Alfa 159 - Should I?!
Discussion
radlet6 said:
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.
You need to find a new specialist. The diesels have never been rated as an engine out job.And the 5 potters have been known to return low 30s mpg, 4 potters rarely dip under 40, and mostly turn in mid to high 40s.
radlet6 said:
I have had a 1.9 FIAT Croma since 2007 with no real problems (it is essentially the same greasy bits under the bonnet) with no major problems.
Yes the EGR valves clog, but then so do VW`s and Audis. DPF problems are a myth. These usually result from too much town driving or sitting in traffic jams. All you need to do is drive it like you have stolen it once a month.
High mileage cars can suffer gearbox and clutch problems. If the dual mass flywheel fails then you can kiss goodbye to 700 notes (but again this happens in VW's etc.etc.).
Biggest concern is the electrics. Given it was an Italian that discovered electricity it is amazing how they can't get it to work. My Croma develeloped an fault which took 6 months to fix.
Water pumps can be dodgy but the trick is to have it replaced at cam belt time. Alternators are very suspect and will only last 3 or 4 years on average - they are not cheap either.
Other thing to note is that come cam belt chagnge time Alfa recomend that on the 2.4 the engine has to come out.
However, I would say that on the whole they are no better or worse than any other car. 1.9 pulls like a train.
I think this says it all, yes other makes do have the flywheel/EGR valve probs, but the electrics, are fundemental, and as everyone who owned a car in the 70's remembers, it's a thing of the past on a modern car.....not ALFA's apparently.......oh and I don't think the link to the FIAT CROMA, is a good thing too.Yes the EGR valves clog, but then so do VW`s and Audis. DPF problems are a myth. These usually result from too much town driving or sitting in traffic jams. All you need to do is drive it like you have stolen it once a month.
High mileage cars can suffer gearbox and clutch problems. If the dual mass flywheel fails then you can kiss goodbye to 700 notes (but again this happens in VW's etc.etc.).
Biggest concern is the electrics. Given it was an Italian that discovered electricity it is amazing how they can't get it to work. My Croma develeloped an fault which took 6 months to fix.
Water pumps can be dodgy but the trick is to have it replaced at cam belt time. Alternators are very suspect and will only last 3 or 4 years on average - they are not cheap either.
Other thing to note is that come cam belt chagnge time Alfa recomend that on the 2.4 the engine has to come out.
However, I would say that on the whole they are no better or worse than any other car. 1.9 pulls like a train.
Chicharito said:
You need to find a new specialist. The diesels have never been rated as an engine out job.
And the 5 potters have been known to return low 30s mpg, 4 potters rarely dip under 40, and mostly turn in mid to high 40s.
Agreed, eLearn lists engine out but most specialists are exactly that and know how to do it without dropping the engine.And the 5 potters have been known to return low 30s mpg, 4 potters rarely dip under 40, and mostly turn in mid to high 40s.
If alfaworkshop say it can be done in situation, then quite simply....it can. (I would try and look elsewhere, as the 2.4 fitted to Alfa's have sufficient space - if a bit tight!)
http://www.alfaworkshop.co.uk/alfa_jtd_cambelt.sht...
Chicharito said:
radlet6 said:
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.
You need to find a new specialist. The diesels have never been rated as an engine out job.And the 5 potters have been known to return low 30s mpg, 4 potters rarely dip under 40, and mostly turn in mid to high 40s.
V6Alfisti said:
Chicharito said:
You need to find a new specialist. The diesels have never been rated as an engine out job.
And the 5 potters have been known to return low 30s mpg, 4 potters rarely dip under 40, and mostly turn in mid to high 40s.
Agreed, eLearn lists engine out but most specialists are exactly that and know how to do it without dropping the engine.And the 5 potters have been known to return low 30s mpg, 4 potters rarely dip under 40, and mostly turn in mid to high 40s.
If alfaworkshop say it can be done in situation, then quite simply....it can. (I would try and look elsewhere, as the 2.4 fitted to Alfa's have sufficient space - if a bit tight!)
http://www.alfaworkshop.co.uk/alfa_jtd_cambelt.sht...
Danesgate said:
I am seriously considering a 1.75 petrol. On the test drive it returned 26mpg against the 2.4d at 28mpg....
Most of my driving is a-road & dual carrigeway - what should I be expecting?
Head says deisel, heart says petrol....Mangos have a nice black 60-plate which is hard to resist.
Another question, anyone got the mango mod?
Cheers,
Mark
F1GTRUeno said:
Absolutely perfect. Immeasurably jealous so enjoy it.
I'm gonna save to get one for my next car. Probably be a few years off so I've got time to get insurance down. Cheapest I got for a 1.9 JTDM TI was 3k...
Aviva - £232, £32 cheaper than the 8 yr old Passat diesel it replaced?!I'm gonna save to get one for my next car. Probably be a few years off so I've got time to get insurance down. Cheapest I got for a 1.9 JTDM TI was 3k...
[rainman]I am a very safe driver[/rainman]
owned a 159 for the last 4 years 1.9jtdm lusso... only covered 50k, days after 4 year /54k service..... glow plug pre warning issue has arisen, and clutch pedal an inch movement before doing anything,,,,,,,
love the looks in black, red leather.......many comments when i got it ... still makes me feel special driving it..... no idea when new model coming so just asked a c class merc 220 sport,,, if get refused will ask for another alfa 159 in pearlesant white
love the looks in black, red leather.......many comments when i got it ... still makes me feel special driving it..... no idea when new model coming so just asked a c class merc 220 sport,,, if get refused will ask for another alfa 159 in pearlesant white
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