Alfa Romeo 156 2 Litre Twin Spark "Lusso"
Discussion
Not been on here for a little while...
But on Monday Evening added a new car to the driveway...
To replace my MG TF, Behold my
1999 Alfa Romeo 156 with 86,000 Miles
2 Litre 16v Twin Spark Engine
Creme/Beige MOMO Leather Interior
Original Alfa Romeo Audio with 6 Disc Changer in the boot
Optional 17" Alloys in VGC...
So here she is,
Needs a proper clean and Polish and I think she will be pretty sweet... I know it's nothing special, but it's a big upgrade for me, as I've only been driving 10 Months and previous cars were a 1992 Polo & a 1.6 MG TF... Could be worse at the age of 21... I could have a Corsa "D"
But on Monday Evening added a new car to the driveway...
To replace my MG TF, Behold my
1999 Alfa Romeo 156 with 86,000 Miles
2 Litre 16v Twin Spark Engine
Creme/Beige MOMO Leather Interior
Original Alfa Romeo Audio with 6 Disc Changer in the boot
Optional 17" Alloys in VGC...
So here she is,
Needs a proper clean and Polish and I think she will be pretty sweet... I know it's nothing special, but it's a big upgrade for me, as I've only been driving 10 Months and previous cars were a 1992 Polo & a 1.6 MG TF... Could be worse at the age of 21... I could have a Corsa "D"
Like I said, It's nothing special...
But really enjoying it so far, only thing letting it down in my opinion is the soft suspension... It literally feels like you're floating around.
Managed about 500 miles in it so far... I'd like to tweak it to make it my own, but frankly I can't think of anything worth doing to it!
But really enjoying it so far, only thing letting it down in my opinion is the soft suspension... It literally feels like you're floating around.
Managed about 500 miles in it so far... I'd like to tweak it to make it my own, but frankly I can't think of anything worth doing to it!
I used to have one of these with the same interior. I quite liked the soft suspension but most the road around here are full of bumps and potholes. Like you say - they aren't very economical to "do up" as you would loose so much money on them. Apart from a flat battery and a thermostat - mine was trouble free for a few years ownership. It was just the usual wear and tear items such as wishbones, tyres and brakes.
DMN said:
Fit the GTA intake mod, it replaces some of the tubing prior to the airbox with a much less restrictive pipe and makes the car sound amazing. The pipe you need does not cost the earth either.
GTA intake mod ay? Sounds interesting, I was originally going to change it over to the Twin Cone induction kit i've got laying around in my garageBut might investigate this option first!
Ah great, someone has got one of these on here 
.
I had the baby brother of this a few years back, the 147, both in 8v JTD and 2.0 TS flavours. In the petrol form these are superb fun.
I have to ask two things though. What is your MPG like (via a tank to tank method) and has the timing belt been done within the last 36k via someone reputable?
.I had the baby brother of this a few years back, the 147, both in 8v JTD and 2.0 TS flavours
. In the petrol form these are superb fun.I have to ask two things though. What is your MPG like (via a tank to tank method) and has the timing belt been done within the last 36k via someone reputable?
Well done you !
I am a bit biased...but IMO these 156s are brilliant cars, and are still one of the best looking saloon cars around. I bought my first Alfa from a pal; a 156 1.8TS Lusso in silver with black leather. That was my first venture into Alfa ownership, and I am now on my second 156, a 2005 156 JTDM 150 which is remapped to about 190BHP ( one of the last models just before they changed over to the Alfa GT)
|http://thumbsnap.com/ybFTZzTC[/url]
( Phone pic )
I still regret selling the TS as I only got £600 and it was a sorted car. I fitted a second-hand stainless Cybox cat back exhaust ( yours seems to have a stainless system ?) which sounded great, especially at about 6500 rpm with the window down ! The JTD is in a lot of ways a better car, but does not have the same Alfa appeal, and eagerness as a TwinSpark petrol engine.
I always suggest to anyone who is new to Alfa 156s...
