Why did I buy that ?
Discussion
Just a quick note to thank everybody who answered my earlier query about any problems with the GTV.
Managed to narrow the field down to the GTV, Peugeot 406 Coupe and a Ford Cougar V6. Did all the usual checking on the internet, comparisn tests, details of specification, Insurance groups, performance etc & then went and bought a 99 T plate 156 1.8 TS.
Must say that am very pleased with the 156, but still cant understand why I bought the thing in preference to a 2+2 sports coupe. Its not as if I need the space because their arent any kids to worry about. X files moment............
Managed to narrow the field down to the GTV, Peugeot 406 Coupe and a Ford Cougar V6. Did all the usual checking on the internet, comparisn tests, details of specification, Insurance groups, performance etc & then went and bought a 99 T plate 156 1.8 TS.
Must say that am very pleased with the 156, but still cant understand why I bought the thing in preference to a 2+2 sports coupe. Its not as if I need the space because their arent any kids to worry about. X files moment............
than GTV's. Don't worry, you made the right choice. The 406 and Cougar are pants to drive and you would quickly become bored with them after their looks wore off (quite quickly).
The 406 3.0 V6 coupe remains, in my opinion, one of the biggest dissapointments on the road I have experienced in the last few years. Shame, because it still has that endearing chic that only the French can conjour up...
>> Edited by Alfa Mad on Monday 14th February 19:52
The 406 3.0 V6 coupe remains, in my opinion, one of the biggest dissapointments on the road I have experienced in the last few years. Shame, because it still has that endearing chic that only the French can conjour up...
>> Edited by Alfa Mad on Monday 14th February 19:52
I know I know, got some stick in the Office for that one (particularly the Cougar).
Just that finances are on such a knife edge at the moment, that couldnt take the risk of getting an older GTV (much as I STILL want to) and having it then regularly break down on me. The 406 Coupe is such an elegant machine though (and like most men I suspect Id be prepared to put up with a lot for those looks) and was one of the few (if any ?) cars in my immediate price range that holds a candle to the GTV. I have heard though that its a bit of a barge to drive and slow to boot in 2 litre mode.
As for the Cougar, with it being a Ford, reckoned it would be cheap to insure (only group 14 for 2.5 V6) and service and fancied a 6 cylinder car, with 170 BHP, leather, aircon et al for £3500. However, does look a little ungainly and with the considerable benefit of hindsight I can well understand why it was pulled from the UK market after only 3 years on sale.
Must admit though, didnt look/drive the 2.0 TS though, as thought the heavier engine would compromise the fine handling bias of the 156 & in any event doesnt it only have an extra 10BHP or so ? Surely cant be that much different to drive can it ?
Just that finances are on such a knife edge at the moment, that couldnt take the risk of getting an older GTV (much as I STILL want to) and having it then regularly break down on me. The 406 Coupe is such an elegant machine though (and like most men I suspect Id be prepared to put up with a lot for those looks) and was one of the few (if any ?) cars in my immediate price range that holds a candle to the GTV. I have heard though that its a bit of a barge to drive and slow to boot in 2 litre mode.
As for the Cougar, with it being a Ford, reckoned it would be cheap to insure (only group 14 for 2.5 V6) and service and fancied a 6 cylinder car, with 170 BHP, leather, aircon et al for £3500. However, does look a little ungainly and with the considerable benefit of hindsight I can well understand why it was pulled from the UK market after only 3 years on sale.
Must admit though, didnt look/drive the 2.0 TS though, as thought the heavier engine would compromise the fine handling bias of the 156 & in any event doesnt it only have an extra 10BHP or so ? Surely cant be that much different to drive can it ?
The 2.0 TS is basically the same engine as the 1.8 so there is not much weight difference. It is either 150 or 155bhp depending on the model year and has a bit more torque than the 1.8, but still not a lot. The biggest difference is that it has balancer shafts and is a bit smoother. Nothing to lose any sleep over at all. A good 1.8 is better than a knackered 2.0.
At the end of the day you bought an Alfa Romeo and that's the important thing.
PS Cambelt change - when was it last done?!
At the end of the day you bought an Alfa Romeo and that's the important thing.
PS Cambelt change - when was it last done?!
The cambelt tensioners are a particular weakness of the Twin Spark, which in turn leads to belts "failing".
In an ideal world, both the belt and the tensioners (two) should be changed every 3 years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first. At the same time many people also change the variator (controls the variable valve timing and sounds like an old diesel when knackered) and the water pump, simply because if you are in there rummaging about, you might as well do the whole lot.
If you go by the original Alfa spec, it is a cambelt change every 72,000 miles, but in reality a lot don't make it that far!!
The other thing to keep an eye on is your oil. Needs to be a reasonable 10/40 (not 20-50 as originally posted!!) Semi Synthetic and should be checked regularly as the TS likes to sup a bit and doesn't have a huge sump.
>> Edited by wombat rick on Friday 18th February 08:06
In an ideal world, both the belt and the tensioners (two) should be changed every 3 years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first. At the same time many people also change the variator (controls the variable valve timing and sounds like an old diesel when knackered) and the water pump, simply because if you are in there rummaging about, you might as well do the whole lot.
If you go by the original Alfa spec, it is a cambelt change every 72,000 miles, but in reality a lot don't make it that far!!
The other thing to keep an eye on is your oil. Needs to be a reasonable 10/40 (not 20-50 as originally posted!!) Semi Synthetic and should be checked regularly as the TS likes to sup a bit and doesn't have a huge sump.
>> Edited by wombat rick on Friday 18th February 08:06
He's not joking about the cambelts not lasting to 72,000! Mine went at 57,000!
Also, what's this about 20 / 50 oil? I was told it was vital to keep to a 10 / 40 (or less than 10 cold viscosity) so that it could get up to the variator quickly on cold mornings. I'd like to use thicker oil so it doesn't drink as much of it but have never had the bottle to try in case I wreck the variator.
Also, what's this about 20 / 50 oil? I was told it was vital to keep to a 10 / 40 (or less than 10 cold viscosity) so that it could get up to the variator quickly on cold mornings. I'd like to use thicker oil so it doesn't drink as much of it but have never had the bottle to try in case I wreck the variator.
20w/50 oil?!! 10w/40 definitely!
Don't worry too much about the water pump. I did the timing belt, tensioner and variator (it was noisy) in my 155 about 90K, just after I bought it.
Its now about 108K and I still have no plans, so far, to change the coolant pump at the next belt and tensioner change which will be done at 126-130K.
It does give piece of mind, but generally pumps should last 100K easy.
Don't worry too much about the water pump. I did the timing belt, tensioner and variator (it was noisy) in my 155 about 90K, just after I bought it.
Its now about 108K and I still have no plans, so far, to change the coolant pump at the next belt and tensioner change which will be done at 126-130K.
It does give piece of mind, but generally pumps should last 100K easy.
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