rob-oi9mf]

​@@TheAlfaNut Ive got Continental winter Contact on my Giulietta but ive never had all weather tyres.Think they're all much of a muchness once you get into the higher price ranges.

[@abandonedanddisuseduk8210]

Thats my old brera! Loved it!

[@TheAlfaNut]

Hi mate, thanks for watching - I have just finished replacing the clutch, flywheel and welding a replacement section into the front subframe! Took a lot of work but she is now a solid & reliable car again - will be my daily driver until the Spring. I’ll be putting out a couple of videos soon about the rebuild.

[@Cb-46]

Gorgeous looking car, cant wait to see this one back on the road 👌👌👌👌

[@TheAlfaNut]

Thanks for watching mate, more vids to come soon on this 👍🏻

[@Cb-46]

@@TheAlfaNut looking forward to seeing them

[@josephmifsud8261]

Wow. Any car for free is a yes, and Alfa doubly so and a Brera - you grab it with both hands. I do love the look of a Brera now. Personally I would prefer a petrol but would take any given free. The car looks great, particularly the floor pan and sills. I'm sure those 9 things you've listed are fixable and I'm looking forward to the next video. I wish I had the £5000 to buy the V6 Brera I saw at a car show. Prices are falling. Good for buyers, not for sellers

[@TheAlfaNut]

@@josephmifsud8261 Hi Joseph - yes indeed, it was a lucky find and in very good condition for the year! The 2.4 is more tuneable and economical than the V6 and sounds good, a little like the Audi Quattro 😎👍🏻

[@josephmifsud8261]

@@TheAlfaNut I shall begin saving and looking through the ads for one

[@TheAlfaNut]

@josephmifsud8261 they are cheap!

[@josephmifsud8261]

@@TheAlfaNut yes, surprisingly. You have to buy a car because you love it, not to make money.

[@leem322]

If you are going for a remap, I would recommend having the turbo refurbished. Had mine done after the remap and it really made a difference to the overall performance and made it much more responsive.

[@TheAlfaNut]

Hi mate, thanks for the advice - appreciate the input. It’s nice to hear about all the stuff people have discovered while fixing up their cars! 👍🏻

[@ulavaris]

Could you elaborate on refurbishing the turbo? I'd like to remap/stage mine so any tips are appreciated!

[@leem322]

@@ulavaris Hi It means having the turbo stripped down and the components replaced like vanes and bearings. This essentially means your turbo is like new again. There are places that specialise in re builds in the uk had mine done at Turbo Rebulds Limited.

[@ulavaris]

@@leem322 is it not better to just switch in a new turbo or are there none that fit? Naturally if cost isnt an issue

[@leem322]

@@ulavaris You could just switch in a new turbo, but at the time I was quoted around £600 for new and the reconditioned one was aound £280 as I remember in 2022.

[@JimRastall]

I’d recommend a HID conversion instead of LED’s, they give you much better light. Had them in my 2 159’s and my current Brera.

[@TheAlfaNut]

Hi Jim, thanks for the tip - would I need replacement projectors or just an HID bulb conversion?

[@TheAlfaNut]

Hi again Jim - can I ask what products or kit you used for the HID conversion?

[@JimRastall]

@@TheAlfaNut Hi Chris, I did reply with the web address and I’m wondering if KZbin deleted it! I got my kit from HIDS4U. It’s a Stealth H7 Xenon HID conversion kit. Really good bit of kit that transforms the headlights.

[@TheAlfaNut]

Ah many thanks for that - I tend to use: [e-mail] for emails now. 👍🏻

[@markhoskins]

I'd love to get me a Brera! Such a cool looking car. 😁

[@TheAlfaNut]

Cheers for watching Mark, they are cheap as chips right now - fill your boots!

[@Screamifyoumeanit]

Love my silver V6 Brera...

[@TheAlfaNut]

They are an underrated car and super pretty too!

[@Brisbane2024]

That Brera looks really great. You nevertheless should spend some time and money to repair the rust damages and spend money into a perfect expert cavity conservation!

[@TheAlfaNut]

Thanks for watching mate, yep that’s the plan, along with a new clutch & DMF, tyres and a few other things to improve it. 👍🏻

[@lorenzospina3174]

Amazing car ❤ , greetings from Italy 🇮🇹.

