First Alfa-Romeo driven
Discussion
I'm in a fortunate position that I am provided with a company car and all the fuel too. I've been running a company suppplied leased Audi A5 TDi Sportback for the past year and have been delighted with it, the lease period is up at the end of June but the mileage has exceeded the full term allowable so it's time to consider a replacement. Naturally I had intended just getting another A5 but the company have offered me an Alfa 159 JTDm 2.0 litre diesel that is surplus to requirements in the current fleet (all of our cars are oil burners btw).
Last night I reluctantly took the car home as a trial and really hoped and expected that I would not like it so could reject it in favour of the Audi. I live 40 miles from the office and commute along city roads, dual carriageway and rural country roads hence the 'road test' was pretty comprehensive. The 159 is of the 136BHP variety at 66Bhp/ton so I expected it to be slow compared with the 177bhp (90bhp/ton) of the A5. The difference was there but not as significant as I had expected. What has surprised me pleasantly is the handling and road holding, it's firm and sits well on the road without being too hard and being an uncomfortable ride. The 15 miles of country roads were covered quite swiftly and felt very safe indeed.
Has anyone got any experience of the Alfa 159 diesels?
Last night I reluctantly took the car home as a trial and really hoped and expected that I would not like it so could reject it in favour of the Audi. I live 40 miles from the office and commute along city roads, dual carriageway and rural country roads hence the 'road test' was pretty comprehensive. The 159 is of the 136BHP variety at 66Bhp/ton so I expected it to be slow compared with the 177bhp (90bhp/ton) of the A5. The difference was there but not as significant as I had expected. What has surprised me pleasantly is the handling and road holding, it's firm and sits well on the road without being too hard and being an uncomfortable ride. The 15 miles of country roads were covered quite swiftly and felt very safe indeed.
Has anyone got any experience of the Alfa 159 diesels?
Step into the Alfa lounge ... http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/forum.asp?h=0&a...
cjb1 said:
I'm in a fortunate position that I am provided with a company car and all the fuel too. I've been running a company suppplied leased Audi A5 TDi Sportback for the past year and have been delighted with it, the lease period is up at the end of June but the mileage has exceeded the full term allowable so it's time to consider a replacement. Naturally I had intended just getting another A5 but the company have offered me an Alfa 159 JTDm 2.0 litre diesel that is surplus to requirements in the current fleet (all of our cars are oil burners btw).
Last night I reluctantly took the car home as a trial and really hoped and expected that I would not like it so could reject it in favour of the Audi. I live 40 miles from the office and commute along city roads, dual carriageway and rural country roads hence the 'road test' was pretty comprehensive. The 159 is of the 136BHP variety at 66Bhp/ton so I expected it to be slow compared with the 177bhp (90bhp/ton) of the A5. The difference was there but not as significant as I had expected. What has surprised me pleasantly is the handling and road holding, it's firm and sits well on the road without being too hard and being an uncomfortable ride. The 15 miles of country roads were covered quite swiftly and felt very safe indeed.
Has anyone got any experience of the Alfa 159 diesels?
Yes, lots of experience in 159's and Alfa generally. What would you like to know?Last night I reluctantly took the car home as a trial and really hoped and expected that I would not like it so could reject it in favour of the Audi. I live 40 miles from the office and commute along city roads, dual carriageway and rural country roads hence the 'road test' was pretty comprehensive. The 159 is of the 136BHP variety at 66Bhp/ton so I expected it to be slow compared with the 177bhp (90bhp/ton) of the A5. The difference was there but not as significant as I had expected. What has surprised me pleasantly is the handling and road holding, it's firm and sits well on the road without being too hard and being an uncomfortable ride. The 15 miles of country roads were covered quite swiftly and felt very safe indeed.
Has anyone got any experience of the Alfa 159 diesels?
Alfahorn said:
cjb1 said:
I'm in a fortunate position that I am provided with a company car and all the fuel too. I've been running a company suppplied leased Audi A5 TDi Sportback for the past year and have been delighted with it, the lease period is up at the end of June but the mileage has exceeded the full term allowable so it's time to consider a replacement. Naturally I had intended just getting another A5 but the company have offered me an Alfa 159 JTDm 2.0 litre diesel that is surplus to requirements in the current fleet (all of our cars are oil burners btw).
Last night I reluctantly took the car home as a trial and really hoped and expected that I would not like it so could reject it in favour of the Audi. I live 40 miles from the office and commute along city roads, dual carriageway and rural country roads hence the 'road test' was pretty comprehensive. The 159 is of the 136BHP variety at 66Bhp/ton so I expected it to be slow compared with the 177bhp (90bhp/ton) of the A5. The difference was there but not as significant as I had expected. What has surprised me pleasantly is the handling and road holding, it's firm and sits well on the road without being too hard and being an uncomfortable ride. The 15 miles of country roads were covered quite swiftly and felt very safe indeed.
Has anyone got any experience of the Alfa 159 diesels?
Yes, lots of experience in 159's and Alfa generally. What would you like to know?Last night I reluctantly took the car home as a trial and really hoped and expected that I would not like it so could reject it in favour of the Audi. I live 40 miles from the office and commute along city roads, dual carriageway and rural country roads hence the 'road test' was pretty comprehensive. The 159 is of the 136BHP variety at 66Bhp/ton so I expected it to be slow compared with the 177bhp (90bhp/ton) of the A5. The difference was there but not as significant as I had expected. What has surprised me pleasantly is the handling and road holding, it's firm and sits well on the road without being too hard and being an uncomfortable ride. The 15 miles of country roads were covered quite swiftly and felt very safe indeed.
Has anyone got any experience of the Alfa 159 diesels?
I'm in a 159 1.9 diesel. I've had it 18 months and 20k with little issue.
I do have a gearbox whine, that my dealer suggests will lead to a replacement gearbox at some point.
It's in today for major service, cambelt, front discs / pads and four new tyres. Main dealer too - think I'm in for a wallet battering.
Generally though it's been reliable, fun and achingly beautiful to look at. Interior is lovely, well built and comfortable too.
I do have a gearbox whine, that my dealer suggests will lead to a replacement gearbox at some point.
It's in today for major service, cambelt, front discs / pads and four new tyres. Main dealer too - think I'm in for a wallet battering.
Generally though it's been reliable, fun and achingly beautiful to look at. Interior is lovely, well built and comfortable too.
Edited by Rich n Em on Friday 22 February 10:25
Yes, I agree, the front end is stunning. I was explaining to my youngest son the other night that Marco and Antonio must have sat down in the Alfa design office one day and thought "OKayyyy, dats a de fronta end lookin' a mucho beni, now, letsa just rounda off a da backa enda an' call it a day, itsa time for de mommas pasta!!"
The car does look impressive from very angle but it's the accuracy of the handling that really makes me want to forgive it it's lack of power, remember I'm going from 177bhp to 136 but the 159 drives like a go-cart. I live in rural Scotland where we have some great driving roads, remember Clarkson describing Scotland as the worlds biggest race track? He was right, and, this car is going to make it more exciting still for me.
The car does look impressive from very angle but it's the accuracy of the handling that really makes me want to forgive it it's lack of power, remember I'm going from 177bhp to 136 but the 159 drives like a go-cart. I live in rural Scotland where we have some great driving roads, remember Clarkson describing Scotland as the worlds biggest race track? He was right, and, this car is going to make it more exciting still for me.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff