Alfa 159 1750 tbi (208000 miles)

Alfa 159 1750 tbi (208000 miles)

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Zombie

Original Poster:

1,587 posts

194 months

Wednesday 30th May 2018
quotequote all
Yep, two hundred and eight… Thousand.

Bought beginning of this month.

This is it;

IMG_8388 by Chris, on Flickr

IMG_8389 by Chris, on Flickr

IMG_8392 by Chris, on Flickr

I very nearly didn't buy it. I was one wrong word from the seller away from telling him to keep the £250 deposit and walking away.

The car was advertised on gumtree, by a guy active for 2 months using the name "Jay".

I rang him up before going to view it and he seemed confused by the name Jay, he only really placed the call when I told him I was ringing about the 159. But I arranged to go and see it anyway. Even at this point he was applying hard sell tactics, “you’re bring cash to take it away?” Implying I was wasting his time. I told him then that we were only coming to view it.

He was unrelenting in this attitude when we turned up, but, in fairness, we were an hour late as I’d misread the clock when we left.

The car appeared OK, full service history was there at the 20k (!) intervals and loads of recipes in no particular order. It’s also a 1 owner car from new.

We had a look round the car and despite Jay's assurances of the car being "spot on", we immediately find the following issues;

Stone chipped at the front (expected);

I’d not seen or heard it start from cold;

There's was slight tapping from the top end of the engine and apparently, an oil leak from the top, which didn’t make much sense.

Rear tyres were on the wear bars, all tyres being very special ditch finders;

Under tray missing;

Gear lever loose;

Filthy steering wheel / interior;

All wheels kerbed

Dint in passenger door;

Rear bootlid has corroded stone chips...

Issues are fine, to be anticipated, but what I also expect, in order to avoid a wasted 150mile journey, is a degree of honesty from the Seller and not lies or a refusal to accept that a car that is less than as described.

Sitting in it, the first thing I noted, despite it being a hot day was he had the windows open as he'd been smoking in it. There was an accumulation of fag ash in the rear corner of the drivers footwell, yet the ash tray was clean, unused, as was the lighter. (So he's bought the car as a trader, from a non smoker and decided to smoke in it?!)

After establishing that the seller had trade insurance (but no trade plates) I had to ask firmly to drive it.

During the test drive, the first thing I noted was that the rear parking sensors weren't working, in addition, there was some vibration /knocking from the front suspension, but that's all I could gather from the drive as it was all of 2 miles down some cobbled back streets, despite there being some major roads in close proximity. I didn't get it above 40mph. But “Jay” was most instant about directions which took us back to his "home", raising more suspicions.

I checked the vin numbers - v5 and window etchings which all matched the chassis plate, the V5 too and found that that the registered keeper was 100's of miles away. I was about to pitch an offer based on the lack of a test drive when my Dad spotted this;

IMG_8394 by Chris, on Flickr

I’d hit a bump / pot hole on the short drive and didn't think much of it, but “Jay” reacted with real concern that seemed out of place, a strident over-reaction - I think that he knew the wheel was bent (I've bent enough to know what it feels like) before we went out but he didn't go so far as to suggest I'd bent it.

He said to me he has a guy who can fix it for 50 quid. (b******s I thought) but we settle on a price £150 less than asking on the basis he doesn't valet it or sort out the worn out rear tyres. Then he changed his mind and says he won't sort the bent wheel out so were back at £100 less than asking price.

I gave up at this point and agreed to the price as a bank transfer on collection the next weekend.

But he wasn’t happy with that, he wanted COC during the week. - Wed/Thurs. I only agreed to the time out of work because I'd forgotten I had weekend commitments, he wasn’t happy about the bank transfer but that's the only option I was willing to offer.

We agreed a pick up on the Thursday with payment by wire and that he was to fix the bent wheel.

I received a receipt for the £250 deposit in a generic surname and the first initial M. The signature was illegible and he complained when I asked him for his address on the receipt. Which was not completely legible either and I had some reason to question its legitimacy.

Wednesday evening arrived and I sent him a text, asking if he had sorted the wheel, explaining we were good to go...

He responded, yep fine. Before sending me a text an hour later saying his man couldn't fix it. "It was much better though".

I tried to renegotiate, but he argued that he was out of pocket, it's (the wheel) fine.

On arrival, (another 150 mile journey and 30 quid spent on a day's temp insurance) I knocked on the door and an old man answered, it took him a couple of minutes to figure out who I am, who Jay is, and he then told me he was on his way. We found the car was parked outside though.

The wheel was untouched. No finger marks in the brake dust to bare witness, just the car jack left in the passenger footwell as "evidence" of an attempt.

