About to buy an alfa 156 TS 2.0ltr

shakenbake

Hi, I'm about to buy one of these cars pending the thumbs up from a mechanic. The only thing is virtually everyone I speak to discredits these cars big time. Almost to the point where I'm thinking of looking elsewhere.

I've done a fair bit of google searching and they honestly dont seem that bad. What do owners think?

Cyrus

First off only take the opinions of owners or past owners, too many alfa bashers about who go on past rep and like nothing better than slating them :rolleyes:


i have a 1.8 myself (as pictured here )

Ive had it since Feb this year and put 4000 miles on it (now at 52000). If you look after them they are fine, if you dont they arent. When buying one a full service history (and a regular one at that) is a must, also if it hasnt had the timing belt changed and its over 36000 miles it needs to be done asap at a cost of 600 +.

They are prone to the odd squeek and groan too and probably arent as well put together as there german counterparts but for the money you cant complain. Basically if the car has been looked after, appears to run well and looks well id say go for it.

Apart from the service history and the timing belt check the oil aswell when looking at it. Oil levels need to be checked every month or so, if it gets low the engine can be damaged.

All in all im happy with mine, it looks the part and runs well, that said ill be selling it soon (if you like the look of it and this one falls thro let me know!), not for any reason other than the fact i quite fancy a BMW e36 coupe or a golf gti!!!

One last point id make is dont buy the first one you see, get a nice sportivo with nice alloys and interior, theres loads around so its a buyers market

and finally great site

www.alfa156.net

shakenbake

The one I'm looking at has cream leather interior ! I quite like the idea of driving in my buff on it!

ds20prefecture

shakenbake wrote:

Hi, I'm about to buy one of these cars pending the thumbs up from a mechanic. The only thing is virtually everyone I speak to discredits these cars big time. Almost to the point where I'm thinking of looking elsewhere.

I've done a fair bit of google searching and they honestly dont seem that bad. What do owners think?

I had a 00 156 2.0 TS - I put 45000 faultless and very enjoyable miles on it. These are excellent cars. Ignore the nay-sayers, but be wary of the dealers and make sure that the timing belt is done on it recently.

What mileage, and how much?I know of a '00 2.0 selespeed with black leather for sale for €6250. Check out http://www.octane.ie/cult/forum/showthread.php?t=2056.

shakenbake

The selespeed is the semi/auto gear box right?

The one I'm looking at has 75k on the clock and the garage/owner is going to brought down to about 7500e

Mailman

Just after doing a 400 mile round trip to Cork in a 2.0 156 TS today. It got me there and back in comfort and overtaking dawdlers was hassle-free.

Must admit though that last time I went to Cork in it last year just after buying it, the crankshaft disintegrated and left me stranded near Cashel on return trip. I don't blame the car, I blame the previous owner who dolled up the car prior to sale knowing that it would expire imminently.

Notes:
Alfas drink oil - top up oil every second petrol fill.
Alfas are often thrashed by previous owners.
Alfa 2.0 TS is heavy on juice in the City and when cold but good on fuel out of town and at speed.
Don't buy without green light from Alfa Specialist mind you having said that a specialist probably wouldn't have spotted that a new set of bearings had been thrown in to my car just before sale.

Mailman

€7500 is too much.

I think Mike65 or someone had a link to a selespeed for less than €6500 with lower milage.

I'd still avoid the selespeed if possible and go for conventional manual. The selespeed will give more trouble than a manual but is not as bad as some people make it out to be.

ds20prefecture

Mailman wrote:

Notes:
Alfas drink oil - top up oil every second petrol fill.
Alfas are often thrashed by previous owners.
Alfa 2.0 TS is heavy on juice in the City and when cold but good on fuel out of town and at speed.

I second all of the above - particularly the last. I used to average around 19mpg in traffic, but I have a heavy right foot. I could get over 30 on the open road.

7500 seems too much for a 75k car. Check out similar mileages on CBG. Which dealer? If you're getting a warranty, I'd pay a little premium but not much. Make sure that the car has a full alfa service history, preferrably with stamps from dealers other than the one you're buying from.

Selespeed is the semi-auto. Very early ones gave some trouble, but could be sorted in the dealers. This will be the rarity when 156s are classics. Note the when. Check out that link to Octane.ie. I don't know if it's sold.

bazz26

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=234977

Should be able to buy this for around €7k waving cash in their face.

Also here is a 1.8 one with a nice body kit:

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=200819

ZENER

I second most of what was said above except:

Selespeed bad . . manual good.

Check oil every 1000 miles, if car sounds tappety this can also be caused by faulty variator valve seal, expensive to fix.

Recommended tyres are expensive for alloy wheeled version (Eagle F1 @ 170 a corner) - alloy wheels a must !

Only buy from a dealer with a warranty.

2.0 Toyota Avensis = 620 euro premium, 2.0 156 T-Spark = 980 euro premium. (Same year for both models (01) - Full NCB - 41 YO - Swords) Check with your insurer especially with Hibernian.

Plugs (8) replaced at 60,000 at 300 euro, have they been done ?

2 ltr version Sportivo - electric seats, aircon, extended support bucket seats way way better than 1.8 Lusso. The extra engine capacity is directly proportional to driver grin measurements !

I've had both the 1.8 Lusso and 2.0 Sportivo and now have a 1.6 147 only because I was screwed for insurance.

Lovely to drive and nice looking. Have had 4 years of trouble free Alfa driving.

ZEN

Eoin

I have to agree with the responses so far - fantastic car to drive, and more reliable than my previous car was (Mark 4 Golf).

When you compare what else you would get for the same money the Alfa becomes a pretty easy choice IMO.

nellieswellies

I bought a 1.8 manual with 42K for 5500 if that would give you any idea of the price. Very happy with it although I did have to have the clutch replaced and wiper motor replaced. More often than not the Variator will need to be done along with the Timing belt (about an extra 160). That aside I'm real impressed with the car and doubt you can get the same sort of drive and comfort for that kind of money out of any other manufacturer.

1 point on the plugs, platinum long life plugs should be able to go a couple of services before they get replaced and although they seem expensive it will all balance out in the end.

They are a bit of a thirsty B*stard though.

Barr

the Alfa 156 ...............is there any better looking 4 door family saloon ??? I certainly dont think so.They look the business with a sweet engine and good overall ability.They may not be as screwed together as well as their German counterparts , but it will put a smile on your face while driving.
I have a friend who owns 2001 2.0 version. Not a whole lot went wrong with his apart from a few suspension parts needed replacing.
Overall you get a lot of car for your money

ds20prefecture

Barr wrote:

I have a friend who owns 2001 2.0 version. Not a whole lot went wrong with his apart from a few suspension parts needed replacing.

Wishbone bushes - seemingly a common enough failure on wishbone suspension setups - e.g. Honda