Alfa Giulia QV Vs. M3 CP

[FlyLikeEagle]

Well, my '18 M3 CP with M Performance exhaust is finally sailing across the Atlantic for an expected late March delivery. It seems like it's been a long time since I ordered it, but it's only been a few months.

I debated a lot between the Alfa Giulia QV and the F80 before placing my order. I drove the Alfa several times at 2 different dealers in the Chicago area, and one drive was for over 1/2 hour. Likewise, I drove the M3 several times to get the best feel for whether I preferred it or the Alfa.

They are both great cars with different strengths, but here are my impressions. I think the Alfa looks great, but the M3 has a meaner, more aggressive look that I prefer. I think which one looks "better" though is completely subjective.

Driving the M3 for me was a more visceral experience. The car felt louder, more alive and more aggressive, more in-your-face. The Alfa exhaust was disappointing, although better in Race mode. The DNA switch on the Alfa really does change the nature of the car, from mild to beast, and I really liked the duel nature it has. The QV steering is fast and light; it's subjective, but I prefer the heavier, weightier feel of the M3. The Alfa uses a track compound Pirelli Corsa tire with a 60 wear rating. This is great for track use and warm weather conditions, but I read they can be a handful in any temperature below the mid 40's. Not great for Chicago conditions much of the year.

The M3 has the much nicer interior. The Alfa is fine, with the exception of a few cheap switches, but the M3 feels one level higher - more luxury and better put together.

I did not, of course, track these vehicles on my test drive, so it's impossible to say how both compare at the limit, but numerous track comparisons have the Alfas faster in acceleration, but a bit slower around the turns. They are both pretty close in overall performance figures, unless the track has long straightaways which benefit the Alfa's 505HP. The brakes on the Alfa are strange - it was a bit tricky to modulate the pedal and I much preferred the brakes on the M3 (drove steel on both cars).

The Alfa gets some bad press on reliability, but I think the issues were mainly from early production runs and have been sorted out. I still give the edge to BMW, and the dealer network is more vast so it won't take me as long to drive it into service if needed.

It's nice the Giulia is likely to be around for a few years before a model change. With the F80, this year is the last hurrah as BMW moves to a new M3. At least any problems the F80 had should be sorted out by now!

Anyways, this was a real hard decision, one with no correct answer, but I preferred the BMW and hope my comments will help others who are looking at these two great sedans!

[Time Lord]

I lost you where you said the Alpha looks great......

[allinon72]

Originally Posted by Time Lord

I lost you where you said the Alpha looks great......

It looks like a vagina with eyes.

[uniqueMR]

BMW M rules

[HoldenMI]

Thanks for the comparo. Congrats on your new M3.

[ImGoingPlaces]

Well written. I think the Alfa looks good too

[Arcades]

Congrats

One of the major problems I have with Alfa's Giulia, that I have seemly harped on for several threads now, is the Brake by Wire system they use. The feedback on the brakes for Giulia is almost non existent and the time I have had with the car, I was so confused by it because I didn't have a clear idea of what the car was going to do while coming to a stop. I cannot express how confusing the feel was. Especially for a car like this, it should give you confidence in braking too not just gas pedal.

I HATE Giulia's braking. I don't think I can state this enough.

[Takumi587]

I drove both as well but went with the M3. You won’t regret it. My wife actually got a base Giulia about a year ago and it has been great. I will say the brake feel is hard to get used to which is also a reason I didn’t go with a QV. The new iDrive in the M3 with touchscreen is so much better compared to the system in the Giulia. The back up camera on the Giulia is terrible quality as well...

[jninja]

I wouldn't have even thought of cross shopping these 2... but nice review and input, thanks

[neilum]

Great times we live in where there are no wrong answers. Both are the right choice, just depends on what you like.

M3 handles better, looks better more aggressive, better dealer network, most likely more reliable, better brake feel, better entertainment system, nicer interior, better lease rates by a mile

Alfa has faster steering, sounds better, faster straight line.

I voted with my wallet but don't feel the need to hate on the Alfa like you see on the other side of the fence. I like what the route they choose. Super fast steering rack, R series tires, great exhaust sound I get it.

