Alfa Romeo Milano/75

[bassist5]

Does anyone here know anything about them? Well, Cuba, but apart from that?

[Mattlach]

Hmm...

Lets see...

Historically a very sporty italian brand. Used to compete with ferarri's in the 20's and 30's if I'm not mistaken (Enzo Ferrari is said to ahve been in tears the first time he beat the Alfa's)

These days they are just another car brand owned by Fiat (Fix it again, Tony, or as the Germans say "Fehler in alle Teile")

So essentailly they are a Fiat but a little bit moree plush looking. (and I dont mean in a Fort Taurus / Mercury Sable kind of way.. they are different car models, but many similar components etc.)

They havn't sold Alfa's in the U.S. since the mid 80's or so (I can't remember exactly when) due to public trust in the brand taking a major nosedive because of terrible quality problems...

And that, essentially, is my knowledge of Alfa's...

[bassist5]

Eh, thanks, but, I meant, about fixing them and common problems they have. Sorry, shoulda made it more clear ops:

[heavy_t]

If I was forced to have a brand new car Alfa is pretty much the only brand I'd consider....

I think they're pretty solid and reliable now but they used to have a reputation for brilliant driving dynamics but flimsy build, bad rustproofing and unreliable electrics. A car you buy with your heart and not your head.

[Stefano]

Originally Posted by bassist5

Eh, thanks, but, I meant, about fixing them and common problems they have. Sorry, shoulda made it more clear ops:

It's worse than asking "has anybody anything to say about Saabs?


Could you be more specific? Year, model.... there are a lot of Alfa models round, not sure what you're looking at..... Are you importing one from Italy?


Great cars though, when my 9000 dies I'll be looking for a 164 2.0 V6 turbo (205hp).

[valbowski1980]

Some of the sexiest cars on the road IMO. I love the Milanos and the 164Ls. However they do break down a ton and parts are tougher to come buy in America than for Saabs.

[bassist5]

Good to have positive answers

Stefano, I'm looking for a Milano. I was wondering what were some things I should look for (likely places for rust, etc). I don't have one in mind here, but if I find a good one I can afford, I'll get it.. methinks my grandpa would help me pay for it (if not pay himself), cause he really wants me to get one.. so money isn't *too* much of an object for this one.

Also, Stefano, you'll be happy to know I've kinda ruled out the Benz 240D

[Stefano]

The Milano (Alfa 75 in Europe) is definately a huge step forward compared to a 240D! congratulations! your car taste is really improving.... Kidding.


A friend of mine has a 75 Limited edition, which is basically a 2.0 Twin spark with some body kit and Recaro seats. that thing is the meaner thing I've ever driven. It doesn't compare to any "normal" car. The gears are very low, Cruising in 5th with that is like worse than cruising in 4th with my 9000, jst think something halfway a 4th and a 3rd.
The throttle response is very quick, you can really feel you're spinning the rear wheels directly with your foot. the steering is direct, but it's awfully misplaced on the right. You sometimes think that the passenger would be more confortable with the wheel than you are. It's got 150hp, which I tought were less than the 175 of my 9000, butthey are much more consistent. The only situation in wich my 9000 is quicker is over 4000 rpm, it seems dead below that trashold after driving that 75.

I think that the only engine avaiable for the States was the 3.0 V6, so YMMV. I've heard very well about that engine, my frind always talks me about a dutch guy who turbo'd his and uses it as a daily driver.


I really respect that car for its "mechanical personality", I mean it's different from any other car, like the 900 is. Double whishbone suspensions on the front, torsion spring, De Dion at the back, with in board disc brakes, all alloy engines (both the 2.0 I4 and the 3.0 V6)...


Those Recaro seats are very supportive too, they don't look as the Aero seats of the 9000 but they are definately more supportive and maybe even more confortable (I've driven both). Shame you didn't got them in US, I think.


My friend's car is a 91 and has no rust whatsoever. As a comparaison, a 91 Uno used the same climate would have many rust spots.

The car is very low, whatch out for anything on the road because it will probably impact your exhaust. On the I4 the exhaust manifold is very fragile too, so they are ususally prone to break.

The radio is almost hidden, you really an't look at it while driving if you wat to have an idea of what's the road ahead. It's in the lowest part of the centre consoe, and buried deep into it, so it's in the shadow of the console part on the top of it (climate controls I think).

The front windows swithces are on the roof, above the rearview mirror. Wierd location the first time, then you find it handy.

The handbrake lever is more a handlebar than a lever, it's wierd to use but they say it's more handy to do tricks.

Ah, last thing: my frind says it's VERY tail-happy. Very. Every roundabout on the wet is dome countersteering, unless you're VERY slow. On the dry, you can put it sideways controlling it with the trottle even in 3rd gear, on windy roads.


