Alfa 156 2.4 jtd reliable???

Alfa 156 2.4 jtd reliable???

Author
Discussion

cerbielee

Original Poster:

344 posts

206 months

Saturday 19th July 2008
quotequote all
Hi Fellas! are these cars as unreliable as rumor has it? would like to buy one around 2003 for the wife! and what sort of real mpg can i expect?
Thanks in advance!
Lee

OperationAlfa

2,004 posts

197 months

Saturday 19th July 2008
quotequote all
Perfectly reliable cars. Make sure the cambelt has been changed every 5 years/60,000 miles and you're laughing.

exgtt

2,067 posts

212 months

Sunday 20th July 2008
quotequote all
Smashing cars, can be remapped to 190bhp with lots of torque and still acheave 40+mpg.

Two main things, check turbo condition (blue smoke and/or excessive noise or little boost.) Not common but a big kick in the wallet if it needs replacement (about £1k?).

And check the clutch is not slipping (floor in 4th) and bites in the middle, a replacement requires a new dual mass flywheel at the same time, again not common but is pretty bloody pricey to sort! (will probably need replacing if you get it remapped!)

Apart from that, top cars, usual 156 checks needed (electrics, suspension noise (front upper bushes, not expensive but common) & recent cambelt/full history)

As reliable as anything else, they are built well and the engine sounds like an Audi 5 pot.

Also the non metallic black is pretty soft so no machine washes or it will swirl!


sjg

7,452 posts

265 months

Monday 21st July 2008
quotequote all
Mine has been absolutely fine. Couple of extra bits needed at each service so far but not had anything that couldn't wait till next service. Currently coming up to 85k miles.

I get the claimed combined 42mpg on a mix of town and motorway driving (but rarely do anything less than half an hour - short journeys will fare worse). Long motorway runs will get into the high 40s. If it's got a trip computer, bear in mind mine over-reads by anything up to 4mpg - YMMV but take any numbers on there with a pinch of salt!

cerbielee

Original Poster:

344 posts

206 months

Tuesday 22nd July 2008
quotequote all
Thanks for the info fellas! keep it coming so i can convince the missus to have one!
Thanks again Lee

Wombat Rick

13,401 posts

244 months

Tuesday 22nd July 2008
quotequote all
Great cars, superb engine, beautiful looks.
Buy one. Now.
biggrin

Chris71

21,536 posts

242 months

Tuesday 22nd July 2008
quotequote all
I went to see a 2.4 JTD 170 with other 80,000 miles on the clock last night and mechanically it seemed like new if that's any consolation.

cerbielee

Original Poster:

344 posts

206 months

Tuesday 22nd July 2008
quotequote all
Chris71 said:
I went to see a 2.4 JTD 170 with other 80,000 miles on the clock last night and mechanically it seemed like new if that's any consolation.
Can i ask why you didnt buy it? and i didnt know they did a 170bhp? what year did they come out?

Wombat Rick

13,401 posts

244 months

Wednesday 23rd July 2008
quotequote all
They did a 175 which is the 20 valve version which came out very late 2003, early 2004.
It will have the "big nose" facelift like this...
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/479270.htm

OperationAlfa

2,004 posts

197 months

Wednesday 23rd July 2008
quotequote all
I like the facelift... that 175 is a cracking engine though! Can be mapped to 220BHP! thumbup

Chris71

21,536 posts

242 months

Wednesday 23rd July 2008
quotequote all
cerbielee said:
Chris71 said:
I went to see a 2.4 JTD 170 with other 80,000 miles on the clock last night and mechanically it seemed like new if that's any consolation.
Can i ask why you didnt buy it? and i didnt know they did a 170bhp? what year did they come out?
Principal reason is because my insurance company are arseing around - I may yet buy it.

The 170 (or is it 175?) bhp diesel was, I think, only available after the facelift.

OperationAlfa

2,004 posts

197 months

Wednesday 23rd July 2008
quotequote all
Correct, it came out in 2004.

175BHP smile