Looking for a 156 V6...
Discussion
Hi all.
Been looking on numerous insurance comparison sites etc over the last few weeks, in the vain hope that I could find a reasonable quote to insure my first V6 engined Alfa Romeo. After a brief spell of considering a Twin Sparked GTV, the lure of a V6 has become too strong. Tonight, Admiral may have made my dream come true.
So, what I'm looking for is a 156 2.5 V6, and some advice from the Alfisti. What should I look for with the V6 unit in terms of common faults etc, what sort of fuel economy figures should I expect (merely for curiosity purposes), and any other insider info or tips would be very useful. Now, its just a case of giving the 147 a proper clean up and fixing a couple of niggles, and getting her up for sale. Gives me a lump in my throat thinking about it in all honesty
its been an excellent introduction into the world of Alfa Romeos.
Thanks in advance, look forward to your replies.
Been looking on numerous insurance comparison sites etc over the last few weeks, in the vain hope that I could find a reasonable quote to insure my first V6 engined Alfa Romeo. After a brief spell of considering a Twin Sparked GTV, the lure of a V6 has become too strong. Tonight, Admiral may have made my dream come true.
So, what I'm looking for is a 156 2.5 V6, and some advice from the Alfisti. What should I look for with the V6 unit in terms of common faults etc, what sort of fuel economy figures should I expect (merely for curiosity purposes), and any other insider info or tips would be very useful. Now, its just a case of giving the 147 a proper clean up and fixing a couple of niggles, and getting her up for sale. Gives me a lump in my throat thinking about it in all honesty
its been an excellent introduction into the world of Alfa Romeos.Thanks in advance, look forward to your replies.
I've got a '01 V6 with Sportpack/Leather/no silly plastic except side skirts, 60k miles (bought at 48k).
The car has been utterly reliable (touch wood) apart from a MAF sensor over the winter. (And me crashing it in the snow, but that's not the car's fault!)
But -
Fuel consumption is low... 20mpg round town (even when you think you're driving like a granny), but I've had up to 35mpg on a long run (across 300 motorway miles).
Seems very sympathetic on oil, tyres, brakes etc - however the brakes definately feel underpowered. I'm investigating racing/track pads for it, as my confidence approaching roundabouts etc at speed is lacking.
Rev limiter cuts in far too early - I'm seriously thinking of a remap to raise it.
But, apart from that, I've thoroughly enjoyed my last 6 months with it. It's a daily workhorse, people always comment on it (when it's clean...), and it still has that effect where you look at it over your shoulder as you walk away. Interior is a nice place to be, build quality feels nice and solid (not quite Audi standards, but better than Ford IMO). And the power delivery is SO smooth, 3rd gear from 1500rpm is a joy, 20-80mph in a nice smooth progressive manner. Fast enough to scare yourself if you're in the mood!
I would recommend one to anyone.
The car has been utterly reliable (touch wood) apart from a MAF sensor over the winter. (And me crashing it in the snow, but that's not the car's fault!)
But -
Fuel consumption is low... 20mpg round town (even when you think you're driving like a granny), but I've had up to 35mpg on a long run (across 300 motorway miles).
Seems very sympathetic on oil, tyres, brakes etc - however the brakes definately feel underpowered. I'm investigating racing/track pads for it, as my confidence approaching roundabouts etc at speed is lacking.
Rev limiter cuts in far too early - I'm seriously thinking of a remap to raise it.
But, apart from that, I've thoroughly enjoyed my last 6 months with it. It's a daily workhorse, people always comment on it (when it's clean...), and it still has that effect where you look at it over your shoulder as you walk away. Interior is a nice place to be, build quality feels nice and solid (not quite Audi standards, but better than Ford IMO). And the power delivery is SO smooth, 3rd gear from 1500rpm is a joy, 20-80mph in a nice smooth progressive manner. Fast enough to scare yourself if you're in the mood!
I would recommend one to anyone.
Agree with the above +
1) water pumps can fail - if so, check it was replaced with an uprated metal impeller pump, rather than the original plastic
2) cambelts need a change, personally I woudln't run one past about 36k, just in case
3) front suspension moves around a bit & kills the front tyres!Check for wear on the inner edge.
