Tell me about 159 Sportwagons...
Discussion
Khan is making me sell my lovely 2011 Alpina Touring. Its v difficult to find another later Alpina touring so I'm looking at alternative family wagons. Being an Alfa nut, the 159 Sportwagon looks good but I don't know much about them. Looks like the full fat one is V6 which would be preferable. Def don't want the diesel as presumably its the same as one I had in Brera which I really didn't like. Any special rare models to look out? Any obvious flaws? Anyone seen a good one out there? All help appreciated!
We have a diesel on about 160K miles. Thinking out loud….
- Interiors are tough and well made. Ours is home to two German Shepherds and still scrubs up well.
- Nothing has gone wrong electrically other than a rat eating the rear parking sensor loom
- Suspension does wear, but it hides it well. If it is a bit vague, then get everything checked out. We’ve been through 2 sets of upper arms at the front, nothing at the back.
- They eat front tyres, especially the inner section, even when set up properly. Cheap Acceleras are fine on 19” rims, crap on 18”.
- Check the rear sills for corrosion - ours is 57 plate, and we live up a filthy muddy lane, but it has needed welding.
Er, that’s it. It drives well, goes like the clappers and being a diesel is economical. V6 will be less economical.
- Interiors are tough and well made. Ours is home to two German Shepherds and still scrubs up well.
- Nothing has gone wrong electrically other than a rat eating the rear parking sensor loom
- Suspension does wear, but it hides it well. If it is a bit vague, then get everything checked out. We’ve been through 2 sets of upper arms at the front, nothing at the back.
- They eat front tyres, especially the inner section, even when set up properly. Cheap Acceleras are fine on 19” rims, crap on 18”.
- Check the rear sills for corrosion - ours is 57 plate, and we live up a filthy muddy lane, but it has needed welding.
Er, that’s it. It drives well, goes like the clappers and being a diesel is economical. V6 will be less economical.
rxe said:
We have a diesel on about 160K miles. Thinking out loud….
- Interiors are tough and well made. Ours is home to two German Shepherds and still scrubs up well.
- Nothing has gone wrong electrically other than a rat eating the rear parking sensor loom
- Suspension does wear, but it hides it well. If it is a bit vague, then get everything checked out. We’ve been through 2 sets of upper arms at the front, nothing at the back.
- They eat front tyres, especially the inner section, even when set up properly. Cheap Acceleras are fine on 19” rims, crap on 18”.
- Check the rear sills for corrosion - ours is 57 plate, and we live up a filthy muddy lane, but it has needed welding.
Er, that’s it. It drives well, goes like the clappers and being a diesel is economical. V6 will be less economical.
Thanks thats really helpful- Interiors are tough and well made. Ours is home to two German Shepherds and still scrubs up well.
- Nothing has gone wrong electrically other than a rat eating the rear parking sensor loom
- Suspension does wear, but it hides it well. If it is a bit vague, then get everything checked out. We’ve been through 2 sets of upper arms at the front, nothing at the back.
- They eat front tyres, especially the inner section, even when set up properly. Cheap Acceleras are fine on 19” rims, crap on 18”.
- Check the rear sills for corrosion - ours is 57 plate, and we live up a filthy muddy lane, but it has needed welding.
Er, that’s it. It drives well, goes like the clappers and being a diesel is economical. V6 will be less economical.
I bought a 2009 SW in Jan to replace a Giulia Veloce which in turn replaced a Giulia Quadrifoglio which in turn replaced a 159 Ti 3.2 Q4 Qtronic saloon which i wish I hadn’t sold…
It’s brilliant. It gets driven everyday and in the last couple of weeks has really earned it’s keep by lugging copious amounts of stuff around as I prepare to move house. During the summer it lugged paddleboards, people and beach paraphernalia around without any problems - it carries more than I expected.
It looks fantastic and with a Pioneer head unit fitted you have all the toys such as DAB and Apple/Android apps and sat nav which is very useful. Without that the cabin does show it’s age through lack of toys.
I was lucky and found a TBi Ti and after owning a V6 159 I wouldn’t go back. I miss the 4wd but it’s not a deal breaker. The torque figures between the two are said to be nearly identical.
