Alfa 156 2.4 JTD

[m1key]

Hi guys, I'm potentially looking to get a 156 2.4 JTD Sportwagon and was wondering if anyone could give me any info on the engine variations. I believe there are 150 & 175 bhp (mutlijet/20v?) versions but are there any others and can anyone tell me when the different versions were introduced. Also any info about other revisions/face lifts would be much appreciated as is any other buying advice.

Many thanks.

[pwig]

Just buy a 20V and have done with it, you won't regret it

[m1key]

That's what I'm hoping to do subject to budget & finding the right car. Just wanted to check on when the 20v was introduced and the main changes/revisions etc etc...

[Marki]

pwig said:

Just buy a 20V and have done with it, you won't regret it

Is that the 200 bhp version ?

[m1key]

I thought the 20v 2.4 JTD was the most powerful diesel @ 175bhp?

[Marki]

m1key said:

I thought the 20v 2.4 JTD was the most powerful diesel @ 175bhp?

Oh i thought they offered a 200 bhp diesel Ber ber berera

[m1key]

Oh, not sure about that as only been looking at the 156 JTD's.

[jwyatt]

There was a late model, with the 156 facelift looks, with 200bhp - presumably trialling the engine for the 159. Plus the other two power outputs you mention.

[pmcgurk]

I bought an Alfa 156 Sportwagon 2.4JTD Veloce 2, 52 plate, 150bhp model, a couple of weeks ago.

** I ** LOVE ** IT **!!

My previous car was a BMW 528i SE Touring Auto, and although (obviously) it doesn't compare for luxury or refinement, the Alfa is a **fab** drive - PILES and PILES of torque, pulls like an absolute train, and super 30-50/30-70 times.

Plus, it handles brilliantly - and I got once with 77K on the clock for just over £7K...

Enjoy!

[behappier]

jwyatt said:

There was a late model, with the 156 facelift looks, with 200bhp - presumably trialling the engine for the 159. Plus the other two power outputs you mention.

Never heard of that, where is that coming from ?

[wombat rick]

jwyatt said:

There was a late model, with the 156 facelift looks, with 200bhp - presumably trialling the engine for the 159. Plus the other two power outputs you mention.

I don't think this is true. I've certainly never heard of one and it was not available on the run out lists from the dealers and the OC when production came to a close. There was a Ti trim spec but it didn't change the engine.

As far as I know the 2.4 JTD only went to 200bhp for the Brera/159 release.

Back to the 156. The original version was 136bhp - the 150bhp was released mid-2002 with revised dashboard, colour coding to the wing mirrors and some equipment upgrades. The big nose facelift was late 2003 (I think) and that was when the engine got a 20 valve head and 175bhp. Some equipment was lost or became optional at this point, including the Bose stereo which actually takes up quite a bit of the boot space on the Sportwagon (nearside wheelarch) so if you need the space you may be better without it. Great cars. Mine was a 2002 150bhp Veloce Sportwagon and it was lovely.

Check for service history, evenly worn tyres (fronts will wear insides quicker on the Veloces), clonking from the suspension, and even power delivery from 1800 to just over 4000. If you pop the bonnet, make sure you drop it from about a foot and then check it is latched correctly as there has been a recall to lube the bonnet catches as some are being shut gently and are not catching fully.
Happy shopping!

[m1key]

Excellent, thanks for all the info - just what I was after. Hopefully I'll be looking out for one soon.!
Cheers.

[DJC]

Dunno about the 156, but the 159 2.4JTD SW is a bloody excellent motor car with an awesome engine. Loved it.

[jwyatt]

My 200bhp info (probably flawed, as I have limited interest in diesel engines, though I may get a 159 2.4 for the missus) came from an Autocar test of the facelift JTD but in retrospect that was probably the 175bhp version by the sound of it... I've found the online test at www.autocar.co.uk/RoadTest_Summary.asp?RT=204373 but it uselessly fails to mention the bhp, and if you click on "test data" it goes back to the 150bhp original model's figures.

Either way, since the 156 is very light and compact by modern standards, the 2.4 ought to shift it rather well! My 3.2 certainly does...

Edited by jwyatt on Tuesday 19th September 10:21

[fasterpussycat]

I think that 200bhp engine also found its way into the Fiat Croma (but never the 156 AFAIK).
James

[planman]

I'd hazard a guess that the performace figures of the 156 20v 175bhp JTD are pretty similar or as good as the 159 200bhp jtd, simply due to the 200 kg difference in weight.

[fasterpussycat]

planman said:

I'd hazard a guess that the performace figures of the 156 20v 175bhp JTD are pretty similar or as good as the 159 200bhp jtd, simply due to the 200 kg difference in weight.

Especially if you chip the 156 to 225bhp!

James