How we test cars
Ten years after its launch, the Alfa Romeo 4C is turning heads, setting the pulse and generating debate.
In the years since, the Alpine A110 has arrived and shown that it’s imaginable to laugh so much while being comfortable.
Yet it doesn’t pluck the heartstrings in the same way, at least if your ticker is stamped ‘Alfa Romeo’. Production of the 4C ran from 2013 to 2020, and today there are only about 475 examples in the UK.
For some years, few used ones came to market, but just recently more have begun to emerge. As this was written, around 20 were being offered at prices starting from £40,000. That compares with £35,000 two years ago.
As proof that the alfisti prefer to drive their cars rather than salt them, many have covered moderate kilometers, some around 30,000.
The 4C was offered in two flavours: original coupé and Spider, the latter launched in 2015 with a sticker price of £59,500 over the coupé’s £52,000.
They’re built around a sturdy yet lightweight carbon fiber tub with aluminum subframes at the front and rear. The frame panels are made of a composite curtain that flexes and doesn’t dent, although it will tear if hit hard enough.
The steering is unassisted and the suspension by a double-wishbone arrangement at the front and MacPherson struts behind. The engine is a mid-mounted 1.75-litre turbo petrol four-pot.
It produces 237bhp and drives the rear wheels through, when it behaves, a lightning-quick, six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
With the coupe weighing just 925 kg and the Spider 1,080 kg, the 0-100 km/h time is 4. 5 seconds, but its acceleration is more impressive.
At launch, the 4C won over a combined press. Everyone enjoyed its looks and brutality, but some testers, including those at Autocar, criticized its unruly handling and handling on all surfaces, even the smoothest ones. Alfa took note of this and recalled the first cars to make adjustments to their geometry.
The first coupes can only be ordered in the Launch Edition version, which offers exclusive paint colors, 18- and 19-inch die-cut forged wheels in the position of the 17- and 18-inch molded elements, bi-LED carbon wheels. headlights, specially tuned suspension and a “Race” exhaust.
The launch of the Spider ushered in further steering and geometry improvements and even a rear anti-roll bar, plus an upgraded interior featuring leather trim. It gained improved headlights, too. Subsequently, these tweaks were shared with the coupé.
To celebrate 50 years since the Duetto’s starring role in The Graduate, a special edition Spider with the larger wheels, a race exhaust, carbon bits and special colours arrived in 2016.
2018 was followed by a very limited edition of the Competizione C4, then in 2019 the coupe and a year later the Spider.
Options included an Akrapovic exhaust (rare and desirable) and a Race Pack that included a noisy racing exhaust, upgraded suspension, and larger 18- and 19-inch wheels.
There are many aftermarket upgrades in addition to those from the reputable Alfa workshop. Supercar Sourcing’s Joe Quinn has owned a few 4Cs and believes the one for him is a 2017 Coupe or Spider in Rosso Red with remote-controlled wheels and black leather.
As more and more 4Cs look for new homes, now is the time to buy before costs rise.
Engine: It’s proving to be reliable, even past 70,000 hard-driven miles. With the quiet, standard exhaust fitted, you can at least hear all is well with the turbo, pulley tensioner and valves, but the optional racing exhaust is more thrilling.
Tours of duty are each 12,000 miles or 12 months. The painting includes the general adjustment of the bolts, some homeowners say this is not necessary. The timing belt deserves to be replaced every 60,000 miles or five years.
There are more and more reports of alternator and battery control modules incorrectly telling the car that its battery is not fully charged.
Exhaust: Pay attention to the formula vibrating strongly at idle (a problem that may simply be due to a flexible hose) and also to noise from the muffler.
Gearbox: Thoroughly check the TCT and check the transmission. Change is expected to be rapid. Any hesitation, random shifting, or even shifting gearbox to neutral should be resolved by restarting the car a few times to clear error codes or updating the dealership’s software or firmware, but if the problem persists, hurry up.
One or two have reported abnormal gear adjustments with the throttle closed in automatic and manual modes and even “slipping” between gears.
Chassis, wheels and suspension: Check workshop receipts for evidence of periodic bolt-tightening. Subframes are the only parts that rust. On an early car, turn the steering wheel listening for creaking, most likely from the main bushes on the lower wishbones.
The set wants to be replaced, but thankfully, the bushings have been improved on later models. Owners rate the Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires over the original Pirelli P Zero for their less responsive handling.
Body: The composite frame is comfortable and springs back into shape after the occasional knock, but the paint (especially red) is also comfortable and chips and scratches easily. The presence of a protective film on the nose and wings suggests a cautious owner. . Check the operation of the rear center brake light LEDs.
Interior: Check the deep rocker panels for bumps and scrapes and the tool panel for delamination or “bubbles. “As our summers get hotter, this last challenge may become more common. It is unsightly and expensive to repair.
Over a decade since its market launch it’s really no surprise this car is starting to increase in value. Whether you want the coupé or Spider, you get an ultra-lightweight and well-proportioned sports car that manages to have the dynamic ability it needs to support its looks.
If you decide to take the plunge and choose a used model, the cheapest price currently on sale is £40,000 for a car with less than 30,000 miles on it – a compelling prospect, but you’ll have to make a decision if you want to ditch it. An Alpine A110 with similar supply (and similar value).
With MacPherson struts, aluminium and carbon fibre chainstays, and a shrill engine that loves to accelerate, you might not be let down by your £40,000. Just make sure that the car you’re looking for has a respectable maintenance history and doesn’t look like you were on a tight budget.