4) tinworm is starting to become an issue, have a good look around in the usual places...
Otherwise, good choice, happy with ours since '03!
1) water pumps can fail - if so, check it was replaced with an uprated metal impeller pump, rather than the original plastic
2) cambelts need a change, personally I woudln't run one past about 36k, just in case
3) front suspension moves around a bit & kills the front tyres!Check for wear on the inner edge.
4) tinworm is starting to become an issue, have a good look around in the usual places...
Otherwise, good choice, happy with ours since '03!
Here's my 2002 2.5 V6 Veloce.
Bought her six months ago at 40,000 miles. Done another 6000 miles since then.
So far she has been faultless.
I don't spend much time on the motorway and the computer tells me she has done 27.5 mpg over the last 1500 miles.
Cam belt, tensioners and water pump is a costly, but infrequent job. Watch for knackered rear suspension bushes.
Otherwise, I reckon she is pretty cheap to run. Wheels and tyres are a sensible size. P6000s can be had for £70 a corner.
If you want to drive it really hard, you will need to do something about the brakes and the car does roll and wallow a bit towards the limit.
But that motor is divine. It revs really well, it is smooth as silk, it is fantastically tractable and it sounds better than anything I've ever driven.
I absolutely love mine.
Bought her six months ago at 40,000 miles. Done another 6000 miles since then.
So far she has been faultless.
I don't spend much time on the motorway and the computer tells me she has done 27.5 mpg over the last 1500 miles.
Cam belt, tensioners and water pump is a costly, but infrequent job. Watch for knackered rear suspension bushes.
Otherwise, I reckon she is pretty cheap to run. Wheels and tyres are a sensible size. P6000s can be had for £70 a corner.
If you want to drive it really hard, you will need to do something about the brakes and the car does roll and wallow a bit towards the limit.
But that motor is divine. It revs really well, it is smooth as silk, it is fantastically tractable and it sounds better than anything I've ever driven.
I absolutely love mine.
I've had my 2.5 V6 for about 3 years. It's an 02 plate and just hit 100,000 miles. I've always replaced anything on my cars that has needed attention and it's been very cheap to run. I've had suspension bushes replaced on the front and rear and the radiator died last week but aside from that, it's not needed anything.
It's definitely a car for hooning in. Mine has an auto box but it's very easy to change to 'manual' and second gear is very fast from 40 to 70 - fantastic for overtaking. There's a lot of power - I have a steep hill near me and it'll happily drop down a gear even at 80+ and keeps pulling. Very fun to drive.
A previous owner also put on an upgraded exhaust that runs all the way back so the sweet V6 sound is sweeter still!
I'm selling it in a month or two as we're upgrading both our cars (500 Abarth test drive tomorrow!) but it'll be a sad day hearing someone else drive it away.
It's definitely a car for hooning in. Mine has an auto box but it's very easy to change to 'manual' and second gear is very fast from 40 to 70 - fantastic for overtaking. There's a lot of power - I have a steep hill near me and it'll happily drop down a gear even at 80+ and keeps pulling. Very fun to drive.
A previous owner also put on an upgraded exhaust that runs all the way back so the sweet V6 sound is sweeter still!
I'm selling it in a month or two as we're upgrading both our cars (500 Abarth test drive tomorrow!) but it'll be a sad day hearing someone else drive it away.
Had ours since 2002 when she was 8 months old. Done a very comfy and reliable 55K miles in that time. It replaced a 156 2.0 which my wife couldn't drive as it was manual. I was working away at the time so I traded it in for the V6 auto. Coming from a 147 you'll find the V6 a lot heavier at the front and less sharp to turn in. However this is more than made up for by it's ability to waft along eating miles. Costs a few hundred quid each year for it's service but that seems to be it in terms of expense.
I have a Lotus Elise as our main car and find the Alfa the perfect companion, it's docile and effortless for my wife to drive and gets a move on when I am forced to leave the Lotus in the garage. We have kept the car this long as we can't think of a better alternative frankly. Although I was encouraged by my wife checking out a Jag XJ in Sainsburys the other day.
