Alfa 156 or am I nuts

TigerTim

I stopped keeping up to date with my daily driver a few years ago after a 2001 Peugeot 607 broke my pocket with its French electronics. Sold it & took a 1991 Toyota Corolla as a trade in. It now has 190K miles and still going strong with 1 year left on the NCT. Not the most exciting car to drive & definitely not great to look at. The Missus is also mentioning its time to get rid of it. She has her own car so is only concerned about how it looks in the front drive. Anyway, only want to spend about €5K. I have seen a lot of Alfa 156 around 1999/2000/2001 advertised for this money or less. I have always admired their looks & have heard the driving experience is second to none. Will it be as troublesome as the Peugeot. I really got sick of seeing warning lights!!. Anyone own a 156. What are your experiences?. Any other cars to be recommended in this price range. Needs to be able to carry 3 kids to school & not Primera/Avensis.

Thanks,

T.

siralfalot

oh no....... here we go again.....

**circles wagons and loads shotgun**

a well looked after 156 is a great car to own and drive, a friend of mine is currently selling his 00 1.6, he has looked after it like a baby

Anan1

The 156 is a wonderful car, but it needs to be cared for. If you are prepared to look after it and have a degree of mechanical empathy, then ownership will be a rewarding experience. If, like most people, you're just looking for wheels, then stick with a Japanese car.

siralfalot

Anan1 wrote:

The 156 is a wonderful car, but it needs to be cared for. If you are prepared to look after it and have a degree of mechanical empathy, then ownership will be a rewarding experience. If, like most people, you're just looking for wheels, then stick with a Japanese car.

no more to be said really!! :cool:

shakenbake

I've had a 00 alfa 156 for 2yrs now. Bought with 75k miles on the clock.

I've had no engine troubles with it at all. Although I've encountered some of the common problems that are known with them.

-a leaking passanger door (minor)
-squeeky, poor front suspension, due to wishbones, that I keep meaning to get fixed

Largely my experience has been great with it though. The car, more so than another car I've driven, has a personality though. I wouldn't buy one again based solely on their resale value but my alfa experience has been a pretty good one. As others will say just service it regularly, as you should any car and you'll probably be fine.

cjt156

Same here, I've had 2. They're a joy if you look after 'em; thing is at 7-9 years of age how do you know the previous owner has?
Infrequent oil and timing-belt changes are the things that'll do real damage to an older Alfa (or a new one for that matter). Evidence of regular servicing is a real plus.

Countryripple

Go on.....................you know you want to!!!!

Sizzler

You should have just put a poll up and let the audience decide....would have saved a lot of typing and you would have got a damn quick answer

Anan1

Sizzler wrote:

You should have just put a poll up and let the audience decide....would have saved a lot of typing and you would have got a damn quick answer

The problem with polls is that they give semi-literate 'heard it down the pub' Alfa bashers the same weight as the opinions of people who have actually owned the cars.:)

alias no.9

I've had one for nearly two years now and is the first car I've had that could still bring a smile to my face after that long. It's pushing on for 100k miles and doesn't miss a beat. It needed one of the rear suspension links to be changed for the NCT because of a worn bushing, a common problem, but only marginally more difficult than changing a tyre and not expensive. The only other non service item it needed was a thermostat, another common problem, but again not difficult to do or expensive.
If you are buying from a dealer, make sure they replace the timing belt (expensive and needs doing every 36k miles) and replace the spark plugs (expensive for spark plugs but last 60k miles) and that should keep your servicing costs to a minimum (fluids, filters, brakes and tyres) for the first 36k miles you have it.

TigerTim

Thanks for all the replies. Yeah - I fancy a red one!!

Anan1

TigerTim wrote:

Thanks for all the replies. Yeah - I fancy a red one!!

There are a couple of things you need to know before buying, the main one being that they need cambelts every 36,000 miles. I don't know whereabouts you are in the country, but there's a very good specialist in the north inner city (Dublin), Gerry Campbell of TI Autos, Ph:01 838 6567. I'd have him take a look at any car you're seriously considering buying.

528i

TigerTim wrote:

Anyway, only want to spend about €5K. I have seen a lot of Alfa 156 around 1999/2000/2001 advertised for this money or less. I have always admired their looks & have heard the driving experience is second to none. Will it be as troublesome as the Peugeot. I really got sick of seeing warning lights!!.

Every time I see a 156 driver I can't help thinking ' what a dope ' and smiling sympathetically. With the price of spare parts and tow trucks etc. you'd have a new Volkswagen Golf paid for.

If you're quite the adventurous risk-taker who doesn't have an important schedule or need to be anywhere on time then by all means,.. some would say there's an element of 'fun' in the Alfa ownership proposition, ie. not knowing whether it'll start in the morning or develop some 'character' flaws mid morning rush hour traffic or indeed go for a widdle on you new patio overnight.

If you're a dab hand with the old monkey wrench and pulling out dashboards to go pricking and probing at wires every few evenings, and have the compulsory spare cars stacked down the garden, then you're in a much better position than the other alfisti subjected to a brainless dealership network.

