RE: Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon Q4 V6: Spotted
Discussion
The Vambo said:
What are you not understanding?
Holden produced a GM 3195cc High Feature V6, Holden, Suzuki and Opel all used it. Spookily, the exact same capacity to the CC that Alfa used, hmmmmm.
THERE WAS NO CAPACITY MODIFICATION NEEDED.
OK, there was a similar 3.2 for the Chevrolet Captiva and Suzuki Vitara. I didn't know this.Holden produced a GM 3195cc High Feature V6, Holden, Suzuki and Opel all used it. Spookily, the exact same capacity to the CC that Alfa used, hmmmmm.
THERE WAS NO CAPACITY MODIFICATION NEEDED.
However Alfa Romeo's version is more than just simply using an existing High Feature - it has Alfa Romeo's own heads and direct injection for a start.
I owned one of these (saloon), bought from an Alfa dealer. Explained that I was buying it as I was due to be a dad and wanted a safe family wagon (but something a little different) and asked for it to be PDI'd just in case, being fully aware of some of the Alfa stories. They did this and said it was spot on. Picked it up, got home and the brake lights were stuck on (a sign of things to come).
Following day I was driving and a low brake fluid warning came on, I stopped the car and got recovered, brake fluid was p
g out from a brake fluid line all over the drivers side front alloy. The following year of warranty meant I spent quite a bit of time in alfa's fleet (did you know the alfa GT had one side of its bonnet raised? For RHD they'd not given enough clearance for the wipers. I didn't either until I said that the courtesy GT had a mis-aligned bonnet and the tech told me about it). From then on we had a wing mirror that had a mind of its own and got replaced, remote boot button failed meaning a new roof unit was needed. PAS sounded loud due to the wrong fluid being added from the factory, this was changed but stayed noisy. Oil temp gauge failed, which was an engine out job to fix.
The list went on and on.
Following day I was driving and a low brake fluid warning came on, I stopped the car and got recovered, brake fluid was p
g out from a brake fluid line all over the drivers side front alloy. The following year of warranty meant I spent quite a bit of time in alfa's fleet (did you know the alfa GT had one side of its bonnet raised? For RHD they'd not given enough clearance for the wipers. I didn't either until I said that the courtesy GT had a mis-aligned bonnet and the tech told me about it). From then on we had a wing mirror that had a mind of its own and got replaced, remote boot button failed meaning a new roof unit was needed. PAS sounded loud due to the wrong fluid being added from the factory, this was changed but stayed noisy. Oil temp gauge failed, which was an engine out job to fix. The list went on and on.
My brother had one, very similar to the OP car (159 Q4, V6 sportwagon), but nicer wheels and I think Lusso spec. My abiding memory of if was how surprisingly slow it was. He had come from V6 Busso 164 and 166 saloons. I my opinion the 164 (3.0 manual) was the pick of the bunch (and cheapest). It drove like an overgrown hot hatch.
Howrare said:
Whatever they did to it, doesn't change the fact it is totally forgettable. 2.4JTD is probably the best lump to go in this age of Alfa.
I had the 2.4JTD and the torque was epic (it did have a cheeky remap). It was a bit heavy at the front though - too spirited into roundabouts and the under steer got your attention. I had always said I would have liked the Q4 but rare as the proverbial...Reliability? I must have had a good 'un. No issues in my three years of ownership, although the servicing did make my eyes water on occasion.
If I was going to go back for an Alfa "shed", it would be the GT V6 I think...
Owned a 3.2V6 Q4 ti saloon - top of the range.
Nice looking
Nice interior, lovely leather seats
Plenty quick enough
But...
Thirsty as hell
High road tax
After owning several V6 Busso cars, the engine is a real let down
Reality is you have to really want one and really love it. Because financially it makes absolutely no sense whatsoever!
Nice looking
Nice interior, lovely leather seats
Plenty quick enough
But...
Thirsty as hell
High road tax
After owning several V6 Busso cars, the engine is a real let down
Reality is you have to really want one and really love it. Because financially it makes absolutely no sense whatsoever!
DrSteveBrule said:
I've got what you had but I'm yet to experience a Busso. I'm genuinely interested – what do the differences feel like?
It's like the difference between Pavarotti and Garth Brooks.One sings, the other doesn't.
The Busso isn't hugely powerful, but thats not really the point. It sounds and feels Italian....special. The 159 V6 just doesn't feel like that.
Edited by bruciebonuz on Tuesday 6th November 12:20
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff