Alfa 159 - Should I?!
Discussion
Hi
I am sorely tempted by an Alfa 159
I guess I would be looking at (roughly) a 2008 car, probably diesel, though I thought 1.9 but they seem to get a bad reliability write-up? so maybe the 2.4?
Budget £7.5k ish.
I think the saloon is a real looker, but I might go for the wagon.
Moving from a couple of 2003 Passat 130 TDI Sport Estates (reliable, long life service, plenty of space and enough ooomph to keep me happy), which I would sell privately.
Where should I be looking for advice? and how much should I be looking to pay?
(I really like the TI spec and have looked at how much 19" tyres are....!)
Cheers
I am sorely tempted by an Alfa 159
I guess I would be looking at (roughly) a 2008 car, probably diesel, though I thought 1.9 but they seem to get a bad reliability write-up? so maybe the 2.4?
Budget £7.5k ish.
I think the saloon is a real looker, but I might go for the wagon.
Moving from a couple of 2003 Passat 130 TDI Sport Estates (reliable, long life service, plenty of space and enough ooomph to keep me happy), which I would sell privately.
Where should I be looking for advice? and how much should I be looking to pay?
(I really like the TI spec and have looked at how much 19" tyres are....!)
Cheers
I would go 1.9 if you are looking for economy, 2.4 if you're not bothered - the 2.4 can be modded to improve mpg by removing the EGR valve. Otherwise a 1.9 Lusso with 18s would be my pick, from my experience in the trade, this engine is more reliable than VAG/BMW units and should return 45 to 50 mpg.
As above, 2.4s are a bit thirsty in my experience (156 and Brera) so I'll be buying a 1.9 159 Sportwagon next 
Both the 1.9 and 2.4 have problems with the EGR, DPFs and water pumps. It's recommended to have the timing belt and water pump replaced earlier than the Alfa schedule although the figures range from 36k to 60k.
wrinx
Both the 1.9 and 2.4 have problems with the EGR, DPFs and water pumps. It's recommended to have the timing belt and water pump replaced earlier than the Alfa schedule although the figures range from 36k to 60k.
wrinx
wrinx said:
As above, 2.4s are a bit thirsty in my experience (156 and Brera) so I'll be buying a 1.9 159 Sportwagon next
Both the 1.9 and 2.4 have problems with the EGR, DPFs and water pumps. It's recommended to have the timing belt and water pump replaced earlier than the Alfa schedule although the figures range from 36k to 60k.
wrinx
How much is the belt and pump change?Both the 1.9 and 2.4 have problems with the EGR, DPFs and water pumps. It's recommended to have the timing belt and water pump replaced earlier than the Alfa schedule although the figures range from 36k to 60k.
wrinx
I just paid £340 for the same on the Passat.
Cheers
Danesgate said:
How much is the belt and pump change?
I just paid £340 for the same on the Passat.
Cheers
About £350 all in including water pumpI just paid £340 for the same on the Passat.
Cheers
http://www.alfaworkshop.co.uk/alfa_romeo_timing_be...
Mines been good as gold.
I've got a 2008 1.9 Lusso stromboli grey sportwagon wearing 18's - now done 70k miles, will be selling it next summer (company opt out rules apply).
I've had it since 12k miles.
servicing not a problem.
Did have a remap by red dot for a while which took it from 160bhp to 210bhp - but I had probs with the dpf, which meant trips to the garage under warrenty, & trips back to red dot to get remap re-instated - under many trips back & forth, I just said "feck it" & returned the car to normal.
18's are nice, not harsh & just the right side of expensive. though they only last around 12k on the front.
theres lots of hidden extras on the car, that are not on any spec sheet, which are just nice touches.
Most 2008 159 lussos on the market are ex Hertz cars, as they bought a glut of them under a good deal with Alfa, although Alfa owned them & leased them to Hertz, so 1st owner is registered as Alfa UK.
TI's tend to be a bit later 2009 on, & command about £1k extra, but for the sake of sillier wheels, chrome mirrors & slightly different seats, I could justify it.
