Alfa's, cheap to run?
Discussion
I recently got rid of a 147 & it was starting to need quite a bit of work, suspension, aux belt & 20 mpg max which was improved from 17mpg before i changed the thermostat.
Anyway, i was looking at changing the suspension & noticed the prices were very high, even more so then the E46 3 series i'm looking at buying. The ARB for example needs to be changed as a complete unit, you can't just change the bushes..
Are these Alfa's much more expensive then say a Golf or Focus? It felt like it.
Great to drive tho & make a fantastic noise.
Anyway, i was looking at changing the suspension & noticed the prices were very high, even more so then the E46 3 series i'm looking at buying. The ARB for example needs to be changed as a complete unit, you can't just change the bushes..
Are these Alfa's much more expensive then say a Golf or Focus? It felt like it.
Great to drive tho & make a fantastic noise.
beatngu said:
The ARB for example needs to be changed as a complete unit, you can't just change the bushes..
Of course you can; http://www.powerflex.co.uk/products/147+%2800-05%2...dmitry said:
In 3 years my '98 156 cost me in repairs two times more than my '01 WRX. And that is considering Subaru was used more, harder, and some money spent on WRX went on upgrades, not repairs.
But in the end I sold the Impreza, not the Alfa. They say it's an Italian virus.
Is it the 156 that gets bad reviews for reliability? Even the new one's i think. As they say, you're not a proper owner until your first few (or dozen problems) something like that..But in the end I sold the Impreza, not the Alfa. They say it's an Italian virus.
bobda said:
f course you can; http://www.powerflex.co.uk/products/147+%2800-05%2...
I don't know the specifics, but over on the Alfa forum, they say to replace the whole ARB, not just the bushes. Can't remember why but there was a reason.S3_Graham said:
my GTV T-spark cost me a set of tyres and a service in 15,000 miles. So yes, they are cheap to run.
I'm talking about consumables, so once your suspension/belts/parts need replacing. Not general reliability.Jgtv said:
My GTV would cost on average 500-800 a year, then it blew up eating the engine and making it a 2k repair on a 2K car.
Some are cheap some are expensive, do your home work and hope.
Still loved the dam thing, and everytime I see one i want it back.
I know what you mean, something about them. Never liked the 147 at first but it grew on me. The build seems better then it's hatch back rivals. Small things like the binocular dials & chrome door strip. To get that on a Golf you'd need the anniversary model. Some are cheap some are expensive, do your home work and hope.
Still loved the dam thing, and everytime I see one i want it back.
The dodgy electrics seem very common, especially thins like airbag warning lights! Little niggles like this put me off but for the price & the car you get it does tempt you.
Can see why people have the Alfa bug.
Edited by beatngu on Tuesday 13th September 15:05
Edited by beatngu on Tuesday 13th September 15:09
Not *too* bad IME. Just the occasional expensive bit/service job, and the the odd niggle. As an example, during eight years with my 2000 146ti (scrapped last week 
):
Basic servicing costs were the same as anything else: oil, filters, pads, discs...all cheap enough, easy to source.
Cambelts: £400 from an indie (some won;t touch them). Not too bad, but every 36,000 miles = pricey (I only bothered once in 100,000 miles).
Spark plugs: £10. EACH. And there are EIGHT of them. Every 60,000 miles so spreads it out.
Exhausts: pattern rear section £250+VAT. Expensive when the same for my Volvo 850 is £150+VAT despite being bigger.
The electrical stuff is so-so. Crank sensor was £70, Lambda sensors (near annual replacement despite using OE Bosch items) £60 a time at mates rates, some relays £30 a time etc, etc. Resetting airbag lights (common on 145/6, 147, 156, GTV etc), £50 a go.
Working on them isn't too bad: Fiats in posh frocks after all. Some garages will flatly refuse to work on them, especially regarding electrical stuff.
Insurance is expensive (expensive parts), economy below par.
Re. overall costs, I'd say standard hatchback stuff + a little bit more, but nothing bankrupting as long as you look after it like any car and don't kill the engine
Mine was great: took all manner of abuse, never really let me down, and up until the end was great to drive. Will miss it.
):Basic servicing costs were the same as anything else: oil, filters, pads, discs...all cheap enough, easy to source.
Cambelts: £400 from an indie (some won;t touch them). Not too bad, but every 36,000 miles = pricey (I only bothered once in 100,000 miles).
Spark plugs: £10. EACH. And there are EIGHT of them. Every 60,000 miles so spreads it out.
Exhausts: pattern rear section £250+VAT. Expensive when the same for my Volvo 850 is £150+VAT despite being bigger.
The electrical stuff is so-so. Crank sensor was £70, Lambda sensors (near annual replacement despite using OE Bosch items) £60 a time at mates rates, some relays £30 a time etc, etc. Resetting airbag lights (common on 145/6, 147, 156, GTV etc), £50 a go.
Working on them isn't too bad: Fiats in posh frocks after all. Some garages will flatly refuse to work on them, especially regarding electrical stuff.
Insurance is expensive (expensive parts), economy below par.
Re. overall costs, I'd say standard hatchback stuff + a little bit more, but nothing bankrupting as long as you look after it like any car and don't kill the engine
Mine was great: took all manner of abuse, never really let me down, and up until the end was great to drive. Will miss it.
Edited by Jimbo. on Tuesday 13th September 15:50
beatngu said:
bobda said:
f course you can; http://www.powerflex.co.uk/products/147+%2800-05%2...
