RE: Alfa Romeo 159 | Shed of the Week
Discussion
I had one of the very last 1750 TBi Ti Sportwagon a few years ago, they look great but really aren't as good (IMO) as people make out.
With this one all I'd say is check the front subframe isn't about to fall apart with rust and the usual gearbox woes, not for me thank you. Still driving an old Alfa but not one of these.
With this one all I'd say is check the front subframe isn't about to fall apart with rust and the usual gearbox woes, not for me thank you. Still driving an old Alfa but not one of these.
Has there ever been a time when Alfa Romeo has not been in a "sink or swim" situation? Alfa is a brand that is continually searching for its market niche. Never built to a quality to challenge the Germans, never enough performance to set itself apart, and not quite enough style to overlook the other two.
Confused by the late 2014 registration though? I thought they stopped production long before then.Yep, I'd have that.
With any "shed" there is compromise, that is the whole point of shedding. Last week it was if you want to walk out to your shed and have it start and get you to where you want to go in dull reliable efficiency. This week we have a beautiful thing to look at with the wrong engine and a wibbly wobbly boot lid, with the added excitement of the "will it let me down today" lottery every time you use it.
If you want the beautiful thing with the right engine and a shapely bottom, sorry boot, then you are going to have to find a few more beer vouchers down the back of the sofa than this!
With any "shed" there is compromise, that is the whole point of shedding. Last week it was if you want to walk out to your shed and have it start and get you to where you want to go in dull reliable efficiency. This week we have a beautiful thing to look at with the wrong engine and a wibbly wobbly boot lid, with the added excitement of the "will it let me down today" lottery every time you use it.
If you want the beautiful thing with the right engine and a shapely bottom, sorry boot, then you are going to have to find a few more beer vouchers down the back of the sofa than this!
georgeyboy12345 said:
The 1.9 JTD 16V motor in this shed can be remapped up to 212 bhp and 295 lb ft, which should make it a bit more interesting.
Correct, but on the early versions, the gearboxes were made from chocolate and could fail with the extra torqueBoth of my sons have had a 159 Sportwagon (as in one of them had it first for a few years, then passed it onto his brother). It has c. 190,000 miles on it and is still reliable and is a cracking workhorse with decent looks.
When looked after, the engine will go forever. I had the same lump in an Alfa GT and I part-ex'd it at 268,000 miles and the dealer is now using it as a customer loan car.
As mentioned though, it's a completely different car to the 156. Heavier, but more "solid-feeling" - definitely more refined.
Having seen a lot of 159/Brera V6's pulled apart, I'd avoid them in favour of the much better 1750 turbo, but I doubt those will ever get near Shed's grasp...
Ours is a 2.4 estate, diesel. Now on 150K miles. It’s been reliable, and the interiors are very robust. Ours is used to cart around two large German Shepherds - they are generally filthy and the interior takes a beating. 2 hours with a scrubbing brush, and you’d never know it had such a hard life.
They eat front tyres - on 19” rims Acceleras are fine at about £50 a go. Don’t put them on 18” rims, they’re terrible.
This is Mrs rxe’s car and she really doesn’t know what to get next. She’s had it for 10 years, if Alfa made a Giulia estate we’d have one. She wouldn’t be seen dead in anything German and doesn’t want an SUV. Bit stuffed really.
They eat front tyres - on 19” rims Acceleras are fine at about £50 a go. Don’t put them on 18” rims, they’re terrible.
This is Mrs rxe’s car and she really doesn’t know what to get next. She’s had it for 10 years, if Alfa made a Giulia estate we’d have one. She wouldn’t be seen dead in anything German and doesn’t want an SUV. Bit stuffed really.
very tongue in cheek...literally!!
I like these a lot; I bought this …
… a few months ago. 11 plate 2.0 JTDm with 130k on it. Lusso with tan leather. £3k. It’s our shopping/tow car so it was meant to be just something to hack around in, park at the shops etc but it’s just such a nice looking and driving car it’s become my little hobby; had the wheels powder coated, Michelin Crossclimates, loads of fettling and replacement of sensors, towbar, CarPlay head unit, resprayed front end and machine polish, new arb links front and rear and new discs all round. In retrospect I could have just bought a sorted C class estate, but I have to say that these 159s look so amazing (especially the estate) that front end, the stubby shape with the bulging arches
It does have a few cosmetic issues though - scabby (waxoyled) subframes (I’m keeping my eye on them), dinks and little scratches (bright red is very forgiving though) and the odd bit of rust which I’m working my way through.
… a few months ago. 11 plate 2.0 JTDm with 130k on it. Lusso with tan leather. £3k. It’s our shopping/tow car so it was meant to be just something to hack around in, park at the shops etc but it’s just such a nice looking and driving car it’s become my little hobby; had the wheels powder coated, Michelin Crossclimates, loads of fettling and replacement of sensors, towbar, CarPlay head unit, resprayed front end and machine polish, new arb links front and rear and new discs all round. In retrospect I could have just bought a sorted C class estate, but I have to say that these 159s look so amazing (especially the estate) that front end, the stubby shape with the bulging arches
It does have a few cosmetic issues though - scabby (waxoyled) subframes (I’m keeping my eye on them), dinks and little scratches (bright red is very forgiving though) and the odd bit of rust which I’m working my way through.
Had two 156s and nearly a 159 1750 if the idiot salesman hadn't "forgotten" about the test drive I'd arranged and sold the car in the interim and didn't let me know before I drove the 60 mile round trip.
1.8 TS Veloce
2.0 JTS Veloce
Traded the 2.0 for a P*ss*t...
Although the design of the 159 was, like the facelifted 156, a bit nose heavy. Also a pity Alfa bowed to market pressure (supposedly) from sales reps who couldn't get to grips with the hidden rear door handles.
1.8 TS Veloce
2.0 JTS Veloce
Traded the 2.0 for a P*ss*t...
Although the design of the 159 was, like the facelifted 156, a bit nose heavy. Also a pity Alfa bowed to market pressure (supposedly) from sales reps who couldn't get to grips with the hidden rear door handles.
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