It was at this point I was starting to loose patience, I kicked the tyre in temper and very nearly said to my Dad that I wanted to ditch it.

When "Jay" turned up and offered the key I also noted an increase in accumulated cigarette ash in the drivers footwell. Which annoyed me disproportionately.

Of course, paying for it was the usual farce, despite him being set up as a new payee, we had to ring the bank and go through security to send it.

During this time Jay had disappeared indoors, having made the threat that we couldn’t take it until it had cleared. He kept sticking his head out looking as impatient as he could muster.

Which did not help things at all. I desperately wanted to shout and swear at him.

But, realising it would be counter productive in terms of both my mood and the deal, we concluded it and I drove it home....



Edited by Zombie on Thursday 31st May 01:20

Zombie

Original Poster:

1,587 posts

194 months

Wednesday 30th May 2018
quotequote all
After we’d got it home we set about fixing the small but abundant issues. I also went through the service history in more detail which was about what I’d expected. The factory oil change interval is every 20k, but the Specialist (and Forum) recommendation is every 10k as they run rich when cold, resulting is a small amount of bore wash.

Which explains that once the original owner stepped away from main dealer servicing at 100k (Last one was at 80k), the oil change interval drops to every 10k.

Cam belt has been changed regularly, minor issue with the turbo by the looks of it and regular issues with the brakes, presumably as a result of motorway mileage and a relative lack of use.



IMG_7515 by Chris, on Flickr



IMG_7517 by Chris, on Flickr





01/03/10 - 0m - PDI - Main Dealer



01/02/11 - 20,979m - Oil / Filters - Main Dealer £307.10



04/10/11 - 41,839m - Oil / Fiolters / Plugs / front tyres - Main Dealer £800.28



29/06/12 - 62,243m - Cambelt and aux belt / oil & Filter etc - Main Dealer £644.09



03/05/13 - 84,188m - Oil / Filters / Plugs / Front Pads - Main Dealer £705.17



09/04/14 - 104,464m - Oil / Fliters / deglaze front pads - Indy Specialist £180.00



23/04/14 - 105219m - Rear Pads - Specialist £77.62



06/09/14 - 116,394m - Oil / Filter / Fog Light - Indy Specialist - £247.29



22/12/14 - 125,428 - Cam belt / WP / Filters / Plugs / Front Discs & Pads (Upgraded) - Specialist - £789.81



29/12/14 - Parts Only - Power Steering reservoir / Fluid £73.91



04/02/15 - 129,553m - Oil / Filter - Garage - £65.94



08/05/15 - 136,900m - Service - Indy Specialist



21/12/15 - 146,141m - Oil & Filters - Specialist £264.01



17/06/16 - 158,148m Oil / filter - Garage £64.88



07/10/16 - 167,455m - Oil / Fliters / Front & Rear Discs & Pads - Garage £545.58



03/12/16 - 172,753m - pressure pipe, turbo to sensor - Indy Specialist £120.00



11/02/17 - 178,007m - Oil / Filter - Garage £65.73



14/05/17 - 184,115m - Cambelt / Service / turbo fault - Indy Specialist £521.01



03/03/18 - 204,633m - Oil / Filters - Garage £92.00



03/04/18 - 206,000 - Ignition coil - £55.24



For the time being, it doesn’t need anything. In theory.



The plan is to change the oil, filter and pollen filters shortly, if only to bring the servicing schedule back to coincide with 10k intervals on the odometer. Peace of mind too I guess.

There’s also a known issue with HP oil feed pipe to the turbo. The turbo’s operating temp appears to be around 1050 deg C, and the oil inside the feed gets baked resulting in a carbon deposit build up inside it, which restricts oil flow. There’s a modified part available from alfa that is better insulated to address this issue.

Good news is, it’s cheaper than the original part. There’s now one sat in a box in the porch waiting to be fitted.

The loose gear knob was a 30 sec fix - prise up and off the top of the lever and tighter the 10mm bolt holding it down.

And the oil leak appears to be as a result of the rubber seal in the oil filler cap being replaced but fitted upside down.

Edited by Zombie on Wednesday 30th May 17:35

Zombie

Original Poster:

1,587 posts

194 months

Wednesday 30th May 2018
quotequote all
Having got the car back home on the Thursday, we set about cleaning the interior on the Friday



Before;



IMG_8396 by Chris, on Flickr



IMG_8397 by Chris, on Flickr



During



IMG_8404 by Chris, on Flickr



IMG_8406 by Chris, on Flickr



And after;



IMG_7522-2 by Chris, on Flickr

Zombie

Original Poster:

1,587 posts

194 months

Wednesday 30th May 2018
quotequote all

I went away for the weekend, walking in Yorkshire ( lovely) but carried on with it on the Sunday with my Dad. We Stripped the font end down to clean the lights, fit upgraded LED bulbs and have a go at the bonnet catch as the secondary release lever was broken.



