Milano automatic

[Howard and Pat Warren <warrenwood@domain.elided>]

<<<<<
Seems the wife thinks that we need another car. Something a few years old 
for "back up"  The only requirement is that it has to be an automatic. 
SOOOOOO I says to myself why not a Milano Automatic? What is the collective 
wisdom on this? Do these cars have any special problems or advantages.? How 
many were made and was the tranny a good one?
>>>>>

This is exactly the reason I bought my Milano Platinum (automatic.)  At 
162,000 miles, I can safely say the car has been running well.  The 
automatic tranny should actually *lower* the cost of the car as it is 
considered "undesirable" by the sports sedan market.

Performance wise, the car is quite wonderful to drive as a commuter car. 
 It sprints well, and the Milano cornering is great for cutting off 
Cavaliers.

Not to say that the car hasn't required upgrades do to its age.  Most of 
the work centered around getting the self-levelling system repaired and 
functional (I prefer to keep it rather than strip it out for conventional 
shocks/springs.)  Also the fuel pump died at 158k miles, and the radiator 
was replaced.  But on the other hand, I don't go through flex joints like 
the 5-speed folks do.

The transmission in mine is original, the secret is to change fluids on 
schedule (just like every other Alfa, right?)  But if the tranny fails, 
Alfa no longer supports it.  ZF is the original manufacturer, and it is 
possible to find a shop to rebuild the transmission.  Replacing the auto 
with a 5 speed requires some significant cutting and welding.  Should my 
tranny fail, I plan to get it rebuilt.

The other weak point of a Milano Plat is the ABS brake system.  The pump 
can actually cost more than the car itself.  And the ARC (computer 
diagnostics system) can provide lots of entertainment on cold mornings. 
 The major rust spots are the wheel well arches.  It is possible to convert 
the ABS to standard brakes, but to be honest the ABS saved my butt a few 
weeks back.  I haven't had to make a decision on what to do it the pump 
fails, and I hope I never have to.

In short, Milano autos are good cars.

Howard K. Warren, Little Rock, AR
1988 Milano Platinum, "SnowHawk", 162 miles on auto tranny
1991 164L, "Peregrine", 60k miles on auto tranny
1984 GTV-6, "Falconi", 132k miles on 5 speed, raising h*** in the 
countryside!

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