Dedra Turbo

[stuwilson128]

Scarpia,

I am the proud owner of a Lybra SW 2.4JTd, based in Cumbria.  For me, it is the best car I have ever had!  I believe that there are only another two in the UK, one near Manchester and one around Bristol.  I would be interested to know if anyone else knows of any others in the UK.

Stuart.

[DavidLaver]

Pass on my congratualtions to the purchaser.  Is it staying in the LMC?

As for comments made above I was VERY happy with a Dedra Turbo next to the Audi A4 that replaced it and wouldn't have swapped it for any of the 3 series BMWs friends had.  Never had a Thema so can't compare directly.  A Thema was nice as a passenger, and as with a Dedra still nice as a passenger even over bad roads with an enthusiastic driver. The 8v ballancer shaft engine was as smooth - subjectively - as a six and sounded better.  I can't remember ever wanting for a taller 5th gear or feeling it was "busy" as speed.

That Audi was a real letdown - and test drove just about all the range in case I'd picked the wrong model or spec but nothing compared with a Dedra.  Gave up on the Dedra as I needed "main dealer" type service levels with a baby rather than it being "a day out" to get the car to a specialist.

David

[Mark Webb]

Having had an 8v Integrale and Delta Turbo I cannot really see how anyone could complain about the 8v engine, especially with the balancer shafts (which incidentally were mistimed by a specialist on my car!). Its almost as good as the Alfa twin cam, both engines have had a very long life, powered many different models, even the Alfa T.C. had an 1800 turbo before they switched to the dissapointingly fragile 16v twin sparks. Maybe they should have developed it further but probably emissions regs got it. Both classic designs not some old Cortina/Sierra block with a twin cam head grafted on (will remember not to drive through Essex for a while)!
On the rust issue, well to be fair everyone moans about Italian rust but look at the Fiesta of the same era if you can find one with any inner sills that is (another 2 weeks banishment from Essex). I wonder how the percentage survival rate compares with the Dedra?
I am tempted to try a Dedra Turbo myself and certainly would have been interested had I not done substantial work on my Alfa 75, again a vehicle that has been slated by some and has a relatively low value at present.
But then again if everyone wanted these cars then they would not be such a bargain!
I'm sure that the new owner will be very happy with his purchase and it certainly tempted me.

[Scarpia]

last few posts sum it up really.It is a case of the schoolboy physics equation where

     L+T=P(large)/M(small)/m1

where P is a constant.

 lancia+turbo=high pleasure/ for low money/ per metre travelled


Incidentally I just saw a Dedra turbo "integrale" for sale on the free adds here for 2200 euro=1500 quid.chipped with guarantee to 225hp.confirms the above equation Pleasure /pound =high     

[DavidLaver]

The rust outrage to me is that Mercedes still hadn't cracked it in the 80s and if anything Mercedes rust "prevention" got worse into the 90s.

Back in the 1970s everything rotted...  I can remember my parents being very excited at the thought that a Volvo could last seven years, and that someone had heard of one more than ten years old.  The chip-as-chips 70s Alfas and Fiats I had late 80s were no worse than the one-foot-in-the-grave Triumphs and Jaguars that friends smoked about in.

How old is a Dedra now?  A bit of bubbling on the rear arch to tidy up is neither here nor there...

[fay66]

Not sure how many are still about in the UK, but the number of good ones are decreasing mainly due to maintenance costs which is something you can't skimp on.
However as Dedra Adviser I still get lots of Technical queries, the majority from Eastern Europe these days, but recent requests for assistance have come from Germany, Spain, Italy!, South Africa, & New Zealand, where one owner has 2 Dedra Autos; as well as the odd query these days from the UK (including Ireland).

Nice to know they are still going strong

Brian Hilton
8227  

[Harvey]

The purchaser is not a member (yet....) but is a confirmed Italian car fan!

Bath to Salisbury in the Dedra = 55 minutes in comfort and a permanent grin on my face
Salisbury to Bath by train = 105 minutes, standing in an overcrowded carriage with a pained expression on my face

Public transport, eh?

[Harvey]

And I still never got round to adding up all the receipts... It's probably just as well - it was a labour of love, whatever my bank manager told me.