There are, or were, some Jap imports for sale inc. a V6 Lusso spec SW on motors.co.uk
The 2.2 petrol isn’t a great engine but from what I’ve read the diesels are quite good.
It’s brilliant. It gets driven everyday and in the last couple of weeks has really earned it’s keep by lugging copious amounts of stuff around as I prepare to move house. During the summer it lugged paddleboards, people and beach paraphernalia around without any problems - it carries more than I expected.
It looks fantastic and with a Pioneer head unit fitted you have all the toys such as DAB and Apple/Android apps and sat nav which is very useful. Without that the cabin does show it’s age through lack of toys.
I was lucky and found a TBi Ti and after owning a V6 159 I wouldn’t go back. I miss the 4wd but it’s not a deal breaker. The torque figures between the two are said to be nearly identical.
There are, or were, some Jap imports for sale inc. a V6 Lusso spec SW on motors.co.uk
The 2.2 petrol isn’t a great engine but from what I’ve read the diesels are quite good.
Sent you a PM with a link to some for sale.
Ti TBI (200 bhp) is the top of tree really. V6 (220bhp) is nice and adds 4WD but comes with the extra running costs, weight and an engine which needs thorough oil changes to prevent the chain stretching. Same problem applies to the 2.2.
Built very well & possibly the first Alfa of the modern age to be built to nearly the same standards as it’s European rivals.
Ti TBI (200 bhp) is the top of tree really. V6 (220bhp) is nice and adds 4WD but comes with the extra running costs, weight and an engine which needs thorough oil changes to prevent the chain stretching. Same problem applies to the 2.2.
Built very well & possibly the first Alfa of the modern age to be built to nearly the same standards as it’s European rivals.
DrBrule said:
Sent you a PM with a link to some for sale.
Ti TBI (200 bhp) is the top of tree really. V6 (220bhp) is nice and adds 4WD but comes with the extra running costs, weight and an engine which needs thorough oil changes to prevent the chain stretching. Same problem applies to the 2.2.
Built very well & possibly the first Alfa of the modern age to be built to nearly the same standards as it’s European rivals.
This is really helpful, thank youTi TBI (200 bhp) is the top of tree really. V6 (220bhp) is nice and adds 4WD but comes with the extra running costs, weight and an engine which needs thorough oil changes to prevent the chain stretching. Same problem applies to the 2.2.
Built very well & possibly the first Alfa of the modern age to be built to nearly the same standards as it’s European rivals.
the-norseman said:
I also wanted one, 159 Sportwagon TI V6 in Red.
Alfa UK reckon they only sold 2 in the UK in that spec.
I think it was a few more than that from what I heard but still very few.Alfa UK reckon they only sold 2 in the UK in that spec.
I had one - ever rarer with manual box and Q4. Was a lovely car - as others have said, it ate roadsprings until I swapped them for Eibachs - which also improved body control measurably.
I had a Diesel Lusso Saloon back in the day finished in Alfa Red. I couldn’t recommend them highly enough. The quality is superb.
I was told to watch out for the clutch and transmission, although mine was fine. As someone mentioned previously they were quite hard on front tyres.
I had Michelins on mine and they were very grippy.
I was told to watch out for the clutch and transmission, although mine was fine. As someone mentioned previously they were quite hard on front tyres.
I had Michelins on mine and they were very grippy.
Front tyre inner edge wear is atrocious when set up ‘correctly’. I’m going to try setting the toe to dead zero on mine and see if it corrects it. Mine is 57 plate with ~96k and is looking remarkably good as far as corrosion and suspension, my previous GT at similar age and mileage was crumbling and ruining every suspension part unfortunate enough to be fitted to it.
Electrics are generally okay but I have had issues mostly caused by crap connectors where 5p more spent per part would have made it futureproof.
Mine is a Lusso on 18s, a TI looks the dogs danglies but I don’t think I would want it sitting any lower as I have an occasional need to negotiate gravel tracks etc and it’s proved to be pretty perilous. I think if I’d had a TI I’d have been knackered a few times.
Bloody lovely car and surprisingly well screwed together, super comfy if not particularly inspiring to drive.
Electrics are generally okay but I have had issues mostly caused by crap connectors where 5p more spent per part would have made it futureproof.
