Alfa 159 - Should I?!

Author
Discussion

wilbo83

1,535 posts

165 months

Saturday 6th July 2013
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Considering a ti spec one of these so thought I would bump the thread for any more owner reviews? Particularly interested in mpg differences between the 1.9 and 2.4. Also, I have seen some newer models advertised as a 2.0, did they make a 1.9 and a 2.0?

Colonial

13,553 posts

205 months

Monday 8th July 2013
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Looking at the 2.4 quite closely at the moment.

How is everyones long term reliability going?

The ones I am at looking at have done 50,000-70,000 miles.

Voguely

340 posts

158 months

Monday 8th July 2013
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wilbo83 said:
Considering a ti spec one of these so thought I would bump the thread for any more owner reviews? Particularly interested in mpg differences between the 1.9 and 2.4. Also, I have seen some newer models advertised as a 2.0, did they make a 1.9 and a 2.0?
I've got the 1.9 and since giving it a service recently and doing more motorway miles my average MPG has gone up quite a bit. On a long run I can easily average over 50 MPG now which I'm quite chuffed with.

I haven't owned a 2.4 but from what I've heard you'll stuggle to get much more than 35 odd, so potentially quite a big difference.

The 2.4 is an older engine design, the two engines are really from different eras. A quick forum trawl on Alfa forums etc will usually show more reliability problems with the 2.4's, but again this is quite a subjective survey! Unless you really need the extra speed then you're probably wise to opt for the 1.9.

As a car generally, I've been very pleased with mine so far. Came from having a Range Rover previously which is obviously very different and took a bit of adjusting to being back in a small car, but now I really like it. Very comfortable, controls are well laid out on the whole and powerful enough as my day to day driver. Cabin is much nicer IMO than the German rivals at the same price point (generally older cars due to them holding values longer than Alfas).

RicksAlfas

13,387 posts

244 months

Tuesday 9th July 2013
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wilbo83 said:
Considering a ti spec one of these so thought I would bump the thread for any more owner reviews? Particularly interested in mpg differences between the 1.9 and 2.4. Also, I have seen some newer models advertised as a 2.0, did they make a 1.9 and a 2.0?
Yes, the 2.0 came in later on in the 159's life, replacing the 1.9. It's probably the most sensible option.
The 2.4 is a big grunty beast. It sounds great and goes very well, but it is heavy and not very economical. Certainly the most fun though!

Dan_1981

17,382 posts

199 months

Saturday 20th July 2013
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Hmmm interesting.

1.9 diesel.

Would be perfect for the commute.

A shallow question if I may - roof bars - do they only come on the 2.4? I'm yet to see a 1.9 with them and they finish the look off superbly.

GuyGhibli

247 posts

136 months

Saturday 20th July 2013
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Dan_1981 said:
Hmmm interesting.

1.9 diesel.

Would be perfect for the commute.

A shallow question if I may - roof bars - do they only come on the 2.4? I'm yet to see a 1.9 with them and they finish the look off superbly.
Shallow answer - from the previous page of this thread, a picture of a 1.9 TI SW with roof bars.

j3gme said:

Just got this 1.9 (2.0) 170bhp ti .... Love it ... And just so different to BMW and Audis

RicksAlfas

13,387 posts

244 months

Saturday 20th July 2013
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Hearse bars were an option on any engine size.
Thankfully!
wink

FlipFlopGriff

7,144 posts

247 months

Monday 22nd July 2013
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Got a 2.0 170 diesel (late 2009) ti Sportwagon an it has NO roof bars.
Did look at BMW's (not sure why) but there were as dull as dishwater to look at and drive. And they are like ar5ses - everyones got one.
The 159 is a very good looking car anbd the Sportwagon, although an estate, is quote petite. Wish we'd not had gone for the black though.
FFG

Dan_1981

17,382 posts

199 months

Thursday 1st August 2013
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What sort of economy is being returned by the 1.9 diesel - especially on long, steady motorway runs?

Any reliability issues to be concerned with? Are the Alfa stories really still applicable?

Voguely

340 posts

158 months

Thursday 8th August 2013
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Dan_1981 said:
What sort of economy is being returned by the 1.9 diesel - especially on long, steady motorway runs?

Any reliability issues to be concerned with? Are the Alfa stories really still applicable?
I get 50mpg on a long motorway run in my '06 plate 1.9. That is the reading on the trip, I haven't tested it against a fill-to-fill trip. That is doing 70mph with cruise control on. Highest I've had it for a whole journey was 52mpg.

No reliability issues with mine so far, but I've only had it about 8 months.

silverthorn2151

6,298 posts

179 months

Thursday 8th August 2013
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I just got back from a 2000 mile round trip to south west France in mine.

Ran like a dream and was superbly comfortable for 2 long days driving. Filled up before we left the villa. Filled up again near Le Mans the following day and that got us to home.

The love is still growing! It's covered in dirt and a million bugs but I am looking forward to showing some love and lathering it up this weekend!

Andy JB

1,319 posts

219 months

Wednesday 4th September 2013
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.

sawman

4,917 posts

230 months

Friday 8th November 2013
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On the way home from work I dropped in to a local dealer to have a poke around a subaru that I had noticed advertised. The dealer in in one of these arrangements where there are a few dealers in a complex. The next lot over has a great looking 58 plate 159 lusso estate. looked great in black with beige leather, 88k miles, 2.4 diesel motor. It was getting dark, so probably need to go back for a proper look, the question is dare I ?

I have read that the 2.4 diesel isnt the most economical - but most of my driving is on duals at a steady 65-70. I am currently getting 29mpg out of my old petrol merc c280.

I see that tyres are quite expensive compared to my merc (150 versus 60 a corner) but whats the overall maintenace cost like with these - at 88k is anything significant imminent?