Brera/159 variants

[paulmakin]

Now looking at either of these to use daily. GTV and Fiat back into storage and the TT has been with me for a little bit too long and not practical enough for the current requirements.

Consequently, back to an Alfa for regular use. It'll be a Brera or a 159 and no strong feelings as to which (i suspect that, bodywork aside, they're essential the same anyway ?)

I missed out on a 159TBi so i'm now looking at the V6 and 2.4 diesels. Aesthetically it would have to be a Ti if a 159 but not sure this exists in V6 form.

Economy, insurance, RFL etc are are no concern

Other than reading fora, I have no knowledge of more modern Alfa's and no experience of any model after 2002.

Any advice/thoughts from anyone ?

[mazzer1]

I have had a 2007 159 2.4 diesel for 4.5 years now (on about 100,000 miles now) It has been better than I would have expected in terms of reliability. It really suits the type of driving I do here in NZ - all empty B type roads, it is good but not really that sporty through the bends, but fantastic for overtaking on the straights. A bit heavy and lumpen around town, but I rarely take it there. It seems regardless of how I drive it I can always get at least 35mpg, which I think is very good for the power it delivers etc. If you have more congested roads/town driving the 1750 petrol might be the best choice. Also, of course, one of the best looking cars on the road, inside and out (black with red leather). If you go for a diesel, try to find one that has been used more on open roads if you can.

[Nigel_O]

You need to have any Brera /159 inspected by someone that really knows the cars well. There are well-documented issues with many of the models - just a small selection...

Rusty front subframes
Worn suspension
Chocolate gearbox
Stretched timing chains
DPF / EGR issues

The 1759tbi is probably the pick of the bunch, but the 2.4 with the right remap is quite entertaining.

Great if you get a good one, but a money pit if you get a duffer

[anonymous-user]

paulmakin said:

Consequently, back to an Alfa for regular use. It'll be a Brera or a 159 and no strong feelings as to which (i suspect that, bodywork aside, they're essential the same anyway ?)

Not really. Brera is really quite small inside; the driver & passenger are okay for space but the back is very compromised. The 159 is surprisingly practical - a decent boot and with the back seats down it can hold loads. The Brera is form over function.

paulmakin said:

I missed out on a 159TBi so i'm now looking at the V6 and 2.4 diesels. Aesthetically it would have to be a Ti if a 159 but not sure this exists in V6 form.

They do exist. Not many of them around though. I've got one (Q4 Qtronic 3.2 TI - 1 of 4 in the UK) and it's now for sale.

paulmakin said:

Other than reading fora, I have no knowledge of more modern Alfa's and no experience of any model after 2002. Any advice/thoughts from anyone ?

Generally the 159 / Brera are better built than any previous Alfa but it's all relative. I've had no issues with mine other than consumables and a couple of exhaust sensors. Everything works. They were designed and built to take on Audi, BMW etc so they upped their game. This might be useful: https://www.alfaworkshop.co.uk/alfa_159_guide.shtm...

[paulmakin]

Thanks all.

Decided that it'll be a 159 Ti - i already have one Alfa with rather silly rear seating.

Got 2 to check this weekend - both 210 2.4s, both black with black leather. Unusually for me, both are quite close as well.

Paul

[Shotgun Jon]

Here is mine. Bought off eBay as a station/house restoration car. Turns out I love it though. It’s the 2.4 jtdm and it sounds great. It needed an alternator and a lower crank case pulley but other than that everything works. Oh, it’s done 207k! ??

[r159]

paulmakin said:

Thanks all.

Decided that it'll be a 159 Ti - i already have one Alfa with rather silly rear seating.

Got 2 to check this weekend - both 210 2.4s, both black with black leather. Unusually for me, both are quite close as well.

Paul

I had a lusso 200 2.4 remapped to 240 bhp and 425 ft/lb it really shifted... handling was a bit staid.

[paulmakin]

Yep, cheeky little remap would be one of my first additions.

Now i'm beginning to think more seriously about DPFs and swirl flaps and other associated diesel gubbins. i do quite a bit of town driving several days per week but motorway at least twice a day, every other day. Given the current traffic situation around here these motorway sections get me up to 60+ mph for 20-30 mins twice a day; in practice, is that enough for to keep the regen stuff happy ?

paul

[mazzer1]

I have not had any issues with the DPF, swirl flaps (I think that is mainly with the 1.9) or EGR (just cleaned it and that improved the idle and cured the occasional stalling). Mine does a DPF regen when it needs to and seems to take about 5-10mins so regular open road runs where you are driving the car without breaks should allow that to happen - As long as it is not all town driving it should be ok.

Edited by mazzer1 on Monday 2nd November 09:30

[Alfahorn]

Nigel_O said:

You need to have any Brera /159 inspected by someone that really knows the cars well. There are well-documented issues with many of the models - just a small selection...

Rusty front subframes
Worn suspension
Chocolate gearbox
Stretched timing chains
DPF / EGR issues

The 1759tbi is probably the pick of the bunch, but the 2.4 with the right remap is quite entertaining.

Great if you get a good one, but a money pit if you get a duffer

I concur with a lot of this.

I bought a Brera TBI with 127,000 miles in April 2019. The car came with stacks of receipts all the way back to new as well as a fully stamped up service book.

At the time I managed to negotiate £1000 off the asking price. I'm glad I did as I've spent about £1800 on maintenance and further £800 on upgrading the wheels, steering wheel and dash to carbon etc.

Now on 135,000 I don't regret buying the car for a minute. I will keep it long term there is nothing else like it.

I Love the TBI so much I've just bought an extremely cheap 60 plate Giulietta Cloverleaf which needs some work (all factored in to the the purchase price) which I'll get up to scratch.

[Lesgrandepotato]

Mines a 159 ti tbi - one of 209 in the uk. Worth the hunt in my opinion. Nice place to sit, moderately brisk. Oh and it looks a million dollars.

[Kingdom35]

Always loved these Sportswagon's and the saloon.....I may go for one as my next commuter car but also looking at Giuilettas too

But how reliable are they?
Performance/mpg decent?

I see a lot of the 1.9l diesels for sale in Ti trim but I don't see a lot of the 2.4 diesels so im assuming the latter are sort after

Ultimately id like the petrol version but I believe these cars are quite heavy.

Whats peoples experiences as I saw the alfaworkshop link and it kind of put me off a bit

[Nigel_O]

Kingdom35 said:

Always loved these Sportswagon's and the saloon.....I may go for one as my next commuter car but also looking at Giuilettas too

But how reliable are they?
Performance/mpg decent?

I see a lot of the 1.9l diesels for sale in Ti trim but I don't see a lot of the 2.4 diesels so im assuming the latter are sort after

Ultimately id like the petrol version but I believe these cars are quite heavy.

Whats peoples experiences as I saw the alfaworkshop link and it kind of put me off a bit

They can be extremely reliable, especially the 1.9 diesel. However, they all need a "preventative" maintenance approach, rather than "fix it when it breaks". I have an Alfa GT 1.9 diesel with 264,000 miles on it and I've never added oil between services and it's only needed the recovery truck twice (broken battery earth cable and broken gear selector cable)

Yes, the 159/Brera is fairly heavy, so it's never going to be a sharp handler.

The 1.9 diesel will happily return mpg in the mid 50s on a run. The 2.4 is very different (high 30s to low 40s, maybe a bit more on a run).

In the right colour, with the right wheels, they look superb, especially (IMHO) in Sportwagon form (and especially with roof rails)

The best 159 is probably a 1.75 Tbi Ti Sportwagon in black or red, but they command a premium (deservedly so)