Getting the bumper off is much easier than a 156 and was a pleasant surprise....



IMG_7511 by Chris, on Flickr



IMG_7510 by Chris, on Flickr



IMG_7516 by Chris, on Flickr



The Intercooler is sandwiched between the air con rad and the engine rad, areas to be the same size as both?!



IMG_7518 by Chris, on Flickr



Cleaned up.... Not that you can tell from the pic...



IMG_7520 by Chris, on Flickr



I used a scotch pad to remove the loose paint from the slam panel and during the week my dad has applied chemical treatment to the affected areas and primed it as per the previous pic. He then painted it yesterday and the front end with upgraded LED bulbs and new fog light units is back together;



IMG_7533 by Chris, on Flickr


Zombie

Original Poster:

1,587 posts

194 months

Wednesday 30th May 2018
quotequote all
Back to that wheel...



IMG_8394 by Chris, on Flickr



We got back around 4pm on Thursday, which meant the local guy who repairs wheels here was still open. We took the wheel off, put it on the space saver (which looked like a badge of 2nd hand car buying shame for all the neighbours to see), slung it into the back of my Dad's 166 and wandered over.



Chris, the wheel guy takes one a single glance at it when we arrive and confirms our suspicions.



Cracked, no way of fixing it, it would be dangerous.



I'd checked ebay the day before we went to get the car after 'Jay" had fobbed me off with the standard "it's fine Boss". There's 2 for sale. They're between £250 and £275 each and they're the wrong colour. headache



But then Chris wheel guy says,



"I think I've got one of them in the back, I'm not sure, I had a clear out, might have thrown it away"



After what felt like an hour, he wanders into view with a box. In it, a unicorn, a brand new, genuine 19" ti wheel. clap



In silver.



Bugger.



"How much?", we ask.



"Painted? Oooooh, I'd have to mix a special colour, it's a matt finish too."



"How does £120 sound?"



- I should've bought a lottery ticket....



IMG_7525-3 by Chris, on Flickr



IMG_8418-2 by Chris, on Flickr



IMG_8419-2 by Chris, on Flickr



The white stuff round the rim is just lubricant, it's perfect....

Zombie

Original Poster:

1,587 posts

194 months

Wednesday 30th May 2018
quotequote all
The front end went back together with a current style badge but I didn’t take a pic of that.



I did take a pic of the rear badge as was and as is...



IMG_7534 by Chris, on Flickr



IMG_7536-2 by Chris, on Flickr



Which marks the start of the bodywork, rather than the finish. Need to buff it next.



It's relatively straight though, this is the worst bit, aside from some random stone chips in the boot lid.



IMG_7530 by Chris, on Flickr



The "ti" badges were a little faded. They're around 12 each for replacements and I'm not convinced that the set of 3 includes a rear badge, which is slightly larger than the wing badges.



I'm not really a badge fan, I've taken them off most of the cars I've had, GTA included. And the 3.2 156 we built, that didn't have any badges, but I was tempted to bung "1.6 t-spark" on it....



IMG_7588 by Chris, on Flickr



But a quick repaint with some model car paint (Tamiya clear red) and they look better...



IMG_7589 by Chris, on Flickr


Zombie

Original Poster:

1,587 posts

194 months

Wednesday 30th May 2018
quotequote all
My Dad had been busy during the week after we bought it with the front calipers.

They’re 4 pot Brembos with 330mm x 28mm discs with the OE pealing lacquer and discoloured paint, they looked a mess to be honest. I wish I'd taken a pic of them as they don't look like that now:



IMG_7562 by Chris, on Flickr



IMG_7568 by Chris, on Flickr


Edited by Zombie on Wednesday 30th May 16:11

Zombie

Original Poster:

1,587 posts

194 months

Wednesday 30th May 2018
quotequote all
Roof rails....

The duller, lighter coloured areas would scrape away to reveal a consistent finish, meaning they looked a bit scabby…



IMG_8401 by Chris, on Flickr



As suggested, over on the Alfa Forums, they are bolted on from the outside. The covers are little difficult to remove, unless you know where they're attached, my Dad didn't but apparently they fell off...



