Alfa Romeo 156 2.0TS Veloce

[JFReturns]

Bit of an update - the old girl has had a few bits and pieces done since October:

- Service and MOT (no advisories)
- Brand new standard rear exhaust (stainless steel tooooo loud, must be getting old!)
- Anti rollbar unit
- Anti rollbar links
- Front top wishbones
- Various uprated bulbs
- Aftermarket roofbars

The clonks and creaks were utterly doing my nut in so pretty much all of the suspension components other than dampers have been replaced now. I daren't total how much I've spent in the five months I've had this car but I imagine it's twice what the car is worth

Nevermind, she is now driving beautifully and for me it is money well spent because of the sentimental value but also because it is a cracking drive! Sounds great, still looks awesome (IMHO) and is practical enough for me. I can get all my fishing gear in using the ski hatch and it will be taking SWMBO, Yoda (my choccie lab) myself and a small Eriba caravan to Cornwall in the Spring for our wedding!

Couple of pics to stop this being too boring a update



'Perfect' service history continues with 16 services from the supplying dealer:


P.S. If anyone wants a beautifully made but silly loud stainless steel cat-back exhaust, let me know!

Edited by JFReturns on Monday 15th February 21:43

[Tim-D]

Nice car- enjoy it.....

I run an oilburning sportwagon acquired by default as was far too good to scrap - 50,000 trouble free miles (well quite a lot of diy jobs such as servicing , front suspension renewal, cam belt and an unlimited supply of dash bulbs) its simply great - does everything I ask of it returns 55+ mpg and is becoming an ever rarer sight on the road.....rips through front tyres alarmingly quickly though..

Despite no Haynes for the 156 everything is relatively easy to do spares availability is great (if you ignore Alfa themselves) and they're a really nice drive too... what not to like?

[Oilchange]

Too much wear on the inside edge of the front tyres?
I recommend a strut brace, helps a lot I find.

[RicksAlfas]

Strut brace makes a big difference. I had one on mine.

[JFReturns]

Had a couple of hours cleaning up the 156 this afternoon, and used a new product - Poorboys White Diamond glaze. Pretty happy with it, seems to pop out the colour quite nicely.

[Paul S4]

As 2 people above have mentioned strut braces....which ones ?

I have considered one for my 2005 156 JTDM150 but not convinced about the' improvement'...as they seem quite pricey for what they are !

[Oilchange]

I have an old OMP one from a chap breaking his car. cost £80 if I remember right.

The problem with the 156 is that the sides of the body at the front flex with the weight of the engine, more pronounced with the heavier v6. Triangulating this will stiffen up the chassis, the inside of the tyres wear much less as the cornering geo is fixed. Big difference for a hundred quid or so.

It also helps that the anti roll bar bushes and drop links are in good order. I swapped mine out for a thicker GTa bar with poly bushes and new links. Again helps a lot but a bugger of a job apparently.
Overall, turn in is sharper and handling is much improved.

Many cars have this, old Jags have arcane looking braces (2) for this. It might look a bit chav but it works.

Edited by Oilchange on Saturday 12th March 20:50

[JFReturns]

Update! The 156 has had a bit more work done. The anti roll bar unit has been replaced again due to a faulty unit, FOC thank goodness! A few other bits like a heat shield to replace the old rattly one, undertray repair and a set of new Kumhos all round. Plus a good once over as she's been put into real service taking SWMBO, Yoda our choccy lab and our newest edition, an Eriba Puck, all the way to Cornwall and back. I put a hammock in the back to cover all of the seats and the dog was nice and comfortable strapped in with the whole rear to himself. With the addition of a roof box there was plenty of room for our stuff.

Absolutely no problems at all, she drove perfectly and averaged 27mpg there and back. Going again soon to get married

Piccies!


Fleet services


Arrived!


Set up

[JFReturns]

Another update! The 156 continues to perform faultlessly, taking us to Cornwall again in May with no problems at all.

