Talk to me about the 159

[anonymous-user]

To be precise the 1.9JTDM
Selling the Subaru soon due to stupid running costs and I've got it down to a few cars...3 Series, 5 Series, 1 Series, A4 (all diesel) and then the 159 which is the one I want.
I'll be buying a decent spec one with cruise control, parking sensors etc etc and I want to know the likeliness that these will break? The other cars are if I get talked out of a 159 but I don't know much about them at all so fire away people

[DanielJames]

Undoubtedly the best looking run of the mill 4 door saloon on the road

What more do you need to know?

It's a Fiat engine, almost the same as the 1.9 CDTi found in Vauxhalls and "multijet" found in Fiats

An engine used in thousands of cars, seems to be a strong unit if kept in good order.

[crostonian]

Great looks as you know, Lusso model will give you Leather, 17" Alloys, Cruise, rear Park Sensors etc. Avoid the auto, very rare anyway, it gives trouble and kills mpg - should average around 45mpg for a manual. Interiors wear very well, prone to stone chips on the front bumper and forward of the rear wheel arches. Mechanically they are quite strong, ensure cambelt/water pump has been changed recently or get it done when you buy (approx £300). The inlet manifold swirl flaps seize which can give running problems - a new manifold is just under £400 and requires the cambelt to be removed. On early cars steering rack wear was not unheard of. Overall I would say they are pretty good and cheaper to repair than 320d, A4 2.0 Tdi and I would say that they are more reliable although the BMW is probably a better drive.

[Krikkit]

The engine can be a bit flakey if you're unlucky- seizing water pumps and inlet manifold swirl flaps blocking/seizing are this engine's unusual failures, the rest are standard diesel problems: DMF, DPF, EGR, injectors, oil pumps, turbos etc.

[phil1979]

I have a 159 1.9 Ti.

I'm seeing circa 40mpg, and that's after a remap, so they're not that economic.

Build quality is leagues ahead of the old stuff (I had a GT before the 159), but you mention parking sensors...

I've had 2 fail. Valeo units, for reference. 100 quid a pop from Alfa, then you need to fit them. Not fun.

Aside from that, I'm very pleased. It's no sports car, but is quite relaxing, even in the firmer Ti form.

[philmots]

The TI's look gorgeous but check how much a decent set of tyres cost before you commit!

[alfaben]

crostonian said:

Great looks as you know, Lusso model will give you Leather, 17" Alloys, Cruise, rear Park Sensors etc. Avoid the auto, very rare anyway, it gives trouble and kills mpg - should average around 45mpg for a manual. Interiors wear very well, prone to stone chips on the front bumper and forward of the rear wheel arches. Mechanically they are quite strong, ensure cambelt/water pump has been changed recently or get it done when you buy (approx £300). The inlet manifold swirl flaps seize which can give running problems - a new manifold is just under £400 and requires the cambelt to be removed. On early cars steering rack wear was not unheard of. Overall I would say they are pretty good and cheaper to repair than 320d, A4 2.0 Tdi and I would say that they are more reliable although the BMW is probably a better drive.

I'd agree with most of the above post, I had a 57 plate Turismo from 66k to 108k covered in two years. I achieved 47MPG on average but I live on the motorway for work and don't often drive into town's or cities. I'd avoid red mine really suffered from stone chips, if I had my time again I'd go for Black personally. Maybe its where I had the car looked at, but bills were never that low for any work that needed doing. I replaced the cambelt on mine, inlet manifold + steering rack all at quite I thought quite an unexpected expense. Without my folder of invoices handy I'd say easily of the top of my head a few thousand spent on parts and labour, perhaps I was really unlucky? I'd get the EGR blanked as soon as you get it, one less thing to worry about!

I ran Michelin Primacy 3 HP's and the grip was superb, cheap through CostCo to!

I threw in the towel once I suffered DMF failure and was recommended the clutch also needed doing as well. I couldn't get quotes for what I deemed a sensible price for the work to be completed given the amount of depreciation it had suffered.

I can't recommend one simply due to the maintenance costs I incurred during owning mine. I'd buy German preferably BMW and enjoy less depreciation and arguably enjoy a far better drive.

I now drive a 120D (most economical replacement option) but if my situation was different and a house purchase wasn't looming on the horizon I'd have got a 330D MSport which is an epic drive!

Edited by alfaben on Wednesday 10th April 15:10

Edited by alfaben on Wednesday 10th April 15:11

Edited by alfaben on Wednesday 10th April 15:13

[phil1979]

philmots said:

The TI's look gorgeous but check how much a decent set of tyres cost before you commit!

Accelera PH1's, at circa 100 quid a corner, have been really good in my opinion. Tyre snobs will frown, but it's hardly a track car. I'll be getting another set for sure.

Also heard the newish Nankan AS1's do the 19's, though cannot comment on performance.

[AREA]

GravelMachineGun said:

To be precise the 1.9JTDM
Selling the Subaru soon due to stupid running costs and I've got it down to a few cars...3 Series, 5 Series, 1 Series, A4 (all diesel) and then the 159 which is the one I want.
I'll be buying a decent spec one with cruise control, parking sensors etc etc and I want to know the likeliness that these will break? The other cars are if I get talked out of a 159 but I don't know much about them at all so fire away people

My wife has the 1.9jtdm Lusso with the toys you list. 2007 car we have had from new.

It gets well maintained but is used as the family work horse. The only fault has been one glow plug failing (about 6 months ago).

I offered to buy her a new car at the start of the year and she couldn't find anything she liked as much. Offer has now lapsed!