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Hi might be moving from the dark-side


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:) Always been an Alfa chap but whilst considering getting me into a BreraS3.2 I saw a 350 pass me.....whilst walking the dog ;);)

Read about the performance and was pretty impressed so

Ive read your buyers guide, very helpfull but if any of you could answer the following bits it would be great :yahoo:

How much can I expect to pay for servicing...and does any Nissan dealer do them? oh and cambelt one as well please

The Brera ave mpg is 25 is this on par with the 350....in the real-world

What are they like to live with.....I was thinking Id get rid of the space-saver and use the old squirty-stuff

Build quality....dont laugh or hate me ...gotta ask

 

Thanks Guys I only do 7000 miles a year but what to do them in Hmmmm :thumbs::thumbs:

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Servicing is anywhere between £100 and £300 depending on where you go and which service you need. Dealers will do them though you are better off finding a specialist as dealers are a bunch on bandits. Also, 350s have a timing chain rather then a cam belt and this does not need to be replaced.

 

In the real world i see about 350 - 400 miles from a tank. The tank is 70l and that figure is 75% dull motorway driving and 25% "fun" driving. I reset the car computer over a year ago and since then my average mpg is coming back at 25.4.

 

They are a fantastic tourer and brilliant on long journeys. On any journey they feel special.

 

I dont see any real reason to get rid of the space saver. If you are worries about boot space then this is not the car for you.

 

Interior quality is better on post 06 car. Having been in a good few alfa's i can tell you that the quality of the material is not as good but that materiel is more likely to stay in the place its meant to!

 

Also, welcome!

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:) Always been an Alfa chap but whilst considering getting me into a BreraS3.2 I saw a 350 pass me.....whilst walking the dog ;);)

Read about the performance and was pretty impressed so

Ive read your buyers guide, very helpfull but if any of you could answer the following bits it would be great :yahoo:

How much can I expect to pay for servicing...and does any Nissan dealer do them? oh and cambelt one as well please

The Brera ave mpg is 25 is this on par with the 350....in the real-world

What are they like to live with.....I was thinking Id get rid of the space-saver and use the old squirty-stuff

Build quality....dont laugh or hate me ...gotta ask

 

Thanks Guys I only do 7000 miles a year but what to do them in Hmmmm :thumbs::thumbs:

 

Hello from another Alfa fan :wave: 350 is a much better drive than a Brera, very well balanced and approachable.

 

Build quality generally good. Interior not as nice to look at though. Load space is pretty good too as long as you pack it correctly. Think lots of squashy bags rather than big suitcases.

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Hi and welcome :D

 

Here's an up to date P2 service invoice:-

 

viewtopic.php?f=64&t=49237 :thumbs:

 

The JDM (import) has a 70 litre tank and the UK cars have 80 litre tanks I believe. Avg 25 won't be far off but obviously depends how you drive it and if you're like me (I do about 7k a year too) you won't get 25 all the time because you'll want to "drive" it each time you :drive1:drive1 get in it :) With restraint I manage 26/27 mpg. Mind you, as already been said you won't stop smiling from the moment you own one :thumbs: Time for a change buddy, personally I dont think you'll regret it.

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:welcome:

 

i would definately go for the 350, the boot space isnt that bad, it even comes with a sticker telling you how to fit 2 golf bags in it

golfbags.jpg

 

also as already said "smiles per gallon"

 

you can get over 30 if you behave. it's whether or not you want to though

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Hi, yet another Alfa fan here :wave:

I have had Alfas for over 10 years. 155 then 156 V6, but have driven pretty much every model and the 350 is quite different.

First, servicing is MUCH cheaper. I know exactly why you are asking about belt changes but don't worry, the 350 is a chain and doesn't need changing on fear of engine destruction like the Alfa does :teeth: With an Alfa the initial cost is less but the servicing and parts are more. With the Z, once you have bought it the rest is relatively cheap and certainly reliable.

Generally the Z has huge performance punch compared to the slightly stodgy V6 Alfas. Road holding is much better in the corners as well.

I get a much better mileage and drive exactly the same in my 3.5 V6 as I did in my 2.5V6 Alfa, with 25% better mileage at around 29mpg. Go figure.

The Z is a little bland inside, too much black plastic, and not as good as any Alfa I'm afraid, although it does have the revs in the middle of the dash so that is a nice familiarity. It isn't necessarily bad but it lack the finesse and styling that all Alfas have. The driver visibility is shocking compared to the 156 but not too far off the Brera, but you get used to it very quickly and it is fine once you do.

The Z doesn't have the same feel, you can't really love it in the same way as an Alfa. It is less Italian style and pose and more Japanese precision and grunt - although it is still a good looking car. It takes a little getting used to when turning the wheel and the car instantly responds as well. I find you have to concentrate more when driving it than cruising in my old 156.

Would I recommend it over a Brera. Yes, definitely.

Would I have another Alfa now? Hmm, not easy as I love them to bits but couldn't bear to lose my Z. Nuff said :)

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Hi, yet another Alfa fan here :wave:

I have had Alfas for over 10 years. 155 then 156 V6, but have driven pretty much every model and the 350 is quite different.

First, servicing is MUCH cheaper. I know exactly why you are asking about belt changes but don't worry, the 350 is a chain and doesn't need changing on fear of engine destruction like the Alfa does :teeth: With an Alfa the initial cost is less but the servicing and parts are more. With the Z, once you have bought it the rest is relatively cheap and certainly reliable.

Generally the Z has huge performance punch compared to the slightly stodgy V6 Alfas. Road holding is much better in the corners as well.

I get a much better mileage and drive exactly the same in my 3.5 V6 as I did in my 2.5V6 Alfa, with 25% better mileage at around 29mpg. Go figure.

The Z is a little bland inside, too much black plastic, and not as good as any Alfa I'm afraid, although it does have the revs in the middle of the dash so that is a nice familiarity. It isn't necessarily bad but it lack the finesse and styling that all Alfas have. The driver visibility is shocking compared to the 156 but not too far off the Brera, but you get used to it very quickly and it is fine once you do.

The Z doesn't have the same feel, you can't really love it in the same way as an Alfa. It is less Italian style and pose and more Japanese precision and grunt - although it is still a good looking car. It takes a little getting used to when turning the wheel and the car instantly responds as well. I find you have to concentrate more when driving it than cruising in my old 156.

Would I recommend it over a Brera. Yes, definitely.

Would I have another Alfa now? Hmm, not easy as I love them to bits but couldn't bear to lose my Z. Nuff said :)

Cheers!

That was a good insight, seems as though you enjoy the Z :teeth: Ive got a GTV3.0 lovely but jeez my wallet :scare:

The Z would be for the good-ladys 147 Ducati Corse shes had enough of diesel :yuck:

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