Alfa Romeo GT Coupe 1.9jtdm

[slm123]

Hi,

I'm thinking of changing my Audi 2003 Audi A4 2.5Tdi for one of these. Has anyone owned one of these what are they like? There doesn't seem to be many topics on them so was hoping to get some owners feedback.

Thanks

[CinqAbarth]

Based on the 147 platform, which itself was based on the 156. So it is pretty well sorted, given that the origins are from back in the late 90s.

JTDm engines appear to be unbreakable - used by Fiat, Saab, Vauxhall as well as Alfa - and you don't hear of many issues with them.

Electrics are multiplexed and don't give as many issues as with older Alfas.

Front suspension bushes / arms seem to be consumable items on modern Alfas, but the good news is that all the bits are dirt cheap.

Trim is pretty damned good - better than the mainstream, if not to BMW / VW standards.

Great fun to drive, look special, not great value, though - they hold their prices pretty damned well. The flip side of that is that you won't lose a fortune when you come to sell it.

[daemon]

slm123 said:

Hi,

I'm thinking of changing my Audi 2003 Audi A4 2.5Tdi for one of these. Has anyone owned one of these what are they like? There doesn't seem to be many topics on them so was hoping to get some owners feedback.

Thanks

Based on the 147, though at the time bandied about as being a 'coupe 156'.

Good car. Anything that applies to the 147 JTD multijet will apply to it.

Due to be discontinued soon.

[Arese]

slm123 said:

Hi,

I'm thinking of changing my Audi 2003 Audi A4 2.5Tdi for one of these. Has anyone owned one of these what are they like? There doesn't seem to be many topics on them so was hoping to get some owners feedback.

Thanks

Good engine. The same one used in the Saab 9-3, Vectra, and a few other applications. 150bhp as standard, which is plenty quick, but can be remapped to around 190bhp for £300. One negative about the engine, is that the EGR valve tends to get clogged up. These can be removed and cleaned, but may need replacing eventually. £100 for a new one, fit it yourself in an hour.

Handling is pretty good. There's not a massive amount of feedback but it goes around corners well enough. There's quite a bit of tram-lining with Mrs Arese's, but it has the 18" multispokes.

Ours is currently averaging 44mpg with a mixture of motorway and urban roads.

If I was looking for another I would try and find one with Bose, leather (obviously), and 18" multispoke wheels. I'd try for Connect Nav+ as it's a pretty good system (Sat-Nav, 'phone, voice-dialling) but not a deal breaker.

Oh, and they look nice.

[slm123]

Thanks,

Do you know when there being discontinued. Am looking at about 2007 model seem to be reasonable priced can pick up a low mileage for under 10k. Do you think prices will drop alot when discontinued?

Edited by slm123 on Sunday 1st August 20:28

[CinqAbarth]

slm123 said:

Thanks,

Do you know when there being discontinued. Am looking at about 2007 model seem to be reasonable priced can pick up a low mileage for under 10k. Do you think prices will drop alot when discontinued?

I doubt it - if anything it'll firm up the prices.

That's what happened with good, late, low mileage 156s anyway.

[Kinky]

I've had my '07 Q2 for a week now

The key thing to check is the cambelt AND water pump change

Everything else as per above really. Only other thing to add is rear parking sensors

[slm123]

oh right thats encouraging. Think i'll have to start looking for a decent one. Doesn't seem to be that many for sale in my area, not really best time to try and sell my convertible either wrong end of summer!

[slm123]

Kinky said:

I've had my '07 Q2 for a week now

The key thing to check is the cambelt AND water pump change

Everything else as per above really. Only other thing to add is rear parking sensors

Looks v.nice,

What mileage has yours done. Looks a good buy # 8.5k for 07 plate q2. Is that 170bhp model?

[CinqAbarth]

Just to add...

The Q2 is definitely the one to have - although, ISTR, Q2 can be retro-fitted to earlier cars for around 500 quid anyway.

[wrinx]

Kinky said:

The key thing to check is the cambelt AND water pump change

What he said...engines are great, but the water pumps have a nasty habit of failing and ripping the top end out when the belt snaps. Quite an expensive job (c.£800-ish)....usual advise is to change around 40-50k.

wrinx

[phil1979]

I love mine. Downside is it's tricky to park, wheels (the 18s) are easy to kerb, and the seats take a bit of getting used to if you're not superslim. Wind noise from the windows can be intrusive, but they can be adjusted to rectify the problem. I get a lot of comments from joe public about the looks, too, which is a nice surprise! Re the Q2, do people really find it necessary on a 150 bhp diesel?

I'm getting low 40s mpg driving in the same style that got me mid-20s in a 2.0 TwinSpark.

[alfabadass]

That was probably because most 156 owners didnt want to give up their 156 for a 159 and wanted another instead!

[CinqAbarth]

alfabadass said:

That was probably because most 156 owners didnt want to give up their 156 for a 159 and wanted another instead!

Same will apply to the GT, though - lots of very happy GT owners out there, and soon there will be no direct replacement for it in the range.

[Alfahorn]

alfabadass said:

That was probably because most 156 owners didnt want to give up their 156 for a 159 and wanted another instead!

I'm in that category. Currently looking for a facelift 156 JTDm for about 4k.

[CinqAbarth]

Alfahorn said:

alfabadass said:

That was probably because most 156 owners didnt want to give up their 156 for a 159 and wanted another instead!

I'm in that category. Currently looking for a facelift 156 JTDm for about 4k.

Shouldn't be too hard to find, but some dealers want up to £7k for a late, clean example!