Anyone got an Alfa 159?
Discussion
What are your expectations & what are you looking for?
I don't have one, but I know a fair bit about them. They're generally well-built and reliable. They're not a spiritual successor to the 156, which is a common mistake; too heavy and refined for that, so think of them as a smaller Alfa 166 if that means anything to you. A bit of GM-era SAAB about the whole affair really. You can go much faster without feeling it, so many think of them as a bit numb. Overall if that ticks your boxes then I suspect it's an underrated car that'll serve you well. Plus the looks, as you know.
Not much parts sharing and nowhere near as many of them made in comparison to the 156-era cars.
Look out for problems relating to the usual enviro-guff (EGR, DPF) on any car of this era, and also for rusty subframes. Someone else can give you the detail.
I don't have one, but I know a fair bit about them. They're generally well-built and reliable. They're not a spiritual successor to the 156, which is a common mistake; too heavy and refined for that, so think of them as a smaller Alfa 166 if that means anything to you. A bit of GM-era SAAB about the whole affair really. You can go much faster without feeling it, so many think of them as a bit numb. Overall if that ticks your boxes then I suspect it's an underrated car that'll serve you well. Plus the looks, as you know.
Not much parts sharing and nowhere near as many of them made in comparison to the 156-era cars.
Look out for problems relating to the usual enviro-guff (EGR, DPF) on any car of this era, and also for rusty subframes. Someone else can give you the detail.
I've got a 2.4 JTDM Lusso saloon on an 07/57 as my daily.
It is a nice bit of kit, good to do long distances in, not massively economical (32mpg average, 37 or 38 on a run, that said I do tend to kick the s
t out of it).
There are the usual Alfa quirks, it eats bulbs (my 147 before did the same) and you can't use the centre cupholder whilst using the cigarette lighter.
The headlights are not very good (sadly I've not got xenons) but a set of Nightbreakers sorts that a bit.
Rear legroom isn't huge for a biggish saloon and the engine is low down so you do tend to scrape speed bumps etc.
I don't think there is a prettier 4 door saloon and the 2.4 has plenty of poke to it. I'd have another.
It is a nice bit of kit, good to do long distances in, not massively economical (32mpg average, 37 or 38 on a run, that said I do tend to kick the s
t out of it).There are the usual Alfa quirks, it eats bulbs (my 147 before did the same) and you can't use the centre cupholder whilst using the cigarette lighter.
The headlights are not very good (sadly I've not got xenons) but a set of Nightbreakers sorts that a bit.
Rear legroom isn't huge for a biggish saloon and the engine is low down so you do tend to scrape speed bumps etc.
I don't think there is a prettier 4 door saloon and the 2.4 has plenty of poke to it. I'd have another.
Thanks for your replies chaps. I have just got back from the test drive and I fell in love! I've left a deposit and collect next week! It really does shift which is nice and the reasonable economy on a run will be nice. Couldn't fault it! It did remind me of a saab I used to have, which isn't a bad thing at all in my opinion! Can't wait to pick it up
Ah okay I'll check that out when I pick it up.
It's a 210bhp Lusso model In grey, looks stunning.... Although I'd like some horseshoe alloys instead of the ones on there at the moment!
I've read something about checking the coolant bleed screw as well so that's something I'll be checking out.
It's done 63k on an 07 plate, I was thinking of having cambelt and water pump done in the next couple of months, does anyone have any advice on this?
It's a 210bhp Lusso model In grey, looks stunning.... Although I'd like some horseshoe alloys instead of the ones on there at the moment!
I've read something about checking the coolant bleed screw as well so that's something I'll be checking out.
