156 2.0TS or 2.5V6?
Discussion
I'm thinking of getting a secondhand 156 Sportwagon, and want something that's fast and fun to drive. Is it really worth going up to a 2.5 - are they that much better than the 2.0? Their fuel economy looks pretty poor, and I'm suspicious of putting that much power through the front wheels. And there seem to be relatively few 2.5 Sportwagons around, whereas with a 2.0 I'd probably be able to choose my colour and spec. On the other hand, I'm looking for something a bit out of the usual (3 of my 5 immediate neighbours drive Focuses) and I quite like the idea of a 2.5 litre V6 under the bonnet. I know I need to go and testdrive one or two, but I thought some people here might have an opinion or two. And you'll be pleased to know I left the "Alfa 156 vs Audi A4" question to the General forum.
Cheers, Phil.
>>> Edited by saxmund on Thursday 6th January 19:29
Cheers, Phil.
>>> Edited by saxmund on Thursday 6th January 19:29
Agreed. It's not quite as sharp as the 2.0 as the weight is similar to the V6, but it has more torque than the GTA and is a lot less fragile than the Twin Spark. Worth driving as many as possible really to see what floats your boat and bear in mind the extra weight of the Sportwagon is all at the back and it does balance out the heavier engines (at the front 
! ).
None of them are perfect, but they are all lovely.
! ). None of them are perfect, but they are all lovely.
Thanks for the comments, I will now go and drive some... I've found some old threads about Sportwagons, v. useful, current thinking is a 2.0TS and get the ECU remapped if the lack of torque worries me. And I probably ought to try a diesel, although I don't generally like the idea of oilburners.
saxmund said:
Thanks for the comments, I will now go and drive some... I've found some old threads about Sportwagons, v. useful, current thinking is a 2.0TS and get the ECU remapped if the lack of torque worries me. And I probably ought to try a diesel, although I don't generally like the idea of oilburners.
I had two 2.0 Twin Sparks 145QVs - 150 and 155bhp. After 6 years with those, I didn't want a diesel particularly either, but thought I should test one after all the recent fuss about how good they are. If I didn't like it, I wouldn't get one. But I thought it was a complete revelation and still enjoy it as much now as the day I bought it.
The TS is a sweet engine - don't get me wrong. It's smooth, free revving, sounds good, but the lack of torque is frustrating in real world driving and the noise can get tiresome if you are not in the mood but still trying to make decent progress which means keeping 4000+ revs on the clock all the time. Driving to The Lakes or whatever in 3rd gear soon naffs you and your passengers off.
marcus said:
156 with the 175BHP 2.4TD is a blast.
Drove back-to-back with a GTA, the diesel was more entertaining!!
Know a chap with a TD chipped to 198BHP and >300lb/ft!!
Goes like stink, and all I need is a wad of cash to swap our ageing 146 for one!
I've had a 156 2.4 jtd for 2 months now and can definitely recommend. It will cruise in sixth all day on the mway as well as my old vectra yet if you drop it into third it becomes an awesome overtaking machine. You also get a 5 cylinder throaty engine warble. Oh, and my trip computer is showing 45.5mpg average economy! - and thats not driving it like an old fart either.
I've currently got a 166 with the 2.5 V6 and a 2.0 TS 156.
The V6 is a lovely smooth engine and the noise is just fabulous when you rev it. But there's not much grunt below 3000 rpm which is OK in something like the 166 in 'executive' mode. It's a bit thirsty too. Has been 100% reliable though, and no cambelt worries like the twinspark.
The 2.0 twinspark is a fabulous engine - just makes you smile!. A bit more frantic on long journeys, and still not particularly economical (Well it probably is if you drive it sensibly). And you do need to change the cam belt every second Thursday.
I've driven a JTD and I love the low speed torque - doesn't feel very Italian though but amazing MPG.
Drive them all - it's a matter of individual taste. (ps My next Alfa will be a JTD!)
The V6 is a lovely smooth engine and the noise is just fabulous when you rev it. But there's not much grunt below 3000 rpm which is OK in something like the 166 in 'executive' mode. It's a bit thirsty too. Has been 100% reliable though, and no cambelt worries like the twinspark.
The 2.0 twinspark is a fabulous engine - just makes you smile!. A bit more frantic on long journeys, and still not particularly economical (Well it probably is if you drive it sensibly). And you do need to change the cam belt every second Thursday.
I've driven a JTD and I love the low speed torque - doesn't feel very Italian though but amazing MPG.
Drive them all - it's a matter of individual taste. (ps My next Alfa will be a JTD!)
I too had the same dilemna back about 6 months ago, but in saloon version. I had a 325i Beemer before and the thought of dropping back to a 4 pot was just unimaginable. Test drove the V6 and yes it is probably the best sounding engine I have ever heard, but finacially it just didn't stack up for me at all. The fuel consumption is Concorde like and the servicing costs are just astronomical. I thought about it for a while and decided to drive the 2.0 TS and well the rest is history. 6 months on, all I can say is I'M IN LOVE. It is easily the best car I have ever owned, you can never tire of the handling and performance and the rev range never ends. It is far superior in so many ways to the V6 except the 0-60, but who needs 0-60 any way
It has been said in previous posts that it lacks torque and doesn't come alive until you reach 4000rpm. This is all true, but this is precisely what I love about it, it makes for the most versatile car I have ever driven. Take it to Sainsbury's on Saturday morning and Donnigton in the afternoon and in either guise it will leave you wanting more. Not a day goes by when it doesn't bring a smile to the face.
I've said enough, but in my opinion there is only one option. 2.0 TS
It has been said in previous posts that it lacks torque and doesn't come alive until you reach 4000rpm. This is all true, but this is precisely what I love about it, it makes for the most versatile car I have ever driven. Take it to Sainsbury's on Saturday morning and Donnigton in the afternoon and in either guise it will leave you wanting more. Not a day goes by when it doesn't bring a smile to the face.
I've said enough, but in my opinion there is only one option. 2.0 TS
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