Re: 164 Handling Characteristics

[jonathan coates <alfa@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

In message , Roger Pellegrini <pellegrini_roger@domain.elided> writes
>Hi.  I'm the guy who just bought a '94 164LS.  Am quite happy with it, and
>yes, I just got the timing belt changed, as everyone recommended.  Although
>the car is quite stable and fun to drive, I was wondering about some of the
>handling traits of this car.
>
>I was driving around yesterday, and approached a highway off-ramp, always a
>fun way to get the feel of a car (at least for me).  So, I applied the
>brakes to get down to a reasonable speed, released the brakes and turned in
>as the curve started.  My expectation was that the car would responsively
>change direction, and that after the suspension settled into a cornering
>stance, with some body roll, I would apply the gas to power out of the
>turn.  Instead, I was treated to a surprising amount of understeer, with a
>little bit of tire squeal and a bit more body roll than I expected.  The
>car changed direction less briskly than expected and the whole maneuver
>required considerably more drama than necessary.  The car flattens out very
>nicely after applying power, but the turn-in....?  Please don't get the
>impression here that I was driving recklessly or at excessive speed.
>Hardly.  Should one enter turns at lower speed than an equivalent RWD car?
>Or with throttle applied BEFORE turn-in?
>
>The car is currently wearing 205/65-15 Pirelli P6000 tires.  (Previous
>owner's selection).  Odd size choice, too, no?  Isn't the stock size
>195/65-15?  If they were going to go to the plus size, I'd imagine the
>205/60-15 would be closer to the right size?
Standard (on mine) is 205/55/15
The handling behaviour you describe is "normal" for these, and most
other FWD cars. Adding power in a bend just causes the front to
understeer. Power is applied in a different manner to the way you would
do it in a RWD car.
You should brake all the way in to the apex, dropping the pedal pressure
gradually, then power out, basically, though it takes practise. You need
an excuse, right? As with ANY car, do it gradually, whether its braking
or accelerating so as not to surprise the suspension. Quite how gradual
you need to be depends on the car, but there are techniques to get round
faster. If you tread on the brake as you power through a bend, you will
spin off, or go round faster. It is all practise, so do it where its
safe first. Get some track time and try different stuff and you will go
even faster.
To describe it further is VERY difficult because I would have to use
words like "slightly" and "enough". If you can persevere with the
handling you will find that you will grow to love it. Those people who
have no patience still insist that FWD is rubbish and I'm surprised they
managed to get used to manual transmissions.
Joking aside though, it's a different technique and you will learn to
get anxious if you go into a bend fast with a Milano right on your tail.
The Milano will rear end you as it cannot slow through the tightening
part of the bend before accelerating through and out of the bend. It
will, however, go round faster all round, therefore will hit you up the
arse.
BTW if you drive to the limits of any Alfa, our local cops call it
Reckless.
- -- 
jonathan coates
Milano
164
33
Alfetta GTV
etc

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