Alfa 147 -am i mad

[tbc]

i've always had a soft spot for a black Alfa 147 with a nice tasteful set of Alfa wheels

just noticed how much a early/mid 2000's model can be had for a bag of sand these days

now obviously Alfa depreciate like a lead balloon but as ones i'm going to view are under a 1k and some under 800 even with low mileage theres obviously a reason

apart from usual rust is there anything else I should definitely look for when buying one

not look at keeping it long term but possibly 6 months to a year and then hopefully flog it on for same money or not much less

i've spoken to a few people who have owned them some from new and took them well over 100k miles without anything other than routine servicing so they can't be all bad can they?

[andy-xr]

Me too, I looked at one, and had a second to go to but it'd sold between me ringing and getting there. The one I saw was a bit tatty, but usable. It went fairly well (1.6 petrol) and the other was a diesel, which I was more interested in. Interiors on the one i saw had taken a bit of a beating, but I think had stood up fairly well. It was a bit cramped in the back though

[tbc]

the one is was going to view was black with teledials and beige leather with Alfa badge stitched into them

the new buyer probably forked out more for the leather than the 800 quid it was up for sale at

[ajb85]

They do drive very pleasantly indeed, more so than the 156, especially with the petrol engines, even by modern standards. Unfortunately they don't wear very well inside and out, typically italian!

Usual rules apply; upkeep is key. Cambelt/water pump and make sure the suspension has had a recent refresh.

[0a]

One of those cars that i'd look at loads and pick the one in good condition. Fantastic looking compared to the rest of their class (we miss you Alfa!).

I also have a 145 cloverleaf on my list of want-to-own cars, but like the dark blue B-reg BMW E28 528 I also want, I fear I will never find one that's affordable and roadworthy

[DKS]

Rust, rust, rust and rust. Diesels are modified GM/FIAT 1.9 and have oil pressure problems and can eat turbos quickly.

Also rust.

[george123]

DKS said:

Rust, rust, rust and rust. Diesels are modified GM/FIAT 1.9 and have oil pressure problems and can eat turbos quickly.

Also rust.

Which one did you have?

[Killer2005]

DKS said:

Rust, rust, rust and rust. Diesels are modified GM/FIAT 1.9 and have oil pressure problems and can eat turbos quickly.

Also rust.

Strange, I had an 02 147 for 4 years and there wasn't a spot of rust on it

[Mr2Mike]

DKS said:

Rust, rust, rust and rust.

The upper bodyshells don't rust (unless crash repaired badly), since they are galvanised. In fact they are somewhat better than certain German marques in this respect.

The 147's rust issues are mainly confined to the floor pan and the "legs" that the front bumper mount onto which can dissolve. It's a pretty simple repair to weld new ones in if it comes to it though.

[DKS]

I worked on a 56 reg one and the floor and bumper supports were more of a mess than my 21 year old Astra! Not acceptable on a 5 year old (at the time) car. Almost all of the fastners were seized o already broken off before I got to it.
Googling the oil pressure issue (as we couldn't be sure if it had a low pressure light or just said it in words on the display), there were LOADS of oil pressure issues, mostly causing what I was fixing: lunched blowers.
I'm just sharing what I found!

[tbc]

would definitely buy this is it was near me

looks like a lot of work has already been done

and a lot of car for a week or twos wages

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2002-52-ALFA-ROMEO-147-T...

[ajb85]

tbc said:

would definitely buy this is it was near me

looks like a lot of work has already been done

and a lot of car for a week or twos wages

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2002-52-ALFA-ROMEO-147-T...

Looks ok, although not very P.H with a 'smouldering' 1.6 under the bonnet! 2.0 no good?

[B.J.W]

The worst car I have owned - utter rubbish with so many build quality issues. Conversely, I have also owned a 159, which was one of the best cars I have owned.

[_rubinho_]

I liked my black 2.0 and although the Selespeed gearbox was fun it was hopelessly unreliable. The interior was particularly nice. Go for it but get a manual.

[Steameh]

DKS said:

Diesels are modified GM/FIAT 1.9 and have oil pressure problems and can eat turbos quickly.

Is that the same engine that is in the Grande Punto? I thought they were relatively reliable? Considering a Grande Punto as a commute car (75 miles each day)

[johnnyBv8]

I've owned the 1.6 and the 2.0 in the past - the 1.6 is actually quite a spritely engine, and they're all fun to drive. I would always go for a Lusso spec (the others, like the silver one above, are a bit basic). I'd also avoid the selespeed gearbox. They key thing is buying one that has been well looked after....main things to look for if you want to minimise running costs are a recent cambelt service (every 3y/36k on the twinspark engines), back box, and suspension wishbones. If you get a good one they're remarkable value for money though!

After a long break from Alfa, I replaced my daily runabout with a 147 3.2V6 GTA in rosso red last year. It's done almost 100k miles but has been really well looked after by its previous "older gentleman" owner, is pristine and drives superbly. Quite rare and gets quite a lot of interest from those in the know. Obviously cost a decent amount more than a standard 147, but feels quite special and looks really good in the flesh with the flared arches etc. The only downside is fuel consumption similar to my AM Vantage, and it doesn't really tick the runabout box (e.g. 5 doors), so I'm probably going to be selling it soon.

So, in summary - great value, stylish cars that are good to drive, and if you buy carefully they're quite reliable too!

[Mr2Mike]

DKS said:

there were LOADS of oil pressure issues, mostly causing what I was fixing: lunched blowers.

I presume you mean turbos in which case you are talking about the diesels rather than the petrols?

[callywally18]

I Still currently have a 147 1.6 TI Special Edition i have owned it for about half a year now and it still puts a smile on my face, the only problem i had with it was a sensor going on it which meant it wouldn't start when hot, apart from that its been great...even if the fuel economy is a bit poor! That may be my heavy foot though..

Go for it!

[markmullen]

I've been hacking a 1.9 JTD 8v Lusso about for about 18 months, other than an EGR valve, MAP sensor and a few suspension bits it has been good, I've done 58k miles in it, it has averaged early 40s MPG even thrashing it and has been a good little car.

[edward1]

Not mad very sensible. Rust on the floor pan can be an issue but get underneath and it should be visible. I'd say having owned both it is more of an issue on the 156.

We had a 1.6 for 7 years and the only problem was the clutch wearing out after 70k. Interior wore well and was rattle free in fact I'd say that it drove just aswell when we came to sell as when we bought it. Great little car. Treat front upper wishbones as a consumable though, but they are not expensive and easy enough to fit so no big deal.

The 1.9 diesel is a fiat/alfa unit borrowed by GM not the other way around. Not heard of oil pressure issues. I had a 156 with the 16v unit and it was very reliable, had 140+k on it when it swapped it. Known issues are EGR but name a diesel where this isn't a problem. I found this to be one of the smoother diesels thanks to the variable vane turbo and would give mid 40's real world mpg even though it got driven reasonably hard.