320touring picks up another number - Alfa 156 Content!
Discussion
I'm at an odd place with this car now - most of the time it drives me crazy, but just sometimes it can seem like a pleasant place to be.
Certainly on recent 160 + mile trips it is comfortable enough, and the fuel consumption has even improved..
the last tank cracked 34 mpg.
I still don't think I'm bonding with it, and I think the main cause is the engine - it's just not that good - not particularly thrilling to the ear, lacking in any grunt below about 4k rpm and not even that quick to rev. Are the v6 ones better?
at least It can't be worse than the Peugeot 208 hire car I had last week - pretty much as slow as a week in the jail..
https://youtu.be/EW7W-PAlN9s
Certainly on recent 160 + mile trips it is comfortable enough, and the fuel consumption has even improved..
the last tank cracked 34 mpg.
I still don't think I'm bonding with it, and I think the main cause is the engine - it's just not that good - not particularly thrilling to the ear, lacking in any grunt below about 4k rpm and not even that quick to rev. Are the v6 ones better?
at least It can't be worse than the Peugeot 208 hire car I had last week - pretty much as slow as a week in the jail..
https://youtu.be/EW7W-PAlN9s
Yes the v6's are better, the 2.5 still needs revs though and mpg will be in low 20's if you do. A 156 with a 3.0 v6 conversion is a bit of a weapon and better on fuel than the 2.5.
Lack of throttle response; the 2.0's have balancer shafts. Ditch the balance shaft drive belt and consider the MAF as being duff.
Lack of throttle response; the 2.0's have balancer shafts. Ditch the balance shaft drive belt and consider the MAF as being duff.
Zombie said:
Just re-read your thread... Ah 1.8... They should be pretty revvy. try disconnecting the maf. No change? The maf is broken.
It does rev after a fashion - but I don't see a shift like I get with the Clio 172 or similar. It just seems to be lacking grunt most of the way up - thanks for the tip re the MAF, I'll give it a try320touring said:
It does rev after a fashion - but I don't see a shift like I get with the Clio 172 or similar. It just seems to be lacking grunt most of the way up - thanks for the tip re the MAF, I'll give it a try
Havent driven any of these myself, but maybe the cam variator is borked? That would explain gutless-ness high in the rev range. Mind you, a clio 172 is a different beast, its tuned for high power output, the 1.8 TS isnt specificallyI would agree about the MAF... worth investigating; have a look on the Alfa forums. There is, as mentioned, plenty of advice available.
Also noticed on one of your pics at Crail ; the O/S plastic wheel arch inner engine cover seems to be missing as does the under-tray.
My TS had the same items missing, and I suspect that had something to do with the auxillary pulley /tensioner failing; ( which in turn caused the cambelt to come off ....!!!) as the plastic cover keeps all the water/salt etc away from the cambelt area.
I got new ones for mine as I intended to keep the car for a couple of years, and I realise that some might say the plastic covers are not necessary.
I managed to get a S/H aluminium undertray ( they are made in Denmark IIRC ) and this was probably one of the best investments I made ! It is a better fit than the standard one, and gives better ground clearance....also looks cool ! It was actually from a JTD, but fitted my TS with only a minor modification. In fact when I changed cars to my current 156 JTDM I transferred it over.
Also noticed on one of your pics at Crail ; the O/S plastic wheel arch inner engine cover seems to be missing as does the under-tray.
My TS had the same items missing, and I suspect that had something to do with the auxillary pulley /tensioner failing; ( which in turn caused the cambelt to come off ....!!!) as the plastic cover keeps all the water/salt etc away from the cambelt area.
I got new ones for mine as I intended to keep the car for a couple of years, and I realise that some might say the plastic covers are not necessary.
I managed to get a S/H aluminium undertray ( they are made in Denmark IIRC ) and this was probably one of the best investments I made ! It is a better fit than the standard one, and gives better ground clearance....also looks cool ! It was actually from a JTD, but fitted my TS with only a minor modification. In fact when I changed cars to my current 156 JTDM I transferred it over.
The V6 is much better, the throttle response is so much better, past 4000 revs all hell breaks loose the sound is obviously tremendously better, its a little lighter at the front end than the 2.4 too. I track day mine but I also find myself just taking it for a drive every now and then for no particlar reason as its such a joy to drive. I have a diesel 159 as a daily and struggle to bond with that at times all down to the engine (and the crap gearboxes they got from GM for 50p.
davebem said:
The V6 is much better, the throttle response is so much better, past 4000 revs all hell breaks loose the sound is obviously tremendously better, its a little lighter at the front end than the 2.4 too. I track day mine but I also find myself just taking it for a drive every now and then for no particlar reason as its such a joy to drive.
I can imagine, but its not without downsides, im looking at 156s right now, and V6s are thirstier (by a decent margin), have a MUCH more expensive belt service, and my main problem, are getting quite hard to find, while 1.8 TSs are a dime a dozen these days.Disconnect the MAF and give it a whirl.
The ECU defaults to a safe setting so it's OK to try. It'll soon point to the MAF being at fault.
It should zing round to 7,000, so something isn't right. If it's not something basic like knackered plugs or horrible air filter, it may well be the variator that's gone.
The ECU defaults to a safe setting so it's OK to try. It'll soon point to the MAF being at fault.
It should zing round to 7,000, so something isn't right. If it's not something basic like knackered plugs or horrible air filter, it may well be the variator that's gone.
Vitorio said:
I can imagine, but its not without downsides, im looking at 156s right now, and V6s are thirstier (by a decent margin), have a MUCH more expensive belt service, and my main problem, are getting quite hard to find, while 1.8 TSs are a dime a dozen these days.
