I'm toying with replacing my 1.6 Alfa 147 with a lovely looking tjet sport 150 that has the m32 gearbox. It's got 34k miles and most have been town driving.

But having read so much negative opinions on the m32 I'm worried I'm setting myself up for a big bill down the line.

I've test driven the car and there's no funny sounds, feeling or gear rejecting going on. Intact it feels really spot on.

I'm just wondering how many miles do people get out of their box or is it really random luck?!

I have a t-jet 150 dynamic, 2008 plate. I bought it with 64000 on the clock, FSH. I wanted a sport but it had leathers and pakring sensors, was a good price and I was given a fresh service and mot in the price so it was a really good deal. I knew nothing about the m32 before buying. If I'm being honest, if I had I MAY not have bought it, but saying that, I've had mine for a year and done 10,000 with no issues. (touch wood!). I think like most cars, you can get some good and some bad. The mechanic I go to used to have a ford which he ran for ages with no problems. Bought himself a merc and has had no end of issues with it- luckily for him he can fix anything himself, but if he couldn't, he probably would have gotten rid of it by now.

Yes I see where you're coming from. Experiences vary and something I'm telling myself is you only hear from people with issues generally. Those who have no issues rarely report so.

Just weighing up if ive got the balls to bite the bullet and say farewell to my trusty (and reliable) 147 and opt for a car with a known Achilles heel.

As will0407 said you get good and bad ones. As an alfa tech I saw no end of problems with the 147 yet yours is reliable. Swings and roundabouts mate...do what your heart feels not your head

If I had known my T jet sport 150 had the M32 box fitted I would not have touched it with a barge pole, mine has failed at 33,000 miles.


That said if its caught early enough its not a very expensive fix, it only really stacks up when people ignore the warning signs and drive them to destruction.


Its a shame the car is blighted in this way as I love its blend of style, performance and economy and I can't honestly think of another car that gives so much bang per buck

Well its an interesting one to consider. I've had the bloke from Perrys on the phone offering me his lowest deal.

2009 Maserati Blue 150 T-Jet Sport with 34.5k miles.

Drives brilliantly and the bodywork is near bang on immaculate.

£5950 including 3 months warranty, new MOT and cambelt change and road tax.

My heart says "DO IT! DO IT NOW!" whereas my head is telling me not to be stupid and keep the trustworthy Alfa (yes, you read right... trustworthy - well its had everything recently done). I can see my head winning this battle.

I have only 31 000 miles and I'm going to the garage to check condition.


I can hear something in the 5th gear.


But one thing I can't undestand, some people fix this problem with additive (bearing sound), but I think that couldn't be the solution or I mix something up?!

get said:

But one thing I can't undestand, some people fix this problem with additive (bearing sound), but I think that couldn't be the solution or I mix something up?!

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My impression is that once you start getting sounds, changing the oil and adding additives will only mask the issue for a while. Essentially a bearing fails and its a matter of time until things get worse.

Insomnia said:

My impression is that once you start getting sounds, changing the oil and adding additives will only mask the issue for a while. Essentially a bearing fails and its a matter of time until things get worse.

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That's my impression too.

Hmm, think I may abandon my Bravo purchasing plans for now as quite a few versions appear to have the M32 box

So this begs the question: '11 Bravo only has 17.000km (~11k miles). Is there any preventive measure that can be taken to prevent any issues on perfectly good M32?

Also, is there any final verdict on why this happens? Bad/low oil from the factory? Bad quality bearings?

Some parts are changed 2010. For example 2 bearings.


It'll be stupid to replace bad part with new same bad part. If so, that should be regular maintenace.


And another stupid thing from Fiat because they don't change this as prevention.


Same thing with automatic air con. I have changed twice "lever assy". All in 40 000KM.

Does the 120HP version of t-jet have M32 gearbox?

Reverant said:

So this begs the question: '11 Bravo only has 17.000km (~11k miles). Is there any preventive measure that can be taken to prevent any issues on perfectly good M32?

Also, is there any final verdict on why this happens? Bad/low oil from the factory? Bad quality bearings?

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Having read Vxr forums and 159 forums the answer would appear there's no clear cut cause. Generally speaking it's the bearings that fail but driving style seems to play little part. My gut feeling however is that the oils used aren't up to the requirements and aren't changed frequently enough. The box has a lot of heat and doesn't seem to cope well so I reckon changing the oil on a regular basis for a decent quality would help prevent issues.

You still run the risk of something going wrong as it's a poorly designed box.

That's my opinion though based on what I've read. Certainly doesn't mean I'm right but I'm just trying to apply some logic to an otherwise odd issue

But in regular maintenance there is no gearbox oil change.

Nice link

https://www.diagnostics.org.uk/2010/01/m32-6-speed-manual-transmission-1-9-cdti-vxr/

MikeG20 said:

Does the 120HP version of t-jet have M32 gearbox?

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As far as I know yes. Tell tale sign is the reverse gear up in the top left position next to first.

get said:

But in regular maintenance there is no gearbox oil change.

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The fact there is no maintenance might be an issue though?

Insomnia said:

The fact there is no maintenance might be an issue though?

Click to expand...

I don't know.

I always change oil in gearbox arround 100 000km or 5 years, ive done it in my Bravo on 80 000km, it wasTutela Matrix.
So this famous gerabox is same as on Alfa jtd-m.

http://www.autolusso.co.uk/workshop/m32-gearbox.html

But in Bravo jtd is C530.5/C530.6 gearbox.
Interesting........

I have 50 000KM easy drive on clock and car is almost 6 year old.

For me this is not OK.