RE: Alfa Romeo 159 JTDM | Shed of the Week
Discussion
As a true Alfa fanboy, I always wanted a 159 from the moment they were released. Got my hands on a 2.0 TI and I have to say it was the biggest disappointment of any car I've owned.
The thing is Alfa Romeo clearly wanted a change of focus from the 156. Yes it was still as gorgeous as an Alfa should be, but gone was the sharp handling and fun factor of the 156. Weirdly it seemed it had gone all German.
To it's credit it was totally faultless, I put a few thousand problem free miles on it. But I never looked forward to driving it like all the other Alfas I had owned.
The thing is Alfa Romeo clearly wanted a change of focus from the 156. Yes it was still as gorgeous as an Alfa should be, but gone was the sharp handling and fun factor of the 156. Weirdly it seemed it had gone all German.
To it's credit it was totally faultless, I put a few thousand problem free miles on it. But I never looked forward to driving it like all the other Alfas I had owned.
I traded a BMW M140 in back in december because i just couldnt justify the monthlies any more.
I needed something that was still different as a replacement. So here is my Nero Carbonio Alfa 159 1.9 JTDm LE, the Quantum of Solace Limited edition with the Lusso interior and the Ti suspension.
It hasnt been free motoring as yet due to needing a bit of TLC to get it back running the way it should have been. But at 82k miles its all those things that would have needed doing on any car of similar age.
It does have its nuances tho:
The stereo didnt work when i got it. Water ingress at the aerial killed that one. New android head unit sorted that out with DAB and bluetooth.
Front suspension bushes all done, powerflex added sparingly as they squeak a lot.
New tyres up front after the front upper and lower arms replaced and now fully tracked. They are big tyres at 235/40 R19!!!
The inside is a lovely place to be sat and im consistently getting decent fuel economy (the M140 was 17mpg.....170miles to a tank)
I always wanted one of these and my previous 156 JTS Veloce Selespeed should have put me off!!!
Here’s mine. A 2.4jtdm TI in carbonio black with tan (cat sick) leather. I absolutely love it despite it being a right pain in the arse at times. I should have sold it years ago but can’t quite bring myself to yet as I don’t know what I’d replace it with. It’s had some money spent on it before I had it. It’s on Bilsteins, fully poly bushed (squeaks like a b1tch), had other internal bits and bobs tinkered with and been remapped.... By far the best handling Alfa we’ve had, I think any of the original issues have been resolved with the new suspension. It feels like it would go round any corner at pretty much any speed you asked it to.
Fair to say it hasn’t been the most reliable Alfa we’ve had and we’ve had a few now so don’t believe anyone when they say all alfas are trouble. It’s needed a new starter motor and after the sub frame was dropped to get that in it seemed to cause a knock on issue of eating non oem drive shafts. 3 went within a year and in the end bought a proper Alfa one and touch wood has been ok since. Suspension and tyre wear has been massively reduced over the 156 2.4jtdm we had before it though which is a bonus as they were yearly MOT items it seemed. Usual stuff like boot badge button stopped working and seems to blow a bulb every other month at random but you need to leave at least one small thing wrong with an Alfa at any one time or the next will be a big bill...
Fair to say it hasn’t been the most reliable Alfa we’ve had and we’ve had a few now so don’t believe anyone when they say all alfas are trouble. It’s needed a new starter motor and after the sub frame was dropped to get that in it seemed to cause a knock on issue of eating non oem drive shafts. 3 went within a year and in the end bought a proper Alfa one and touch wood has been ok since. Suspension and tyre wear has been massively reduced over the 156 2.4jtdm we had before it though which is a bonus as they were yearly MOT items it seemed. Usual stuff like boot badge button stopped working and seems to blow a bulb every other month at random but you need to leave at least one small thing wrong with an Alfa at any one time or the next will be a big bill...
Edited by chrisga on Sunday 12th July 20:55
I really like the 159, and am seriously considering one as my next car. I've been looking at the 2.0JTDM, as it appears to offer slightly better performance, better economics and lower tax, but they are quite rare and (being newer) cost more than this SOTW. If 1.9JDTM are now coming in at half the price of a 2.0, that makes them very tempting... it's either this or a BMW 320d msport...
I've lusted after one of these for a few years now, generally looked with imaginary budgets at the fast ones but got tempted by an Audi A5 so went that way instead. I'll likely be in the position to justify getting a diesel in the next 12 months or so and I keep coming back to the 159, 147 and GT. I used to be very keen on the Brera but the rear end just looks off to me these days. Lovely looking cars, and good to hear the reliability isn't akin to Alfas of old (mostly!) If this post came up 12 months away I'd have jumped at it...
I've always loved Alfa's. I've had a couple, both 156's, a 2.0 litre and a 2.5 and the V6 was an especially lovely thing. Yes they can give trouble but as I own a garage it's all sortable for me. In fact it is for you but costs more!
But then there is this. Despite my love for the marque put a diesel engine in and emotionally my head is just saying "You're having a laugh aren't you?".
But then there is this. Despite my love for the marque put a diesel engine in and emotionally my head is just saying "You're having a laugh aren't you?".
This was my 159 1750 Tbi Ti Sportwagon I had for 3 years. Unfortunately I’m another owner that doesn’t really miss their 159.
They look fantastic but the experience doesn’t really live up to the looks. I’d class it as an OK car but not one I’d ever rush back to.
