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[Tim]

Hi all,

I currently own a 155V6 but I'm thinking of buying a 33 as the V6 is getting a bit expensive to run. I don't know much about the 33 though (although I used to own a sud, the most fun car I ever had!), what should I look out for when buying one? Are the 1500cc models much slower than the 1700s? I've seen a few nice 1500s around but still want to be able to keep up with modern cars on the motorway! Any advice gratefully received,

cheers,

Tim

[paulhide]

1.7s are faster than 1.5s although standard later 8v IE isn't so fast. 1.5 engine is nice and smooth though. None of the engines in standard form are as good as the 2.5 V6. The 155 feels more modern than the 33. How a 33 feels/handles varies from car to car. The carbed cars are more raw and don't have power steering which means you get more feedback. The 16v needs to be kept at higher revs but is faster at the top end. The Permanent four is alot of fun.
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Owner's Club 33 Registrar. Now from P4 & S2 1.7 QV
http://www.alfa-pages.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=5188

[Tim]

Hello Paul,

Thanks for the info. I'll probably be looking at a 1.7 16v or maybe a sportwagon. Are there any specific things to look out for when buying a 33? I've heard that they are a bit more prone to rusting than the larger models? My 155 has hardly a spot on it, not bad for a 12 year old Alfa I reckon! What are they like to work on? Is engine access a problem?

cheers,

Tim

[ChrisC]

They arent as well put together as a 155, but on the plus side they do have far less switches/buttons to get confused with. Rust can be a problem even on later cars - important rust typically appears on the sills / fuel tanks/ seams underneath the car. Bodywork rust normally appears around the filler cap and rear screen first. Engine accessibility is good until you need to do non-routine work like head gaskets etc. at which point you have to look at dropping the engine out of the car.
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Alfa Sprint QV - Gone to a better home and in happier health for it
Silver Lancia Beta HPE Volumex - under restoration

[Bellamachinna]

Hi...

Not to mention, that on 16v, to change the plugs, it´s a real pain...
I had several 33´s, and the 16v is the faster one. However you have to "work it" harder to keep the engine on the sweet spot . This, combined with an awful gear selection makes the car a pain to drive in traffic. If you are looking for an car that pulls without having to downchange to have a decent GO, you better stick with an 1.7 8v. They are not as fast, but the torque is avaiable sonner, that means that for an daily driver is better.
Watch out for worn syncro when changing gears (The 3 first ones, are the ones to watch out for). In an 33, its always difficult to put first gear (and reverse)-this is not an defect...Its Character.... , but second gear should be straight on...If not you are looking at worn syncros
Rust seems to be an issue, especially on pre-90 cars. I live in Portugal, and the climate here, is more car friendly, so i never saw rust on latter cars, but reading some posts in this forum showed me that its not that simple...
Also 33´s are very sensitive to suspension tuning/damage. If you get an good car it will fly through bends, but otherwise it will be a pain...
This also aplies to tyre´s.
The brakes are shi.... Even 33´s with ABS (The only one´s fitted with rear disks) are not very good in this issue.
Build quality.... . The noises that the dashboard makes, sometimes give the impression that the car is loosing parts during the way...(This can vary from car to car, but eventually it will hapen)
Dont be discouraged by what i´ve wrote, just dont pick the first one, you see. Buy with care, and you will not be disapointed.
This "horseless cariage" is very fun.
Good luck
J.Oliveira
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All'interno della mia macchina, vi sedete, tenete sopra e CHIUDETE IN SU...

[ChrisC]

Wondering about the brakes. my sprint has the same brakes as the 33 (vented discs front, drums back), and has a kerb weight of 915kg according to carfolio.com

The series 3 33 apparently weighs in at 1000kg.

The brakes on my sprint seem very good and reassuring, albeit quite a light pedal. Is it really that different on the 33 given the weight isnt *all* that different?

Maybe its a per car thing? my beta has excellent standard brakes, and my old one had uprated brakes but never felt as good under braking, even though both systems appeared ok.. maybe sticky balance valves...
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Alfa Sprint QV - Gone to a better home and in happier health for it
Silver Lancia Beta HPE Volumex - under restoration

[33 1.7 ie Turismo]

not sure if this interests you, but I am thinking of selling mine. there is more detail in the for sale section of this forum

cheers

chris

[Tim]

Thanks again for the info folks, just the sort of thing I was looking for. Hopefully I'll find a nice example and become a regular contributor to your forum.

cheers,

Tim

PS: Thanks for the offer Chris but I live in Holland so it wouldn't be very practical for me! Looks like a nice car though, good luck with it!

[dave]

hi
on ser 3 16v have a look good lock underneath esp round jacking points along sills the plastic side skirts can hide alot if a sunroof is fitted check head lining check in boot under carpet for any signs of leaks
i know of serveral 33s for sale if you like to give me a call i can put you in touch if in uk
dave 07860 861898
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alfadave1@btinternet.com
VW TOURAN 59 PLATE WHITE WITH TINTED WINDOWS AND ALLOYS MR BLING
CHEVY MATIZ

[ns]

Hi, Tim,

I'm also living in NL, and have 33 16v for the last 3 year. I want to add a few things to whole discussion.
First gear: to simplify it the trick is to switch second gear then first gear. The same for revers - third or fifth gear then reverse gear and change oil every 40 000 km.
Body: in NL climate is too humid this why 33 has big problem with rust, check also the floor around each process outlet, check front body in engine bay, usually most 33 16v had traffic accidence, but in NL you can never check it .
Engine: 16v is very expensive for service, for example 2 years ago I paid 234 EUR for replacing sparks, replacing camshaft belts and water pomp costs me about 500 EUR. Without special tools it's very difficult to do by yourself. Also weak point is hydraulic tappets of the first cylinder, if on cold engine they are very noisy it is a big problem, I have this problem right now (2470000 km on clock), on service they said that it is necessary to change all of them and may be 4 camshafts, the price only for parts 1300 EUR??? And finally - irregular idle speed which is too annoying

The perfect thing is a driving 33 16v with 132HP, 100 km/h for 8.2 sec and maximum speed 210 km/h. This why I prefer to drive via Germany

With kind regards,
NS.

[paddy granger]

If you are based in Noord-Brabant, I know a good specialist who fixes classic Alfa Romeo's. He costs far less than the AR dealers, and knows the cars inside out. The prices mentioned above sound like they are from an AR dealer - I would never take the 33 there as they don't know the cars!

[Ben_nz]

I will be happy if my car gets to 2,470,000 kms and all I have to change are spark plugs and the timing belts!

[ns]

[paddy granger]

Je hebt mail

[Tim]

Well, by way of an update, the 155 unexpectedly died on me last weekend so I am now the proud new owner of a '92 1.7QV 16v with only 117000 km's on the clock and virtually rust free as far as I have been able to see so far! So, greetings to all 33 drivers and especially to the NL contingent!

PS Paddy, I live in Gelderland but always use an Alfa specialist garage (no dealer, thankfully!) in Cuijk, NB. Is this the same guy you are referring to?
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If it 'aint broke.........it needs some more fixing!

[paddy granger]

The one I use is called Frans van Poppel, from Riethoven. He is very good, and very honest. He also has quite a large used parts stock, and can obtain new parts as well.

[Edward]

Hi,

Interesting item regarding the note about the problems with hydraulic tappets - can someone explain this process to me in simple english. I am reasonably technical but I guess without seeing this in motion I am finding it a little difficult to understand from guesswork alone. How is the so called hydraulic process different from a cam pushing onto the top of a upside down bucket on top of a valve - if it is so poor why did Alfa go for it in the first place???
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The faster the better.

[ns]