Alfa 159 - Should I?!
Discussion
Congratulations on your purchase OP! health to enjoy.
recently bought myself a 1.9 JTDM version that, minus some minor sensor issues in the exhaust, I am very pleased with. Rarely see another about and certainly stands out in the work car park amongst all the German metal!
My dad recently picked up his 3.2 V6 Q4 159, so I may be a little biased towards 159 ownership but TIs are beautiful cars, you have made a sweet purchase.
Enjoy!
Phil.
recently bought myself a 1.9 JTDM version that, minus some minor sensor issues in the exhaust, I am very pleased with. Rarely see another about and certainly stands out in the work car park amongst all the German metal!
My dad recently picked up his 3.2 V6 Q4 159, so I may be a little biased towards 159 ownership but TIs are beautiful cars, you have made a sweet purchase.
Enjoy!
Phil.
I'm in exactly the same position, just toying with the leap from 'German metal' to something a little more sublime. Also looking at diesel for about £7.5k. However I've been warned off the 2.4 engine, but this is possibly just because there's a bloke at work who's had nothing but trouble with his. What's the feeling about these engines compared to the 1.9?
And what's the 'm' bit on the later JTD engines? & what's PDC?
And what's the 'm' bit on the later JTD engines? & what's PDC?
The general feeling is that both are good reliable motors which pull like a train. They make poverty spec Beemers look impotent.
I have been on the Fiat forum for over three years (the same engines are used in the Croma - I have a 16v 1.9) and no one there has had any major issues.
One small downside of the 2.4 is that come time to change the cam belt the engine has to come out.
I have been on the Fiat forum for over three years (the same engines are used in the Croma - I have a 16v 1.9) and no one there has had any major issues.
One small downside of the 2.4 is that come time to change the cam belt the engine has to come out.
Edited by radlet6 on Saturday 12th November 10:05
The 2.4 is known for its poke and much nicer noise but people seem blinded by diesel stats and bemoan the relative lack of fuel economy.
If it were me it would be the 2.4 everytime and the 5-10mpg difference (whatever it actually is) would be gladly swopped for such a great engine. The cambelt is an issue but I don't know what the 1.9 needs so cant compare.
Having said that I was out in a 1.9 last weekend (2008) and was very impressed with it's manners and performance. For what it is it did a great job and that was 4 up with 4 sets of golf clubs!!
If it were me it would be the 2.4 everytime and the 5-10mpg difference (whatever it actually is) would be gladly swopped for such a great engine. The cambelt is an issue but I don't know what the 1.9 needs so cant compare.
Having said that I was out in a 1.9 last weekend (2008) and was very impressed with it's manners and performance. For what it is it did a great job and that was 4 up with 4 sets of golf clubs!!
JamesK said:
The 2.4 is known for its poke and much nicer noise but people seem blinded by diesel stats and bemoan the relative lack of fuel economy.
If it were me it would be the 2.4 everytime and the 5-10mpg difference (whatever it actually is) would be gladly swopped for such a great engine. The cambelt is an issue but I don't know what the 1.9 needs so cant compare.
Having said that I was out in a 1.9 last weekend (2008) and was very impressed with it's manners and performance. For what it is it did a great job and that was 4 up with 4 sets of golf clubs!!
1.9 cam belt can be fitted with the engine in situ. If you have the work done on the 2.4 by an Alfa dealer you could be looking at a bill for £900. There are a number of 2.4 Croma's up for sale all of a sudden (all needing a cam belt service).If it were me it would be the 2.4 everytime and the 5-10mpg difference (whatever it actually is) would be gladly swopped for such a great engine. The cambelt is an issue but I don't know what the 1.9 needs so cant compare.
Having said that I was out in a 1.9 last weekend (2008) and was very impressed with it's manners and performance. For what it is it did a great job and that was 4 up with 4 sets of golf clubs!!
If the Alfa 5-pot diesel is anything like the Fiat 5-pot petrol lump that it's derived from, the cambelt can be done without removing the engine. I pay under £400 on my Fiat Coupe.
Also, the 2.4 lump is eminently mappable, especially the later 20v versions - this brings the fuel consumption down to broadly the same levels as the standard 1.9, but with huge torque levels (500Nm apparently!)
And as has already been mentioned, the 5-pot sounds far nicer than the four
The next car I spend my own cash on will be an Alfa 2.4 diesel - probably a 156, unless I can run to the extra cost of the 159
Also, the 2.4 lump is eminently mappable, especially the later 20v versions - this brings the fuel consumption down to broadly the same levels as the standard 1.9, but with huge torque levels (500Nm apparently!)
And as has already been mentioned, the 5-pot sounds far nicer than the four
The next car I spend my own cash on will be an Alfa 2.4 diesel - probably a 156, unless I can run to the extra cost of the 159
radlet6 said:
One small downside of the 2.4 is that come time to change the cam belt the engine has to come out.
You've posted that 3 or 4 times now. I'm going to have to pull you up for it, though.I think you're mis-remembering something - 5-pot petrols in the Brava / Marea / Coupe were an engine-out job according to Fiat, but a specialist can do it in-situ.
5-pot diesels have never been an engine out job - even in the smaller cars - and it's certainly not the case for the Croma or 159.
The only reason to avoid a 2.4 is the relative thirst compared with the 1.9.
Chicarito said:
radlet6 said:
One small downside of the 2.4 is that come time to change the cam belt the engine has to come out.
You've posted that 3 or 4 times now. I'm going to have to pull you up for it, though.I think you're mis-remembering something - 5-pot petrols in the Brava / Marea / Coupe were an engine-out job according to Fiat, but a specialist can do it in-situ.
5-pot diesels have never been an engine out job - even in the smaller cars - and it's certainly not the case for the Croma or 159.
The only reason to avoid a 2.4 is the relative thirst compared with the 1.9.
Re the engine. The 2.4 5 pot is officially an engine out job - I refer you to the FIAT forum where there are far more knowledgeable people than myself who agree.
There are SOME FIAT specialists who will tackle it in situ - but not all of them. My nearest specialist is 40 miles away and won't do it without the engine coming out. He has tried it in the past and has found that the easier access ensures a higher quality and more reliable job.
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