RE: Alfa Romeo 159 JTDM | Shed of the Week
Discussion
One of my car (not buying) regrets. Mrs and I were in the market for an estate (2nd child on the way) about 4 years ago £5k budget.
My top pick was an Alfa 159 sw, we must have seen a canny few but the Mrs just did not like them, I begged to buy a beautiful gunmetal grey 1.9 JTDm Ti full leather - I really wanted it.
Anyways she overruled and bought a Peugeot 508 SW (don't ask!). It's no where near the same.
508 has been good to us in fairness except where depreciation is concerned, if I bought the 159 it would be worth significantly more than the 508.
Our pug we'll be lucky to get £1k!! The 159 prices are creeping up.
Anyways I'm over it...
My top pick was an Alfa 159 sw, we must have seen a canny few but the Mrs just did not like them, I begged to buy a beautiful gunmetal grey 1.9 JTDm Ti full leather - I really wanted it.
Anyways she overruled and bought a Peugeot 508 SW (don't ask!). It's no where near the same.
508 has been good to us in fairness except where depreciation is concerned, if I bought the 159 it would be worth significantly more than the 508.
Our pug we'll be lucky to get £1k!! The 159 prices are creeping up.
Anyways I'm over it...
I never had a 159 but had two 156s - 2.0 Twin Spark and a 2.5 V6. I never had a single problem with either of them over the course of several years. Not the case with every single German car I've owned. To my eye, the 159 is better looking as an estate and the 156 as a saloon. I genuinely think the 156 will be a future classic.
Edited by Sisu9 on Friday 10th July 19:53
Beautiful, elegant looking things from every angle - there are two identical red 159 Sportwagons round our way, with the horseshoe alloys, both in daily use and they always make me look twice when I see them. A few streets away is a black 159 saloon with some aftermarket alloys on which I see driven around by a lady who's into her '70s, she's always had an Alfa of some sort on her drive. I came very close to buying a red Sportwagon before I bought my 12 plate Giulietta, it was just gorgeous but the lack of any paperwork beyond the V5 made me walk away..... looking over my shoulder as I walked back to my Fiesta!
The 159 / Brera / GT is still an itch I'd love to scratch. Best looking saloon of the last twenty years....? Close I'd say, but for me the Maser QPV would take that spot.
The 159 / Brera / GT is still an itch I'd love to scratch. Best looking saloon of the last twenty years....? Close I'd say, but for me the Maser QPV would take that spot.
philwhite said:
We ended up traded it in last year after it became a pain to get through MOT, it could only pass the emissions tests if it was completely warmed up.
That's how the emissions test should be done with the engine and cat at its proper operating temp. Theres many mot places out there who will fail on emissions without getting the engine hot enough..
remedy said:
I've got a 2.4 TI with the auto box remapped to 260 and I've had no real probs in 2 years. For my first Alfa, it's been great. Only 76k on it too.
It's going into Autocasa in Cov at the end of the month for a service and front brake change as its had a very squeaky wheel/brake since I've had it but that's it.
Oh, my brake lights stopped working but that was just a connector opening up. I crimped it back together and it's been fine since.
Pulls like a train, looks awesome and drives lovely. Not frugal on fuel though but I don't drive it enough to care.
Wow, not seen one of those before. If I saw that, I could have mistaken it as a one off zagato custom build.It's going into Autocasa in Cov at the end of the month for a service and front brake change as its had a very squeaky wheel/brake since I've had it but that's it.
Oh, my brake lights stopped working but that was just a connector opening up. I crimped it back together and it's been fine since.
Pulls like a train, looks awesome and drives lovely. Not frugal on fuel though but I don't drive it enough to care.
Very pretty car.
Broke my Alfa streak after I couldn’t find a decent condition 159 Sportwagon and had to settle for an Audi A4 Avant. Loved my GTV twinny and even my GT JTS with the lesser loved engine was still a special car in Atlantico Blue / Cloverleaf spec. The reliability stuff is more niggles than anything serious in my experience, and was more than offset by the “look back” factor.
Lovely cars... when they work. I owned a Brera 2.4 jtdm for about 7 months - absolutely loved it. Never had a car that attracted so much attention. Then one day it went into limp mode - turned out to be jammed swirl flaps and subsequently needed a new inlet manifold. Sold it soon after... too scared to receive another hefty bill. Think it's been scrapped now... I definitely bought a lemon.
Guernnut said:
I've had a 2011 2.0 JTDM Ti Sportwagon for the last three years. I'm now in the processes of trading it in for a new car, as it is getting on, and needs some work doing to it.
Personally, I think they are very good cars. Stunning looks, and comfortable. Decent performance, and very good economy - here in Guernsey I get mid-30's mpg. Mixed driving in the UK achieves 45 - 50mpg.