Didn’t ever go wrong but was one to maintain properly (thank you Alfa Workshop), my local AR dealer made every mile of the 200 mile round trip to Jamie’s worthwhile.
Paint and seat material shockingly poor but nothing fell off, just looked like an old car materially well before its time.
The later ones like mine were lighter and definitely drive better than a heavier earlier car but it’s still not particularly inspiring to hustle along.
I’m trying to think of any real positives apart from looks, wish I’d kept my Fiat Coupe now instead.
Edited by wal 45 on Monday 13th July 21:02
The 159 2.4 was my third Alfa saloon (155 2.0, 156 v6). It took me a long while to get into the looks of the 159 after having the 156. The engine was pretty good when remapped, 420 ft/lb+. Interior so much more comfortable than the 156, lack of boot handle to open caused a few back finger nails... I seem to have german estates between my Italian saloons...currently in a B9 A4 but the Guilia is calling.... if they had done an estate version of the Guilia it would be on the drive now (Stelvio too much for what you get)
My old 159 Ti TBI that I had for 9 months. I always loved the look of these and when the right time came I decided to get one. I went on the basis that everyone said the TBI engined one was the pick of the bunch and to be honest it was a bit disappointing. It was incredibly thirsty (20mpg around town) but could be reasonably economical on a long run. The powerband was also very narrow and the off boost torque was non existent. On top of this the car was heavy so was slow to turn in but then did have a nice planted feel. Built quality however was very good and felt on par with my old Audi A4 I had a few years previous.
In the end it didn't feel enough like an Alfa to me, despite looking like the dogs danglies! I have moved onto a Giulietta QV which is an infinitely better car to drive but feels a lot cheaper too.
rodgertdodger said:
I traded a BMW M140 in back in december because i just couldnt justify the monthlies any more.
I needed something that was still different as a replacement. So here is my Nero Carbonio Alfa 159 1.9 JTDm LE, the Quantum of Solace Limited edition with the Lusso interior and the Ti suspension.
It hasnt been free motoring as yet due to needing a bit of TLC to get it back running the way it should have been. But at 82k miles its all those things that would have needed doing on any car of similar age.
It does have its nuances tho:
The stereo didnt work when i got it. Water ingress at the aerial killed that one. New android head unit sorted that out with DAB and bluetooth.
Front suspension bushes all done, powerflex added sparingly as they squeak a lot.
New tyres up front after the front upper and lower arms replaced and now fully tracked. They are big tyres at 235/40 R19!!!
The inside is a lovely place to be sat and im consistently getting decent fuel economy (the M140 was 17mpg.....170miles to a tank)
I always wanted one of these and my previous 156 JTS Veloce Selespeed should have put me off!!!
17mpg from the M140i? Ouch. Mine is averaging just shy of 29mpg.I needed something that was still different as a replacement. So here is my Nero Carbonio Alfa 159 1.9 JTDm LE, the Quantum of Solace Limited edition with the Lusso interior and the Ti suspension.
It hasnt been free motoring as yet due to needing a bit of TLC to get it back running the way it should have been. But at 82k miles its all those things that would have needed doing on any car of similar age.
It does have its nuances tho:
The stereo didnt work when i got it. Water ingress at the aerial killed that one. New android head unit sorted that out with DAB and bluetooth.
Front suspension bushes all done, powerflex added sparingly as they squeak a lot.
New tyres up front after the front upper and lower arms replaced and now fully tracked. They are big tyres at 235/40 R19!!!
The inside is a lovely place to be sat and im consistently getting decent fuel economy (the M140 was 17mpg.....170miles to a tank)
I always wanted one of these and my previous 156 JTS Veloce Selespeed should have put me off!!!
Your 159 looks nice though.
Court_S said:
17mpg from the M140i? Ouch. Mine is averaging just shy of 29mpg.
Your 159 looks nice though.
Thanks, the suspension refresh and new front tyres means its driving really well.Your 159 looks nice though.
The trip when i traded the 140 said 25.3mpg across its entire life, averaged 40mpg on a drive to Scotland a few times. All my driving of late has been local because i hit my mileage allowance on the PCP deal much faster than i expected so knew i had to dial it down in recent months. 170 miles from a tank was just getting tiresome. I miss the driving experience of the M140 but appreciate i dont worry so much about just driving the Alfa.
Stunning looking car.
I was in the market for one of theses a few years ago, ended up not getting one in the end ( not the cars fault ).
I was told by Alfa fans that it didn’t drive like an Alfa so they didn’t rate it.
This car remains the only estate car I would buy, which is saying something because I can’t stand estates normally.
Absolutely detest the look of them ( any other estate ).
That interior is to die for as well, I’ll take the V6 one thank you very much.
In dogs knob red.
I was in the market for one of theses a few years ago, ended up not getting one in the end ( not the cars fault ).
I was told by Alfa fans that it didn’t drive like an Alfa so they didn’t rate it.
This car remains the only estate car I would buy, which is saying something because I can’t stand estates normally.
Absolutely detest the look of them ( any other estate ).
That interior is to die for as well, I’ll take the V6 one thank you very much.
In dogs knob red.
The Spruce Goose said:
to3m said:
Everybody I know that's had an Alfa Romeo has had a terrible experience with it.
My mate bought one, every week something went wrong. he ended up having to press pedals to get it started, it was funny really, can't remember fault. Put me off buying one.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff