Alfa Romeo 156 SW 2.5 V6 Impulse Buy....
Discussion
Yup, you read that right, an impulse buy Alfa V6, this can only go well...
Having brought offspring into the world back at the start of the year I found myself with a need for more practical transport than a Fiat Coupe or a Mini and having always had a thing for estates decided now was the time. Thing is I don't like the usual German suspects, the wife's already got a Ford and I couldn't quite bring myself to buy a Volvo. That left interesting 2 choices, MG ZT or 156/159 SW. The original plan was a nice practical diesel but had to be a darker colour and leather inside.
Then I went on a stag in London, got drunk, got hungover and found out the train home to Plymouth had become a bus replacement service. Didn't really fancy that so went and bought this instead...
2002 156 Sportwagen 2.5 V6, 75k, £1.5k, black leather and even more mental, because I really didn't want to get that train home, no MOT!
Having brought offspring into the world back at the start of the year I found myself with a need for more practical transport than a Fiat Coupe or a Mini and having always had a thing for estates decided now was the time. Thing is I don't like the usual German suspects, the wife's already got a Ford and I couldn't quite bring myself to buy a Volvo. That left interesting 2 choices, MG ZT or 156/159 SW. The original plan was a nice practical diesel but had to be a darker colour and leather inside.
Then I went on a stag in London, got drunk, got hungover and found out the train home to Plymouth had become a bus replacement service. Didn't really fancy that so went and bought this instead...
2002 156 Sportwagen 2.5 V6, 75k, £1.5k, black leather and even more mental, because I really didn't want to get that train home, no MOT!
Edited by MiniMan64 on Sunday 1st June 15:04
Very nice, same as mine but I have the tan interior.
Having owned mine for a while I would recommend - good servicing & you can fit the Brembos from a Mito straight on, make a big difference. Cruise control plugs straight in as well. On the motorway you will get 30mpg, at 90mph or 70mph on cruise, it makes little difference for some reason.
Its easy to fit the facelift front end on as well if you fancy it....
Having owned mine for a while I would recommend - good servicing & you can fit the Brembos from a Mito straight on, make a big difference. Cruise control plugs straight in as well. On the motorway you will get 30mpg, at 90mph or 70mph on cruise, it makes little difference for some reason.
Its easy to fit the facelift front end on as well if you fancy it....
Edited by tomsnelling on Sunday 1st June 19:24
kamilb1998 said:
Fantastic 
My old man had a 2.0 one of these a few years back and I still miss the old thing, yours is a rare beast too being a V6 Sportwagon.
We had a 1.8 salon and a 2.0 SW when we were younger, never had a problem with either. My old man had a 2.0 one of these a few years back and I still miss the old thing, yours is a rare beast too being a V6 Sportwagon.
Bit more on this one, I didn't have an MOT but the vendor (advertised on PH) seemed to be a bloke who looked after his cars and already had it booked in for a test the following day so for some insane reason (blame the booze, a lack of sleep and a dislike of buses) I bought it there and then and drove it off.
Great run down the M5 and it went like stink, lovely place to sit in and no obvious problems bar slightly worse than expected MPG. Booked it a few days later and awaited the bad news.
There was none. Went straight through, just two advisories for front tyres. Duly purchased and have now also had it serviced, new plugs sorted out the wonky MPG and had it running much cleaner low down. Had the tensioners checked for a slight whine, cambelts due next year. Slight knock at the front but these are notorious for chewing suspension bushes so will get those done too when I get around to it.
Apart from that, beautiful, although I still don't fully trust it despite doing several long runs in it already with no issues. I mean it's an Alfa right?!
This needs a good clean.
This doesn't.
carinaman said:
Did you do the plugs? The rear bank is supposed to be a nightmare and some have been known to change just the front ones.
Yes.It was serviced last year but it was running rough and I had a feeling it was the plugs and was duly proved correct when they came out absolutely stinking.
bananachips said:
Bloody hell takes balls of steel to do that! I'm going to get mine booked in for a cambelt change hopefully this week!
