RE: Shed of the Week: Alfa Romeo 156 V6
Discussion
Another 156 V6 owner here. I have a thread on Readers Cars for anyone interested...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I've only had the V6 so can't comment on the twin sparks and diesels. The 156 for a 'humdrum' car feels really special and much has been said about the busso v6 over the years. Specifically with the 2.5, it is not a torquey engine but will pull cleanly from tickover through to the redline without labouring. Think of it as a typical 2 litre but with more at the top end (4k plus) in terms of how it pulls. If you like to use the revs to get performance in a car, the 2.5 busso is incredible. What helps to overcome the lack of torque is the very close ratios of the 6 speed gearbox (approx. at 75mph, 4th gear is about 4.75k, 5th 4k and 6th 3.25k). As the ratios are so close together, you can always remain in the sweet spot above 4k after a change near the red line. I love that it hasn't been setup for economy, but instead for the sheer enjoyment of driving, or at least that's how it feels. The throttle response is razor sharp. The engine revs rise and fall exactly in line with the input to the accelerator, a rare thing on modern cars I've driven!
It has a very quick steering rack, which some will love and others might not.
One thing I don't like is that it has quite crashy suspension and there isn't the compliance of say a great french car from 20 years ago. It tends to whack into holes in the road etc.
I'm in for the long haul with my 156. Purchased for £1350 about a year and a half ago, it's had a new clutch fitted and the cambelt done plus other stuff. With only 74k miles on it, I don't see why it won't last another 10 years with ease (might need welding every so often though!).
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I've only had the V6 so can't comment on the twin sparks and diesels. The 156 for a 'humdrum' car feels really special and much has been said about the busso v6 over the years. Specifically with the 2.5, it is not a torquey engine but will pull cleanly from tickover through to the redline without labouring. Think of it as a typical 2 litre but with more at the top end (4k plus) in terms of how it pulls. If you like to use the revs to get performance in a car, the 2.5 busso is incredible. What helps to overcome the lack of torque is the very close ratios of the 6 speed gearbox (approx. at 75mph, 4th gear is about 4.75k, 5th 4k and 6th 3.25k). As the ratios are so close together, you can always remain in the sweet spot above 4k after a change near the red line. I love that it hasn't been setup for economy, but instead for the sheer enjoyment of driving, or at least that's how it feels. The throttle response is razor sharp. The engine revs rise and fall exactly in line with the input to the accelerator, a rare thing on modern cars I've driven!
It has a very quick steering rack, which some will love and others might not.
One thing I don't like is that it has quite crashy suspension and there isn't the compliance of say a great french car from 20 years ago. It tends to whack into holes in the road etc.
I'm in for the long haul with my 156. Purchased for £1350 about a year and a half ago, it's had a new clutch fitted and the cambelt done plus other stuff. With only 74k miles on it, I don't see why it won't last another 10 years with ease (might need welding every so often though!).
Edited by strangehighways on Saturday 5th January 18:36
Edited by strangehighways on Sunday 6th January 16:01
@Tony Middlehurst
Agree, Alan deserves a shout for his exploits and I thank you for that.
However, whilst the floor pans are a known corrosion point, the subframes are not. Sorry, I know I'm being a pedant but this comment It's this kind of poorly researched comment that propagates Alfa's continuing issues with public perception. It snowballs from the floor into subframes and then the whole internet says they must be rusty because it's an Alfa.
They're no more susceptible to rust than any other premium German product of the same era and they're just as reliable, if not better. (I speak from a position of significant experience.)
Yet, it seems, no-one can resist a stereotypical comment when discussing them.
Agree, Alan deserves a shout for his exploits and I thank you for that.
However, whilst the floor pans are a known corrosion point, the subframes are not. Sorry, I know I'm being a pedant but this comment It's this kind of poorly researched comment that propagates Alfa's continuing issues with public perception. It snowballs from the floor into subframes and then the whole internet says they must be rusty because it's an Alfa.
They're no more susceptible to rust than any other premium German product of the same era and they're just as reliable, if not better. (I speak from a position of significant experience.)
Yet, it seems, no-one can resist a stereotypical comment when discussing them.
Edited by Zombie on Sunday 6th January 00:27
Zombie said:
@Tony Middlehurst
Agree, Alan deserves a shout for his exploits and I thank you for that.
However, whilst the floor pans are a known corrosion point, the subframes are not. Sorry, I know I'm being a pedant but this comment It's this kind of poorly researched comment that propagates Alfa's continuing issues with public perception. It snowballs from the floor into subframes and then the whole internet says they must be rusty because it's an Alfa.
They're no more susceptible to rust than any other premium German product of the same era and they're just as reliable, if not better. (I speak from a position of significant experience.)
Yet, it seems, no-one can resist a stereotypical comment when discussing them.
I've had 2 of these v6 156's and one had rotten floor pans, the other had just a bit of rot forming there, but the front inner wings, going into the chassis legs rusted badly- over £500 quoted to fix, depending on how far down the chassis leg the rust extended. I believe this is what people mean with 156s rather than the subframe (which is a problem on the Brera- have had to weld my Brera subframe too; this is my current alfa).Agree, Alan deserves a shout for his exploits and I thank you for that.
