159's - your experiences

[Oi_Oi_Savaloy]

I'm looking at these as my next purchase (diesel variants). I'm interested to hear people's experiences of living with them.

I'm going to use her for my 80 mile commute (40 each way) on B roads and M40. I'm hearing tyre wear is maybe an issue and the 1.9's might be a little unreliable (i thought they were bullet proof??).

And that they aren't that economical?

Thanks

Savaloy

[550Anniv]

...I have just got one to replace my Audi A4 1.9tdi.

I had a 2.0Jtdm 159Ti saloon in Alfa Red. Only had it a few weeks but first impressoions are very positive. I have to say, I dont think it has the German car build quality, however, the ride is better.

Fuel consumption i am not so sold on. I do a 30 mile each way to and from work, mostly motorway and at peak times, so a steady cruise at 60 (ish)mph. I struggle to get over 50mpg on the trip computer (the Audi would easy go over 60mpg) yet the handbook says it will do 63mpg.

However, it feels great to drive something different from sea of BMW and Audi's.

[alfaben]

I've had one for approaching 2 years end of this month (1.9 Jtdm Turismo) and it is nice being in something fairly rare. Nice drive, quiet diesel as well I'd also highly recommend Michelin Primacy 3 on the tyre front, transformed my car in handling! I've driven to Shorpe and back in a day which is for me 10 hours of driving! Not had any breakdown's bar a fuse blowing in a mysterious fashion stopping my car from starting, fortunately was in a hotel car park at the time! I like the firm ride and really like the gearbox which gets criticized in some reviews.

Fuel consumption for me at its highest on a very long run was 55MPG, usually I'm around the 47-50MPG mark though mine is now on 108k miles.

However I've had ~ 4k of repair work and maintenance spread between 2 specialists and just the one visit to an Alfa Romeo dealership. Which I'd say is pretty shocking for an 06 plate car... Cam belt is £800 from a specialist including labour, if you can try and buy one with it done!

Edited by alfaben on Friday 11th January 13:41

[Oi_Oi_Savaloy]

Thanks for the feedback chaps - v much appreciated. I'm going to have a look at a few over the weekend/next week. I'll let you know how it goes.

Rhyd

[StescoG66]

Campbeltown should never be £800 on a 1.9 JTDm even with the water pump done. No offence but I think you were had. Have a look on Alfa Workshop and it's £450 with the pump done too. That 4k could easily have been halved methinks.
Still a lovely, lovely car though

[StescoG66]

StescoG66 said:

Campbeltown should never be £800 on a 1.9 JTDm even with the water pump done. No offence but I think you were had. Have a look on Alfa Workshop and it's £450 with the pump done too. That 4k could easily have been halved methinks.
Still a lovely, lovely car though

Fecking iPad!!!!!! Meant cam belt why it put in Campbeltown is beyond me

[Rex Ironstone]

Mines getting expensive. Some electrical/sensor issues and I've just had to replace the gearbox, clutch and flywheel. I've also had to to a chain and the cv shaft is making a noise. This is all before 100k km. I think the previous owner thrashed it.



Oh yeah and I love the thing

[alfaben]

StescoG66 said:

Campbeltown should never be £800 on a 1.9 JTDm even with the water pump done. No offence but I think you were had. Have a look on Alfa Workshop and it's £450 with the pump done too. That 4k could easily have been halved methinks.
Still a lovely, lovely car though

http://www.alfacare.co.uk/Servicing/servicing.php --> was where I had my cambelt done, they have dropped prices recently though think the site is showing prices before VAT.

Rex Ironstone said:

Mines getting expensive. Some electrical/sensor issues and I've just had to replace the gearbox, clutch and flywheel. I've also had to to a chain and the cv shaft is making a noise. This is all before 100k km. I think the previous owner thrashed it.

Oh yeah and I love the thing

I have some electrical/ sensor issues as well however main reason mine is being traded in is the clutch and flywheel I couldn't find anywhere that wasn't near to the 1K region to sort it out. Getting just over £2K on trade in its not worth doing. I'll be honest I won't be chancing it with another at a later date! Mine lived and breathed the motorway with very little town driving and was always treated with respect when cold and never thrashed either.

Shame really I gave it a good go for two years, really wanted at least three years out of it... Giving the Germans a go next I've got to admit!

[Baron Greenback]

Yep great car my 159 tdi always hovers about 44 doesn't matter if I go 65 or 75. My car just done 100k no real problems bar the wing mirror don't always fold back and I have 1 parking sensors that is temperamental and cost a fortune to replace. I am so tempted to chip and get rid of the dpf filter fo, more power and better mpg!

[DuncsGTi]

Regardless of the fact it may break, you get the pleasure of looking out of your window and seeing it sat there on your driveway

On a serious note, mine is about 10 months old now (2.0 JTDM) and hasn't had a single issue. (only 8.5k miles though)

[Big JK]

We've recently bought a 159 SW 2.0JTDm Ti and are happy with it so far. There's a faulty motor on the passenger side door mirror which means it won't fold in but that's the only niggle so far.

Fuel consumption in the 1500 or so miles we've covered is probably averaging mid 30s so not great. Best we've managed is 42.5 on a long run and worst is probably 32. The saloon should manage slightly better.

Tyre wear is really only an issue on the Ti cars with 19" wheels as they have an aggressive Toe setting and tend to wear the inside of the tyre very quickly but a decent tyre centre can set them to zero toe to sort this.

1.9 and 2.4 diesels can suffer EGR and DPF issues but the 2.0 has a different EGR/DPF setup and should be less problematic.