IMG_8497 by Chris, on Flickr



IMG_8498-2 by Chris, on Flickr



IMG_8499 by Chris, on Flickr



Unsurprisingly, the cast alloy mounting points were corroded;



IMG_8504 by Chris, on Flickr



So in to the ultrasonic parts washer they went;



IMG_8495 by Chris, on Flickr



Cleaned up;



IMG_8505 by Chris, on Flickr



I was slightly surprised to find the roof has been strengthened to take the roof rails. I'd assumed there would be a generic attachment point on all versions;



IMG_8501 by Chris, on Flickr



IMG_8503 by Chris, on Flickr



Mounting points etch primed;



IMG_8506 by Chris, on Flickr



My Dad and I did discuss leaving the rails as a polished finish, but it doesn't work as the mounting point covers are plastic;



IMG_8509 by Chris, on Flickr



Which meant that the whole thing needed to be re-painted as it was.

They were refitted over the last weekend after we’d given the car a going over with the buffer;





IMG_8524 by Chris, on Flickr



IMG_7591 by Chris, on Flickr



One of the wiper arms needed some attention too;



IMG_8500 by Chris, on Flickr

IMG_8510 by Chris, on Flickr


Zombie

Original Poster:

1,587 posts

194 months

Wednesday 30th May 2018
quotequote all
Most of the Bank holiday weekend consisted of polishing cars. The 156, prior to it’s sale (it was on ebay, 159 is it’s replacement. The GTA, which I was working on till 10pm on the Saturday under the car port (thunder storm)…



And the 159 Which we buffed with a oscillating rotary buffer using cut and final finish compounds then a polish using;



IMG_7579 by Chris, on Flickr



Before;



IMG_7569 by Chris, on Flickr



IMG_7570 by Chris, on Flickr



During



IMG_7574 by Chris, on Flickr



IMG_7576 by Chris, on Flickr



The strike plate round the driver's door lock was missing so we replaced that...



IMG_7580 by Chris, on Flickr



IMG_7582 by Chris, on Flickr



And after....



IMG_7577 by Chris, on Flickr



IMG_7584 by Chris, on Flickr



IMG_7585 by Chris, on Flickr



IMG_7586 by Chris, on Flickr



IMG_7587 by Chris, on Flickr

SKM1984

200 posts

148 months

Wednesday 30th May 2018
quotequote all
What an experience!

Lovely looking machine though, might I ask what you paid?

Dan_1981

17,351 posts

198 months

Wednesday 30th May 2018
quotequote all
Go on then.... how cheap was it?

LetsTryAgain

2,904 posts

72 months

Wednesday 30th May 2018
quotequote all
Huge kudos for going to such effort with this car.
And going through with the purchase.
I'd have walked (ran!) away from 'Jay'. If people keep buying cars from him when he treats them, and them, like that, he's going to continue to think that it's acceptable behaviour.

PS - looks smart as a carrot. Really good looking, these 159's.
The only criticism of the 156 Sportwagon I had was the height of the boot space as the roof tapers rather heavily.

AdamIndy

1,661 posts

103 months

Wednesday 30th May 2018
quotequote all
A lesson on how not to buy a car!laugh I do admire your persistence though. I hope it was cheap!hehe

DRFC1879

3,437 posts

156 months

Wednesday 30th May 2018
quotequote all
That buying experience sounds horrific but you've got a very attractive machine out of it. I've fancied a 159 for ages and looking at yours now it's set the buying impulse off again!

chrisga

2,087 posts

186 months

Wednesday 30th May 2018
quotequote all
Good work, but i may be a tad biased as this is my current daily:

2016-12-04 15.45.38 by Chrisga, on Flickr

alfa-romeo-159-jtdm-ti-S2618910-11 by Chrisga, on Flickr

2.4 diesel though. Which currently also needs quite a few things fixing......

davebem

746 posts

176 months

Wednesday 30th May 2018
quotequote all
A tbi ti sw is the ultimate 159 and they usually go for 4x the price of a normal one so my imagination assumes you got some sort of bargain :-)

JS1500

579 posts

176 months

Wednesday 30th May 2018
quotequote all
Lovely cars, but I hope it was really, really cheap!

Vitorio

4,296 posts

142 months

Wednesday 30th May 2018
quotequote all
I can only stand in awe of the effort you and your dad put into these cars, amazing stuff!

I'd have walked away from a seller like that though

Hotel India

456 posts

196 months

Wednesday 30th May 2018
quotequote all
davebem said:
A tbi ti sw is the ultimate 159 and they usually go for 4x the price of a normal one so my imagination assumes you got some sort of bargain :-)
This.

How does she drive/ride?

TheDukeGTi

202 posts

135 months

Wednesday 30th May 2018
quotequote all
You have some serious patience, I'd have been outta there within 5 minutes.

You got a damn good looking car out of it though.