Just bought 156, cambelt needed - Teesside?
Discussion
Sorry, wanted to attract attention from anyone who could help so tried to squeeze it all into headline.
I've just bought what I hope is a bargain 156 although it's a bit of a pig in a poke if I'm honest.
I know nothing about cars, all I know is I wanted another Alfa after owning a 33 about ten years ago.
Saw a 156 1.6 TS Lusso on a Y for sale today and bought it. Black with a red leather interior -and wood steering wheel - I couldn't resist.
The dealer told me there was cambelt noise and it needed changing asap. It's ridiculously cheap - £1,850. Says 47,000 miles, which looks right, though no history.
Went for a spin and it seemed fine to my uneducated ear.
Just wanted some feedback on...
1. Have I been really, really stupid?
2. Where in Teesside area should I take it for cambelt/service/honest, informed assesment of the car?
Any help very much appreciated.
But we went
I've just bought what I hope is a bargain 156 although it's a bit of a pig in a poke if I'm honest.
I know nothing about cars, all I know is I wanted another Alfa after owning a 33 about ten years ago.
Saw a 156 1.6 TS Lusso on a Y for sale today and bought it. Black with a red leather interior -and wood steering wheel - I couldn't resist.
The dealer told me there was cambelt noise and it needed changing asap. It's ridiculously cheap - £1,850. Says 47,000 miles, which looks right, though no history.
Went for a spin and it seemed fine to my uneducated ear.
Just wanted some feedback on...
1. Have I been really, really stupid?
2. Where in Teesside area should I take it for cambelt/service/honest, informed assesment of the car?
Any help very much appreciated.
But we went
Have a look through the service history - if it hasn't had a cambelt change it needs one - interval is 36,000 miles or four years (recently changed by AR). Cambelt "noise" when cold could be the variator - it's common to change this at the same time as the cambelt - will add just over £100 to the cost of the belt change I believe.
With no history available I'd get it done ASAP. Like, yesterday!
Check with the previous owners and Alfa to try and find out at least some of the service history. If you can track down the supplying garage, they can stamp up a new service book for you for a few quid. With the name and address of the previous owner on the V5, I'd try giving that areas local Alfa dealer a ring...got to be worth a go.
If you can track down the service history and get everything up to date, the car will instantly be worth over £3k
Check with the previous owners and Alfa to try and find out at least some of the service history. If you can track down the supplying garage, they can stamp up a new service book for you for a few quid. With the name and address of the previous owner on the V5, I'd try giving that areas local Alfa dealer a ring...got to be worth a go.
If you can track down the service history and get everything up to date, the car will instantly be worth over £3k
Disaster. Mechanic says it's not just belt, it's camshaft, etc, etc and he suspects it's been run dry of oil and therefore it's likely to have bottom end damage too. He recommends replacement engine. Garage won't refund. I'm going to argue with them and try to cut a deal. Any thoughts on engine situation?
Cambelts are now a worry in my book. With global warning and much hotter summers, belts are subjected to much higher under bonnet temperatures which will shorten their lives.
VAG caught a big cold in this area and shortened intervals. I now take the view that it's a change at 36,000 miles/3 years or start saving for the big bang!
VAG caught a big cold in this area and shortened intervals. I now take the view that it's a change at 36,000 miles/3 years or start saving for the big bang!
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