Alfa 159 1750 tbi (208000 miles)

[StonedRollin]

Alfahorn said:

I’ve been asked a few times. A colleague at work got in first and is going to have it in the new year when she gets back from Poland. Her company car lease has come to an end she just wants a cheap run about. She’s coveted it since I first got it!

I’m reducing down from cars to just the Giulietta & Brera as I only about 150 miles a week now.

I’ll be starting a new thread on the Giulietta at some point over the weekend.

Is the 4C in the background yours too????

[Alfahorn]

StonedRollin said:

Alfahorn said:

I’ve been asked a few times. A colleague at work got in first and is going to have it in the new year when she gets back from Poland. Her company car lease has come to an end she just wants a cheap run about. She’s coveted it since I first got it!

I’m reducing down from cars to just the Giulietta & Brera as I only about 150 miles a week now.

I’ll be starting a new thread on the Giulietta at some point over the weekend.

Is the 4C in the background yours too????

If only. That belongs to my mate who also drives a 147 2.0TS as a daily

[Zombie]

Kitchski said:

Enjoyed that. I'm partial to buying bargain cars that most people run away from!

I could also be wrong, but I think I might have sold you a black BX 16V once?

Yeh, been following your threads so I'm not surprised to hear you say that [lol].

You did, number plate ending BBB. Loved that car. Arguably it sounded as good as my 147 GTA. Unfortunately, I lent it to someone to get thread lock whilst I was working on their car and a minicab driver pulled out on them. It was written off and I subsequently sold it to someone looking for the engine.

Would consider another one if you hear of any for sale.

[Zombie]

Given the recent change in weather I suspect many people have being doing the same recently - Winter Tyres.

Summer wheels & tyres (19" with 235 Falken Azenis FK510)

IMG_5051 by Chris, on Flickr

IMG_5053 by Chris, on Flickr

Winter wheels (17" with 225 Vredestein Wintrac Xtreme)

IMG_5057-2 by Chris, on Flickr

IMG_5056 by Chris, on Flickr

They're standard fit Brera wheels. Brake caliper clearance is a bit tight....

IMG_5058 by Chris, on Flickr

[JakeT]

I think those 17 inch wheels look great. I'm sure ride comfort has taken an upward swing too.

[Zombie]

JakeT said:

I think those 17 inch wheels look great. I'm sure ride comfort has taken an upward swing too.

It certainly looks better than I remember it doing when I test fitted them last year. Ride comfort will be an interesting point, with a taller sidewall you'd think it'll be better but it's never that simple.

I've also found that that handling does suffer on winter tyres - the car moves about and the steering feels a bit more vague.

[Zombie]

nuttywobbler said:

I’m amazed at how much of your life you must dedicate to fixing the oily old Alfa! Fair play.

In all fairness, this one has been really good. Routine servicing, some suspension parts and one breakdown in nearly 3 years as a daily driver is not bad at all for any car let alone one that's 10 years old and has quite literally nearly been to the moon (225k miles at it's closest point).

[StonedRollin]

Alfahorn said:

If only. That belongs to my mate who also drives a 147 2.0TS as a daily

I see one round here occasionally and it is achingly beautiful in the flesh.

[okenemem]

that is a nice looking car

[Shotgun Jon]

Anyone repainted their front callipers on their 159 TI? Mine are looking tired and I want to repaint them.

What red paint do you use and how do you preserve the white Alfa Romeo writing on them?

[Alfahorn]

Shotgun Jon said:

Anyone repainted their front callipers on their 159 TI? Mine are looking tired and I want to repaint them.

What red paint do you use and how do you preserve the white Alfa Romeo writing on them?

You can't you. However, you can buy the stickers to replace them.

