Alfa 156 2.5 V6 Questions
Discussion
Have noticed a 98 reg 156 for sale locally at £4300 with 59 k on the clock and I am very tempted.
Haven't been to look at the car yet but is there anything i should look out for on this model or the 156 in general?
Also would the car be due a major service at 60k? I asked the owner and he said the dealership had told him the belts wouldn't need replacing until 72k miles.
I'm concerned about realiabilty as I don't want to spend a fortune keeping it on the road. Also do you think it's likely to continue to depreciate heavily from this point onwards? How does the price sound etc etc. Any pointers greatly appreciated.
Thanks for any help in advance.
Haven't been to look at the car yet but is there anything i should look out for on this model or the 156 in general?
Also would the car be due a major service at 60k? I asked the owner and he said the dealership had told him the belts wouldn't need replacing until 72k miles.
I'm concerned about realiabilty as I don't want to spend a fortune keeping it on the road. Also do you think it's likely to continue to depreciate heavily from this point onwards? How does the price sound etc etc. Any pointers greatly appreciated.
Thanks for any help in advance.
Sorry for my naivety Redgta..but do the belts need to be changed at 36k and 72 k or do most owners change at 36k as opposed to waiting for the belt to go pop before the 72k alfa 'recommended' sevice?
Also any idea how expensive the belt change would be?
Pig.. why only with sport pack 3?
Thanks in advance
Also any idea how expensive the belt change would be?
Pig.. why only with sport pack 3?
Thanks in advance
I suggest that waiting for the belts to fail is a very bad idea indeed. I was told replace EVERY 36K. It is better to be safe than sorry. I can't comment on the cost of the belt change. I'm driving a GTA which has the same engine configuration, but it's only done a few thousand miles so far...
If you do decide to proceed, then maybe you should consider just getting it in and having the work done. That way you know where you are.
If you do decide to proceed, then maybe you should consider just getting it in and having the work done. That way you know where you are.
If the car is 6 years old the belts want doing regardless of the mileage!!!
The original spec was 72,000 miles or 6 years whichever comes first. More usual practice is now 36,000 or 3 years if you are "sensible".
Sport Pack is the sporty version - lower and harder suspension, different interior trim and side skirts. It's gives a hard ride, but better turn in etc. If you are more of a wafter, you may prefer the Lusso (luxury) version with high rise suspension, and often a wooden steering wheel. Pipe holder was optional.
The original spec was 72,000 miles or 6 years whichever comes first. More usual practice is now 36,000 or 3 years if you are "sensible".
Sport Pack is the sporty version - lower and harder suspension, different interior trim and side skirts. It's gives a hard ride, but better turn in etc. If you are more of a wafter, you may prefer the Lusso (luxury) version with high rise suspension, and often a wooden steering wheel. Pipe holder was optional.
I've just bought a 4 year old Lusso, and I think the ride is superb. A little soft yes, and rolls quite a bit, but I'm enjoying what is essentially my first luxury car.
I didn't like the red on black dials with fake CF trim and much prefer the black on white/silver dials (and fake wood trim) of the Lusso.
IIRC, belt change is about 700 GBP.
Cheers
Dr C
I didn't like the red on black dials with fake CF trim and much prefer the black on white/silver dials (and fake wood trim) of the Lusso.
IIRC, belt change is about 700 GBP.
Cheers
Dr C
Ok, so good advice about the belts- perhaps a bargaining point- they take 7 hours to change!
The sports suspension is a good point as others tended to be too soft in V6 guise, but I can't remember all the options of SP1, SP2 and SP3. I do remember the SP3 has the recaro leather and I reckon very rare, so more likely to pick up one with cloth or momo leather. There is also more room in the cars with cloth seats (the padding isn't as thick).
Wear in the rear suspension bushes (detectable by noise) should be remedied early as the ones mounted in the rear subframe have been known to wreck the subframe if left unattended- but only a fool would let that happen.
Sometimes air mass sensors and lambda sensors wear and affect performance- often unnoticed for quite some time. Servicing costs do tend to be quite high- hence the low purchase cost. Reliability tends to hinge on what day of the week the car was built....
>> Edited by Alfa Mad on Tuesday 10th August 09:55
The sports suspension is a good point as others tended to be too soft in V6 guise, but I can't remember all the options of SP1, SP2 and SP3. I do remember the SP3 has the recaro leather and I reckon very rare, so more likely to pick up one with cloth or momo leather. There is also more room in the cars with cloth seats (the padding isn't as thick).
Wear in the rear suspension bushes (detectable by noise) should be remedied early as the ones mounted in the rear subframe have been known to wreck the subframe if left unattended- but only a fool would let that happen.
Sometimes air mass sensors and lambda sensors wear and affect performance- often unnoticed for quite some time. Servicing costs do tend to be quite high- hence the low purchase cost. Reliability tends to hinge on what day of the week the car was built....
>> Edited by Alfa Mad on Tuesday 10th August 09:55
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