on the look out...

Anonymous · Feb 4, 2015

Hi all

I am considering a totally unnecessary change of car and i can't stop checking out the rcz, so i figured this would be the best place to check out for advice and help.

I have owned a couple of Alfas in the past so i fully appreciate the wealth of knowledge and assistance these places have to offer.

I have my heart set on a thp 200 gt, in charcoal with quads and, ideally, black wheels. Preferably it will be no older than a 12 plate as i dont really want to buy an older car than the one i will be leaving behind.

The first bit of help i am after is recommended dates for essential work such as timing belts (i lost my Alfa GT v6 to a snapped cambelt), or if there have been any recalls etc which i would need to ask about when checking out the cars.

thanks in advance
chris

pete.garratt · Feb 4, 2015

The petrol engines in Zs have a chain, not a belt for engine timing, so are unlikely to snap.

However, there have been a number of instances where the timing has shitfted and the engine has gone into a low power mode. There have been a number of fixes, including modified tensioners, variable time adjusters being replaced etc. there are lots of threads here on this topic. Some owners have never had a problem, some owners have had to pay for 'repairs', some owners have had it fixed under warranty. Newer cars are more likely to have the modified parts. It's not a universal issue but enough owners have reported it for it to be considered a common problem. Diesel engines have no known history of similar issues, but from your post you're not considering one of those.

Other issues that people have reported on the petrol engines are:

Temperature sensor faults - quite 'common'
Coil packs
High pressure fuel pumps

For completeness, the only diesel- specific thing I'm aware of is clutch issues on earlier cars (I believe)

Some have had front strut top bearing issues and I think one or two owners have experienced front coil spring breakage.

Jacking points are a real issue, too. They have bent on many owners and some have developed special tools to help minimise this.

When you list it all down like this it sounds horrible. However, many owners have never experienced any issues. I'm on my second. First was. GT200, now an R & I've never had an issue with either.

I place this in comparison with Alfa owners I know who seem to have replaced half the car & I'm mindful of a saying I picked up from a Spanish colleague (although I believe it's French in origin): You have two happy days with an Alfa - the day you buy it and the day you sell it.

From all this I would say: if you can live with an Alfa you'll have no trouble living with a Z.

Additionally, they're much better looking and you will just want to drive for the sake of driving.

Anonymous · Feb 4, 2015

many thanks for your thorough reply - just totally reinforced why i love forums lol

you are certainly right that after owning Alfas i have nothing to fear from a Peugeot (fingers crossed), my only real nagging consideration is that i currently have a Vauxhall GTC which has the very reassuring 10 year warranty. It just does not evoke the passion i have experienced in the past - which is why i keep drooling over the rcz.

pete.garratt · Feb 5, 2015

Rossinio said:
i currently have a Vauxhall GTC which has the very reassuring 10 year warranty. It just does not evoke the passion i have experienced in the past - which is why i keep drooling over the rcz.

That's a heart/head question that only you can answer, I'm afraid.

Anonymous · Feb 10, 2015

absolutely gutted - found a car which ticked the boxes but have been unable to get to see i was working over the weekend and it was sold today.

no doubt salt will be rubbed into the wound when i see it on here sometime soon lol

renegade79 · Feb 10, 2015

pete.garratt said:
The petrol engines in Zs have a chain, not a belt for engine timing, so are unlikely to snap.

However, there have been a number of instances where the timing has shitfted and the engine has gone into a low power mode. There have been a number of fixes, including modified tensioners, variable time adjusters being replaced etc. there are lots of threads here on this topic. Some owners have never had a problem, some owners have had to pay for 'repairs', some owners have had it fixed under warranty. Newer cars are more likely to have the modified parts. It's not a universal issue but enough owners have reported it for it to be considered a common problem. Diesel engines have no known history of similar issues, but from your post you're not considering one of those.

Other issues that people have reported on the petrol engines are:

Temperature sensor faults - quite 'common'
Coil packs
High pressure fuel pumps

For completeness, the only diesel- specific thing I'm aware of is clutch issues on earlier cars (I believe)

Some have had front strut top bearing issues and I think one or two owners have experienced front coil spring breakage.

Jacking points are a real issue, too. They have bent on many owners and some have developed special tools to help minimise this.

When you list it all down like this it sounds horrible. However, many owners have never experienced any issues. I'm on my second. First was. GT200, now an R & I've never had an issue with either.

I place this in comparison with Alfa owners I know who seem to have replaced half the car & I'm mindful of a saying I picked up from a Spanish colleague (although I believe it's French in origin): You have two happy days with an Alfa - the day you buy it and the day you sell it.

From all this I would say: if you can live with an Alfa you'll have no trouble living with a Z.

Additionally, they're much better looking and you will just want to drive for the sake of driving.

:text-goodpost:

Anonymous · Mar 17, 2015

Well my wish list partly went out of the window and i just made a 400mile round trip to pick up my lovely new Asphalt!
Pics will follow when the weather allows but im fairly sure you all know what they look like....

Perfect timing as tomorow is my birthday so its a lovely gift from me to me!

Anonymous · Mar 17, 2015

Glad you found the Z of your dreams

i am on my second one, the first i would buy back in an instant but not sell the R that replaced her for a second

Just to add, my first one, a 156GT was a birthday pressie to me

DKZ5745 · Mar 17, 2015

My Birthday is in July ........ Just saying :eusa-whistle:

Anonymous · Mar 19, 2015

Three quick phone pics.

DKZ5745 · Mar 19, 2015

You have to be happy with that! Nice car :thumbup:

Anonymous · Mar 19, 2015

Happy as a pig in the proverbial...

Will be even happier when i get the 7 digit postcode on the sat nav sorted and get the stereo to play straight from the iphone (it charges but cant find the usb option on the stereo output)

Anonymous · Mar 19, 2015

Nice looking car pick mine up at 16.00 tomorrow so a day early woohoo

Anonymous · Mar 21, 2015

Rossinio said:
Three quick phone pics.

That colour really suits the car. Lovely. Jason.

Anonymous · Mar 23, 2015

Lovely looking car the Asphalt and with all the toys :thumbup: I really wanted to get one of these and nearly went over to Ireland for one but in the end went hugely over budget and bought a 64 plate charcoal with all the toys.

Anonymous · Mar 24, 2015

Very nice car ... Looks good in that colour.

Anonymous · Mar 25, 2015

"Asphalt" terrible Model designation,but probably the best specced Spec Ed RCZ to date enjoy.. :thumbup:

Anonymous · Mar 25, 2015

Thanks for the positive comments guys.

I have some decent (hopefully) shampoo etc on order and hopefully it will be clean enough for decent pics soon.

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