[Zombie]

Mot is due on this at the end of the month, so it's had some attention. Which consisted of a check over, lights, tyre pressures, cleaned greased the door hinges etc, the usual stuff and an oil change;

IMG_5433 by Chris, on Flickr[url=https://flic.kr/p/2kFUHdp]

[/url] IMG_5441 by Chris, on Flickr

Now, before everyone starts point out the subframe rust, yes I am aware its a problem on 159s and Brera's (we replaced the subframe on my Mums Brera with a new one a year or so ago), no, it is not a problem, it is surface rust and yes I shall do something about it before it does become a problem.

Beyond the rust on the back of the engine is the oil filter;

IMG_5434 by Chris, on Flickr

IMG_5436 by Chris, on Flickr

As you might expect, access is awkward. Which is fine, one of the other cars I own are any better.

But, as I was cleaning the bit the cartridge cap screws into, I felt a part dislodge it self and fall onto the floor;

IMG_5451 by Chris, on Flickr

I am aware of this part. I saw a thread on Alfaowner where someone nearly grenaded their engine because this part was wither missing or not fitted correctly. Which seems like a stupid piece of design to my mind as its very difficult to see it its in it's correct place.

I'd say the service manual lacks information about this part, but I don't have a service manual for it.

Using a mirror we were able to work out where it fits though;

IMG_5450 by Chris, on Flickr

IMG_5453 by Chris, on Flickr

IMG_5462 by Chris, on Flickr

IMG_5462 by Chris, on Flickr

Which all meant that a simple oil change turned into a 2 hour long faff.

Finally and just to prove it did get decent engine oil;

IMG_5466 by Chris, on Flickr

IMG_5468 by Chris, on Flickr

Also reset the service light, not that it means anything as its changed (much) more ofter than the recommended 20k.

IMG_5471 by Chris, on Flickr

Edited by Zombie on Saturday 6th March 23:29

[Nutrounder151]

Just did the upper wishbones on my 159, used moog parts, hopefully they will last 😅

[Nutrounder151]

Just did the upper wishbones on my 159, used moog parts, hopefully they will last 😅

[Zombie]

Now for sale, usual places PH classifieds, eBay, FB. £2950.

IMG_9319 by Chris, on Flickr

IMG_9324 by Chris, on Flickr

IMG_9326 by Chris, on Flickr

IMG_9334 by Chris, on Flickr

IMG_9337 by Chris, on Flickr

IMG_9344 by Chris, on Flickr

IMG_9350 by Chris, on Flickr

IMG_9353 by Chris, on Flickr

IMG_9365 by Chris, on Flickr

IMG_9367 by Chris, on Flickr

IMG_9370 by Chris, on Flickr

IMG_9373 by Chris, on Flickr

IMG_9380 by Chris, on Flickr

IMG_9383 by Chris, on Flickr

IMG_9386 by Chris, on Flickr

IMG_9392 by Chris, on Flickr

IMG_9398 by Chris, on Flickr

IMG_9401 by Chris, on Flickr

IMG_9413 by Chris, on Flickr

IMG_9416-2 by Chris, on Flickr

[Zombie]

IMG_9468 by Chris, on Flickr

IMG_9463 by Chris, on Flickr

IMG_9460 by Chris, on Flickr

IMG_9454 by Chris, on Flickr

IMG_9449 by Chris, on Flickr

IMG_9438 by Chris, on Flickr

IMG_9434 by Chris, on Flickr

IMG_9432 by Chris, on Flickr

IMG_9429 by Chris, on Flickr

IMG_9474 by Chris, on Flickr

IMG_9480 by Chris, on Flickr

IMG_9484 by Chris, on Flickr

IMG_9485 by Chris, on Flickr

IMG_9488 by Chris, on Flickr

IMG_9519 by Chris, on Flickr

[Mr Scruff]

Shame to see you're selling! Fantastic car, almost tempted to swap my diesel for it.

[Rozzers]

Damnit, if you posted this 2 weeks ago I’d have taken it Chris.

[JakeT]

Looks like there’s a rare 1750TBi 159 SW for sale. High miles, but looks well taken care of. Looks lovely in pictures.


https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/194120834969

[LetsTryAgain]

Beautiful motor, GLWS.