Looking to buy a 159 3.2 - any advice?

[anonymous-user]

I've got a 2007 Audi A4 3.2 Quattro Tiptronic which my wife uses to commute in. I love fast 4x4 saloons and I pursuaded her to get rid of her Jetta and have this after I'd sold my S8.

However after 3 Audi's in a row I'm now a bit bored of them and I'm after something a little more stylish. I've always liked Alfas and in an ideal world I'd have an SZ sat on the drive. Until then, I've been taken in by the 159 and i had no idea they also came in all wheel drive.

Does anyone have any advice to bear in mind when buying one? I'm not interested in the smaller engines or diesels. I've only ever found manuals which is fine with me but my wife prefers autos - do they exist?

Thanks in advance.

[galaxie5000]

I had a manual one for a while- comfortable, relaxed and a bit heavy, but the mid range very strong. As a serial alfisti I have had a couple of Busso engined models, and whilst the GM sourced unit in the 159 does not have the sound, its very tractable and makes a not dissimilar racket when pushed..

Build quality very good in comparison to other period Alfas. Issues few, but a few things to bear in mind:

-Front subframe designed to trap water and rots like a good 'un. Especially important to check on the v6 4wd as its bespoke to this (rare) model and pretty much unobtainable
-Check steering rack. Mine worked loose (!). May have been a one off..
-Tyres slightly odd size so little mid price choice- pay through the nose for premium
-Chains not cambelts- less worry than other Alfas, but worth checking on a higher mileage car. If it does need doing its grand plus at Autolusso, or many, many times that if it fails..

Overall, I enjoyed it and would recommend

[anonymous-user]

galaxie5000 said:

I had a manual one for a while- comfortable, relaxed and a bit heavy, but the mid range very strong. As a serial alfisti I have had a couple of Busso engined models, and whilst the GM sourced unit in the 159 does not have the sound, its very tractable and makes a not dissimilar racket when pushed..

Build quality very good in comparison to other period Alfas. Issues few, but a few things to bear in mind:

-Front subframe designed to trap water and rots like a good 'un. Especially important to check on the v6 4wd as its bespoke to this (rare) model and pretty much unobtainable
-Check steering rack. Mine worked loose (!). May have been a one off..
-Tyres slightly odd size so little mid price choice- pay through the nose for premium
-Chains not cambelts- less worry than other Alfas, but worth checking on a higher mileage car. If it does need doing its grand plus at Autolusso, or many, many times that if it fails..

Overall, I enjoyed it and would recommend

Thank you. I've found a 2008 auto model in black - perfect! I'm putting a deposit down this afternoon.

I asked about the subframe and it's in great condition (according to them). No corrosion advisories on any previous MOTs either.

Only 48k miles so cambelt should be okay for a while.

Are they still as esoteric as Alfas of old?

[galaxie5000]

I'd say of the 6 alfas i've owned the 159 was the least esoteric on all fronts- either a good or bad thing depending on your point of view, but easy to live with. Still has alot of charm compared to any German equivalent...

My current Alfa is a '98 GTV Spider. Feels very esoteric on all fronts

[Allandwf]

My wife uses a 2008 3.2 Qtronic Brera as her daily. No issues other than a coolant leak atan ebowat the rear of the engne,( a common fault by all accounts,) and a blowing exhaust flexi.

[ian996]

galaxie5000 said:

As a serial alfisti I have had a couple of Busso engined models, and whilst the GM sourced unit in the 159 does not have the sound, its very tractable and makes a not dissimilar racket when pushed..

Racket? RACKET????? Sacrilege !