Any reason I shouldn't buy a 2.2 159?

[Benmac]

OK, I need another car to commute in, occasionally carry a bike and occasionally carry the dog. It would be nice if it was something a little bit interesting, didn't have intergalactic mileage, was not likely to go pop without warning and was at least "useful" in terms of performance and handling while also being a decent place to do a long journey in.

This will be something so that I can "retire" my wife's SLK from daily duties (03, owned since new but mileage racking up now I am using it for a 45mile roundtrip most days). I also have a C class estate that my wife mostly has as she's at home with the dog more than me and a Quattroporte for high days and holidays so I'm am more than "used" to italians!

Always loved the look of the 159 and nearly bought a 2.4 when they first arrived but I wanted an auto at the time (not fussed now) and those were slightly behind the manuals. While a sportwagon isn't a full on flat loading area estate it will happily do what I want and they seem cheaper than the ubiquitous german equivalents. A diesel would be OK but I have found a nice, low miles 2.2 that is going for a decent price. Spec not ideal in being lusso rather than veloce but you can't have it all and it does have everything you'd "need". I know they're a little thirsty but that isn't any worse than the SLK, I know about the slightly lurchy low speed behaviour but Alfatune who do the remaps are only up the road from me and I know they can stretch cam chains but this one is low miles and looks to have had a gentle life.

So, given my criteria can any of you lot think of any reason I shouldn't buy it?

[trashbat]

Fuel economy will be fairly grim for what it is, and it's a bit underpowered. A 1750TBi would be better.

Otherwise it's nice, you already know a little about it, and Gus will sort you out.

[craig_m67]

Because everything other engine choice in the range is streets ahead.
That will haunt you, which is what Alfas are about, but in a good way (unlike the 2.2)

[Nigel_O]

I work part-time at Motormech in Birmingham - a well respected Fiat / Alfa specialist

the 2.2 is not a well-liked engine - not enough power to be entertaining. Not enough torque to be grunty. Not enough reliability to be, er, reliable.

1.9 is pretty adequate (my son has a black 159 Sportwagon - looks lovely) - goes well after a remap (easy 170bhp) and with a decat and DPF delete it sounds half decent (for a diesel). I also run the 1.9 diesel myself, but in an Alfa GT

the 2.4 is a great engine, but not particularly economical. Sounds lovely with its offbeat 5-pot noise and can easily be mapped to 250-ish bhp and a gazzillion torques

The V6 is nice, but its not an Alfa lump and isn't anywhere near as characterful as the old Busso engines. However, its smooth, reliable and sounds better than any of the other engines in the range

[jamies30]

Just to echo the above, the 2.2 is a poor engine - arguably the worst ever to (dis)grace an Alfa IMHO. There are better engines in the range, and undoubtedly better engines in other cars.

I found the 2.2 in the 159 so poor that I bought the 1.9d instead - and let's be honest, it needs to be a pretty ropey petrol engine before a diesel is a better choice. )

[robbo 2006]

Ok i have only driven the 3.2, 2.0 jtd and owned the 2.4 and now 1750 SW. Of these the 1750 is the better all rounder. It's also a post lightened phase 159. The 2.4 I had remapped and the torque was like a train hitting you. The only trouble was it was like a barge going in to corners with the weight. The same with the 3.2 although the noise even from the mainly GM unit was lovely. For me I'd go for the 2.2 and get Gus to tune it right for you unless you can afford a 1750.

[Pooh]

I had a 2.2 Brera S and loved it, it had an induction kit and a remap.It needed to be driven hard on Vpower to give its best but it was smooth free revving and sounded lovely. Not hugely fast but fast enough to overtake safely, fuel economy was rubbish though.
I believe that the ecu learns how you drive and if you pootle it becomes a bit lethargic, drive it like an Italian and it is fine.

[cheesewotsit]

Are there any known issues/faults with either the V6 or 'box/transmission that comes in the V6 159 model? I know the engine isn't a proper Alfa, but wondering whether it, or the auto/4WD will cause me concern if I got one?

[davebem]

Not sure which manual box the v6 has, as for auto it uses the same proven japanese built auto box used in many cars, volvo, ford, mazda etc and no reported issues.