Does anyone have an opinion on whether an Alfa Berlina 2000 can be used as an everyday car? What are they like comfort wise and for reliability? What things should I look out for when inspecting one?
Thanks in advance.
Hi Cranberry
I have owned many Berlinas over many years and they make a great everyday drive. My 2000 I drove daily for six years and only had to replace the battery, tyres and water pump. If you can live without air con you will find they drive well, can keep pace with other traffic and have that difference to set them apart. You either love or hate the styling. The biggest killer of these cars is rust, and more rust. Check everywhere but mostly the rear guards just above the wheels. This is a double panel that rots from the inside and bubbles out. Check behind the front wheels where there is a hidden shelf behind the leather/plastic shroud that collects mud and then rusts out the floor. Doors are another problem area check the rubber door seals for signs of rust behind them, some left the factory without paint in the groove. If you find a good body the mechanicals are just the same as any 105 series Alfa and reliable. Berlinas are getting very thin on the ground as a lot were scrapped for their mechanicals to fit to GTV's etc.
PM me if you want any more info by phone.
Cheers Mark AKA Agent 86
Thanks agent86. Much appreciated.
How do they compare to say a Fiat 125 which I have had some experience driving? Is the Berlina a better drive?
Hi cranberry,
Different like night and day would some it up. Better torque. Better gearing. Much better handling. Because they are longer in the wheelbase to accommodate the four doors, they are sweeter to drive than the coupe. Very much a car in the 105 tradition- straightforward to service and repair.
Things that wear out in them are the rear trunnion bushes, front lower control arm bushes. The Benaldi twin servo boosters can be a problem-not always. Needless to say, a car of this age will need considerable work to it for reliability. Forget the air con and little niggles like the old style window wipers. They work and have their own charm. Resale is usually a fraction of the coupe. Shame really as it is the "same car" with 4 doors.
If you need a 4 door 105, personnally I would suggest a Giulia Super instead of the Berlina. The Super has a big fan base and is generally a much loved sedan. This sedan will appreciate with time whereas the Berlina is much less likely to do so being considered as a spare parts bin for the coupe (and Super) much like the mal aligned Alfa 90 is for the other transaxles.
Please, all you good folks out there that own Berlinas and 90 (I've owned both) no voodoo dolls of MD with pins and chinese burns of the forearms.. ;D