Second hand Alfa 156 advice needed!
Discussion
Hi all,
Looking at buying a 156, would really appreciate some help on what to lookout for when testing the car, servicing costs and how much I should expect to pay for a 1.6 T/spark Veloce Saloon – 2002 that’s done 79,000 mile?
Thanks in advance.
>> Edited by RKFerrari on Tuesday 21st March 11:17
Looking at buying a 156, would really appreciate some help on what to lookout for when testing the car, servicing costs and how much I should expect to pay for a 1.6 T/spark Veloce Saloon – 2002 that’s done 79,000 mile?
Thanks in advance.
>> Edited by RKFerrari on Tuesday 21st March 11:17
I can't help on price, but I thought I'd get in first before everyone else tells you - it needs a cambelt replacement every 36k miles or 3 years. If the one you're looking at is at 79k it should have had one done very recently. Check this!
There is also an execllent buyers guide for the 156 over at the Alfa Romeo Drivers Club Web site.
www.ardc.co.uk
Then go to the forums -> "Technical 156" and you should find it in there.
Hope that helps!
There is also an execllent buyers guide for the 156 over at the Alfa Romeo Drivers Club Web site.
www.ardc.co.uk
Then go to the forums -> "Technical 156" and you should find it in there.
Hope that helps!
On top of the normal checks you'd carry out when buying a used car...
1) Listen for a diesel-esque noise on start-up (esp. cold, but warm too) and when running; it's a sign of a knackered variator, and to replace is a cambelt-off job so budget £400ish from an indie (the part is £70ish alone). A brief bit of chatter for a second or two is "OK" according to the guy who works on mine, but anything more...
No top-end damage will result; fuel economy and performance suffer only marginally...'tis just a bit embarrasing, as people will think you drive a diesel
2) Cambelt cambelt cambelt. Did I say cambelt? At 79K it's either on its original and therfore well overdue for a change (and the owner is an idiot...be on your guard), on its send and either a mere 7K old, or again overdue for a new 'un. Demand paperwork confirming the change. A new belt is IRO £300-400ish as per the variator above. TBH, if it's on its ORIGINAL belt, then the owner is clearly mechanically inept; what else have they skipped on? Walk, I'd say...
3) Noisy front suspension; they go through bushes faster than the most promiscuous lesbian. New bushes means new amrms at what, £70 a pop?
1) Listen for a diesel-esque noise on start-up (esp. cold, but warm too) and when running; it's a sign of a knackered variator, and to replace is a cambelt-off job so budget £400ish from an indie (the part is £70ish alone). A brief bit of chatter for a second or two is "OK" according to the guy who works on mine, but anything more...
No top-end damage will result; fuel economy and performance suffer only marginally...'tis just a bit embarrasing, as people will think you drive a diesel
2) Cambelt cambelt cambelt. Did I say cambelt? At 79K it's either on its original and therfore well overdue for a change (and the owner is an idiot...be on your guard), on its send and either a mere 7K old, or again overdue for a new 'un. Demand paperwork confirming the change. A new belt is IRO £300-400ish as per the variator above. TBH, if it's on its ORIGINAL belt, then the owner is clearly mechanically inept; what else have they skipped on? Walk, I'd say...
3) Noisy front suspension; they go through bushes faster than the most promiscuous lesbian. New bushes means new amrms at what, £70 a pop?
Rear trailing link bushes (the big one in the upright) are quite common to need replacement but very cheap to buy. If you get under the car and bash the link sideways with your fist and can hear a metal to metal knock, they need doing.
Also, the front chassis extensions at the leading edge of each front wheelarch (they hold the undertray and inner wheelarch liners etc) tend to rust.
Also, the front chassis extensions at the leading edge of each front wheelarch (they hold the undertray and inner wheelarch liners etc) tend to rust.
flyingjase said:
In terms of price, I've just bought a 2002 2.0 TS Veloche with 40k on the clock and FSH for £5k (private)
Hope this helps
that sounds like a nice car
I'm looking at my options for opting out of the company car scheme and something like that for that kind of money sounds ideal
other than routine maintenance, can i expect any major costs with something like an '02 2.0 156?
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