Summing up: consider it a sportscar, forget that it's a 4 door sedan and consider it a sport coupe'. Forget comfort, space, economy, user friendlyness.... and expect rawness. I love that car, I'm not sure I would drive it everyday.

[900t]

the 3 litre Alfa V6 is pure fun!

Beats everything! The car has "personality" in it's styling, the driving position is for apes, etc, but the car is "unique" and a great drive. If you buy one you will be recounting to your children someday about "wow, I really liked that Alfa I had ..."

Parts distribution SUCKS. You may have some better parts distribution when/if GM begins to import Alfa again, people are tossing around the number 2007, but take that with a grain of salt.

[Willy Wonka]

If that 75 is for 1975, then go to homedepot and get a book on weber grills. 8) Then find a good place to park the grill. I'd like the works on mine. You need to ask your self where does the steel in the car come from, and what technology was used. Mine would go like a bat out of he ll for short durations, 1 month or so. But it weren't no milano, Aamof it weren't no mill.

[bassist5]

Originally Posted by Willy Wonka

If that 75 is for 1975, then go to homedepot and get a book on weber grills. 8) Then find a good place to park the grill. I'd like the works on mine. You need to ask your self where does the steel in the car come from, and what technology was used. Mine would go like a bat out of he ll for short durations, 1 month or so. But it weren't no milano, Aamof it weren't no mill.

Haha, someone's been hitting the bong

[cuba]

http://phantom.urbis.net.il/alfa75/history1.html

[valbowski1980]

Very weird layout Cuba. Sadly I've never had the pleasure of driving one. Like I said before, cool cars.

How the hell do you swap the rear disk

[ThaBrkrs349]

If I remember correctly, they stopped selling them in the U.S. in '91 or '92. My father was thinking of buying a 147 in '90 but decided against it at the last minute. By the end, most of the dealers (there weren't many to begin with in this country) had closed up, so there were hardly any sold. That's why people think they went out in the 80s. Most of the country did not have any dealers near them.

[Blacky Turbo S]

It's said that the Alfa 75 was the last real Alfa, because it was the last rear wheel drive Alfa. In Europe the 75 came with engine from 1.6, 1.8, 1.8 turbo, 2.0 to 2.5 V-6 (the 3.0 V-6 came after the 75 model and is a derived from the 2.5 V-6). The V-6 is considered to be one of the best V-6 on the market. Just like any other Italian car, also the Alfa's tend to rust and have eletrical problem (a college of mine starts to worry when no warning light comes on :-? ). In Europe the 75 was quite popular, and the 2.0 T spark or the 2.5 V-6 is the best buy.
If it's easy to maintenance or repair, I have no idea. But as being a mid '80-ties car I assume similar to a 9000. Before buying I would say check it thoroughly for rust and electrical problems. I think when you like the car, and the car itself is in good condition, you will enjoy it. But expect you will run into some (electrical) problems, as it is Italian and 13 years old.

Blacky

[Stefano]

Originally Posted by ThaBrkrs349

My father was thinking of buying a 147 in '90 but decided against it at the last minute.

What was you father trying to buy in '90!? This?




Pretty hard to find even in Arese back in '90....

Bassist5, not all the alfas have electrical problems. The one my friend has (It's a '91, so 13 years old) has none of them, and no reust either. The only problem is that you can't close the trunk when the radio is on , because the antenna is in the way. Turn off the radio, the antenna retracts and the trunk is free

As I told you, not at all a refined car, but this doesn't mean that it's a bed-built car.

[valbowski1980]

The more I read about the Milano the more I want one. I've now caught the bug now as well. If I can swing having a second "fun" car I'm gonna get one.

[Stefano]

How common are they in the States? I've been here a couple of months, and needless to say I havent's seen one yet....

I forgot to add to my "Milano review": not only the steernig wheel is WAY shifted right, so you have the feeling you're driving a single seater with two seats side by side , and that your poassenger would be as confortable as you holding it , the pedals are WAY shifted to the left, because the engine tunnel (the transmission tunnle is in the rear )is so large that the pedals can't fit in front of the seat.

So you're basically driving sideways. Add this to a very contenitive seat.... But you can get used to it.

[valbowski1980]

A good, well cared for Milano is tough to find in the States. They do from time to time pop up on eBay and Autotrader.

[cuba]

The spider is by far the most common Alfa in the States....well CA anyhoo. You pick them up in exellent condition for 2-3K. A ladies car some say. I like 'em.

As for rust my 76 Alfetta had not a spot of rust and it was imported to London, then to Auckland, NZ and made it's way to Christchurch. The Alfetta has the same transverse axle with inboard discs except it uses the traditional cross flow engine with twin delortos on the side. I think the 75 has a much better limited slip differential as well.
Once again, If I lived in the US again I would be going for the Spider without a doubt. What we pay 10K for, US people can get for 2K.
My Alfetta

My 33