It's done 63k on an 07 plate, I was thinking of having cambelt and water pump done in the next couple of months, does anyone have any advice on this?
consider a remap, a Terraclean and an EGR blank - all will conspire to make it even nicer to drive and better mpg too
Remap will take it to around 240bhp and an epic 460Nm (and it will shred front tyres as a result - keep an eye on the inside edges, as worn wishbones will screw the tracking and destroy a pair of tyres in very short order)
Remap will take it to around 240bhp and an epic 460Nm (and it will shred front tyres as a result - keep an eye on the inside edges, as worn wishbones will screw the tracking and destroy a pair of tyres in very short order)
Ghost91 said:
My mate had his estate remapped to 240 and it chewed his gearbox, apparently you have to be careful how you drive it once it's remapped? It could just be a one off but it cost him a grand to get the gearbox replaced I think
Have fun, I have one 2.4 auto estate which has been mapped (which I'm selling) that I love but alas I had my head turned by a cheap m135i business lease. Cracking cars and stunning to look at.
Enjoy.
I've got a 159 1750 TBi Ti SW, it's a really great car and I'm sure you'll really enjoy your 2.4 although (it appears) fuel consumption can be very undiesel like.
Best advice is to go on to Alfa Owner (159/Brera section), the majority of posters seem to be 2.4 drivers and you'll find all the information you'll ever need on there.
Best advice is to go on to Alfa Owner (159/Brera section), the majority of posters seem to be 2.4 drivers and you'll find all the information you'll ever need on there.
Ghost91 said:
.......I've read something about checking the coolant bleed screw as well so that's something I'll be checking out.
It's done 63k on an 07 plate, I was thinking of having cambelt and water pump done in the next couple of months, does anyone have any advice on this?
It's at the left-hand end of the pipework outlined
If it's black plastic, I'd change it at some point - mine decided to let go at the top of the Pyrennes in Andorra and I 'limped' back to the UK with a patch consisting of a large self-tapping screw encased in epoxy putty to have it replaced by this metal version
Changing the timing belt and water pump is not a bad idea either - better sooner rather than too late and suffering the consequences, and at least you'll have the peace of mind that you've got 10's of thousands of miles before the next one is due.
I'm particularly impressed by the blue & me systemAlfa2Evora said:
This is what you're looking for with regards to the coolant bleed screw.
It's at the left-hand end of the pipework outlined
If it's black plastic, I'd change it at some point - mine decided to let go at the top of the Pyrennes in Andorra and I 'limped' back to the UK with a patch consisting of a large self-tapping screw encased in epoxy putty to have it replaced by this metal version
Changing the timing belt and water pump is not a bad idea either - better sooner rather than too late and suffering the consequences, and at least you'll have the peace of mind that you've got 10's of thousands of miles before the next one is due.
Evening David :-)It's at the left-hand end of the pipework outlined
If it's black plastic, I'd change it at some point - mine decided to let go at the top of the Pyrennes in Andorra and I 'limped' back to the UK with a patch consisting of a large self-tapping screw encased in epoxy putty to have it replaced by this metal version
Changing the timing belt and water pump is not a bad idea either - better sooner rather than too late and suffering the consequences, and at least you'll have the peace of mind that you've got 10's of thousands of miles before the next one is due.
Did try to call you back. Am in West Lothian in next few days will drop you a line.
Alfa went into the garage yesterday for a health check and needed a glow plug as message on dash came up, and was lumpy and coughing on cold starts. This sorted it for a day but today it was better but back to starting terribly with a big puff of smoke.
Had the egr checked and read, also the swirl flaps etc, everything appears to be fine..
Hopefully will find the cause of the problem soon!
Overall though it drives superbly and is a real rocket, especially for a diesel!
Had the egr checked and read, also the swirl flaps etc, everything appears to be fine..
Hopefully will find the cause of the problem soon!
Overall though it drives superbly and is a real rocket, especially for a diesel!
Enjoy it. I had a 2.4. Ti and had it mapped and it was a brute. The 1750 I've got now is lighter and more nimble but I miss that tidlewave of torque when you plant the right foot down. Lovely cars especially with nice 19" alloys on there. I don't think a159 looks the bit without these.
Cheers!
Iain
Cheers!
Iain
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