Discussion
I had a 170bhp diesel in my works Giulietta, it was a lovely engine. Not the most economical but it picked up well and was actually enjoyable to drive on a backroad. However at 298 miles/2 months old, the rear suspension collapsed and had to go back to Alfa 
ETA - once I'd got it back I ran it for a further ~3000 miles and it was absolutely fantastic.
ETA - once I'd got it back I ran it for a further ~3000 miles and it was absolutely fantastic.
Efbe said:
that'll be it.
personally i'm not a fan.
it's sitting outside my house in my 159, but i'd have the petrol version if I could!
Depends on if you want to throw some money at it and can stomach the bill if something goes wrong. I'd much rather have the 3.2 GSi engine in my Vectra but doing 40k a year throws that out. It's actually, DMF etc aside, a bloody strong engine. There's a few people fitting hybrid turbos to them along with bigger injectors and intercoolers, water/methanol injection etc. They're knocking a reliable 230-240bhp and 380ft/lbs of torque out of what is effectively a 10 year old engine design now. Some of the people chasing figures have really gone mad and managed to screw 260bhp plus from them.personally i'm not a fan.
it's sitting outside my house in my 159, but i'd have the petrol version if I could!
Mine's just got a simple remap but I'm considering going for a hybrid turbo when mine needs overhauling - that'll knock it up to 220-230bhp.
Tc24 said:
Correct me if I'm wrong but aren't they Vauxhall engines? If so, they should eat up miles fairly well until the DMF & every sensor within it fails.
No, they have nothing to do with Vauxhall. All engines are now developed by FIAT Power Trains or FPT for short. I have the 2.0 170 auto, I do 2,000 miles a month and average anywhere between 39 - 43 depending on the type driving.
It is true FIAT have supplied Diesel engines to GM but I'm not sure that's still the case.
I had the 2.4 JTD in my 156, it makes nice 5 pot noises (albeit noisy at tickover) and is Alfa's engine, which is no bad thing. A big lump though so very nose heavy. You get that nice fast turn-in characteristic of all Alfas, and then dismal handling on the way out thanks to all that weight. Nonetheless I enjoyed mine, but if you're used to the old T.Spark engines - peppy, lithe and spritely, you'll find the JTD cumbersome.
I'm not sure what age car the OP is referring to but the 147/156 generation had good JTDs which were enjoyable in their own right.
1.9 8 and 16 valves (this is the unit GM used) and 2.4 10 and 20 valves were all good tough lumps. Waterpump change is important at belt times. They might not be quite as economical as the equivalent VAG unit but they have a better power delivery and the 5 pots make a good growl.
Once you get to the 159 the engines got bogged down with DPFs which took the edge off them a bit, but the 1.9 soon became a 2.0 which helped.
1.9 8 and 16 valves (this is the unit GM used) and 2.4 10 and 20 valves were all good tough lumps. Waterpump change is important at belt times. They might not be quite as economical as the equivalent VAG unit but they have a better power delivery and the 5 pots make a good growl.
Once you get to the 159 the engines got bogged down with DPFs which took the edge off them a bit, but the 1.9 soon became a 2.0 which helped.
I have an 05 plate 156 2.4JTDM - 20 valve. As said, they make a nice 5pot noise and go nicely.
You're looking at ~£3k for one of these which is about £2k less that an equivalent year Passat or Golf, and imo they look far prettier. I'm just wait for my wallet hammering on suspension replacement at MOT time!
You're looking at ~£3k for one of these which is about £2k less that an equivalent year Passat or Golf, and imo they look far prettier. I'm just wait for my wallet hammering on suspension replacement at MOT time!
My 2001 petrol 156 has staggered through several MOTs without needing a major suspension refurb, although those heavy engines over the front end do give the suspension a hard life, and don't help the handling.
The Giuliettas that I rented were very peppy, and I liked the hooligan setting on the "DNA" system (hey, it's a rental, drive it like you stole it) , but they suffered from the handling vices of so many modern, heavy, fat tyred FWD hatchbacks.
The Giuliettas that I rented were very peppy, and I liked the hooligan setting on the "DNA" system (hey, it's a rental, drive it like you stole it) , but they suffered from the handling vices of so many modern, heavy, fat tyred FWD hatchbacks.
twink said:
Efbe said:
that'll be it.
personally i'm not a fan.
it's sitting outside my house in my 159, but i'd have the petrol version if I could!
Depends on if you want to throw some money at it and can stomach the bill if something goes wrong. I'd much rather have the 3.2 GSi engine in my Vectra but doing 40k a year throws that out. It's actually, DMF etc aside, a bloody strong engine. There's a few people fitting hybrid turbos to them along with bigger injectors and intercoolers, water/methanol injection etc. They're knocking a reliable 230-240bhp and 380ft/lbs of torque out of what is effectively a 10 year old engine design now. Some of the people chasing figures have really gone mad and managed to screw 260bhp plus from them.personally i'm not a fan.
it's sitting outside my house in my 159, but i'd have the petrol version if I could!
Mine's just got a simple remap but I'm considering going for a hybrid turbo when mine needs overhauling - that'll knock it up to 220-230bhp.
bugger, i'm off to start looking at parts now
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