Nope.Just a lot of Jagearbombs and cider and a very strong dislike of buses.
Edited by MiniMan64 on Sunday 1st June 21:24
tomsnelling said:
Very nice, same as mine but I have the tan interior.
Its easy to fit the facelift front end on as well if you fancy it....
Very nice.Its easy to fit the facelift front end on as well if you fancy it....
To be honest that was more the spec I was after minus the tan leather. Just could not find that for love nor money at the right price or mileage. The newer nose/blue/interior/multi-spokes look so much better in my eyes although the Teledials and earlier, simpler dash are really growing on me now.
bananachips said:
MiniMan64 said:
Nope.
Just a lot of Jagearbombs and cider and a very strong dislike of buses.
Couldn't think of a better alternative haha. Just a lot of Jagearbombs and cider and a very strong dislike of buses.
Edited by MiniMan64 on Sunday 1st June 21:24
If you get the time head over to alfaowner.com there's plenty there to help you out if you need it!
I'm finding it a bit odd having a car that I don't need to "mess" with. The only things I can do at the moment is tidy up the paint on the wheels and sort out some new badges.
Full marks to you!
You'll be lucky to get away with an mot pass without it needing bushes... (does it squeak?) which means replacement arms of course, moreso given the weight of that heavy V6! Had the 5 pot 2.4 jtd Veloce and sold it just before it hit me where it hurts for the second time come mot time... I didn't get away without forking out though during my 9 months of owning it, a snapped aux belt wreaked havoc, bending and breaking things you didn't think were bend and breakable! I love Alfas, I really do, they just don't love me.
Can't help but stare at the 156SWs and still think that they're an absolute thing of beauty, coupled with the original front end and those teledial wheels, they got it so right all those years ago. Your 156 badge needs to jump a space to the right though. Nice buy and good luck!
You'll be lucky to get away with an mot pass without it needing bushes... (does it squeak?) which means replacement arms of course, moreso given the weight of that heavy V6! Had the 5 pot 2.4 jtd Veloce and sold it just before it hit me where it hurts for the second time come mot time... I didn't get away without forking out though during my 9 months of owning it, a snapped aux belt wreaked havoc, bending and breaking things you didn't think were bend and breakable! I love Alfas, I really do, they just don't love me.
Can't help but stare at the 156SWs and still think that they're an absolute thing of beauty, coupled with the original front end and those teledial wheels, they got it so right all those years ago. Your 156 badge needs to jump a space to the right though. Nice buy and good luck!
Re the sticking rear windows... When I bought my 2005 156 1.9JTDM 150 4 door, the rear window did not 'work' at all.
After some handy advice from my friendly Indy Alfa garage, I sorted it.
It sounds too easy but....
Remove the door card, check all the connections to the switches etc to determine it is actually the motor. Then, while keeping the window switch on, use a hammer to tap the motor...! May need a few firm 'taps' but it did work ! Then lubricate everything you can with silicone spray/WD40 etc.
It seems that the rear windows can get neglected, and on some cars are never used, then the motors just get stuck.
This trick worked on my E36 BMW coupe as well, and that saved a LOT of work as the regulators are riveted together !
Of course yours may not be solved this way, but it is worth a try before dismantling the door etc!
After some handy advice from my friendly Indy Alfa garage, I sorted it.
It sounds too easy but....
Remove the door card, check all the connections to the switches etc to determine it is actually the motor. Then, while keeping the window switch on, use a hammer to tap the motor...! May need a few firm 'taps' but it did work ! Then lubricate everything you can with silicone spray/WD40 etc.
It seems that the rear windows can get neglected, and on some cars are never used, then the motors just get stuck.
This trick worked on my E36 BMW coupe as well, and that saved a LOT of work as the regulators are riveted together !
Of course yours may not be solved this way, but it is worth a try before dismantling the door etc!
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