156 owners, talk to me
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Hi Alfa owners. My wife and I need a winter runaround, my Tuscan doesn't tend to see much action in the winter and the wife has a mint 12 year old golf gti that is getting hard to keep in the condition it is.I'm no stranger to danger when it comes to Italian cars as I have owned a alfa sud cloverleaf, fiat strada abarth 130 and more recently my dream car a integrale. We are looking to spend £1000 on a car, I have looked at many things but as i'm a petrolhead I keep coming back to alfas. We both fancy a 156, pref an estate as they look damn fine. Fuel consumption is not a worry as it will not do many miles. I just want your feedback on buying a 156. I do not really want a diesel, all modern diesels seem to be unreliable. All comments are welcome.
Cheers
Cheers
Edited by wongthecorrupter on Wednesday 8th October 20:42
I bought one (Y reg , 2.0 TS 70,000 miles fsh) for 700 quid, 3 years ago when my Mondeo blew up on the M25, ran in (hard) for 2 years and racked up 30,000 miles.
All I replaced was the battery (the original was still in it) and two front tyres.
Buy one that's had the cam belt done recently, and the front wishbones (upper & lower), and there's not much to worry about.
Keep it topped up with oil and you'll not go far wrong. Keep an eye out for a fluctuating temp gauge as the thermostats can go, but they're an easy fix for about 25 quid.
MAF are prone to fail, but again, a cheap easy fix.
Buy a 2.0 twin spark and you won't go far wrong.
All I replaced was the battery (the original was still in it) and two front tyres.
Buy one that's had the cam belt done recently, and the front wishbones (upper & lower), and there's not much to worry about.
Keep it topped up with oil and you'll not go far wrong. Keep an eye out for a fluctuating temp gauge as the thermostats can go, but they're an easy fix for about 25 quid.
MAF are prone to fail, but again, a cheap easy fix.
Buy a 2.0 twin spark and you won't go far wrong.
Geoffcapes said:
I bought one (Y reg , 2.0 TS 70,000 miles fsh) for 700 quid, 3 years ago when my Mondeo blew up on the M25, ran in (hard) for 2 years and racked up 30,000 miles.
All I replaced was the battery (the original was still in it) and two front tyres.
Buy one that's had the cam belt done recently, and the front wishbones (upper & lower), and there's not much to worry about.
Keep it topped up with oil and you'll not go far wrong. Keep an eye out for a fluctuating temp gauge as the thermostats can go, but they're an easy fix for about 25 quid.
MAF are prone to fail, but again, a cheap easy fix.
Buy a 2.0 twin spark and you won't go far wrong.
That's good advice.All I replaced was the battery (the original was still in it) and two front tyres.
Buy one that's had the cam belt done recently, and the front wishbones (upper & lower), and there's not much to worry about.
Keep it topped up with oil and you'll not go far wrong. Keep an eye out for a fluctuating temp gauge as the thermostats can go, but they're an easy fix for about 25 quid.
MAF are prone to fail, but again, a cheap easy fix.
Buy a 2.0 twin spark and you won't go far wrong.
I had a 2.0 twinspark lusso, superb engine note.
cam belt, lots of oil and lots of quirks!
I owned a 156 2.4TD sportwagon. The engine sounded pretty good for a diesel (5 cylinder). The older 10 valve engines seem pretty bullet proof (we had no issues with the engine - shame about everything else)
The engine was heavy and with a Lusso specification it was a brilliant cruiser but far from a 'B' road blaster.
It was a 51 plate and is still going locally - and looks lovely.....
The engine was heavy and with a Lusso specification it was a brilliant cruiser but far from a 'B' road blaster.
It was a 51 plate and is still going locally - and looks lovely.....
I have one and it's a great car to have. Just watch out for rust and keep the oil topped up. I would also try and find one with loads of service history as the engines don't like to be neglected. Despite the odd niggles they give (wishbones are a prime example), they are well worth the money they go for.
Check the floor and sills for rot. Look for one that's had a recent cambelt change and quiet suspension.
Twin sparks have a semi justified reputation for being unreliable. It's more often than not that this is due to neglect rather than there being any fundamental problems with them.
V6's are bullet proof, assuming the cam belt is changed regularly... But they need revs and like a drink as a consequence.
Twin sparks have a semi justified reputation for being unreliable. It's more often than not that this is due to neglect rather than there being any fundamental problems with them.
V6's are bullet proof, assuming the cam belt is changed regularly... But they need revs and like a drink as a consequence.
I ran a '99 156V6 saloon for 5 years and 26k miles(sold it just 3 months ago). Probably one of the most reliable cars I've ever owned. It cost me an average of £800 p.a for servicing, tyres, MOT's etc. Bear in mind that included a cambelt/water pump change. The only other part replaced was a PAS pipe aside from consummables.
A fun car and nice place to be. I'd only ever consider a V6 though. The engine is bullet-proof and does not suffer the TS oil consumption issues (I never had to top up between services).
As usual, look for a comprehensive service record, cambelt change every 36k/ 3yrs for a TS or 72k/5 yrs for the V6. Listen for knocking from the suspension and check the rear floor pans and sills.
A fun car and nice place to be. I'd only ever consider a V6 though. The engine is bullet-proof and does not suffer the TS oil consumption issues (I never had to top up between services).
As usual, look for a comprehensive service record, cambelt change every 36k/ 3yrs for a TS or 72k/5 yrs for the V6. Listen for knocking from the suspension and check the rear floor pans and sills.
I bought a '99 V6 in June, tested until Christmas. No breakdowns, 140,000 miles on the clock and I paid £280. Not sure if I'll bother testing it - either weigh it in and get my money back or park it in a barn for ten years and then "find it" covered in dust then sell for far more than I paid for it
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