Discussion
Been an avid six cylinder fan ever since I bought my 323i last year and just couldn't consider going back to 4. However ever since buying my first house 3 months back been looking at the bundle of cash tied up on the driveway and been thinking of getting something a little cheaper (To buy, not run) to release a bit of cash for "home improvements"
Been seriously thinking about the 156 V6 for a while now as I seem to see quite a few decnet plated models for around the 5K mark. Drove my first one on Saturday and what a noise, what a fantastic sound and I'm hooked.
Only thing is I don't know much about them and could do with some advice, if anyone has any ownership experience.
I do know however that it needs to "Veloce" because of the sports pack etc, and I do know that it eats cam belts and must have decent service history, but don't know a great deal else.
Any advice greatly received
Thanks in advance.
Been seriously thinking about the 156 V6 for a while now as I seem to see quite a few decnet plated models for around the 5K mark. Drove my first one on Saturday and what a noise, what a fantastic sound and I'm hooked.
Only thing is I don't know much about them and could do with some advice, if anyone has any ownership experience.
I do know however that it needs to "Veloce" because of the sports pack etc, and I do know that it eats cam belts and must have decent service history, but don't know a great deal else.
Any advice greatly received
Thanks in advance.
Sixpot,
I agree with you on the V6 noise front - a major reason for buying the car against other sensible 4 pots. I've had a 156 for about a month now and I'm really enjoying it. It's a 2000 lusso with black Momo leather, no mods. I really liked the trim, silvery white dials and fake wood, which is slightly preferable to the fake carbon fibre. The ride is super smooth, but the engine delivers much more power than the lusso suspension can handle. So if you're going to be charging around the veloce is probably a better choice.
I believe you can get lussos with SPs though.
My air flow meter needed replacing (200 quid under warranty) which transformed the car. It is a common problem leading to flat spots and/or poor idling - so watch out for that.
Check out www.alfa156.net
The V6 has a very poor steering lock - getting it into the garage is involving. Fuel consumption is also very bad - around 25mpg and the fuel gauge is rather sporadic. Sounds just like my old Chimaera then.
Happy hunting,
Dr C
I agree with you on the V6 noise front - a major reason for buying the car against other sensible 4 pots. I've had a 156 for about a month now and I'm really enjoying it. It's a 2000 lusso with black Momo leather, no mods. I really liked the trim, silvery white dials and fake wood, which is slightly preferable to the fake carbon fibre. The ride is super smooth, but the engine delivers much more power than the lusso suspension can handle. So if you're going to be charging around the veloce is probably a better choice.
I believe you can get lussos with SPs though.
My air flow meter needed replacing (200 quid under warranty) which transformed the car. It is a common problem leading to flat spots and/or poor idling - so watch out for that.
Check out www.alfa156.net
The V6 has a very poor steering lock - getting it into the garage is involving. Fuel consumption is also very bad - around 25mpg and the fuel gauge is rather sporadic. Sounds just like my old Chimaera then.
Happy hunting,
Dr C
Sixpot, i believe you cant go wrong with a V6 so long as the service book is intact & all the keys are with the car! ( i believe there should be a strange looking master but i may be wrong, hopefully someone else on here will confirm ).
Before you comit, i would recommend you try a 2.0 twin spark, great noise, loads of character, easier on brakes & petrol and probably a bit more chuckable.
Mine was surprisingly good round Donington
Before you comit, i would recommend you try a 2.0 twin spark, great noise, loads of character, easier on brakes & petrol and probably a bit more chuckable.
Mine was surprisingly good round Donington
Cirvy,
I don't think that most 156's are afflicted by the need for the burgundy coloured master key. If the car has the 'Code2' system, then no master key is supplied. They way to tell is to look at the key shank, there is a sort of triangle shape which is intersected by 2 cressant shapes. If the number 2 is also displayed, hey presto, its a Code2.
Like many Alfas, the electrics can be a bit suspect- especially the engine management stuff (which I find strange because its Bosch). Bushes also can wear very quickly, although I believe that is now cured. I would personally try to obtain Powerflex bushes if any need renewing.
Look out for the door mirrors, they are aluminium and the paint flakes off and oxidises.
Check the oil regularly, but it's the 2.0 which appears to be the worst offender- that's why they've brought out the JTS... but that's a Vauxhall engine and not worthy of the badge.
Buy on condition and history rather than mileage.
One final point Cirvy, the 2.o 16v responds well to a modified induction tube from the V6. This will release a bit more power. The kit is obtainable from EB Spares.
>> Edited by Alfa Mad on Wednesday 18th August 23:17
I don't think that most 156's are afflicted by the need for the burgundy coloured master key. If the car has the 'Code2' system, then no master key is supplied. They way to tell is to look at the key shank, there is a sort of triangle shape which is intersected by 2 cressant shapes. If the number 2 is also displayed, hey presto, its a Code2.
Like many Alfas, the electrics can be a bit suspect- especially the engine management stuff (which I find strange because its Bosch). Bushes also can wear very quickly, although I believe that is now cured. I would personally try to obtain Powerflex bushes if any need renewing.
Look out for the door mirrors, they are aluminium and the paint flakes off and oxidises.
Check the oil regularly, but it's the 2.0 which appears to be the worst offender- that's why they've brought out the JTS... but that's a Vauxhall engine and not worthy of the badge.
Buy on condition and history rather than mileage.
One final point Cirvy, the 2.o 16v responds well to a modified induction tube from the V6. This will release a bit more power. The kit is obtainable from EB Spares.
>> Edited by Alfa Mad on Wednesday 18th August 23:17
FWIW, my last car was a 156 V6. Just buy on condition, not on which 'pack' the car has. You'll get more enjoyment out of a well maintained car than one which needs constant nursing.
As for problems, I has the airflow meter problem, which got done at zero cost under warranty (old car, dealer warranty). Apart from that, it was a peach. Great engine note, just keep checking the oil and water levels and you can't go wrong.
Cam belts are worth replacing as early as poss. Try and get this thrown into any potential purchase if possible, could save you time and money in the long run.
Where are you based? If you're looking around the south east I can recommend a couple of independants that will see you right.
Happy hunting
As for problems, I has the airflow meter problem, which got done at zero cost under warranty (old car, dealer warranty). Apart from that, it was a peach. Great engine note, just keep checking the oil and water levels and you can't go wrong.
Cam belts are worth replacing as early as poss. Try and get this thrown into any potential purchase if possible, could save you time and money in the long run.
Where are you based? If you're looking around the south east I can recommend a couple of independants that will see you right.
Happy hunting
Alfa Mad said:
Check the oil regularly, but it's the 2.0 which appears to be the worst offender- that's why they've brought out the JTS... but that's a Vauxhall engine and not worthy of the badge.
Nope.
The GM blocked Alfa engines are not out yet. The JTS is basically a Twin Spark (Fiat block) with a different head on it. It has more ooomph than the classic TS, but less character. It still has a healthy appetite for oil as you say!
Vauxhall however are now using the Alfa 1.9JTD engine in the new Astra CDTI and Vectra 1.9CDTI.
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