Alfa 159 - what to look out for

[ZesPak]

So, I quit my job to go self-employed full time.
I'm still in love with my Alfa 159, but it's too new to take over, and I'm looking for another one second hand.

My criteria:
- max 13000€ (may strech to 15000 if I really really like it)
- max 60000 miles/100k km
- 159 SW, pref in black/brown/Titanio Grey
- Diesel (yes, I live in belgium and I'm gonna cover some miles with it...)

Now, plenty to find in that criteria (over here and in Germany), but I come across the 1.9 16v 110kw and the 2.4 20v 147kw.
I've seen the insurance, and the registration/road tax, and the 147kw is a bit more expensive but I'm willing to pay for that. Now, are there any remarks on either engines? I've been driving the 8v 1.9 around (clocked to 105kw), on my second one and never had anything that went wrong... but should I be suspicious at one of the engine choices mentioned before?

Thanks in advance!

PS: "in before" you should buy a 3-series/A4/9-3,...

[ZesPak]

bump?

[alfabadass]

You need to remember that the 2.4 is not actually very economical for a diesel, I think a lot of people complain of 35mpg motorway driving while the 1.9 is more standard JTD fare.

[ZesPak]

alfabadass said:

You need to remember that the 2.4 is not actually very economical for a diesel, I think a lot of people complain of 35mpg motorway driving while the 1.9 is more standard JTD fare.

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind. That's a very good argument, tough I want it very much and in a couple of years it could well be unpayable by the way things are going .

Any real life numbers on the economy of both?

[Arese]

We have the 1.9JTDm in our GT, and it averages 44mpg. 150bhp standard, easily remapped to 190bhp.

[alfabadass]

Not sure what the specifics are between the 1.9 in the 159 and GT but the 159 has a faster 0-60 than the GT despite being heavier so I'm guessing it won't do 44mpg but will be between the 2.4 159 and 1.9 GT!

[B.J.W]

Hey,

I have owned a 159 JTDM since August. Bought it as an 06 with 20,000 miles - just hit 35,000. Nothing gone wrong - though the 159 does appear to think that it is a 75 as it keeps telling me the tape deck is playing

Looked at both the 2.4 and the 1.9. Although the twin tail pipes on the 2.4 look good, I was put of a little by the fuel economy.

A re-mapped 159 will increase power to just below that of a stock 2.4. The 150 bhp 1.9 is quite sprightly, but the mid range is transformed with the re-map - well worth the £400 - at motorway speeds you will not need to change from 6th gear. You can go higher with the BHP, but 195bhp seems to be the sweet spot. Fuel economy is obviously improved - on a mixed motorway run you should easily see 50mpg (peaked at 58mpg). Even with a heavy left foot you will struggle to drop much below 40-42mpg.

You could do the same with the 2.4, but I am not sure that those front wheels could properly cope with 250 BHP?

HTH

BJW

[ZesPak]

B.J.W said:

Hey,

I have owned a 159 JTDM since August. Bought it as an 06 with 20,000 miles - just hit 35,000. Nothing gone wrong - though the 159 does appear to think that it is a 75 as it keeps telling me the tape deck is playing

Looked at both the 2.4 and the 1.9. Although the twin tail pipes on the 2.4 look good, I was put of a little by the fuel economy.

A re-mapped 159 will increase power to just below that of a stock 2.4. The 150 bhp 1.9 is quite sprightly, but the mid range is transformed with the re-map - well worth the £400 - at motorway speeds you will not need to change from 6th gear. You can go higher with the BHP, but 195bhp seems to be the sweet spot. Fuel economy is obviously improved - on a mixed motorway run you should easily see 50mpg (peaked at 58mpg). Even with a heavy left foot you will struggle to drop much below 40-42mpg.

You could do the same with the 2.4, but I am not sure that those front wheels could properly cope with 250 BHP?

HTH

BJW

Thanks, altough I'm very drawn to the 2.4 (also rarity and twin tailpipes), I'm going to go for the 1.9 with a remap.

Thanks for your info!

[Arese]

ZesPak said:

B.J.W said:

Hey,

I have owned a 159 JTDM since August. Bought it as an 06 with 20,000 miles - just hit 35,000. Nothing gone wrong - though the 159 does appear to think that it is a 75 as it keeps telling me the tape deck is playing

Looked at both the 2.4 and the 1.9. Although the twin tail pipes on the 2.4 look good, I was put of a little by the fuel economy.

A re-mapped 159 will increase power to just below that of a stock 2.4. The 150 bhp 1.9 is quite sprightly, but the mid range is transformed with the re-map - well worth the £400 - at motorway speeds you will not need to change from 6th gear. You can go higher with the BHP, but 195bhp seems to be the sweet spot. Fuel economy is obviously improved - on a mixed motorway run you should easily see 50mpg (peaked at 58mpg). Even with a heavy left foot you will struggle to drop much below 40-42mpg.

You could do the same with the 2.4, but I am not sure that those front wheels could properly cope with 250 BHP?

HTH

BJW

Thanks, altough I'm very drawn to the 2.4 (also rarity and twin tailpipes), I'm going to go for the 1.9 with a remap.

Thanks for your info!

Are you based in Belgium? Shame if you are, as I can recommend a chap in the UK for the remap.

[ZesPak]

Arese said:

ZesPak said:

B.J.W said:

Hey,

I have owned a 159 JTDM since August. Bought it as an 06 with 20,000 miles - just hit 35,000. Nothing gone wrong - though the 159 does appear to think that it is a 75 as it keeps telling me the tape deck is playing

Looked at both the 2.4 and the 1.9. Although the twin tail pipes on the 2.4 look good, I was put of a little by the fuel economy.

A re-mapped 159 will increase power to just below that of a stock 2.4. The 150 bhp 1.9 is quite sprightly, but the mid range is transformed with the re-map - well worth the £400 - at motorway speeds you will not need to change from 6th gear. You can go higher with the BHP, but 195bhp seems to be the sweet spot. Fuel economy is obviously improved - on a mixed motorway run you should easily see 50mpg (peaked at 58mpg). Even with a heavy left foot you will struggle to drop much below 40-42mpg.

You could do the same with the 2.4, but I am not sure that those front wheels could properly cope with 250 BHP?

HTH

BJW

Thanks, altough I'm very drawn to the 2.4 (also rarity and twin tailpipes), I'm going to go for the 1.9 with a remap.

Thanks for your info!

Are you based in Belgium? Shame if you are, as I can recommend a chap in the UK for the remap.

Yep, based in Belgium. I'll go for a higher spec if the numbers work out in a couple of years...

[Wayne King]

For the purpose of everyones eyes and to make sure you do buy it, a complimentary picture

[Arese]

Wayne King said:

For the purpose of everyones eyes and to make sure you do buy it, a complimentary picture

Lovely. Is that a Ti? I quite fancy one next, but it'd have to be the V6 Q4 I think.

[ZesPak]

Wayne King said:

For the purpose of everyones eyes and to make sure you do buy it, a complimentary picture

I'm on my second one, so I'll be buying it for sure. Wonderfull cars that make the A4 redundant.