Alfa Giulia vs Mercedes c350e....

terrydel

My brother is looking at getting one of these next year, importing most likely.
Alfa has a bit more power I think, and he prefers the look of it.

Anyone got either of these? any opinions on the pros and cons of each? He doesnt post here so I'll live vicariously thru him :P

kirving

As much as a I prefer the looks of the Alfa too, it's going to be much harder to shift in a few years.

Having not being in the Gulia, I just can't see the Alfa having the same refinement or quality as the Merc, despite being owned by FCA.

Merc have been dabbling in Hybrids for years if reliability is a concern, and my own E300 Hybrid system has been flawless and is up to 230k km now - engine has had a bit of work however.

terrydel

Kevin Irving wrote: »

As much as a I prefer the looks of the Alfa too, it's going to be much harder to shift in a few years.

Having not being in the Gulia, I just can't see the Alfa having the same refinement or quality as the Merc, despite being owned by FCA.

Merc have been dabbling in Hybrids for years if reliability is a concern, and my own E300 Hybrid system has been flawless and is up to 230k km now - engine has had a bit of work however.

Cheers. Hes had an alfa long term before, so hes aware of their 'issues'
I reckon he'd be keeping it 5-7 years so selling it on wont be a massive consideration.
Thanks for the opinion on the merc, I'll pass it on. Agree on the refinement point, the interior of the merc is top drawer.

Carpentry

Kevin Irving wrote: »

As much as a I prefer the looks of the Alfa too, it's going to be much harder to shift in a few years.

Having not being in the Gulia, I just can't see the Alfa having the same refinement or quality as the Merc, despite being owned by FCA.

Merc have been dabbling in Hybrids for years if reliability is a concern, and my own E300 Hybrid system has been flawless and is up to 230k km now - engine has had a bit of work however.

You must be really really lucky. After reading some horror stories about Mercedes hybrids I have dropped idea about buying one. People spending a lot of $$$ to get them fixed and dealerships wouldn't give a flying fingers about solving the issues.
I would definitely go Toyota/Lexus if hybrid route.

terrydel

Carpentry wrote: »

You must be really really lucky. After reading some horror stories about Mercedes hybrids I have dropped idea about buying one. People spending a lot of $$$ to get them fixed and dealerships wouldn't give a flying fingers about solving the issues.
I would definitely go Toyota/Lexus if hybrid route.

Yeah, but someone wanting a mercedes c350e isnt gonna find an equivalent toyota.

Carpentry

terrydel wrote: »

Yeah, but someone wanting a mercedes c350e isnt gonna find an equivalent toyota.

Lexus IS300h ? F-sport preferably

kirving

Carpentry wrote: »

You must be really really lucky. After reading some horror stories about Mercedes hybrids I have dropped idea about buying one. People spending a lot of $$$ to get them fixed and dealerships wouldn't give a flying fingers about solving the issues.
I would definitely go Toyota/Lexus if hybrid route.

I wasn't, unfortunately. A bolt (the most basic part of any car like) broke in the intake manifold and was a big job to fix.

In any case, the percentage chance of a 'common' issue happening in a particular car is still relatively low. Hybrid systems in particular are well known tech these days and I would buy another.

Carpentry

Kevin Irving wrote: »

I wasn't, unfortunately. A bolt (the most basic part of any car like) broke in the intake manifold and was a big job to fix.

In any case, the percentage chance of a 'common' issue happening in a particular car is still relatively low. Hybrid systems in particular are well known tech these days and I would buy another.

Most stories I've heard were about electrical problems /car cutting off, not starting even with brand new battery, etc. / and hybrid converter going bad in the gearbox.
My friend went to buy used one from Mercedes dealer and they refused to give him warranty on the gearbox, so it must be something fishy going on.

viperirl

Carpentry wrote: »

Lexus IS300h ? F-sport preferably

Performance wise, I found that the 350e is in a different league compared to the IS300H F-sport. F-Sport is just a different trim over the other variants plus a slightly stiffer suspension. Engine and drivetrain are the same in all the 300H's.
I had an IS300h for about a year. Very comfortable car but the laggy CVT started to bother me and I just had to get rid of it.
I then took a red 350e from Beshoffs out on a testdrive. Far far quicker acceleration over the Lexus. Never went with it in the end as something else came up.
However, Lexus has an impeccable reliability record so if that's really important, definitely shortlist the Lexus.

artanevilla

Always Alfa.

viperirl

artanevilla wrote: »

Always Alfa.

Deffo!
I test drove one from one of the dealers plus attended the Alfa test drive event at Killashee house hotel in Naas over a year ago. Nothing else drove as nice as this - the steering is pin-sharp. I was completely bowled over.
The lack of dealership network put me off from making a purchase but I still yearn for one. I'll revisit again in about a year, by then the car will be out 3 years so it would a way to see if any major reliability issues have arisen since launch.

Idleater

artanevilla wrote: »

Always Alfa.

Rented a Giulia for a week in Italy and the drive was lovely. It was a base diesel with a few blank buttons, not the one I was considering buying (currently have a MiTo). Gearbox was good and it's a beautiful looking machine. Handling on motorway and back roads was sharp.

Have only sat in the IS300 but preferred the cabin in the Giulia.

Peintre Celebre

I recently bought a Giulia having had a 4 series Gran Coupe. The Giulia is the most fun car I've ever owned and is a lot quicker than I thought it would be.

For Forks Sake

terrydel wrote: »

Cheers. Hes had an alfa long term before, so hes aware of their 'issues'
I reckon he'd be keeping it 5-7 years so selling it on wont be a massive consideration.
.

In that case, the Alfa it is.

Buddy Bubs

Whats the story with the Guilia not losing value like the 2 predecessors....156 and 159, both of which I had and liked. But looking at 3 to 4 year old Giulia online there, they are looking for same money as merc audi and BMW after a few years.
I remember picking up 4 year old 156 for peanuts back in the day, was in good nick too. 6000 euro in 2010 for a 2006 156 is what I paid with 40 000 miles on it.
159 was a bit dearer but not my much.

nsnoefc1878

Buddy Bubs wrote: »

Whats the story with the Guilia not losing value like the 2 predecessors....156 and 159, both of which I had and liked. But looking at 3 to 4 year old Giulia online there, they are looking for same money as merc audi and BMW after a few years.
I remember picking up 4 year old 156 for peanuts back in the day, was in good nick too. 6000 euro in 2010 for a 2006 156 is what I paid with 40 000 miles on it.
159 was a bit dearer but not my much.

I'll get back to you in a few years, he picked up his new Veloce a month or so ago!

supersaint3

Buddy Bubs wrote: »

Whats the story with the Guilia not losing value like the 2 predecessors....156 and 159, both of which I had and liked. But looking at 3 to 4 year old Giulia online there, they are looking for same money as merc audi and BMW after a few years.
I remember picking up 4 year old 156 for peanuts back in the day, was in good nick too. 6000 euro in 2010 for a 2006 156 is what I paid with 40 000 miles on it.
159 was a bit dearer but not my much.

For my money it's just because there are so few of them around, comparatively... I'm an ex 159er too but the G is just too dear at the 3ish year old spot where Alfa's are best bought!

Buddy Bubs

supersaint3 wrote: »

For my money it's just because there are so few of them around, comparatively... I'm an ex 159er too but the G is just too dear at the 3ish year old spot where Alfa's are best bought!

Yeah I bought a 156 because I did like them but also so cheap I couldn't say no! But the 156 was a big seller when new so there were loads around.

Rrrrrr2

Buddy Bubs wrote: »

Whats the story with the Guilia not losing value like the 2 predecessors....156 and 159, both of which I had and liked. But looking at 3 to 4 year old Giulia online there, they are looking for same money as merc audi and BMW after a few years.
I remember picking up 4 year old 156 for peanuts back in the day, was in good nick too. 6000 euro in 2010 for a 2006 156 is what I paid with 40 000 miles on it.
159 was a bit dearer but not my much.

I think the Guilia is a better more premium cars than those were and very desirable. Lack of marketing and dealer network is such a shame. It’s a good product that could sell if the selling and support was up to scratch. People end up going with the safer option - I did myself as I was an ideal candidate for a Guilia as a company car but just went with the default 3 Series due to lack of dealership

Rrrrrr2

Cheapest one I could find in Carzone and not exactly well prepared
www.carzone.ie/used-cars/alfa-romeo/giulia/used-2017-172-alfa-romeo-172-alfa-rom-kerry-fpa-202012076855521

The hybrid system in the Mercedes 350e engines give a lot of trouble. Did a lot of research when looking for a hybrid option and went for the bmw equivalent in the end because of this