Agreed with you there, on one track day I once went through £100 of petrol in 1 morning. Im starting to think a 1.8 or 2.0 would make a much more balanced handling suitable track car than the V6, but I just cant part with it.
If you're not on Alfaowner, get over there - absolute gold mine of information. There is a even a post on precisely which semiconductors to order, and how to solder them in if your rev counter problem returns.
That brake failure is an absolute classic known issue. The pipes are pvc coated steel. There is a clip that ruins the PVC coating at factory assembly and the clock starts ticking.
You've found the requirement for being a mutant with extra wrists when working on headlights. Worst case is that the sidelight refuses to come out - headlights out, which means taking the bumper off.
Everyone of these I've driven has had a knackered engine and/or suspension. The MAF is a good call, as is general servicing - plugs etc. Variator is very noticeable - if you think someone has swapped the engine for a diesel overnight, its the variator. Check the oil regularly - they do burn it. When the suspension is sorted, they should be pin sharp, and handle really well. Check the bushes in the rear hubs and the rear set of transverse arms is almost a service consumable. Get a 4 wheel alignment - the rears are adjustable as well, and it makes a huge difference when set up properly.
The multiecuscan software (EUR 50) and a set of cables is a must have - full fault diagnosis and you can reset everything.
Overall they are a fantastic drive, particularly for the sort of money they command now. I'm not selling my V6 for as long as I can get petrol for it.
That brake failure is an absolute classic known issue. The pipes are pvc coated steel. There is a clip that ruins the PVC coating at factory assembly and the clock starts ticking.
You've found the requirement for being a mutant with extra wrists when working on headlights. Worst case is that the sidelight refuses to come out - headlights out, which means taking the bumper off.
Everyone of these I've driven has had a knackered engine and/or suspension. The MAF is a good call, as is general servicing - plugs etc. Variator is very noticeable - if you think someone has swapped the engine for a diesel overnight, its the variator. Check the oil regularly - they do burn it. When the suspension is sorted, they should be pin sharp, and handle really well. Check the bushes in the rear hubs and the rear set of transverse arms is almost a service consumable. Get a 4 wheel alignment - the rears are adjustable as well, and it makes a huge difference when set up properly.
The multiecuscan software (EUR 50) and a set of cables is a must have - full fault diagnosis and you can reset everything.
Overall they are a fantastic drive, particularly for the sort of money they command now. I'm not selling my V6 for as long as I can get petrol for it.
We're 2600 miles in at an average of 32mpg,
everything still squeaks rattles and thuds as before but thankfully nothing new to report.
However, I did have a close call in it the other day in not so sunny Dumfries!
yer man in an artic failed to spot the silver car slowing down for stationary traffic. I was 1 car in front, having slowed down(hazards on).
somehow, he got the truck far enough to the left to miss both of us.
The car following the truck contained a policeman on his way to work so stopped so report it, as the truck was blocking a lane, and stones etc where thrown all over the road
Pretty sketchy when he barrelled past on our left throwing up stones, but just glad that no one was hurt. Luckily both the golf and the alfa were un-damaged, but it did serve as a reminder to keep your eyes on what the traffic is doing.
everything still squeaks rattles and thuds as before but thankfully nothing new to report.
However, I did have a close call in it the other day in not so sunny Dumfries!
yer man in an artic failed to spot the silver car slowing down for stationary traffic. I was 1 car in front, having slowed down(hazards on).
somehow, he got the truck far enough to the left to miss both of us.
The car following the truck contained a policeman on his way to work so stopped so report it, as the truck was blocking a lane, and stones etc where thrown all over the road
Pretty sketchy when he barrelled past on our left throwing up stones, but just glad that no one was hurt. Luckily both the golf and the alfa were un-damaged, but it did serve as a reminder to keep your eyes on what the traffic is doing.
This car has now moved on to pastures new-
I'd simply had enough of the faults and flaws, but didn't have the time or desire to take the car off the road to sort them - I pretty much ran it into the ground.
Fair play to it it took a helluva beating, never failing to start, and only failing to stop once.
Headline figures:
purchase price 200
Repairs 132
Fuel 632
Miles covered 4094
Average mpg 32.8
running costs per mile 18.6p
Because I was using it for work, I claimed approx 1/2 the miles. Factoring in that, plus what I sold the car for (£118) I get a cost per mile of
- 2p per mile.
All in all, the Alfa paid me £99 for the time I had it. Not a bad result.
I'd have another but it'd need to be a V6
I'll get a thread for the replacement done soon
I'd simply had enough of the faults and flaws, but didn't have the time or desire to take the car off the road to sort them - I pretty much ran it into the ground.
Fair play to it it took a helluva beating, never failing to start, and only failing to stop once.
Headline figures:
purchase price 200
Repairs 132
Fuel 632
Miles covered 4094
Average mpg 32.8
running costs per mile 18.6p
Because I was using it for work, I claimed approx 1/2 the miles. Factoring in that, plus what I sold the car for (£118) I get a cost per mile of
- 2p per mile.
All in all, the Alfa paid me £99 for the time I had it. Not a bad result.
I'd have another but it'd need to be a V6
I'll get a thread for the replacement done soon
poing said:
Shame to see it go and if you can't cope with the problems I suspect most of don't have a chance. Impressive costs though.
Looking forward to the replacement.
It wasnt so much not being able to cope-more that I couldn't afford to have the car off the road for any length of time as it was the main car..Looking forward to the replacement.
as for the replacement I'd temper the enthusiasm until after you've seen it;)
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