RE: SOTW: Alfa Romeo 156 2.5 V6
Discussion
I reckon it's a risk worth taking. I had an Alfa 156 V6 (albeit the GTA version) and it was pretty faultlessly reliable over the 2 years and 15k miles that I had it for, other than requiring a new ARB (they all do that sir). I even took it to Russia for two years where -30 degree winter temps failed to do anything other than once kill the battery.
As commented, the 156 V6 is lovely looking, inside and out, sounds fantastic, goes pretty well, feels surprisingly "quality" and can be reliable. I think though that it's a car which benefits from regular careful maintenance to stay in good order and Alfa servicing was quite expensive, even at specialists.
The V6 versions do though have poor front ground clearance and can easily scrape their engine undertrays on rough roads, let alone speedhumps. And they chew suspension components like bushes and ARBs.
Other flaws? Headlights are useless and so is the air-conditioning. But at a grand, you won't care...
As commented, the 156 V6 is lovely looking, inside and out, sounds fantastic, goes pretty well, feels surprisingly "quality" and can be reliable. I think though that it's a car which benefits from regular careful maintenance to stay in good order and Alfa servicing was quite expensive, even at specialists.
The V6 versions do though have poor front ground clearance and can easily scrape their engine undertrays on rough roads, let alone speedhumps. And they chew suspension components like bushes and ARBs.
Other flaws? Headlights are useless and so is the air-conditioning. But at a grand, you won't care...
I like the Sportwagon even more!!
http://www.alfaworkshop.co.uk/for_sale/alfa_romeo_...
Best shed for ages
Wish I had the balls.
http://www.alfaworkshop.co.uk/for_sale/alfa_romeo_...
Best shed for ages
Wish I had the balls.Andrew[MG] said:
The back end looks ok but that front could not be described as pretty. I'm sure the V6 sounds nice and the interior is very smart...
I think you'll be lonely with that opinion, i'm sure most will think they are great looking cars all round Andrew......you will need to have a better look on the 15th August! Only ever owned a 99/T plate 156 years ago and didn't have it long, just wasn't the car for me at the time.....would have a nice facelift version now though!
euroboy said:
The 2.5 is just a sleeved version of the 3.0V6 - ie its the same engine.
This is what the 3.0 sounds like when you put equal length downpipes and a Unicorse rear section on it (Unicorse, Ragazzon and Kreisseg make the best Alfa exhausts IMO).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2e3swNkupSY&fea...
Absolutely wonderful sound - to think you can buy a car that can make that sort of noise for a grand is wonderful
This is what the 3.0 sounds like when you put equal length downpipes and a Unicorse rear section on it (Unicorse, Ragazzon and Kreisseg make the best Alfa exhausts IMO).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2e3swNkupSY&fea...
Absolutely wonderful sound - to think you can buy a car that can make that sort of noise for a grand is wonderful
christ on a bicycle!Matt_N said:
Howard- said:
Never heard what this engine sounds like, yet everyone seems to rave about it. Can anyone show me any youtube videos or whatever, that accurately portray how it sounds? 
Erm, check youtube.
That one above sounds lovely, but it's not standard is it
Edited by Howard- on Friday 16th July 10:48
An ex-girlfriend of mine had one of these as a company car once and I've got to say it was a really fun car to drive, not so much when you have to deal with the quality of service at the Alfa dealers that were around then mind.
It would be on my shortlist if I was looking to spend this amount of money on a car.
It would be on my shortlist if I was looking to spend this amount of money on a car.
Majority of those who have had a modern alfa have loved them and had very few issues. Majority of those who have never had an alfa preach unreliability.
I loved my 156 and I wouldn't think £1000 on this is any worse than £1000 on any other car. In fact the v6 is the more reliable of the range.
I loved my 156 and I wouldn't think £1000 on this is any worse than £1000 on any other car. In fact the v6 is the more reliable of the range.
Edited by Pommygranite on Friday 16th July 11:22
Pommygranite said:
Majority of those who have had a modern alfa have loved them and had very few issues. Majority of those who have never had an alfa preach unreliability.
I loved my 156 and I wouldn't think £1000 on this is any worse than £1000 on any other car. In fact the v6 is the more reliable of the range.
Not sure the statistics work with you on that one.I loved my 156 and I wouldn't think £1000 on this is any worse than £1000 on any other car. In fact the v6 is the more reliable of the range.
Edited by Pommygranite on Friday 16th July 11:22
Here is my father's 3.2 V6 with Novitec cat back system. They do sound great, even as standard.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KsfKxrEJvo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KsfKxrEJvo
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