1)Try to find a good Alfa independent specialist....these are 'special cars' and need someone who understands them !
2) as has been said CAMBELT change is very important ( do the aux tensioner/water pump at the same time). Originally Alfa said every 70,000 miles, but then changed it to every 36000 miles..(!) There was a good reason for this ! I seem to recall it costs about £350-400 to get done.
3) Twinspark engines do use oil ( 10-40W IIRC) and it is essential to keep them topped up to the full mark
4) get a 4 wheel alignment done ASAP; the front and rear tracking is adjustable, and makes all the difference to the handling, as well as mitigating against wearing out the inner edges of the rear tyres. ( a common issue)
I got my silver TS done and it made such a difference to the car. Also, when I changed over to the diesel 156JTD, I thought that the heavier engine was causing it to understeer a bit, but when the tracking was done it handled as well as the lighter TS. So well worth getting done !
5) Join the Alfa forums; there is no Haynes Manual for a 156, so you have to get information online. alfa156.net is good, as is alfaowner.com and of course the PH Alfa section !
Alfas do have quirks ( ie park on a hill and the fuel gauge always seems to read empty !), but they are well worth persevering with, as not many cars come close to combining performance, handling and style as a sorted 156 TS.
Apologies for the rather long post but I am enthusiastic about them !
[url]
Note the Teledial 16 alloys; I prefer them to the 'GT 17s' that came with the blue JTDM, so the wheels were kept from the silver TS and then put on the JTD. I have also debadged it, so even Alfa enthusiasts think it is a standard 156 Turismo...!!
I am a bit biased...but IMO these 156s are brilliant cars, and are still one of the best looking saloon cars around. I bought my first Alfa from a pal; a 156 1.8TS Lusso in silver with black leather. That was my first venture into Alfa ownership, and I am now on my second 156, a 2005 156 JTDM 150 which is remapped to about 190BHP ( one of the last models just before they changed over to the Alfa GT)
|http://thumbsnap.com/ybFTZzTC[/url]( Phone pic )
I still regret selling the TS as I only got £600 and it was a sorted car. I fitted a second-hand stainless Cybox cat back exhaust ( yours seems to have a stainless system ?) which sounded great, especially at about 6500 rpm with the window down ! The JTD is in a lot of ways a better car, but does not have the same Alfa appeal, and eagerness as a TwinSpark petrol engine.
I always suggest to anyone who is new to Alfa 156s...
1)Try to find a good Alfa independent specialist....these are 'special cars' and need someone who understands them !
2) as has been said CAMBELT change is very important ( do the aux tensioner/water pump at the same time). Originally Alfa said every 70,000 miles, but then changed it to every 36000 miles..(!) There was a good reason for this ! I seem to recall it costs about £350-400 to get done.
3) Twinspark engines do use oil ( 10-40W IIRC) and it is essential to keep them topped up to the full mark
4) get a 4 wheel alignment done ASAP; the front and rear tracking is adjustable, and makes all the difference to the handling, as well as mitigating against wearing out the inner edges of the rear tyres. ( a common issue)
I got my silver TS done and it made such a difference to the car. Also, when I changed over to the diesel 156JTD, I thought that the heavier engine was causing it to understeer a bit, but when the tracking was done it handled as well as the lighter TS. So well worth getting done !
5) Join the Alfa forums; there is no Haynes Manual for a 156, so you have to get information online. alfa156.net is good, as is alfaowner.com and of course the PH Alfa section !
Alfas do have quirks ( ie park on a hill and the fuel gauge always seems to read empty !), but they are well worth persevering with, as not many cars come close to combining performance, handling and style as a sorted 156 TS.
Apologies for the rather long post but I am enthusiastic about them !
[url]Note the Teledial 16 alloys; I prefer them to the 'GT 17s' that came with the blue JTDM, so the wheels were kept from the silver TS and then put on the JTD. I have also debadged it, so even Alfa enthusiasts think it is a standard 156 Turismo...!!
