Discussion
What a phenomenonal car!
Nearly 2000 miles over the last month, ferrying people and stuff from the frozen north of England to the frozen south of France with some great detours along the way.
Coming from an Audi A4 to my first Alfa and my first diesel (apart from an old Land Rover many years ago) I was a bit sceptical, but fell in love when I test drove it.
I never thought I could love a diesel but the 2.4 with 200bhp is amazing. Pulls in every gear, can overtake in places you wouldn't dream of in a 2.0 petrol car and, though I hate to talk about fuel consumption averaged over 38mpg on the whole trip. People say they're not all that great by modern diesel standards but that's pretty astonishing to me. It even actually sounds alright when you rag it as well.
It's everything I didn't think an Alfa would be for long motorway journeys. Comfortable and relaxed whether in heavy traffic around London or steaming along an empty motorway at 120.
And reliable.
And apart from a little collection of endearing quirks like the windows going down by themselves, boot opening and a few warning lights popping up then disappearing, nothing went wrong.
It's a bit bargy on B roads compared to a hot hatch but anything with 4 decent seats and a boot will be.
That's it really. No point to make or questions to ask other than whether this is one of the most underrated cars of its type?
I absolutely love my 159 and if you're looking at Audis or BMWs of a similar age for double the price forget it! This is the car to have.
Nearly 2000 miles over the last month, ferrying people and stuff from the frozen north of England to the frozen south of France with some great detours along the way.
Coming from an Audi A4 to my first Alfa and my first diesel (apart from an old Land Rover many years ago) I was a bit sceptical, but fell in love when I test drove it.
I never thought I could love a diesel but the 2.4 with 200bhp is amazing. Pulls in every gear, can overtake in places you wouldn't dream of in a 2.0 petrol car and, though I hate to talk about fuel consumption averaged over 38mpg on the whole trip. People say they're not all that great by modern diesel standards but that's pretty astonishing to me. It even actually sounds alright when you rag it as well.
It's everything I didn't think an Alfa would be for long motorway journeys. Comfortable and relaxed whether in heavy traffic around London or steaming along an empty motorway at 120.
And reliable.
And apart from a little collection of endearing quirks like the windows going down by themselves, boot opening and a few warning lights popping up then disappearing, nothing went wrong.
It's a bit bargy on B roads compared to a hot hatch but anything with 4 decent seats and a boot will be.
That's it really. No point to make or questions to ask other than whether this is one of the most underrated cars of its type?
I absolutely love my 159 and if you're looking at Audis or BMWs of a similar age for double the price forget it! This is the car to have.
Having owned Alfas for 20+ years you'll not hear any argument from me, sadly the majority have been undervalued for years thanks to a biased media and lingering reputation from the rusty years.
Still getting to know my recently purchased 159 2.4 Q4 but love it so far! Disappointed we didn't have more snow here so I could test out it's AWD capability, which is apparently impressive.
My Son currently has a Giulietta but was planning to return to the German fold and swore he wouldn't own another Alfa...until he saw my 159! He's now lusting after a 159 Ti...bless. He said much the same as you, you get a lot of car for the money and it's gorgeous.
wrinx
Still getting to know my recently purchased 159 2.4 Q4 but love it so far! Disappointed we didn't have more snow here so I could test out it's AWD capability, which is apparently impressive.
My Son currently has a Giulietta but was planning to return to the German fold and swore he wouldn't own another Alfa...until he saw my 159! He's now lusting after a 159 Ti...bless. He said much the same as you, you get a lot of car for the money and it's gorgeous.
wrinx
I don't know what your thoughts are on DPF removal, but if you remove this, the EGR and get a mild remap - it can gain you a decent amount of mpg and makes the engine even more flexible and reduces the chance of the inlet manifold gunging up. For £400 it's money well spent on this brilliant car. I agree, they are very underrated. I paid 2k for my 2008 1.9 lusso, it's certainly more entertaining and characterful than a friends 320d, plus it has much more equipment as standard and the stereo is brilliant. Wish I had found a 2.4, I'll keep an eye out for one later in the year. Good luck with yours.
I'm not sure it actually has a DPF.
The guy I bought it from (a dealer) thought the previous owner had had it removed but wasn't sure. I can't see one underneath but not quite sure I'm looking in the right place.
Remap is a possibility but at the moment I'm working on the if it ain't broke don't fix it principle.
The guy I bought it from (a dealer) thought the previous owner had had it removed but wasn't sure. I can't see one underneath but not quite sure I'm looking in the right place.
Remap is a possibility but at the moment I'm working on the if it ain't broke don't fix it principle.
Id absolutely have one if i were after something of that size, as it is my 147 serves me just fine.
The 159 still strikes me as absolutely gorgeous, my only real beef (apart from it being too big for my needs) is the engine selection, i dont fancy the 1.9 and 2.2 GM lumps, nor is the V6 all that appealing, leaving the relatively rare 1.8 mpi and 1750tb. The 2.4 Diesel should be excellent though, if mileage justifies an oilburner
The 159 still strikes me as absolutely gorgeous, my only real beef (apart from it being too big for my needs) is the engine selection, i dont fancy the 1.9 and 2.2 GM lumps, nor is the V6 all that appealing, leaving the relatively rare 1.8 mpi and 1750tb. The 2.4 Diesel should be excellent though, if mileage justifies an oilburner
Vitorio said:
Id absolutely have one if i were after something of that size, as it is my 147 serves me just fine.
You'd be hugely disappointed in a 159 after a 147.The 156 / 147 were relatively lightweight, zingy, pointy things.
The 159 is a bloated barge. They drive more like an Audi than an Alfa. Was hugely disappointed when looking to replace a written off 156.
SKP555 said:
I'm not sure it actually has a DPF.
The guy I bought it from (a dealer) thought the previous owner had had it removed but wasn't sure. I can't see one underneath but not quite sure I'm looking in the right place.
Remap is a possibility but at the moment I'm working on the if it ain't broke don't fix it principle.
DPF is underneath on the exhaust run mid way down ish, look like this http://www.sinspeed.co.uk/alfa-romeo-dpf-removal-s...The guy I bought it from (a dealer) thought the previous owner had had it removed but wasn't sure. I can't see one underneath but not quite sure I'm looking in the right place.
Remap is a possibility but at the moment I'm working on the if it ain't broke don't fix it principle.
My 2.4 is erg/dpf and mapped, so much better now.
Trabi601 said:
You'd be hugely disappointed in a 159 after a 147.
The 156 / 147 were relatively lightweight, zingy, pointy things.
The 159 is a bloated barge. They drive more like an Audi than an Alfa. Was hugely disappointed when looking to replace a written off 156.
I know that, i wouldnt expected something zingy and sharp in barge-size anyway, i can just imagine the 159 is a comfortable boat of a thing. I wouldnt prefer one over a 147 unless i needed the space!The 156 / 147 were relatively lightweight, zingy, pointy things.
The 159 is a bloated barge. They drive more like an Audi than an Alfa. Was hugely disappointed when looking to replace a written off 156.
And besides, my 147 is only a low-power 1.6, which drinks oil the higher i rev it, so i (try to
) keep calm behind the wheel and not drive its wheels off.Vitorio said:
I know that, i wouldnt expected something zingy and sharp in barge-size anyway, i can just imagine the 159 is a comfortable boat of a thing.
I wouldn't say the 159 is particularly comfortable, mine is a Ti and the ride is pretty unforgiving on the 19's with Ti suspension. That said though it certainly doesn't feel like a barge and handles fairly well for what it is, goes alright when you're in the mood as well.1750 is the one to go for in my opinion, never regretted holding out for that engine and yes I'm a fan of mine as well.
wal 45 said:
I wouldn't say the 159 is particularly comfortable, mine is a Ti and the ride is pretty unforgiving on the 19's with Ti suspension. That said though it certainly doesn't feel like a barge and handles fairly well for what it is, goes alright when you're in the mood as well.
1750 is the one to go for in my opinion, never regretted holding out for that engine and yes I'm a fan of mine as well.
x2. Got a 1750 TBi in Ti spec myself, I knew they were rare when I bought it but didn't realise just how rare. Think its a cracking car and I certainly smile when I look at back at it in the work car park amongst the other usual german saloons.1750 is the one to go for in my opinion, never regretted holding out for that engine and yes I'm a fan of mine as well.
159 is very different to 156.
Mucking about on B roads - 156 every time.
1000 miles each way to the south of France and back - 159 is the place to be.
Remap is well worth while - 260 HP is pretty chunky, and ours has done about 60K miles without any clutch issues, now on 100K.
The engine is a b'stard to work on though.
Mucking about on B roads - 156 every time.
1000 miles each way to the south of France and back - 159 is the place to be.
Remap is well worth while - 260 HP is pretty chunky, and ours has done about 60K miles without any clutch issues, now on 100K.
The engine is a b'stard to work on though.
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