Talk me out of an Alfa 159 (or don't)
Discussion
Sadly our family Passat was written off on Wednesday through no fault of my own. It was a 2008 TDi Estate which has always been a reliable bus for us and actually saved my life in reality! However, I was planning to upgrade next year to something new through the business but in the meantime I need a quick replacement.
After looking at what is available for the £2-£3k mark most of the options are pretty soul destroying. However, I spotted a few Alfa 159's in my budget and they look absolutely worlds above everything else in that price bracket. The specs on them are also good, but the only thing that puts me off is Alfas reliability reputation. However, I'm not stupid enough to think that mud sticks and they might not be as bad as people make out. All cars have their problems and something at 9 years old will no doubt attract the local mechanic.
I plan on going to look at a couple this weekend and wonder if anyone can point me in the right direction for things to look at. From my research the main things I can find are Cambelt, water pump and electrics. Anyone who has owned one though it would be great to hear your feedback. It will generally be doing about 200 miles a week, with the odd trip to London and possibly a UK family holiday next year (if I haven't replaced it by then.) The Passat was great at what it did but it never really set any fires going, but what it was good at was being reliable and trustworthy.
After looking at what is available for the £2-£3k mark most of the options are pretty soul destroying. However, I spotted a few Alfa 159's in my budget and they look absolutely worlds above everything else in that price bracket. The specs on them are also good, but the only thing that puts me off is Alfas reliability reputation. However, I'm not stupid enough to think that mud sticks and they might not be as bad as people make out. All cars have their problems and something at 9 years old will no doubt attract the local mechanic.
I plan on going to look at a couple this weekend and wonder if anyone can point me in the right direction for things to look at. From my research the main things I can find are Cambelt, water pump and electrics. Anyone who has owned one though it would be great to hear your feedback. It will generally be doing about 200 miles a week, with the odd trip to London and possibly a UK family holiday next year (if I haven't replaced it by then.) The Passat was great at what it did but it never really set any fires going, but what it was good at was being reliable and trustworthy.
Our family car is a 2007 1.9TDi currently on 160k. I honestly cannot fault it, the build quality is good and it's been "touches wood" very reliable. The 1.9 is a decent lump, of Vauxhall origin I believe and returns high 40's. If I had one again I'd be the 2.4 5 cylinder though - a DPF remove and remap can take them to 280bhp!
Our's is serviced by a local Alfa specialist who always speaks highly of the 159 in general. I believe they can suffer sub-frame rot so you may want to check that when looking at them, electrics wise I think Alfa sorted most of those issues on the 159, it certainly hasn't inherited the 156's reputation.
As a 2-3k saloon I don't think much else can touch them, plus they look absolutely fantastic, especially in TI trim.
Our's is serviced by a local Alfa specialist who always speaks highly of the 159 in general. I believe they can suffer sub-frame rot so you may want to check that when looking at them, electrics wise I think Alfa sorted most of those issues on the 159, it certainly hasn't inherited the 156's reputation.
As a 2-3k saloon I don't think much else can touch them, plus they look absolutely fantastic, especially in TI trim.
Edited by philwhite on Friday 17th November 14:12
Buy one. That you're even considering it speaks volumes.
The first Alfa to be engineered to a higher standard than previous models but unfortunately the old cliches are still trotted out about reliability.
With your mileage I'd be tempted to consider a 1.9 diesel engine which are highy regarded. Plenty to choose from in the second-hand market. Ti models have the sportier pedigree (lower suspension, better interior, nice alloys, brembo brakes) but the later Ti models can be possibly not as well specced as the earlier ones - for example I believe they might not have a full leather interior.
2008 models onwards had some minor changes such as a handle for opening the boot (who'd have thought?) and relocation of some switches etc.
The best engine is the 1750 TBi (200bhp, turbo, petrol) but these may be out of your budget. There is a great Alfa community too and spares are readily available.
The 2.2 and 3.2 petrol engines can suffer from stretched timing chains BUT use of the recommended oil and regular changes should stave this off. I don't know a lot about the diesel models other than they are very popular.
Whatever model you choose, saloon or estate, they look fantastic and there's something satisfying about driving something that is a little left-field. I bought one earlier this year and I'm smitten.
The first Alfa to be engineered to a higher standard than previous models but unfortunately the old cliches are still trotted out about reliability.
With your mileage I'd be tempted to consider a 1.9 diesel engine which are highy regarded. Plenty to choose from in the second-hand market. Ti models have the sportier pedigree (lower suspension, better interior, nice alloys, brembo brakes) but the later Ti models can be possibly not as well specced as the earlier ones - for example I believe they might not have a full leather interior.
2008 models onwards had some minor changes such as a handle for opening the boot (who'd have thought?) and relocation of some switches etc.
The best engine is the 1750 TBi (200bhp, turbo, petrol) but these may be out of your budget. There is a great Alfa community too and spares are readily available.
The 2.2 and 3.2 petrol engines can suffer from stretched timing chains BUT use of the recommended oil and regular changes should stave this off. I don't know a lot about the diesel models other than they are very popular.
Whatever model you choose, saloon or estate, they look fantastic and there's something satisfying about driving something that is a little left-field. I bought one earlier this year and I'm smitten.
philwhite said:
The 1.9 is a decent lump, of Vauxhall origin I believe and returns high 40's.
Almost, but it's the other way round, it's a Fiat-developed unit which was licensed to Vauxhall. I think I was closer to mid-40s in mine than high-40s, but it's a while ago now.The 159 gets a lot of stick for being heavy - it is, in absolute terms, but relative to its peers at the time it wasn't all that bad. These figures are for a post-2008 "facelift" car, which were a bit lighter than before.
someone on another forum said:
Toyota Avensis 2.0 D4D 1450
Audi A4 2.0 Tdi 1460
VW Passat 2.0 Tdi 1460
VW Passat CC 2.0 Tdi 1466
Renault Laguna 2.0 D 1480
Ford Mondeo 2.0 TD 1481
ALFA 159 1.9 JTDm 1490
Volvo S40 TD5 1490
Jaguar X type 2.0 D 1502
BMW 320D SE 1505
Peugeot 407 2.0 D 1505
Saab 9-3 1.9 TiD 1510
Mazda 6 D 1530
Opel Insignia 2.0 D 1540
Honda Accord 2.2 D 1540
Mercedes C200 D 1560
Citroen C5 2.0 D 1608
Ford Mondeo 2.2 TD 1613
I had a 1.9d ti SW for about three years, it was as reliable as any other car. That said, the oldest ones are coming up to 13, 14 years old now, so you'd need to expect a cheap one to need a bit of work.Audi A4 2.0 Tdi 1460
VW Passat 2.0 Tdi 1460
VW Passat CC 2.0 Tdi 1466
Renault Laguna 2.0 D 1480
Ford Mondeo 2.0 TD 1481
ALFA 159 1.9 JTDm 1490
Volvo S40 TD5 1490
Jaguar X type 2.0 D 1502
BMW 320D SE 1505
Peugeot 407 2.0 D 1505
Saab 9-3 1.9 TiD 1510
Mazda 6 D 1530
Opel Insignia 2.0 D 1540
Honda Accord 2.2 D 1540
Mercedes C200 D 1560
Citroen C5 2.0 D 1608
Ford Mondeo 2.2 TD 1613
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