Alfa's also aren't selling well

[jmg]

Originally Posted by Time Lord

I lost you where you said the Alpha looks great......

The front is subjectively hideous, but I love the rear. Butterface for sure.

[jninja]

Anyone see this? Interesting review by Matt Farrah... also, although he likes it, I'm definitely more confident in my choice in picking the M3

IMO, the Alfa seems better 'fun' in some ways, but the M3 is the better package overall.

[DS_BMW]

Originally Posted by jninja

Anyone see this? Interesting review by Matt Farrah... also, although he likes it, I'm definitely more confident in my choice in picking the M3

IMO, the Alfa seems better 'fun' in some ways, but the M3 is the better package overall.

I like how he is like lets see how it handles, next turn almost understeers off the road

[jninja]

Originally Posted by DS_BMW

I like how he is like lets see how it handles, next turn almost understeers off the road

Dude, that was awesome! lol ... first time I've seen him almost biff it

[Arcades]

Originally Posted by jninja

Anyone see this? Interesting review by Matt Farrah... also, although he likes it, I'm definitely more confident in my choice in picking the M3

IMO, the Alfa seems better 'fun' in some ways, but the M3 is the better package overall.

Matt Farah likes anything that isn't a BMW F Chassis.

I really don't like him much. I don't dislike the Alfa, but this always seems to happen when it comes to car reviewers in general. Something new comes out, people rave about it.

Then... ???

[jninja]

Originally Posted by Arcades

Matt Farah likes anything that isn't a BMW F Chassis.

I really don't like him much. I don't dislike the Alfa, but this always seems to happen when it comes to car reviewers in general. Something new comes out, people rave about it.

Then... ???

He's a corky dude. I'm def no fan boy of his, but I began to like him over the years for my perception of his genuineness. BTW, He has actually praised M3's quite a bit, many times, and even in this review.

[neilum]

Another review where the AF threw a code.

And he says in the review it weighs 3300 lbs, only about 500 lbs off. Close enough for gov't work.

Too funny this thing is still throwing codes in reviews. He also goes onto say a very experienced Alfa tester said each one has a different pedal feel in regards to the brake by wire system. So bizarre. Sounds like amazing build quality...

[mcc3456]

Originally Posted by DS_BMW

I like how he is like lets see how it handles, next turn almost understeers off the road

User error. Definitely not the car. The warning light he experienced is 100% intentional when one left brakes in Race Mode because of the torque vectoring. Aside from misquoting everything else about the features and functions of the car, he clearly did not read the owner’s manual either.

Personally, I find him to be the dumbest of all car reviewers. Shocking anybody would give anything he says any credence, but to each their own.

BTW...the Brembo carbon ceramic brakes are the latest generation, but why let facts get in the way of an ignorant rant. Personally, I have never had an issue with the steel brakes ordered on my Quadrifoglio, but that’s probably because I chose the best option for everyday driving on the streets of New England, as opposed to equipping the car with a track focused feature just to say I have it.

Let the ignorant hater flames fly...

[jninja]

Originally Posted by mcc3456

User error. Definitely not the car. The warning light he experienced is 100% intentional when one left brakes in Race Mode because of the torque vectoring. Aside from misquoting everything else about the features and functions of the car, he clearly did not read the ownerÂ’s manual either.

Personally, I find him to be the dumbest of all car reviewers. Shocking anybody would give anything he says any credence, but to each their own.

BTW...the Brembo carbon ceramic brakes are the latest generation, but why let facts get in the way of an ignorant rant. Personally, I have never had an issue with the steel brakes ordered on my Quadrifoglio, but thatÂ’s probably because I chose the best option for everyday driving on the streets of New England, as opposed to equipping the car with a track focused feature just to say I have it.

Let the ignorant hater flames fly...

Talk about butt hurt :

[DS_BMW]

Are the Alfa lease residuals still bad? I see a few listed on Cars.com for 8-10k off sticker.

[Jaymax85]

Originally Posted by jninja

Talk about butt hurt :

pretty much and this is what he drive: "Drives: Best Sedan on Mkt"

[HPIA4v2]

Originally Posted by jninja

Talk about butt hurt :

like the label says: "Prevent further irritations"