The good - stunning looks, especially the Ti Sportwagons, comfortable, as reliable as most cars, decent handling, Alfa Romeo Owners Club have been helpful, and there's lots of information available on the FB forums
The bad - interior is understandably aging now, sub-frame rot - it should be checked regularly, worn front suspension components, ponderous factory fitted double-din satnav and media unit. Diesels over time suffer dpf, swirl flap, egr valve, and maf sensor issues, but this is not unusual for diesels, especially here in Guernsey where driving is stop-start and speeds are low.
Its only let me down once - the starter motor died a couple of years ago and had to be replaced. Ironically, it's German! The later 159's have the M40 gearbox, which is far more reliable than the M32 gearbox. Most owners of 159's with the M32 gearbox have preobably had the repair work done by now, so this shouldn't be much of an issue when buying one.
The time has come to say goodbye to it now. Next car will be either a BMW M240i Coupe or Alfa Guilia Veloce. I suspect that the BMW may well be the one though . . . . . .
Drive a BMW back to back with Giulia Veloce and then look at them side by side...pretty sure you’ll pick the Giulia! I had the Veloce in red, graphite wheels and yellow calipers...it was a work of art. Moved into it from BMW 4 series - despite only a 20kg weight difference the BMW felt 500kg heavier to drive.Personally, I think they are very good cars. Stunning looks, and comfortable. Decent performance, and very good economy - here in Guernsey I get mid-30's mpg. Mixed driving in the UK achieves 45 - 50mpg.
The good - stunning looks, especially the Ti Sportwagons, comfortable, as reliable as most cars, decent handling, Alfa Romeo Owners Club have been helpful, and there's lots of information available on the FB forums
The bad - interior is understandably aging now, sub-frame rot - it should be checked regularly, worn front suspension components, ponderous factory fitted double-din satnav and media unit. Diesels over time suffer dpf, swirl flap, egr valve, and maf sensor issues, but this is not unusual for diesels, especially here in Guernsey where driving is stop-start and speeds are low.
Its only let me down once - the starter motor died a couple of years ago and had to be replaced. Ironically, it's German! The later 159's have the M40 gearbox, which is far more reliable than the M32 gearbox. Most owners of 159's with the M32 gearbox have preobably had the repair work done by now, so this shouldn't be much of an issue when buying one.
The time has come to say goodbye to it now. Next car will be either a BMW M240i Coupe or Alfa Guilia Veloce. I suspect that the BMW may well be the one though . . . . . .
That looks like a wonderfully nice shed for less than £1300.
The MOT history does seem reassuringly free of rust mentions, but the previous owners seem fond of running the tyres and brakes until they're past it. Maybe points to a hard life? I also wonder how much life the clutch has got in it, and how much it would cost to replace. At this level it would probably be more than the car is worth.
Could be 10 months pleasant shedding for less than 6 months depreciation on something a lot less interesting.
The MOT history does seem reassuringly free of rust mentions, but the previous owners seem fond of running the tyres and brakes until they're past it. Maybe points to a hard life? I also wonder how much life the clutch has got in it, and how much it would cost to replace. At this level it would probably be more than the car is worth.
Could be 10 months pleasant shedding for less than 6 months depreciation on something a lot less interesting.
MadDog1962 said:
That looks like a wonderfully nice shed for less than £1300.
The MOT history does seem reassuringly free of rust mentions, but the previous owners seem fond of running the tyres and brakes until they're past it. Maybe points to a hard life? I also wonder how much life the clutch has got in it, and how much it would cost to replace. At this level it would probably be more than the car is worth.
Could be 10 months pleasant shedding for less than 6 months depreciation on something a lot less interesting.
The tyre wear is quite pronounced on the 159, especially if the wheel alignment isn't right. It could just be that. The brakes could be just laziness but it is a heavy car. The MOT history does seem reassuringly free of rust mentions, but the previous owners seem fond of running the tyres and brakes until they're past it. Maybe points to a hard life? I also wonder how much life the clutch has got in it, and how much it would cost to replace. At this level it would probably be more than the car is worth.
Could be 10 months pleasant shedding for less than 6 months depreciation on something a lot less interesting.
to3m said:
Love the interior. Used to walk past a GTV each day with similar light-coloured ribbed seats, and I always admired it just on that basis. Looked really tasty. It had the proper Alfa Romeo ring-y alloys, too.
But that's not to say I'd buy this one, not even with your money. Everybody I know that's had an Alfa Romeo has had a terrible experience with it. "They're not THAT bad", people say - well, OK, I do admit I don't know anybody whose Alfa Romeo has paid somebody to kill their spouse and children.
