The Alfa Itch - Who Has Scratched It ?
Discussion
I've scratched the itch twice now, first with a 147 1.6 Twin Spark, and onto a 156 2.5 V6. The Twin Spark was great, very thirsty on oil but gave me no issues. Replaced barely anything with the exception of standard service items.
The 156 has been fine too, though it has had a Mass Airflow Sensor and thermostat. The V6 engine is a dream, grunty and torquey low down and then revs like the clappers up to 7k. The soundtrack is momentous, but so is the fuel consumption. 21mpg so far.
As you rightly said OP, cambelt and water pump change is vital, but my experience with Alfas so far has been an absolute joy; I'll keep scratching the itch again and again until the TVR bug bites.
The 156 has been fine too, though it has had a Mass Airflow Sensor and thermostat. The V6 engine is a dream, grunty and torquey low down and then revs like the clappers up to 7k. The soundtrack is momentous, but so is the fuel consumption. 21mpg so far.
As you rightly said OP, cambelt and water pump change is vital, but my experience with Alfas so far has been an absolute joy; I'll keep scratching the itch again and again until the TVR bug bites.
the V6 really is special, I've had loads of yank V8's (good, but crude) a rover V8, a yank v6 (ford 3.8 - worst engine in the world EVER) numerous inline fours, and a jap inline 6.
the alfa V6 is reasonably powerful, but its the way the tacho swings round, so smooth and sweet, and just begs you to do it again and again. 7000 RPM sounds like 4000 RPM on other engines, it feels so unstressed - almost as if the internals have no mass at all.
sublime.
the alfa V6 is reasonably powerful, but its the way the tacho swings round, so smooth and sweet, and just begs you to do it again and again. 7000 RPM sounds like 4000 RPM on other engines, it feels so unstressed - almost as if the internals have no mass at all.
sublime.
Edited by philoldsmobile on Sunday 2nd January 17:21
Almost bought a Sud (metallic brown!) back in my early driving days, but it was expensive to insure and run.
Conisdered a 156 (2 litre). I love the look, but the test drive didn't move me much - just another FWD saloon - I bought a Skoda vRS at the time which was much more enjoyable.
I rather like the MiTo, but I don't suppose I'll get one - I suspect the Alfa itch will never call my attention enough to actually itch it...
M.
PS lots of happy V6 156 drivers here - I was put off them by reports of terrible understeer, is that a myth?
Conisdered a 156 (2 litre). I love the look, but the test drive didn't move me much - just another FWD saloon - I bought a Skoda vRS at the time which was much more enjoyable.
I rather like the MiTo, but I don't suppose I'll get one - I suspect the Alfa itch will never call my attention enough to actually itch it...
M.
PS lots of happy V6 156 drivers here - I was put off them by reports of terrible understeer, is that a myth?
Edited by marcosgt on Sunday 2nd January 17:23
Scratched mine back in 2000 with a 156 2.0TS, got the bug and followed it with a 2.0JTS and eventually a 156 GTA SW, along the way I also got a classic 1750GTV and a 2000GTV... beware Alfa's are addictive!.
Reliability has never been an issue apart from a sensor failure on the JTS, non ever let me down but you need to keep to the cam belt limits of 36 for a Twinny and perhaps 48 on a V6. You do have to view suspension bushes as consumables though, especially anti roll bar links.
Don't dismiss the diesels, the 2.4 especially in 20V form is a cracking engine so much better in a 156 than the 159.
The driving experience of the moderns is still a bit special, I won't argue it's better than many other modern cars, but just different and somehow more satisfying. I'm basing this on the fact I've had a BMW 120D for nearly three years now and every intention of going back into a modern Alfa as an everyday car this year. The BM just lacks something, especially after a GTA.
It's worth looking at some of the aftermarket suspension kits though as the damping on the 156 isn't as good as it should be, A front strut brace helps more than you'd think too. Brakes are Ok but you need performance pads on the front, Ferodo DS work well. Keep the wheel size down, don't be tempted by 17" (apart form on a GTA) 16" works better, the extra unsprung weight of the 17's doesn't help the marginal damping especially on the standard as appose to sports suspension set up.
Reliability has never been an issue apart from a sensor failure on the JTS, non ever let me down but you need to keep to the cam belt limits of 36 for a Twinny and perhaps 48 on a V6. You do have to view suspension bushes as consumables though, especially anti roll bar links.