However, whilst the floor pans are a known corrosion point, the subframes are not. Sorry, I know I'm being a pedant but this comment It's this kind of poorly researched comment that propagates Alfa's continuing issues with public perception. It snowballs from the floor into subframes and then the whole internet says they must be rusty because it's an Alfa.
They're no more susceptible to rust than any other premium German product of the same era and they're just as reliable, if not better. (I speak from a position of significant experience.)
Yet, it seems, no-one can resist a stereotypical comment when discussing them.
Edited by Zombie on Sunday 6th January 00:27
SydneySE said:
I've had 2 of these v6 156's and one had rotten floor pans, the other had just a bit of rot forming there, but the front inner wings, going into the chassis legs rusted badly- over £500 quoted to fix, depending on how far down the chassis leg the rust extended. I believe this is what people mean with 156s rather than the subframe (which is a problem on the Brera- have had to weld my Brera subframe too; this is my current alfa).
Kind of what I was getting at. The Author is confusing issues with two completely different platforms. the 156/147/GT floors (and inner wings) can corrode but it's the subframes that corrode on the 159/Brera. The point being that the Internet will take the information provided at face value and inaccurately conflate it.
I've had the car up on ramps to inspect and there is not an ounce (and I mean an ounce!) of rust anywhere on the sills, a rare thing indeed! What's more, the backbox looks almost new, as do the handbrake cables, as do the front brakes. It's also one of the driest old Alfas I've seen underneath, not a hint of a leak. It's got a lot of potential this car!
Absolutely fantastic shed - great start to the year!
Very rare find now at this money, the v6's are easily going for a few grand now when they come up - which isn't often. I had a 2.0 twinny which was a fantastic car for what it was. Loved it so much I ended up getting a 147 as well which was equally awesome (same chassis etc). Always hankered after a Busso GT or GTA.
I still hold the 147/156/GT as a yardstick. If a basic modern car is not as good to drive, in my head it's crap - and in reality aside from infotainment rubbish few 'new' cars come close as an experience even now.
Very rare find now at this money, the v6's are easily going for a few grand now when they come up - which isn't often. I had a 2.0 twinny which was a fantastic car for what it was. Loved it so much I ended up getting a 147 as well which was equally awesome (same chassis etc). Always hankered after a Busso GT or GTA.
I still hold the 147/156/GT as a yardstick. If a basic modern car is not as good to drive, in my head it's crap - and in reality aside from infotainment rubbish few 'new' cars come close as an experience even now.
PeteH66 said:
Ah, though she looked familiar...
Lovely motor, bought her off Stumad on Alfa156.net, had a straight-though exhaust when I got her, a tad loud! Took her up to Autolusso to get the cambelt done and was talked into getting the Q2 fitted and recon gearbox (3rd gear baulked if I remember rightly).
Then got Koni FSDs and eibachs fitted - eventually got round to getting the cambelt done!
Changed the cloth seats for leather, got the Ragazzon exhaust.
Lovely car, really pleased to see she is still being enjoyed.
Now got a Wizard exhaust. It's a bit loud but awesome. Lovely motor, bought her off Stumad on Alfa156.net, had a straight-though exhaust when I got her, a tad loud! Took her up to Autolusso to get the cambelt done and was talked into getting the Q2 fitted and recon gearbox (3rd gear baulked if I remember rightly).
Then got Koni FSDs and eibachs fitted - eventually got round to getting the cambelt done!
Changed the cloth seats for leather, got the Ragazzon exhaust.
Lovely car, really pleased to see she is still being enjoyed.
To be fair it's now getting into the sort of age where there are a few things to address, but at the same time, it's also getting to the point where it is worth doing those things.
There was a huge choice of good cars at~£1000 in 2012, but now you are typically looking at £2000-3000 for something in good shape that doesn't need anything doing soon, with cheaper ones often requiring a little love.
Stu wants it back!
kuiper said:
Absolutely fantastic shed - great start to the year!
I still hold the 147/156/GT as a yardstick. If a basic modern car is not as good to drive, in my head it's crap - and in reality aside from infotainment rubbish few 'new' cars come close as an experience even now.
Rated highly at the time I still hold the 147/156/GT as a yardstick. If a basic modern car is not as good to drive, in my head it's crap - and in reality aside from infotainment rubbish few 'new' cars come close as an experience even now.
Apologies for going off at a tangent, but the thorny issue of "road test fleet" specials. Years back, when Sabre Tooth Tigers wandered the streets, I worked for a well known motoring organisation with a penchant for yellow ... anyway, there was much chortling over a supposedly cooking motor which we'd had for test purposes. To put it mildly, it was a flier, despite its apparent humble origins, so much so that when we took it back to said manufacturer comments were exchanged with the guys in the workshop.
"Glad you liked it" quoth they with an evil grin, "it IS a bit special isn't it?"
Cut a long story short, the cooking 1.6 was effectively a blueprinted unit, better in just about every way than a standard offering ... hence surprisingly good reviews from many of the people who tested it for the regional press.
Bit naughty I suppose, but it made us laugh.
"Glad you liked it" quoth they with an evil grin, "it IS a bit special isn't it?"
Cut a long story short, the cooking 1.6 was effectively a blueprinted unit, better in just about every way than a standard offering ... hence surprisingly good reviews from many of the people who tested it for the regional press.
Bit naughty I suppose, but it made us laugh.
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