[@TheAlfaNut]

Ciao Lorenzo! Bellissimo Brera? 🥴😂

[@andyhill8236]

Love to see more videos on the brera it was a choice between one and my gt cloverleaf

[@TheAlfaNut]

To be fair Andy, the GT is a better drivers car than the standard Brera. I’ve had both 👍🏻

[@andyhill8236]

@TheAlfaNut that's surprising the gt is a great driver's car but would have thought that with a chipped 2.4jdtm the brera would be awesome

[@TheAlfaNut]

Well yes, when I’m finished modifying the Brera it should be great fun but when standard, its much heavier than the GT and feels “stodgier” in the corners. The Prodrive version of the Brera is way better and is a hoot to drive

[@barryowen1738]

Fit a valeo clutch kit...nothing else works properly..LUK arent balanced properly for Alfas...nice project, will look forward to the next episode

[@TheAlfaNut]

Cheers Barry but I’ve already bought a Luk kit! 🫣

[@barryowen1738]

@@TheAlfaNut I really hope that it works out for you and doesn't end up being a false economy

[@ianlee487]

Im going to have a look for a set of those 159 ti alloys they look great on a brera and the back lamps no damp in there nice car that chris.

[@TheAlfaNut]

Yes thats what I thought too! 👍🏻

[@paulbuckley339]

I bought an Alfa gt 2.0 jts black line 10 years ago . Only because Jeremy clarkson said, you’re not a car guy until you’ve had an Alfa . I kept it 7 years . I loved it and hated it . Was a strange experience

[@TheAlfaNut]

But did you buy another Alfa since Paul?? 🤔

[@paulbuckley339]

A Giullia quadrifoglio maybe .

[@TheAlfaNut]

Excellent choice - such a fantastic motor, I’ve just returned from a 600 mile trip in mine - never get tired of driving it 😍

[@stanislas4990]

I have missed this video, how is it possible? There are many things to do! The Brera is nice, even if I prefer the GTV.

[@TheAlfaNut]

Hi Stanislas! How are you? Yes I am now changing the flywheel & clutch! Its a big job and a lot to learn. When it is done it will make a nice comfortable winter car and I am planning to make it better to drive 👍🏻

[@stanislas4990]

@@TheAlfaNut Hi Chris! How are you? It's great to have a car for every season

[@derhagercartoons8974]

Such a beauty ❤

[@TheAlfaNut]

Thanks for watching mate, now all I have to do is get it working! 🥴👍🏻

[@breintonjunction791]

Hi Chris, had my Brera 3.2 JTS for 9 years just had a recent problem with the exhaust the Y section centre pipe and the right hand back box joint has had enough over £2000 for two new back boxes from Italy and they don’t make the centre Y pipe no more any ideas cheers Al

[@TheAlfaNut]

Hi Mate, it's a tricky one as the exhaust sections are pretty hard to find. I had a quick look on www.alfashop.co.uk and they stock a replacement y-pipe for the 1750, 2.0, 2.2, 2.4 but not the 3.2 it seems? Maybe give them a call to ask?

[@breintonjunction791]

Hi Chris, thanks for your reply I’ve just found a place called wizard exhaust they make one off Alfa exhaust’s going have a word with them cheers Al

[@TheAlfaNut]

@breintonjunction791 Sorry I should have suggested Wizard - did you speak to Dan? He’s a good guy and his products are very high quality. 👍🏻

[@dusankocisevic6823]

2:40 V6🍀 sound😂😂 (so TWO Alfa nuts are better than one 🙏🙏🇮🇹🇮🇹)

[@TheAlfaNut]

Thanks for watching mate! 👍🏻😎🍀

[@dusankocisevic6823]

@@TheAlfaNut You’re welcome, Mito benzina owner here🍺🍺

[@bojidarpetrov4919]

Здравей Крис,дано да нямаш конденз в задните светлини.При мен проблема беше от крушките на спирачката,много нагряват и пластмасата се пука.Просто ги смених с лед на осрам с двойна светлина,и залях стопа отгоре над спирачката с епоксидна смола.

[@TheAlfaNut]

Здравей, приятелю, благодаря за гледането! В момента няма конденз, тъй като колата се съхранява на закрито от няколко месеца, но веднага щом започне да вали отново, предполагам, че това ще се случи. Благодаря за предложенията - ще разгледам уплътненията, за да видя дали са повредени. Поздрав

[@bojidarpetrov4919]

@@TheAlfaNut Във левия стоп имаш конденз със сигурност,аз минах с епоксидна смола по цялата връзка на стъклото и задната част за всеки случай.И отгоре на стопа под черната пластмаса имах пукнатина,наи често проблема е от там,водата се стича точно върху стопа.Когато стоиш на спирачка дълго време крушката загрява стопа и ако вали или е зима се пука.