Don't dismiss the diesels, the 2.4 especially in 20V form is a cracking engine so much better in a 156 than the 159.
The driving experience of the moderns is still a bit special, I won't argue it's better than many other modern cars, but just different and somehow more satisfying. I'm basing this on the fact I've had a BMW 120D for nearly three years now and every intention of going back into a modern Alfa as an everyday car this year. The BM just lacks something, especially after a GTA.
It's worth looking at some of the aftermarket suspension kits though as the damping on the 156 isn't as good as it should be, A front strut brace helps more than you'd think too. Brakes are Ok but you need performance pads on the front, Ferodo DS work well. Keep the wheel size down, don't be tempted by 17" (apart form on a GTA) 16" works better, the extra unsprung weight of the 17's doesn't help the marginal damping especially on the standard as appose to sports suspension set up.
philoldsmobile said:
the V6 really is special, I've had loads of yank V8's (good, but crude) a rover V8 a yank v6 (ford 3.8 - worst engine in the world EVER) numerous inline fours, and a jap inline 6.
the alfa V6 is reasonably powerful, but its the way the tacho swings round, so smooth and sweet, and just begs you to do it again and again. 7000 RPM sounds like 4000 RPM on other engines, it feels so unstressed - almost as if the internals have no mass at all.
sublime.
Got to agree with the last paragraph totally, as I said in my post, until you get used to driving it, did you find it was very easy to find yourself hitting the rev limiter, as the engine is so sweet it just does not sound or feel like it is being revved hard? the alfa V6 is reasonably powerful, but its the way the tacho swings round, so smooth and sweet, and just begs you to do it again and again. 7000 RPM sounds like 4000 RPM on other engines, it feels so unstressed - almost as if the internals have no mass at all.
sublime.
Ha when I let a mate drive mine he hit the limiter a couple of times and I saw him glance at the clocks with a suprised look on his face, 7k! Time for another gear!
Mine never suffered from terrible understeer, my 5gtt was MUCH worse.
My biggest gripe of the handling was sweeping corners on uneven road surfaces. The car skipped about abit. All on 90k mile standard suspension though.
Mine never suffered from terrible understeer, my 5gtt was MUCH worse.
My biggest gripe of the handling was sweeping corners on uneven road surfaces. The car skipped about abit. All on 90k mile standard suspension though.
RWD cossie wil said:
Got to agree with the last paragraph totally, as I said in my post, until you get used to driving it, did you find it was very easy to find yourself hitting the rev limiter, as the engine is so sweet it just does not sound or feel like it is being revved hard?
I hit the limiter a few times in the first few weeks of ownership. It would rev comfortably to 8k all day in my opinion, had Alfa not set the limiter at 7. The way it is so utterly progressive in its delivery completely throws you at first, I've never known anything like it. exgtt said:
My biggest gripe of the handling was sweeping corners on uneven road surfaces. The car skipped about abit. All on 90k mile standard suspension though.
Yes mine too, it's the spring rate and damper settings that are all to cock for our roads, the Harvey Bailey suspension kit is supposed to sort that. Funnily enough it's the same story with the two Classic Alfa's I own, though probably less extreme.
That 3.7 was epic. A familiar view to most...
Had a 156 2.0 T-spark, now got a 1.9JTD GT, getting itchy feet for a Brera.
Never had any real reliability issues.
I often find people that moan about reliability issues have never actually owned one, if you maintain it properly I'd say its as reliable as the next car*
Never had any real reliability issues.
I often find people that moan about reliability issues have never actually owned one, if you maintain it properly I'd say its as reliable as the next car*
- I'm not a mechanic
Picked up my Alfa habit back in 1997 with a 155 2.0l Ts, very quickly moved straight onto my 155 Q4 in 1999. A few other Alfas have come and gone, including a 33 P4 but the Q4 is still with me.
Undergoing a little bit of an overhaul at the moment.
And here in a more complete moment.
Pretty tricky to find information about, so I built a website for fellow owners. (in profile)
Steve
Undergoing a little bit of an overhaul at the moment.
And here in a more complete moment.
Pretty tricky to find information about, so I built a website for fellow owners. (in profile)
Steve
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