I just spent £400 for the 4th year warenty extension, just for the peace of mind.
Apart from the remap/DPF issues, nothings broken, nothings gone silly.
looking at my colleagues 2011 A4, the 159 has better interior build quality
I've got a 2008 1.9 Lusso stromboli grey sportwagon wearing 18's - now done 70k miles, will be selling it next summer (company opt out rules apply).
I've had it since 12k miles.
servicing not a problem.
Did have a remap by red dot for a while which took it from 160bhp to 210bhp - but I had probs with the dpf, which meant trips to the garage under warrenty, & trips back to red dot to get remap re-instated - under many trips back & forth, I just said "feck it" & returned the car to normal.
18's are nice, not harsh & just the right side of expensive. though they only last around 12k on the front.
theres lots of hidden extras on the car, that are not on any spec sheet, which are just nice touches.
Most 2008 159 lussos on the market are ex Hertz cars, as they bought a glut of them under a good deal with Alfa, although Alfa owned them & leased them to Hertz, so 1st owner is registered as Alfa UK.
TI's tend to be a bit later 2009 on, & command about £1k extra, but for the sake of sillier wheels, chrome mirrors & slightly different seats, I could justify it.
I just spent £400 for the 4th year warenty extension, just for the peace of mind.
Apart from the remap/DPF issues, nothings broken, nothings gone silly.
looking at my colleagues 2011 A4, the 159 has better interior build quality
I was looking at alfa's Diesels in a slightly lower price bracket which meant I was looking at the "best" 156's or the highest mileage 159's. After viewing all sorts of dodgy crap I gave up an bought a Honda Accord 2.2 ictdi instead. Not one of the cars I viewed had a fuse box cover, probably to save time, and all had at least one electrical fault.
One day I'd like an alfa, but I just couldn't bring myself to risk hard earned cash.
One day I'd like an alfa, but I just couldn't bring myself to risk hard earned cash.
New POD said:
I was looking at alfa's Diesels in a slightly lower price bracket which meant I was looking at the "best" 156's or the highest mileage 159's. After viewing all sorts of dodgy crap I gave up an bought a Honda Accord 2.2 ictdi instead. Not one of the cars I viewed had a fuse box cover, probably to save time, and all had at least one electrical fault.
One day I'd like an alfa, but I just couldn't bring myself to risk hard earned cash.
I absolutely understand. Completely. But....One day I'd like an alfa, but I just couldn't bring myself to risk hard earned cash.
I walk upto my Diesel Passat every day and know with absolute certainty that it will start, go, stop and do everything it is meant to - as it has done for the last 164k miles.
I want to trade some of that for the tingle I'd get every day, the smile I would wear, walking upto one of these instead....
You should defo get one, I got an 2006 1.9 turismo which came with 66k on the clock picked it up the start of February. I've had the cambelt done and a major service and its covered 20k miles so far since. Getting above 50MPG on average because of the long journeys I've been doing in it. Even in the cold weather we are starting to experience now it starts fine! Fantastic to drive and its nice to be in something quite rare, not often do I see another on the roads!
Only negative I can think of is the undertray can scrap on vicious speed bumps and the ride can be a bit crashy when the surface gets rough, but I'd rather that then the waterbed feel I got when I drove a BMW 320D SE
Only negative I can think of is the undertray can scrap on vicious speed bumps and the ride can be a bit crashy when the surface gets rough, but I'd rather that then the waterbed feel I got when I drove a BMW 320D SE
Edited by alfaben on Wednesday 19th October 21:43
New POD said:
I was looking at alfa's Diesels in a slightly lower price bracket which meant I was looking at the "best" 156's or the highest mileage 159's. After viewing all sorts of dodgy crap I gave up an bought a Honda Accord 2.2 ictdi instead. Not one of the cars I viewed had a fuse box cover, probably to save time, and all had at least one electrical fault.
One day I'd like an alfa, but I just couldn't bring myself to risk hard earned cash.
Always confused by this, I have probably looked at 40-50 used Alfa's in my time, none have ever had missing fuse box covers (even though the early ones were useless) and can't recall any electrical faults either.One day I'd like an alfa, but I just couldn't bring myself to risk hard earned cash.