^^^^^^ Calm down dear. Hardly elitest when he's in £800 worth of old Alfa. It's just a preference and one I would probably go with.
Smart car OP. I had a 2.4JTD Sportwagon Veloce last year. Great on diesel, ok Bose hifi, and smart looks. However, I just got sick of the niggles. The forums say you have 2 to-do lists on an Alfa, one list of faults that need sorting and the other list that you just live with.
I'm not joking apart from the 911s that I've had engine rebuilds on, it was the most expensive car to run that I've owned and I realised that any saving in fuel was being wiped out by the faults. Fair enough at the time I was too busy and stressed out doing an old house up, to fix anything myself, so I used a local specialist but still it was minor jobs that would cost peanuts on any other make but cost a fortune on the Alfa.
Couple of examples.
Thermostat in-op. Over £100 due to it coming in a complete new housing.
Squeal from aux belt. New belt and pulleys over £200. Still squealed in the wet despite attempts to stop it.
Alternator packed in. It's mounted low down on the front! £250!
Suspension arm bushes knackered despite only being renewed a year or so earlier! They eat bushes!
I stripped all the dash and replaced every bulb as a couple went out.
In the end I just didn't like the car enough to warrant the costs. The clutch was biting quite high and the cambelt was due so I pedalled it on.
You notice a lot of that on the forums, comments like "I like the car but can't take another big bill". Enjoy it for what it is but keep your fingers crossed it doesn't act up too much.
I swore I'd never own another after that. Yes they're stylish and have a bit of pizazz compared to a Mondeo, Bora etc but whenever there's a fault you just think "Why am I putting up with the hassle".
Anyway, sorry for the doom and gloom. Just adding a bit of balance and warning. My car was 100k mile, full history and previous owner was an Alfa master tech who adored it.
Gratuitous pic anyway.
PS. GT85 is your friend.
Smart car OP. I had a 2.4JTD Sportwagon Veloce last year. Great on diesel, ok Bose hifi, and smart looks. However, I just got sick of the niggles. The forums say you have 2 to-do lists on an Alfa, one list of faults that need sorting and the other list that you just live with.
I'm not joking apart from the 911s that I've had engine rebuilds on, it was the most expensive car to run that I've owned and I realised that any saving in fuel was being wiped out by the faults. Fair enough at the time I was too busy and stressed out doing an old house up, to fix anything myself, so I used a local specialist but still it was minor jobs that would cost peanuts on any other make but cost a fortune on the Alfa.
Couple of examples.
Thermostat in-op. Over £100 due to it coming in a complete new housing.
Squeal from aux belt. New belt and pulleys over £200. Still squealed in the wet despite attempts to stop it.
Alternator packed in. It's mounted low down on the front! £250!
Suspension arm bushes knackered despite only being renewed a year or so earlier! They eat bushes!
I stripped all the dash and replaced every bulb as a couple went out.
In the end I just didn't like the car enough to warrant the costs. The clutch was biting quite high and the cambelt was due so I pedalled it on.
You notice a lot of that on the forums, comments like "I like the car but can't take another big bill". Enjoy it for what it is but keep your fingers crossed it doesn't act up too much.
I swore I'd never own another after that. Yes they're stylish and have a bit of pizazz compared to a Mondeo, Bora etc but whenever there's a fault you just think "Why am I putting up with the hassle".
Anyway, sorry for the doom and gloom. Just adding a bit of balance and warning. My car was 100k mile, full history and previous owner was an Alfa master tech who adored it.
Gratuitous pic anyway.
PS. GT85 is your friend.
Edited by marky911 on Wednesday 10th June 05:56
F1GTRUeno said:
I had a Corsa D at 21, it did exactly what I needed of it.
eight hundred quid Alfa Romeo owner 'elitist' towards kid who writes off his first car and replaces it with several grands worth of Corsa... which he then writes off...
Nice car the 156, I haven't been brave enough to do the cheap Alfa thang yet.