She's also proving to be really practical with the tow hitch and roof bar making her very versatile. Most recently, the roof box has been removed so I can lug my new 5 metre Kayak around:



Also, I've finally found a practical use for that bloomin' massive rear spoiler! It makes loading the Kayak easy and saves the rear window from damage

[waynedear]

Certainly is a great looking car, every Alfa I have bought and own have to be able to carry fishing rods, spider I bought a couple of weeks ago does with 5mm to spare

[DamienB]

You'd be better off loading the kayak upside down, less strain on the roof bar mounting spigots as it won't be trying to lift off so much. And check those spigots regularly - they're woefully small for the loading that can be put on them, and very vulnerable to corrosion. On my saloon one of them had corroded to half its normal thickness in less than a year of leaving roof bars on all the time and regularly transporting a kayak about. Only a matter of time before it would have broken off... I upgraded to a Sportwagon with roof rails!

[JFReturns]

Well chaps, she's lasted a year but with the miles I'm doing we've decided to get something newer and more economical.

I really don't want to part exchange her - not because of the predictably low value, more because I don't want her to disappear into the trade and not get looked after.

I could put her into storage but feel she should be used. So if anyone wants her, let me know. I'd feel much better knowing she was going to an enthusiast who would look after her!

[DamienB]

Stick her up on the Alfaowner forum and Alfabook facebook group... worth buttons naturally but with all the work you've had done somebody who knows these cars should bite your arm off.

[Vitorio]

DamienB said:

Stick her up on the Alfaowner forum and Alfabook facebook group... worth buttons naturally but with all the work you've had done somebody who knows these cars should bite your arm off.

Yup, community is key with these cars, stick it on a general for sale site and any boy racer will see a spoiler and big alloys and take a cheeky punt, while the true alfisti will be scouring the message boards for well-kept examples with documentation.

Maybe see if a local alfa indy is interested in it?

[JFReturns]

Thanks for the advice chaps, but I do feel a bit rude signing up to a forum just to sell. However, if anyone would be so kind as to link to this thread I'd appreciate it.

A lot of car for very little money!

[JFReturns]

Well, she's gone - px'd as I ran out of time and selling privately would have left me worse off after servicing, insuring two cars etc etc. I left the PH smiley on in the hope the new owner would do a search on here for Y436 WKK. If you find this post, I've got a folder of history I'll send you

The replacement is safer, faster, more economical and nowhere near as special. But hey, at least it ain't a focus / golf / Astra

[Ozboz]

Please can you tell me where you bought your roofbars from....or let me know what brand they are.

Cheers

JFReturns said:

Bit of an update - the old girl has had a few bits and pieces done since October:

- Service and MOT (no advisories)
- Brand new standard rear exhaust (stainless steel tooooo loud, must be getting old!)
- Anti rollbar unit
- Anti rollbar links
- Front top wishbones
- Various uprated bulbs
- Aftermarket roofbars

The clonks and creaks were utterly doing my nut in so pretty much all of the suspension components other than dampers have been replaced now. I daren't total how much I've spent in the five months I've had this car but I imagine it's twice what the car is worth

Nevermind, she is now driving beautifully and for me it is money well spent because of the sentimental value but also because it is a cracking drive! Sounds great, still looks awesome (IMHO) and is practical enough for me. I can get all my fishing gear in using the ski hatch and it will be taking SWMBO, Yoda (my choccie lab) myself and a small Eriba caravan to Cornwall in the Spring for our wedding!

Couple of pics to stop this being too boring a update



'Perfect' service history continues with 16 services from the supplying dealer:


P.S. If anyone wants a beautifully made but silly loud stainless steel cat-back exhaust, let me know!

Edited by JFReturns on Monday 15th February 21:43

[JFReturns]

Sorry for late reply I’ve not logged in for ages. They were generic eBay ones from memory and were absolutely fine.