I have a Lotus Elise as our main car and find the Alfa the perfect companion, it's docile and effortless for my wife to drive and gets a move on when I am forced to leave the Lotus in the garage. We have kept the car this long as we can't think of a better alternative frankly. Although I was encouraged by my wife checking out a Jag XJ in Sainsburys the other day.
Hi! Great cars mine was thrashed to death by me for 2 years and abused by a previous owner so they are strong cars!
Main thing I'd be looking for is bills, any v6 with 80k plus miles I'd wanna see reciepts for:
radiator - temps go above 90c when thrashing.
Cambelt - metal impellor water pump - tentioners.
Upper arms on front suspension
maf - £150
clutch/slave cylinder - £500
I was clueless when I bought mine and needed the above work which cost £££ over 6 months. Gave 2 years good hard service after though.
Main thing I'd be looking for is bills, any v6 with 80k plus miles I'd wanna see reciepts for:
radiator - temps go above 90c when thrashing.
Cambelt - metal impellor water pump - tentioners.
Upper arms on front suspension
maf - £150
clutch/slave cylinder - £500
I was clueless when I bought mine and needed the above work which cost £££ over 6 months. Gave 2 years good hard service after though.
Great cars, saloon or sport wagon, just make sure the cambelt and additionals have been done recently and that if you drive it, its revs cleanly throught to 7,000rpm. If it staggers or pauses when accelerating, then the air flow meter is knackered, get the current owner to change it before you buy. Other than that, superb!
If you are worried about costs, I would look up the carbon emissions & hence tax bracket on these cars. I think my 166 would be the top whack, if it wasn't a 2000 model and hence a flat £190 (or whatever it was last time).
Ironically the 3.2l engine is more economical and I would love to upgrade from the 2.5, but all those cars are newer and I can't stomach the increased tax cost so I will stick with the thirstier 2.5 for now
Ironically the 3.2l engine is more economical and I would love to upgrade from the 2.5, but all those cars are newer and I can't stomach the increased tax cost so I will stick with the thirstier 2.5 for now
funwithrevs said:
Ironically the 3.2l engine is more economical and I would love to upgrade from the 2.5, but all those cars are newer and I can't stomach the increased tax cost so I will stick with the thirstier 2.5 for now
I get 27.5mpg from my 2.5, which seems pretty good to me.Incidentally, my 2.5 doesn't use a drop of oil, whereas my old 3.2 GTV absolutely drank the stuff.
Anyone know if the 3.2s all burn oil, or was mine a bad 'un?
Thanks for all of the helpful advice.
Funwithrevs, costs aren't so much a concern, I do 25k miles per year so the car will be used alongside a more frugal company vehicle. Tax is 130 for 6 months on the 1600 Twin Spark, which I've always thought a tad extreme, so tax isn't a concern either. Fuel consumption figures were more out of curiosity than anything else. There's just a couple of niggles I need to sort with the 147 before she goes up for sale, NS headlamp refuses to work, tested bulb, switch and fuse so there must be some form of wiring fault somewhere, and the common rear wiper motor problem has reared its ugly head. One other thing I've noticed is how thin on the ground 02-04 plate examples tend to be? After around 2000-2001, they tend to dry up? I'm ideally looking for one with the facelifted interior which looks much smarter and less dated.
Funwithrevs, costs aren't so much a concern, I do 25k miles per year so the car will be used alongside a more frugal company vehicle. Tax is 130 for 6 months on the 1600 Twin Spark, which I've always thought a tad extreme, so tax isn't a concern either. Fuel consumption figures were more out of curiosity than anything else. There's just a couple of niggles I need to sort with the 147 before she goes up for sale, NS headlamp refuses to work, tested bulb, switch and fuse so there must be some form of wiring fault somewhere, and the common rear wiper motor problem has reared its ugly head. One other thing I've noticed is how thin on the ground 02-04 plate examples tend to be? After around 2000-2001, they tend to dry up? I'm ideally looking for one with the facelifted interior which looks much smarter and less dated.
robsco said:
One other thing I've noticed is how thin on the ground 02-04 plate examples tend to be? After around 2000-2001, they tend to dry up? I'm ideally looking for one with the facelifted interior which looks much smarter and less dated.