Anan1

528i wrote:

Every time I see a 156 driver I can't help thinking ' what a dope ' and smiling sympathetically. With the price of spare parts and tow trucks etc. you'd have a new Volkswagen Golf paid for.

If you're quite the adventurous risk-taker who doesn't have an important schedule or need to be anywhere on time then by all means,.. some would say there's an element of 'fun' in the Alfa ownership proposition, ie. not knowing whether it'll start in the morning or develop some 'character' flaws mid morning rush hour traffic or indeed go for a widdle on you new patio overnight.

If you're a dab hand with the old monkey wrench and pulling out dashboards to go pricking and probing at wires every few evenings, and have the compulsory spare cars stacked down the garden, then you're in a much better position than the other alfisti subjected to a brainless dealership network.

Source?

Lex Luthor

TigerTim wrote:

Yeah - I fancy a red one!!

Like this one?

Lex Luthor

528i wrote:

Every time I see a 156 driver I can't help thinking ' what a dope ' and smiling sympathetically. With the price of spare parts and tow trucks etc. you'd have a new Volkswagen Golf paid for. .

care to elaborate?

My 523i gave me more trouble than the 156 ever did

528i

Anan1 wrote:

Source?

Auto Express, JD Power, What Car?, the list is endless ;

• Used Alfas cost more to repair than any other make, according to Warranty Direct.
  
• Alfas came joint worst for breakdowns in the German ADAC survey in 2001.
  
• Alfa was fourth-worst manufacturer and the 156 second-worst model in the 2002 Which Car? reliability survey.
  
• The 156 came ninth from last in the 2002 Auto Express satisfaction survey. It didn't fair any better in the 2002 JD Power survey either.
  
• Channel 4car's user tests on the 156 are riddled with faults, and Alfa dealers get a very mixed assessment.

Beware what you're letting yourself in for is the advice from the experts ;

http://www.channel4.com/4car/road-tests/A/alfaromeo/15603-/15603--relqual.html?noforward=true

Anan1

528i - Has it ever occurred to you that the problem may be the dealers as opposed to the cars?

528i

It has, but they have limited options but to install the same defective parts again, and on, and on like ariston

Anan1

528i wrote:

It has, but they have limited options but to install the same defective parts again, and on, and on like ariston

WIth the greatest of respect, your ideas about Alfas might be better received down your local pub.;)

kyote00

I run two cars:

first is a 156 2.5 v6 which I have had since new. Now has 99k on it, run perfectly, started first time every time. Issues I have:
- front wishbones
- changed timing belt at 60k
- clutch at 80k
- air bag ecu at 90k

On twin spark models, check for faulty variator. A regular (proven) service history is a must when buying second hand

second was BMW 520 which was 2 years old we I got it. Has over 120k on it now. Issues I have had:
- electric windows failed at 80k
- head gasket went at 110k (thankfully not major damage caused)
- multiple o2 sensors
- front brake disk rotors need changing last service to cure steering judder at speed.

Service costs are about the same. Parts for the 520 more expensive than the alfa...

To be honest, the BMW is bland as f*** --- but each to his own. I still have the alfa, the BMW is gone....

528i

Anan1 wrote:

WIth the greatest of respect, your ideas about Alfas might be better received down your local pub.;)

And what about all the other experts listed above, they wrong too ?

Are you trying to offload a 156 or something..

kyote00

no hidden agenda, just my experience. take it or leave it.

The BMW is gone in favour of a proper german car

528i

Ehh, the Alfa is Italian ? and to be fair the V6's territory is 323Ci/328Ci/330Ci, not a big 5-series with a small engine, thats like comparing a bentley to an mini cooper, ie. ridiculous, but now that you've gone that far, how would it compare to an E-Class Mercedes anyway

kyote00

the "proper" german car refers to a merc which is in the pipeline...the alfa will stay as it will be a future classic !

The E class and 520 are about equal in the bland dept...but the impending mid life beer gut, large forehead and ankle biters mean a big estate are required....

Unfortunately Alfa dont make a big estate ....:)

I think we (I) have hijacked the thread too much on the OP so not more posts from me...

Hope you enjoy your alfa if you get it

Biro

528i wrote:

Every time I see a 156 driver I can't help thinking ' what a dope ' and smiling sympathetically. With the price of spare parts and tow trucks etc. you'd have a new Volkswagen Golf paid for.

If you're quite the adventurous risk-taker who doesn't have an important schedule or need to be anywhere on time then by all means,.. some would say there's an element of 'fun' in the Alfa ownership proposition, ie. not knowing whether it'll start in the morning or develop some 'character' flaws mid morning rush hour traffic or indeed go for a widdle on you new patio overnight.

If you're a dab hand with the old monkey wrench and pulling out dashboards to go pricking and probing at wires every few evenings, and have the compulsory spare cars stacked down the garden, then you're in a much better position than the other alfisti subjected to a brainless dealership network.