I don't know the specifics, but over on the Alfa forum, they say to replace the whole ARB, not just the bushes. Can't remember why but there was a reason.Alfa's aren't expensive to run if you have a good local specialist and a little bit of willing to do minor jobs yourself.
Jimbo. said:
Not *too* bad IME. Just the occasional expensive bit/service job, and the the odd niggle. As an example, during eight years with my 2000 146ti (scrapped last week ):
Basic servicing costs were the same as anything else: oil, filters, pads, discs...all cheap enough, easy to source.
Cambelts: £400 from an indie (some won;t touch them). Not too bad, but every 36,000 miles = pricey (I only bothered once in 100,000 miles).
Spark plugs: £10. EACH. And there are EIGHT of them. Every 60,000 miles so spreads it out.
Exhausts: pattern rear section £250+VAT. Expensive when the same for my Volvo 850 is £150+VAT despite being bigger.
The electrical stuff is so-so. Crank sensor was £70, Lambda sensors (near annual replacement despite using OE Bosch items) £60 a time at mates rates, some relays £30 a time etc, etc. Resetting airbag lights (common on 145/6, 147, 156, GTV etc), £50 a go.
Working on them isn't too bad: Fiats in posh frocks after all. Some garages will flatly refuse to work on them, especially regarding electrical stuff.
Insurance is expensive (expensive parts), economy below par.
Re. overall costs, I'd say standard hatchback stuff + a little bit more, but nothing bankrupting as long as you look after it like any car and don't kill the engine
Mine was great: took all manner of abuse, never really let me down, and up until the end was great to drive. Will miss it.
I think once you get used to removing the warning lights & sorting out various niggles you get used to the car. They're so different then the usual family hatch that you can't help but love them.):Basic servicing costs were the same as anything else: oil, filters, pads, discs...all cheap enough, easy to source.
Cambelts: £400 from an indie (some won;t touch them). Not too bad, but every 36,000 miles = pricey (I only bothered once in 100,000 miles).
Spark plugs: £10. EACH. And there are EIGHT of them. Every 60,000 miles so spreads it out.
Exhausts: pattern rear section £250+VAT. Expensive when the same for my Volvo 850 is £150+VAT despite being bigger.
The electrical stuff is so-so. Crank sensor was £70, Lambda sensors (near annual replacement despite using OE Bosch items) £60 a time at mates rates, some relays £30 a time etc, etc. Resetting airbag lights (common on 145/6, 147, 156, GTV etc), £50 a go.
Working on them isn't too bad: Fiats in posh frocks after all. Some garages will flatly refuse to work on them, especially regarding electrical stuff.
Insurance is expensive (expensive parts), economy below par.
Re. overall costs, I'd say standard hatchback stuff + a little bit more, but nothing bankrupting as long as you look after it like any car and don't kill the engine
Mine was great: took all manner of abuse, never really let me down, and up until the end was great to drive. Will miss it.
Edited by Jimbo. on Tuesday 13th September 15:50
Mine never broke down & made it through the winter and if it wasn't for the suspension i'd of probably kept it for a bit longer. (That & the fact the variator started making the dreaded diesel noise)
bobda said:
The only reason you might want to replace the whole ARB arm is if you were looking to upgrade to a thicker, more sturdy version from a diesel or GTA model, not that there's a massive noticeable difference and if you only did that change then you'd be introducing more understeer in wet conditions. I'd wager that every Alfa specialist up and down the country (and probably most non-specialists) would have no hesitation in recommending replacing the bushes alone, however Alfa dealers won't, because they don't sell the bushes alone - just the full arms. Luckily, it's easy to swap them for after market ones.
Alfa's aren't expensive to run if you have a good local specialist and a little bit of willing to do minor jobs yourself.
I should of read more on it. At least i know for next time.Alfa's aren't expensive to run if you have a good local specialist and a little bit of willing to do minor jobs yourself.
I have owned Alfas for the last 4 years and have personal experience of them over the last 10 years. Here are some costs for the Alfas my dad and I currently own.
My dads 156 GTA - cost him £2,500 in servicing over 2 years (2 services). This includes the following as well as additional bits I cant remember, Q2, belts, radiator, exhaust, suspension bits, wheel liner etc.
My 145 cloverleaf - about 400 a year (servicing etc)
With reference to the above, you can get the spark plugs changed for cheaper than £10. I recently requested a quote from my specialist to change my plugs on my cloverleaf (8 plugs) he quoted £60 (fitted).
My advice would be budget about 700/800 a year, find a good specialist and your laughing!
My dads 156 GTA - cost him £2,500 in servicing over 2 years (2 services). This includes the following as well as additional bits I cant remember, Q2, belts, radiator, exhaust, suspension bits, wheel liner etc.
My 145 cloverleaf - about 400 a year (servicing etc)
With reference to the above, you can get the spark plugs changed for cheaper than £10. I recently requested a quote from my specialist to change my plugs on my cloverleaf (8 plugs) he quoted £60 (fitted).
My advice would be budget about 700/800 a year, find a good specialist and your laughing!
I've owned a couple of Alfas's and my experience is, as it has been said previously in this thread, that parts and servicing is rather expensive, not to mention that stuff like a cambelt change as well as clutch change on TS and V6 engines are fiddly and take a lot of time to do.
Other than that, they go through rubber a bit quicker than your average Passat, but there's a natural explanation for that.
Other than that, they go through rubber a bit quicker than your average Passat, but there's a natural explanation for that.
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