I'm pretty sure the V6 was discontinued in August 2003There are a few late registered facelift interior cars about. Some are selling as "Malaysian imports" others are not mentioned were they came from, most tend to have been registered in 2005. I bought one November 05 at a seriously good price as the first registered keeper. It was stated to me as smoke damaged and came from a car ferry fire which was transporting cars to the far east and or Australia, when I picked the car up it still had all the factory plastic on the seats. 5 years later still have the car, Love it. Third and best 156 i've owned. High spec with winter pack and sports leather interior, apart from the MAF its be utterly reliable. Oh and I retro fitted cruise control, great for contraflows on motorways.
will post a pic later this week when back home
Be careful, 06 and 56 plates will fall into highest tax bracket!
will post a pic later this week when back home
Be careful, 06 and 56 plates will fall into highest tax bracket!
broadhat said:
robsco said:
One other thing I've noticed is how thin on the ground 02-04 plate examples tend to be? After around 2000-2001, they tend to dry up? I'm ideally looking for one with the facelifted interior which looks much smarter and less dated.
I'm pretty sure the V6 was discontinued in August 2003
robsco said:
broadhat said:
robsco said:
One other thing I've noticed is how thin on the ground 02-04 plate examples tend to be? After around 2000-2001, they tend to dry up? I'm ideally looking for one with the facelifted interior which looks much smarter and less dated.
I'm pretty sure the V6 was discontinued in August 2003They do crop up from time to time.
I don't know what the differences are from the official UK spec cars, but if you do trip up over one, then be mindful that they are frowned on by both main dealers and some independents.
It wouldn't put me off buying one, but it is worth knowing about. Don't ask me how to spot one, cos I don't know...
I made an enquiry to Alfa Romeo UK today regarding a 55 plate blue Lusso I've seen on the classfieds, 3995. It turns out the vehicle was heading for the Chinese market, before the ship that was taking it there sank, leaving 156s in sealed containers at the bottom of the sea. 12 months later, an external salvage squad recovered the vehicles, and sold them without warranties. The vehicles were assembled 4 years before they were eventually registered and sold. How's that for a story
The ship caught fire, cars are 03 RHD models for export to the Far East and Australia, they would have had original speedo in kmh and fitted radio frequencies would be wrong for Europe.
My car comes up on the Alfa parts system as Alfa 156 with Distinction or Distinctive trim?. As far
as I can tell its a 156 V6 veloce with winter pack and dark grey sports leather interior as fitted to top spec Alfa GT's.
My local indy dealer services it every year, they also imported quite a few cars from Ireland a few years ago as did quite a few non franchised garages. As for the trade not liking them - whats the problem providing you don't try and pass it off as something it isn't. If anyone asks me, mines a 2003 and car first registered in 2005 on a 55 plate.
Occasionally after the car has stood on a hot day you can get a slight smell of burning!!
My car comes up on the Alfa parts system as Alfa 156 with Distinction or Distinctive trim?. As far
as I can tell its a 156 V6 veloce with winter pack and dark grey sports leather interior as fitted to top spec Alfa GT's.
My local indy dealer services it every year, they also imported quite a few cars from Ireland a few years ago as did quite a few non franchised garages. As for the trade not liking them - whats the problem providing you don't try and pass it off as something it isn't. If anyone asks me, mines a 2003 and car first registered in 2005 on a 55 plate.
Occasionally after the car has stood on a hot day you can get a slight smell of burning!!
Update time...
I've agreed a sale of the 147 to a fellow PHer (calling Shurze!)and am treating myself to this little lovely
owned by another PHer, David87.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1871220.htm
Can't wait.
I've agreed a sale of the 147 to a fellow PHer (calling Shurze!)and am treating myself to this little lovely
owned by another PHer, David87.http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1871220.htm
Can't wait.
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