Mine is a Lusso on 18s, a TI looks the dogs danglies but I don’t think I would want it sitting any lower as I have an occasional need to negotiate gravel tracks etc and it’s proved to be pretty perilous. I think if I’d had a TI I’d have been knackered a few times.
Bloody lovely car and surprisingly well screwed together, super comfy if not particularly inspiring to drive.
I've just popped a deposit down for this one, it's an Alfa red TI with what seems like every option going. I originally wanted a V6, or the tbi, but completely impossible to find, and in the spec I wanted. I did find a lovely V6 Q4, but it was a Lusso, and needed the SW for all the gubbins for the children! I found this at a local specialist, This is the later 2.0D 170hp, they ironed out the problems with the 1.9 apparently. It had plenty of shove, and hopefully will do a good tank range. I was very impressed on the test drive, lovely gearbox, contrary from what I've read, and seems amazingly well built, everything was very solid. Even with 89k miles, it feels like its just run in. Looking forward to collection on Monday /Tuesday hopefully!
Edited by jamesbilluk on Friday 2nd December 19:57
Looks absolutely lovely.
I had one of the last back in 2012 a 159 JTDM 1.9 Lusso Saloon in the same Alfa Red with Black Leather. Being a 2009, it was one of the last 1.9 cars.
The one criticism of it was that it was a little underpowered. I was advised at the time that the 2.0 Diesel was a much better unit and was the pick of the range. I’ve never owned a car with such great quality leather seats. IMHO it’s the 2nd best looking saloon ever after the Mirafiori.
I had one of the last back in 2012 a 159 JTDM 1.9 Lusso Saloon in the same Alfa Red with Black Leather. Being a 2009, it was one of the last 1.9 cars.
The one criticism of it was that it was a little underpowered. I was advised at the time that the 2.0 Diesel was a much better unit and was the pick of the range. I’ve never owned a car with such great quality leather seats. IMHO it’s the 2nd best looking saloon ever after the Mirafiori.
Rob 131 Sport said:
Looks absolutely lovely.
I had one of the last back in 2012 a 159 JTDM 1.9 Lusso Saloon in the same Alfa Red with Black Leather. Being a 2009, it was one of the last 1.9 cars.
The one criticism of it was that it was a little underpowered. I was advised at the time that the 2.0 Diesel was a much better unit and was the pick of the range. I’ve never owned a car with such great quality leather seats. IMHO it’s the 2nd best looking saloon ever after the Mirafiori.
Thank you! They really are stunning looking cars. Those 6 head lights I had one of the last back in 2012 a 159 JTDM 1.9 Lusso Saloon in the same Alfa Red with Black Leather. Being a 2009, it was one of the last 1.9 cars.
The one criticism of it was that it was a little underpowered. I was advised at the time that the 2.0 Diesel was a much better unit and was the pick of the range. I’ve never owned a car with such great quality leather seats. IMHO it’s the 2nd best looking saloon ever after the Mirafiori.
It seemed to be turning heads when I got lost on the test drive in Oldbury!I do love them in Black too, but it had to be in red when I saw it in the metal though!
I agree with regards to the seats, for a car from 2010, and 89k miles, they've worn better than my 2018 XJ seats did,with 54k miles, they were in a terrible state.
I was very impressed with the engine, I've looked on the FB group, a remap should take it to about 215hp, may well do that in the future.
Edited by jamesbilluk on Saturday 3rd December 09:59
I’m sure I’ve uploaded this many times on Alfa 159 topics. This is from a family holiday in Frejus in 2013. We also went to Italy for a day on that holiday and the Italians weren’t shy in providing complimentary comments to a UK plated 159. Shortly after in the autumn of 2013, it went onto be my wife’s car.
I did around 25k in that car in about 14 months. To me there an absolute icon.
Rob 131 Sport said:
I’m sure I’ve uploaded this many times on Alfa 159 topics. This is from a family holiday in Frejus in 2013. We also went to Italy for a day on that holiday and the Italians weren’t shy in providing complimentary comments to a UK plated 159. Shortly after in the autumn of 2013, it went onto be my wife’s car.
I did around 25k in that car in about 14 months. To me there an absolute icon.
I'll bet they loved it in Italy!
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