156 Sportwagon - prospective purchase questions
Discussion
I drove a 2.0TS Veloce Sportwagon at the weekend, and was well impressed. Particularly the driving position (I'm short, and modern cars seem to be built for people much bigger than me), the willingness to rev, and the all-round driving experience I suppose. Small steering wheel, big rev counter, sensitive and precise power steering, positive shortish-throw gearlever in the right place - not what you expect from an estate car, really.
Anyhow, it raises a couple of questions which I probably need to get back to the vendor on, but I wondered if Pistonheaders had any comments. Firstly, it had a fairly comprehensive service history which means that regular service items will have been checked frequently enough - but it has just gone over 48,000 miles. I wondered if this meant that it would need an expensive service immediately rather than wait for its next anniversary. Secondly, there was evidence that the fuse box had recently been opened and the vendor said that the battery had been recently replaced. I need to ask him if this means that it's had anything electrical work done recently - but should this ring any alarm bells? Thirdly - how do I know it's a Veloce?
Any opinions on the above, and anything else I need to be wary of, will be gratefully received.
I also bore in mind what I've heard about low-down torque. Well it will give you 4000 revs as soon as you apply the boot to the accelerator and you've still got 3000 left. And the engine isn't exactly noisy, although you do get a fairly civilised "vroom". What low-down torque problem?
>>> Edited by saxmund on Tuesday 8th February 12:46
Anyhow, it raises a couple of questions which I probably need to get back to the vendor on, but I wondered if Pistonheaders had any comments. Firstly, it had a fairly comprehensive service history which means that regular service items will have been checked frequently enough - but it has just gone over 48,000 miles. I wondered if this meant that it would need an expensive service immediately rather than wait for its next anniversary. Secondly, there was evidence that the fuse box had recently been opened and the vendor said that the battery had been recently replaced. I need to ask him if this means that it's had anything electrical work done recently - but should this ring any alarm bells? Thirdly - how do I know it's a Veloce?
Any opinions on the above, and anything else I need to be wary of, will be gratefully received.
I also bore in mind what I've heard about low-down torque. Well it will give you 4000 revs as soon as you apply the boot to the accelerator and you've still got 3000 left. And the engine isn't exactly noisy, although you do get a fairly civilised "vroom". What low-down torque problem?
>>> Edited by saxmund on Tuesday 8th February 12:46
saxmund said:
What low-down torque problem?
That's what JTD drivers normally say.
The pre facelift (mid 2002) fusebox covers have a tendency to fall off so that may just be a red herring. 60,000 mile service needs 8 new plugs (£150 for the plugs alone at main dealer prices, but cheaper elsewhere). Ideally it could do with a new cambelt and tensioners with 48,000 miles on it. Common wisdom is to swap them every 3 years/36,000 miles, and no, don't rely on Alfa goodwill when you are stranded on the M62 with 16 bent valves!! Make sure the luggage area is big enough for your needs. Veloce will have sideskirts and 16" teledial wheels, plus other bits which vary from year to year. Check the logbook - it should be listed as a Veloce and not Turismo or Lusso. Last thing, check it has some oil in it.
Thanks for the comments. The loose fusebox cover makes sense - I've seen one at a dealer with the same problem (I think it was new in and not yet prepared for sale, not that the dealer seemed to have done much to his other cars). I'm fairly sure the luggage area is big enough, and this one has roofrails as well, but I will check whether the belts were done at 36K as if not I'll knock something off the price I'm prepared to pay. The plugs don't worry me too much, 60K is over a year away for me.
It has fancy wheels and sideskirts, and I admit I didn't inspect the paperwork that thoroughly on a first look. But even if I don't get this one, I have at least decided it's a Sportwagon for me.
It has fancy wheels and sideskirts, and I admit I didn't inspect the paperwork that thoroughly on a first look. But even if I don't get this one, I have at least decided it's a Sportwagon for me.
Also, check to see if it's had work done on the front suspension (replaced bushes etc). They seem to last only about 30k miles. It's a cheap fix....ours needed the front anti-roll bar drop link replacing.
The sump guard is also prone to getting bashed....check it out, although it shouldn't be a problem.
Oh, and our luggage cover bit the dust pretty soon after purchase (2nd hand). It's not a problem for us at the 'mo as we keep a pram in there most of the time!
Make sure you check all the electrics and air-con too.
As for torque, well yes it does lack that. It doesn't like low revs/high gears. However, being a rev-happy engine you just need to drop it down a cog or two and listen to it sing to the red-line
The sump guard is also prone to getting bashed....check it out, although it shouldn't be a problem.
Oh, and our luggage cover bit the dust pretty soon after purchase (2nd hand). It's not a problem for us at the 'mo as we keep a pram in there most of the time!
Make sure you check all the electrics and air-con too.
As for torque, well yes it does lack that. It doesn't like low revs/high gears. However, being a rev-happy engine you just need to drop it down a cog or two and listen to it sing to the red-line
CHECK FOR CREAKY FRONT SUSPENSION.
pwig said:
The 60k Service is the only Service that the parts cost more than the Labour! 
8 Platinum coated plugs at £16 a pop!
Ouch! Is that what Alfa dealers charge for the plugs?
It is possible to get them cheaper, but make sure they are still the platinum type. The non-platinum type are inferior and don't last so long.
Alfa Mad said:
The 60k Service is the only Service that the parts cost more than the Labour!
8 Platinum coated plugs at £16 a pop!
Ouch! Is that what Alfa dealers charge for the plugs?
It is possible to get them cheaper, but make sure they are still the platinum type. The non-platinum type are inferior and don't last so long.
We have seen Alfas come in for service that had cheapo plugs in after 'independants' had done the 60k service..
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