Edited by HustleRussell on Wednesday 10th June 06:55
Edited by jeremyc on Wednesday 10th June 07:44
Thanks for all the comments guys, shame I missed out on the guy above waffling about a Corsa? Obviously got removed/edited before I saw it... Evidently people can't take a bit of banter.
Good to see a few people here like the 156.
Cambelt was done at the 72,000 mile service (2013), and service book is stamped by an Alfa Specialist all the way through the car's history. Car is just about to tick onto 90,000. So I should be okay until next year with regards to that.
Hopefully I have found myself a good one that won't run up too many big bills!! But based on my current history, I change cars every 5 months so might not own it long enough to find out
Good to see a few people here like the 156.
Paul S4 said:
Helpful advice...
Thanks for the advice, I will bare all that in mind SebringMan said:
I have to ask two things though. What is your MPG like (via a tank to tank method) and has the timing belt been done within the last 36k via someone reputable?
I usually fill the tank just after it drops below 1/4, so don't really know what I can get out of a full tank, but MPG is typically working out at 25mpg... Mostly due to the stop start driving on the Work run, however longer runs seem to be around the 30mpg mark.Cambelt was done at the 72,000 mile service (2013), and service book is stamped by an Alfa Specialist all the way through the car's history. Car is just about to tick onto 90,000. So I should be okay until next year with regards to that.
Hopefully I have found myself a good one that won't run up too many big bills!! But based on my current history, I change cars every 5 months so might not own it long enough to find out
Edited by Bluehawk on Wednesday 10th June 09:03
A Little Update on the Car... Approximately 2000 miles into ownership and I've got my first problem:
I now have an engine management light on, very bad throttle response (and loss of power) and a rough idle... Spoken to an Alfa specialist who believes it could be down to the throttle body.
Will plug it in when I get home and see what error codes are showing... Wish me luck
I now have an engine management light on, very bad throttle response (and loss of power) and a rough idle... Spoken to an Alfa specialist who believes it could be down to the throttle body.
Will plug it in when I get home and see what error codes are showing... Wish me luck
I have really fond memories of my 2.0 Veloce:
The engine sounded amazing for a 4-cylinder and the seats were incredibly comfortable for long distances, but eventually the running costs out-weighed it's positives
I've had better cars since then, but none that were anywhere near as beautiful.
The engine sounded amazing for a 4-cylinder and the seats were incredibly comfortable for long distances, but eventually the running costs out-weighed it's positives
I've had better cars since then, but none that were anywhere near as beautiful.
Bluehawk said:
A Little Update on the Car... Approximately 2000 miles into ownership and I've got my first problem:
I now have an engine management light on, very bad throttle response (and loss of power) and a rough idle... Spoken to an Alfa specialist who believes it could be down to the throttle body.
Will plug it in when I get home and see what error codes are showing... Wish me luck
Try this... it always fixed my GTV when it had throttle issues..I now have an engine management light on, very bad throttle response (and loss of power) and a rough idle... Spoken to an Alfa specialist who believes it could be down to the throttle body.
Will plug it in when I get home and see what error codes are showing... Wish me luck
1. Switch on the ignition (to MAR) but don’t start the engine and leave for 90 seconds
2. Switch off the ignition and again leave for 90 seconds
3. Start the engine without touching the accelerator.
4. Leave engine to idle for at least ten minutes
5. Take the car for a spin and make sure you drive it in different styles including hard!
6. Idle should now be back to normal, but if not don’t panic. Try again.
Have you tried unplugging your maf, (mass air flow) it should be a connector on the r/ h side of the engine bay, half way between the air filter and the throttle body, it's a free check, unplug and see if it makes a difference.
One of my GTV's used to flash up eml and perform rubbish, I sorted it by wiggling all the wires behind the centre console until the eml went out, it was a dry joint in the loom for the throttle pot
One of my GTV's used to flash up eml and perform rubbish, I sorted it by wiggling all the wires behind the centre console until the eml went out, it was a dry joint in the loom for the throttle pot
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