156, a wise choice?

[Mr2Mike]

My lovely MR2 Turbo is just getting too old and costs far too much to run for my daily 60 mile commute to work so been looking around for a replacement. I've never really considered one of the newer Alfas, but a look at the 156 shows some real bargains available.

I know Alfas have a bit of a reputation, but are they really that bad? I'd prefer either the 2.0 TS or the V6, any recomendations as to which is best and what to avoid? Are the dealers generaly useless? Are there any good third party specialists in the UK?

Thanks for any info.

[Sixpot]

Being a new Alfa owner myself, I spent ages deliberating over the V6 or the 2.0TS. In short the results were as follows. If you want a refined, perfectly balanced road car, which is inexpensive to run then the 2.0TS is the one. If you want an engine that is simply "the best sounding engine in the world" then buy the V6. IMHO the only advantage of the V6 is the sound. The extra performance is obvoius but not astouding, the running costs of the V6 can be immense and problems are more frequent. The 2.0ts is better balanced and handles better, simply because it is lighter on the nose end and the sound is still pretty special.

In short, I too had the same difficult decision to make, but in reality the 2.0TS Is the the right choice every time.

A few words of warning however......Keep on top of the oil levels, every week is necessary and make sure whatever you get that the cam belt has been changed and is up to date. Other than that.....Happy hunting

>> Edited by Sixpot on Tuesday 7th September 09:11

[Wombat Rick]

2.0 Twin Spark or 2.4 JTD are pick of the bunch.
TS if you like revving, JTD if you like effortless torque.

[Mr2Mike]

Sixpot, I love the sound of V6's, but if it's going to cost considerably more to run then I cannot justify that.

I have just noticed that the JTD seems very quick for an oil burner. I'm not generaly a big diesel fan, but it sounds like it would be worth a test drive at least.

Thanks to both for the advice. Are there any common fauts that I should be aware of?

[Wombat Rick]

The 10 valve 2.4 JTD has ever so slightly more torque than the 3.2 GTA, and in normal day-to-day driving it is quicker than the 2.5 V6 which has quite a narrow powerband and very little torque. If you don't get on with the JTD, the 2.0 Twin Spark is a lovely engine and above 4,500rpm goes very well indeed... all the way to 7,000 and is a better balanced car than the JTD and V6 which are quite heavy at the front. They are better balanced as Sportwagons as they have a bit more weight at the back!

Check cambelt has been done on the TS. On all models check inner edge tyre wear and clonks from the suspension as the bushes are made from cold pasta. Check oil is clean and on Max as they like a bit (goes with the pasta).

[andoverben]

I Have a 156 2.4 JTD, and have to say it is an excellant bit of kit, with a surprising Turn of speed, certainly feels much quicker then you expect it to.

My One has 180k miles is on its 2nd (Or possibly 3rd) Turbo, Has just had a new Clutch fitted along with a new Air Fuel Meter jobby and had the Cambelt changed (all in one go that came to a hell of a lot more than I was expecting it to)

apparently Air Fuel Meters go fairly regularly as do the Suspension bushes.

My Wife Uses it everyday and regulary terroises the 3 series drivers in the outside lane on the way to work.

Excellant bit of kit 35 - 40mpg and 140mph (Tho not at the same time and only indicated on a private road orificer )

[andoverben]

Go on You know you want to

[Mr2Mike]

Ok, I'm convinced! My MR2 has just got 12months MOT and will be up for sale shortly (I'm going to really miss it though), so I will definately be taking the JTD for a test drive