I've had a facelift 156 and currently run a Giulietta Quadrofoglio Verde. I absolutely loved the 156, it always put a smile on my face. The only let down was the harsh ride quality and it used crazy amounts of oil. But aside from that I didn't have any faults apart from coil packs started going when it was 9 years old. The Giulietta is a bit more sensible, but I don't love it in the same way as the 156 despite the mighty engine in the QV. But it's a solid car, looks fantastic and no faults with it yet. But that's not to say I'd buy this one, not even with your money. Everybody I know that's had an Alfa Romeo has had a terrible experience with it. "They're not THAT bad", people say - well, OK, I do admit I don't know anybody whose Alfa Romeo has paid somebody to kill their spouse and children.
Edited by to3m on Friday 10th July 01:37
From my experience of Alfas you need to buy one that's been looked after and don't scrimp about with servicing. Use an Alfa specialist as they do require specialist knowledge. Servicing is expensive particularly with petrol engines, and I think this is often why they have that reputation for unreliability. People jump out of something like a BMW or Ford and never check oil, or take it to any old backstreet garage for a cheap service. Alfa isn't really a big manufacturer and they are often slightly exotic cars with some quirks and should be treated as such. You can easily use them as a daily driver though, but because of the expense of servicing I'd recommend one as a weekend special type of car. For the money there's nothing else like them, I love the flair of Italian design and the sporty engines.
Had one of these albeit a sport wagon Ti spec. Absolutely loved it. The 19in tyres were costly but soon rectified that by running 18in during winter and saving the 19’s for summer.
The only thing that went on it was the wipers. Alfa wanted to replace the entire unit but Jamie sorted it out with a simple screw.
Sold it after the arrival of my second child as the cabin was too small
The only thing that went on it was the wipers. Alfa wanted to replace the entire unit but Jamie sorted it out with a simple screw.
Sold it after the arrival of my second child as the cabin was too small
In 2012 I decided to start my own business and as a consequence of this had to return my company E60 BMW 525i that I’d had since new and covered 70,000 miles in 3 years.
I needed a car that would look good, drive well and now buying with my own money wouldn’t cost a fortune. I decided on a 3 year old ex fleet car and looked at the usual offerings from Audi and BMW, non of which inspired. Then being an Italian car fan from a child, I had a closer look at the Alfa 159. I loved the looks and thought the quality of the fit and finish was excellent. I purchased CAO9CNN a Red with Black Leather (IMHO the best colour combination) 159 JTDM 1.9 Lusso.
I did 30,000 miles it that year driving all over the UK and 2 family holidays (4 of us) to the Dordogne and Italy ( the picture is my son and the car whilst we passed through San Remo). I had the car maintained an independent Italian Car Specialist just over the border in North Wales, and it never missed a beat. It also drew many admiring glances and I loved driving it. I thought the interior and the leather quality were superb.
After a year I bought a six month old Ex Demonstration Mercedes E250 AMG Sport (first of the face lifted models). I couldn’t stand to be parted from the Alfa and my wife (who initially wasn’t too keen on the Alfa, grew to really like it) said she would have it as her car.
Unfortunately the change of use from high mileage motorway / A Road car to short journeys (school runs and shopping) didn’t suit the Alfa at all. The fuel consumption went from 42 to 28 MPG.
After 6 months with an extremely heavy heart we decided to sell the Alfa. It was in excellent condition and always kept well waxed and the leather fed. A lovely gentleman viewed the car and purchased without hesitation (by DVLA records he still owns it some 6 and a half years later). I had more than a tear in my eye when CA09CNN drove down the road.
I still love Alfa 159’s and consider it to be the best looking saloon car ever made and better looking then the albeit great looking current Guilia model. You don’t see as many 159’s these days although I did pass what I think was a Red TI last Thursday evening on a very wet M40.
Long live the Alfa 159, a truly great and timeless car.
My briefly owned 2.0JTD Ti Sportwagon was one of the most disappointing cars I have owned.
Bought purely off looks, the engine was gutless, only gave mid thirties mpg, the car was heavy and crashy, and it was no better built than the 156 Sportwagon I had that was a SOTW itself a year previous!
Let's not even mention the catastrophically broken 166 3.0 Sportronic I desperately tried to bring back to health back in 2014!
Alfa continues to be a skin deep temptress to me.
Of my 4 Alfa's owned, the only one I would truly rate was my 3.2 GT which combined an all world engine with surprising reliability.
Rafeabrook said:
My briefly owned 2.0JTD Ti Sportwagon was one of the most disappointing cars I have owned.
Bought purely off looks, the engine was gutless, only gave mid thirties mpg, the car was heavy and crashy, and it was no better built than the 156 Sportwagon I had that was a SOTW itself a year previous!
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