Funnily enough I have more problems finding a decent used Audi/Mercedes/BMW as they generally aren't loved.
Just a couple of hurdles to go....
Please can anyone with a 159 measure the width of the rear seat between the doors, as close the the backrest as possible but door to door.
I have 2 child booster seats and a baby seat to get across there and I forgot to measure the last tim eI was in one...
Cheers!
Please can anyone with a 159 measure the width of the rear seat between the doors, as close the the backrest as possible but door to door.
I have 2 child booster seats and a baby seat to get across there and I forgot to measure the last tim eI was in one...
Cheers!
V6Alfisti said:
New POD said:
I was looking at alfa's Diesels in a slightly lower price bracket which meant I was looking at the "best" 156's or the highest mileage 159's. After viewing all sorts of dodgy crap I gave up an bought a Honda Accord 2.2 ictdi instead. Not one of the cars I viewed had a fuse box cover, probably to save time, and all had at least one electrical fault.
One day I'd like an alfa, but I just couldn't bring myself to risk hard earned cash.
Always confused by this, I have probably looked at 40-50 used Alfa's in my time, none have ever had missing fuse box covers (even though the early ones were useless) and can't recall any electrical faults either.One day I'd like an alfa, but I just couldn't bring myself to risk hard earned cash.
Funnily enough I have more problems finding a decent used Audi/Mercedes/BMW as they generally aren't loved.
I have had a 1.9 FIAT Croma since 2007 with no real problems (it is essentially the same greasy bits under the bonnet) with no major problems.
Yes the EGR valves clog, but then so do VW`s and Audis. DPF problems are a myth. These usually result from too much town driving or sitting in traffic jams. All you need to do is drive it like you have stolen it once a month.
High mileage cars can suffer gearbox and clutch problems. If the dual mass flywheel fails then you can kiss goodbye to 700 notes (but again this happens in VW's etc.etc.).
Biggest concern is the electrics. Given it was an Italian that discovered electricity it is amazing how they can't get it to work. My Croma develeloped an fault which took 6 months to fix.
Water pumps can be dodgy but the trick is to have it replaced at cam belt time. Alternators are very suspect and will only last 3 or 4 years on average - they are not cheap either.
Other thing to note is that come cam belt chagnge time Alfa recomend that on the 2.4 the engine has to come out.
However, I would say that on the whole they are no better or worse than any other car. 1.9 pulls like a train.
Yes the EGR valves clog, but then so do VW`s and Audis. DPF problems are a myth. These usually result from too much town driving or sitting in traffic jams. All you need to do is drive it like you have stolen it once a month.
High mileage cars can suffer gearbox and clutch problems. If the dual mass flywheel fails then you can kiss goodbye to 700 notes (but again this happens in VW's etc.etc.).
Biggest concern is the electrics. Given it was an Italian that discovered electricity it is amazing how they can't get it to work. My Croma develeloped an fault which took 6 months to fix.
Water pumps can be dodgy but the trick is to have it replaced at cam belt time. Alternators are very suspect and will only last 3 or 4 years on average - they are not cheap either.
Other thing to note is that come cam belt chagnge time Alfa recomend that on the 2.4 the engine has to come out.
However, I would say that on the whole they are no better or worse than any other car. 1.9 pulls like a train.
New POD said:
I was looking at alfa's Diesels in a slightly lower price bracket which meant I was looking at the "best" 156's or the highest mileage 159's. After viewing all sorts of dodgy crap I gave up an bought a Honda Accord 2.2 ictdi instead. Not one of the cars I viewed had a fuse box cover, probably to save time, and all had at least one electrical fault.
One day I'd like an alfa, but I just couldn't bring myself to risk hard earned cash.
Some people on this site do talk sOne day I'd like an alfa, but I just couldn't bring myself to risk hard earned cash.
t sometimes.OP, congratulations on your purchase. They are wonderful looking cars, particularly as a TI. So you plumped for Alfa Red too? Good choice indeed.
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