Alfa 147 Ti JTDM - HELP PLEASE

[Moose1978]

First time post as a prospective Alfa owner!

Well, the decision has been made to sell my rock steady Mondeo TDCi after seeing a gorgeous black version of the above with 30,000 miles under her belt.

I'm here asking for info/advice from anyone on what to look for etc that these motors are well known for. I've read that the cambelt change is essential - is this at 36,000 miles? If so, this car I'm looking at probably has not had it done so how much would this be setting me back and is it only Alfa dealers that can do the work??

It's going for £9,500 - sounded pretty good to me (with the obvious negotiations to be done from there ;-)

Any help/advice would be gratefully received

Mark

[jamieboy]

Hi there.

The cambelt was a bigger problem for the petrol engines than the diesel, as far as I know.

It doesn't have to be serviced by an official Alfa dealer - any independent can do it, although it's obviously better to get an indie who knows their way round Alfas. If you have a look in the regional forums over on alfaowner.com, there's likely one near you.

Also have a look at the Alfa Workshop site - there's loads of good info on there, including their fixed price servicing schedules.

http://www.alfaworkshop.co.uk/alfa_romeo_servicing...

Our 147 TI (albeit a petrol) is two and a half years and 25,000 miles old and hasn't given any problems at all, if that's any reassurance.

Edited by jamieboy on Wednesday 23 July 13:42

[Andrew_M]

Alfa values are well down. I had been trying to sell mine for a little while - I ended up bottling it after I got a buyer at rock bottom money. Great for the buyer, not so good for me. So it is staying, for life

However, £9500 sounds a lot, is it nearly new?

Try and buy for trade value http://www.vauxhall.co.uk/vx/finance/valueyourcar....

[OperationAlfa]

Glass' is so full of crap. I hate it when the dealer gets the book out when valuing your car!

[Andrew_M]

Ok? But it is the yards stick for most dealers.

[Wombat Rick]

The cambelt issue on JTDs seems more complex than on the Twin Sparks. On the 16 and 20valve JTDs it's often the water pump that collapses or seizes and throws the belt so if you go for a belt change either swap or very carefully check the waterpump!

The price seems a bit high but it is a desirable spec. Worth having a look at some of the big Alfa dealer websites for a guide, e.g. Mangoletsi and Piccadilly

[OperationAlfa]

Andrew_M said:

Ok? But it is the yards stick for most dealers.

It is, but it doesnt always differentiate different models properly, so the dealer will go for the closest thing.

I understand that for your average joe car, it's probably gonna be spot on. But for something special.. it's not very good.

[jamieboy]

OperationAlfa said:

Andrew_M said:

Ok? But it is the yards stick for most dealers.

It is, but it doesnt always differentiate different models properly, so the dealer will go for the closest thing.

I understand that for your average joe car, it's probably gonna be spot on. But for something special.. it's not very good.

Swings and roundabouts, though - I think a few people have picked up cars for less than their 'true' value because the dealer didn't know enough about them.

[OperationAlfa]

Completely agree. But a quick bit of research should of sorted that out.