1998 Alfa Romeo GTV 3.2L Petrol · S718 CGT

The Type 916 features an advanced multi-link rear suspension system attached to an aluminium subframe to provide subtle passive rear-wheel steering. The factory rubber bushes and spherical joints in the spring pans and dogleg control arms perish and crumble under UK road salt and grit. This leads to severe rear wheel camber misalignment, rear-end wandering over bumps, and rapid inner tyre wear.

The 2.0 Twin Spark 16V engine utilizes a toothed timing belt with a plastic-bodied tensioner pulley, alongside a hydraulic camshaft variator that advances intake timing. The tensioner bearings can seize and strip belt teeth, resulting in instant valve-to-piston collision and ruined cylinder heads. Over time, the variator mechanism wears, causing a distinctive diesel-like clatter on startup.

On Spider models, the fabric roof relies on mechanical latches, rubber weatherseals, and (on electro-hydraulic versions) hydraulic rams and microswitches. Misaligned microswitches cause the roof to stall during its cycle, while degraded header rail and window seals permit rainwater into the cabin, soaking underlay, fogging screens, and corroding delicate electrical connections.