A couple of queries about an Alfa 156 2.4JTD

[Lugy]

I'm potentially in the market for some sort of diesel box. A car that's caught my eye is an '04 Alfa 156 Sportwagon with the 2.4JTD, it seems reasonably priced and looks like it's got good history.

The downside is that there's no leather and its got small wheels, the wheels are easy enough to change but are the interiors the same between prefacelift and facelift?
The specs for the 5 pot engine look great on paper, are they as good in reality? Is the engine used in anything non Fiat or is it one of their own? Its on 120k just now, what could I expect it to last to?
Finally, I need to ask, what sort of reliability should I expect? The reviews I can find seem quite positive.

Cheers

Lugy

[Lugy]

Cheers folks, re the interior, it's a very 80s shade of grey velour which would need remedied. As for the suspension, it's supposedly had £700 of work done on the suspension recently which I can only assume is a good thing, I've read front suspension isn't a 156 strong point.

The wheels are indeed 16s, which helps with tyre prices I guess.

I'll hopefully get a look and a test drive tomorrow or Monday and see how I like it.

[Lugy]

I've just had a closer look at the pictures and it does indeed appear to have a dark grey dash with light grey panels. It may not be the car for me actually, that's not my idea of a good colour scheme!

The hunt for something continues!