[@giorgiop9535]

They're pretty expensive in Germany. In my area, at least. 🤷

[@TheAlfaNut]

Guten tag Giorgio! In the UK, a car like this can be found for less than £1,000 😳

[@ianlee487]

I got mine 4 weeks ago a mate of mine knew i was looking for 1 .he told it was outside a garage in southport i found out that it hadnt moved for 7 years .when and seen the guy to ask if it was forsale the answer was yes .i was expecting the worst. So i changed the battery pressed the button fired up.its covered 69000 1 owner engine is perfect interior had a little bit of mold cleaned it up .and serviced it. The body work has a bit of lacquer peel so im getting it repainted. 1600 it cost me with a full mot car drives perfect. And the insurance have valued it 3100

[@TheAlfaNut]

Just one question mate…..did you check the subframes? 😬

[@ianlee487]

Yes chris there perfect

[@TheAlfaNut]

@ianlee487 good news mate 🥳

[@Josh_Wright]

I live in Southport, was that the one outside Karwoski Motors next to the blue GT?

[@henryhol8538]

How do Brera's compare with the GT?

[@TheAlfaNut]

Hi Henry, well the GT is a better drivers car, as it’s lighter and smaller but the Brera has it’s charms too, especially if you address the shortcomings!

[@drumsmoker731]

Ah, the Brera... great looks, nice sporty interior, dependable engines and... that's all there is good to say about it.

[@TheAlfaNut]

Yes, unless of course it hasn’t cost you anything! 😉👍🏻. I’m looking forward to making it better to drive - should be a challenge.

[@drumsmoker731]

@@TheAlfaNut well, it's not that you got it for free without reason. Still a bargain, if you DIY it for cheap 😉 The biggest problem is the weight: 200kg in excess are hard to shave off. Seen some replacing the glass roof with a carbon fiber sheet.

[@TheAlfaNut]

Well, in real terms it weighs 150kgs more than my Quadrifoglio and has less than 50% of the power, so I’m not expecting a miracle transformation into a 10 second car - I’m just hoping to build a decent, reliable & pretty drive for peanuts!

[@drumsmoker731]

@@TheAlfaNut I understand, it's just that you mentioned "making it better to drive", which would be a real challenge and you'd have to throw a stupid amount of money at it. Your original plan is the best. Just sort out the obvious problems, make it rust proof and add a mild ECU remap (those 235s will give up quickly with more than 500Nm, even more so when it's wet). Just pamper it and in 30 years you'll be the coolest grandpa in the hood, making heads turn with this rarity (if they will even allow Diesels on the road 😩).

[@TheAlfaNut]

Haha yeah, I’ll be a Grandpa in like 10 years! 😂 All very true and to be honest I don’t have much money to spend on it anyway!

[@sainta2667]

Every Alfa from the last 30 years should be kept and cherished. Unfortunately the end of Alfa Romeo as we know it is near.

[@TheAlfaNut]

Thanks for watching mate, yes it seems like they are heading in a strange direction….🥺

[@malcolmhardwick4258]

I love those diesel engines !

[@TheAlfaNut]

Hi Malcolm! Yeah they seem like beasts when remapped & fettled!

[@malcolmhardwick4258]

@@TheAlfaNut Then they pull like a train !

[@TheAlfaNut]

Looking forward to fiddling around with this one! 😎👍🏻

[@plasticpenguin1]

Gorgeous looking cars, but horrendously flawed: those Australian petrol engines are a nightmare. The only option would be the Alfa built diesel plants and 1750 TBI. Love the latter. I'm a believer in the devil you know, that's why I've owned my 156 2.0 JTS SW for over 8 years. In lovely Azzuro Gabbiano blue, it's as rare as rocking horse poo.

[@TheAlfaNut]

Hi mate, how are you? Yep that’s what I thought too - for me the best, most tuneable and most economical engine had to be the 2.4, hence why I took this one on. The fact it’s an Alfa engine is a bonus. I love a 156 and especially in Azzuro Gabbiano - such a beautiful colour 😍

[@plasticpenguin1]

@TheAlfaNut good thanks, mate. I had the 1750 TBI engine in my 159 SW. The issue with the 159 is their weight. The 1750 could struggle with 4 people on board, but the reliability was great. The Brera is such a pretty model. Could you imagine how good that would be with a 3.2 Busso?

[@TheAlfaNut]

@plasticpenguin1 and with RWD? 😍 Maybe fitting a Busso should be my Brera project for next Spring? Oooh, now you’ve got me dreaming!

[@plasticpenguin1]

@TheAlfaNut Nah. To upgrade to a Busso, you'll need brakes, clutch, gearbox, drive shafts and a limited slip diff... it would cost a fortune. Rather have a Busso to the Australian built 3.2 JTS. Doesn't even look as good and the JTS will be troublesome. Yes, nice thought, not practical

[@TheAlfaNut]

@plasticpenguin1 ​​⁠ but an intruiging idea none the less! I’ve seen harder engine swaps completed 😅