Oh sweet Moses... he bashes the Alfa only to recommend what? A bloody golf. The greatest over-priced and over rated car of all time. And it's unreliable to boot.
There are three disadvantages to Golf ownership and only one advantage. Disadvantages are that you'll be out more money than any of the (better) rivals, you'll have a dull car with no extras, and you'll have electrical trouble a plenty. The advantage is that there's always a "dope" to pay top money to take it off your hands when you're done.
With the Alfa, you'll have a lovely looking car, lovely car to drive and be in, lovely handling car, a petrol engine that puts VW's efforts to shame and you'll save money buying one.
Disadvantages are you'll need to find a looked after one and you'll need to look after it yourself.

Sizzler

Anan1 wrote:

The problem with polls is that they give semi-literate 'heard it down the pub' Alfa bashers the same weight as the opinions of people who have actually owned the cars.:)

He asked for opinions...never said they had to be informed

You dont happen to own an Alfa by any chance

528i

Biro wrote:

Oh sweet Moses... he bashes the Alfa only to recommend what? A bloody golf. The greatest over-priced and over rated car of all time. And it's unreliable to boot. blalbla. The advantage is that there's always a "dope" to pay top money to take it off your hands when you're done.
With the Alfa, blalbla and you'll save money.
Disadvantages are you'll need to find a looked after one and you'll need to look after it yourself.

You'll have a job looking after it yourself with simple servicing like changing spark-plugs and the oil filter on a 2.5 v6 being a 4hr ordeal requiring half the engine be removed, not for the casual DIY’er should he damage the heads @ €3000 replacement cost so you're more or less stuck with a main dealer (and all the shortcomings that go with that) as independents won't touch them with a barge pole either.

The reality is these alfas are probably worth more in a dismantler's yard as donor material for their problematic roadgoing siblings than they are on a used car forecourt, hence the 'you'd have to pay me to take it' attitude from German & superior car dealerships.

The unsuspecting punter can get caught up in the whole romantism of chrome manifolds and a raspy leaking exhaust, and most deserve everything they get, but I'd draw the line at outlandish remarks such as 'future classic' & 'runs perfectly' while trying to educate a poster as to potential foolishness of this buying decision.

Get a golf or corolla, they’re boring but they work, and people in BMW’s won’t laugh at you.

Fey!

I've never owned an Alfa, but I've driven several 156s and loved them.

If you get one, get one with a history and check it, as several others have said. On this line alone, I'd go for an Irish one to make the checking easier. If possible, check the rep of the garage that did the work on the car; several Alfa dealers have closed down who would have been selling the 156.

528i; for someone soooo good at their research, you say that the V6 is the territory of the BMW 323Ci/328Ci/330Ci. But aren't they all straight 6's rather than V6's? As for engine replacement for €3,000 in an Alfa, if you blow a BMW engine you may not necessarily be able to find a replacement at all, and unlikely that you'd get a decent engine for that kind of money. Also, I don't know many BMW drivers who laugh at Alfa drivers.

As for repairs, I have a '98 520i which has 69k when I bought it, and 2 1/2 years later has 93k. I have had to replace the MAF, which cost about €500, and the aircon was hit and miss for a while, which cost me €150 to sort (still need to replace some parts in it, but they're expensive). I also had to replace the accelerator pedal for €20 (won't sit right), and keep having to reset the airbag light, which is a common e39 fault at €80 per reset (caused by adjustment of drivers seat; I ended up buying an airbag diagnostic/reset kit on ebay to save a few quid). I've also had to replace the brakelines and a few bushings, and now must change a handbrake cable. I get servicing done by an independent, so I luckily don't have to pay dealer service prices.

So, will the Alfa give the same level of trouble? And servicing costs?

Back on topic, test drive a few yourself, and if you really like them, shop around and buy one, but try not to completely blow your budget. Also, buy from a garage and GET A WARRANTY!!

Good luck with it. And remember the old line; "You're not a real petrolhead until you've owned an Alfa"!!!

Biro

Fey! wrote:

Also, I don't know many BMW drivers who laugh at Alfa drivers.

I guess we do now! Big man in his 528i, renowned for over heating problems.
And he still advising a golf, the most unreliable car in it's class.
If you want reliability, bypass Germany and Italy, go straight to Japan. If you want flair, go to Italy, if you want dull and quiet inside, go to Germany.
Funny how the mighty BMW are copying a Fiat design in the diesels...

junkyard

kyote00 wrote:

the "proper" german car refers to a merc which is in the pipeline...the alfa will stay as it will be a future classic !

The E class and 520 are about equal in the bland dept...but the impending mid life beer gut, large forehead and ankle biters mean a big estate are required....

Unfortunately Alfa dont make a big estate ....:)

I think we (I) have hijacked the thread too much on the OP so not more posts from me...

Hope you enjoy your alfa if you get it

I'm sorry to say your idea of a "proper" German car being a Mercedes is way overrated in my experience. The last proper Mercedes-Benz was the 126 series S class and the last one of them was made around 1994......they haven't made a decent car since.....AMG have though. As for Alfa's I could write a book on them and it's not the dealers fault, they're just poor quality that's all, just like any Fiat. Alfa just cash in on the idea of a racing heritage and people fall for it hook, line and sinker everytime, it's just down to a trendy image and good marketing. Buy one if you want one, it's your money, but I'm sure you could spend it wiser and buy a better product.