Alfa 159 - Should I?!

Author
Discussion

V6Alfisti

3,305 posts

226 months

Sunday 6th November 2011
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Stunning! biggrin

Pwig

11,956 posts

269 months

Sunday 6th November 2011
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Alfa red 2.4 ti? Brilliant biggrin

radlet6

736 posts

173 months

Sunday 6th November 2011
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Well done sir I applaud you for having a mind of your own and not following the teutonic car buying sheep that seem to have taken over this country. Always said that nobody can style cars like the Italians.

Danesgate

Original Poster:

509 posts

155 months

Monday 7th November 2011
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Thank you for your kind comments.

1.9 TI in Red - already named Alfred by my kids.

In recent years I have run 5 Mercedes, a Range Rover (so I know what unreliable feels like), and two VWs - it was time for a change.

I can't wipe the smile off.... biggrin

tom77

108 posts

195 months

Monday 7th November 2011
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Excellent choice sir!

I've just chopped in my 2.4 SW in black with tan leather for one very similar to yours.

Alfa red, 3.2 SW Ti, Q4 with manual gearbox. Quite a rare beast.

Hopefully collect on Friday!

Nanglebadger

32 posts

165 months

Friday 11th November 2011
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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.

davej311

49 posts

152 months

Saturday 12th November 2011
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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?

radlet6

736 posts

173 months

Saturday 12th November 2011
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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.

Edited by radlet6 on Saturday 12th November 10:05

JamesK

2,124 posts

278 months

Monday 14th November 2011
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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!!

radlet6

736 posts

173 months

Monday 14th November 2011
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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).

Nigel_O

2,858 posts

218 months

Monday 14th November 2011
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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

Danesgate

Original Poster:

509 posts

155 months

Tuesday 15th November 2011
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If anyone is considering a 159 TI, one week into ownership I have to say...

It is bloomin gorgeous!

Looked out into the Office car park - 200+ silver and black German Uniforms, and one very attractive Italian in Red smile



Chicarito

1,017 posts

150 months

Tuesday 15th November 2011
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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

1,017 posts

150 months

Tuesday 15th November 2011
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Stunning.

I wish I could have something like that, rather than the usual German TDI.

Danesgate

Original Poster:

509 posts

155 months

Sunday 20th November 2011
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woohoo

MiniMan64

16,860 posts

189 months

Sunday 20th November 2011
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Damm thats a good looking car.

I've been looking at GT's but the salon is almost a better looker!

Chicharito

1,017 posts

150 months

Sunday 20th November 2011
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That looks fantastic.

Danesgate

Original Poster:

509 posts

155 months

Sunday 20th November 2011
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trashbat

6,005 posts

152 months

Monday 21st November 2011
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Superb.

radlet6

736 posts

173 months

Monday 21st November 2011
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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.
Firstly the 2.4 isn't that much thirstier than the 1.9 - the insurance is considerably higher though.

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.