156 2.5 V6 as next car?
Discussion
Along with a few other options, a 156 2.5 V6 circa 2000, has come up as a possibility for my next car. It'll be for cross-country and urban work with a smattering of motorway. I like the looks and understand the engine is a gem, but are these any fun on a twisty road? There's only so much I can find out on a test drive, and I've never really driven one. Anything to watch for? Thanks in advance.
The 156 V6 is a fine car, but the handling suffers a little because the engine is relatively heavy and placed fairly far forward. It is OK - ish on a twisty road, but not quite as good as it could be. Choice of tyres is important - fit the best you can afford. Some people fit suspension upgrades, but I have not bothered to do so.
The engine is a thing of joy. It's a tad thirsty, but you probably know that already.
Be careful with uneven front tyre wear - if the car is not set up correctly, the front tyres can wear out fast on the inner edges.
I have had my 2001 156 V6 Veloce Sportwagon since it was just over 3 years old. It had done 11,000 miles when I bought it, and has now done about 75,000. It has given me almost no problems. I rather naughtily waited until 72,000 miles to do the cam belts, but got away with that.
I find that the window motors are weak, that the air con blows a fuse quite often, that the internal fuse box cover falls off, and that the gearstick and steering wheel leather wear quickly; but the seats hardly wear at all (mine has a tan Momo leather interior). There is no sign of rust on my car. There is some mild bubbling on the alloys, but nothing worth worrying about.
I would say - go for it. The design has aged well, and the engine alone makes the car a thing worth having.
The engine is a thing of joy. It's a tad thirsty, but you probably know that already.
Be careful with uneven front tyre wear - if the car is not set up correctly, the front tyres can wear out fast on the inner edges.
I have had my 2001 156 V6 Veloce Sportwagon since it was just over 3 years old. It had done 11,000 miles when I bought it, and has now done about 75,000. It has given me almost no problems. I rather naughtily waited until 72,000 miles to do the cam belts, but got away with that.
I find that the window motors are weak, that the air con blows a fuse quite often, that the internal fuse box cover falls off, and that the gearstick and steering wheel leather wear quickly; but the seats hardly wear at all (mine has a tan Momo leather interior). There is no sign of rust on my car. There is some mild bubbling on the alloys, but nothing worth worrying about.
I would say - go for it. The design has aged well, and the engine alone makes the car a thing worth having.
Edited by anonymous-user on Saturday 20th April 18:41
I have one, it's my second, the first was too tatty and this one appeared and was black with silver wheels, less than a grand so I was sold. It had new tyres and brakes all round, unmarked black leather, working air con, 72k and a new clutch. Wife didn't like the tray on the back but is warming to it, slowly.
It needed new cam belt, aux belts, tensioners, waterpump, plugs, thermostat etc which came to a grand from AHM but is now tuned nicely.
It's on 17s which makes the speedo read wrong. It needed new anti roll bar bushes so I had it swapped for a GTa with new drop links and poly bushes, plus fitted a strut brace. Makes a big difference to the turn in, much sharper. Bought a carbon induction pipe and new cybox with cat replacement, sounds a bit boomy from inside but really great with the window down and gets nice comments, plus it is noticeably quicker. I've kept the cat for MOT time.
I get 'some' miles to the gallon but it's all good entertainment so I have given up counting really.
It gives lots of smiles to the mile so a better yardstick.
I've tracked it at Castle Combe, having done my ARDS in a fwd french thing I decided I would try practice the different handling. It goes well even though I was overtaken plenty
Oh, and it's comfy on the motorway
It needed new cam belt, aux belts, tensioners, waterpump, plugs, thermostat etc which came to a grand from AHM but is now tuned nicely.
It's on 17s which makes the speedo read wrong. It needed new anti roll bar bushes so I had it swapped for a GTa with new drop links and poly bushes, plus fitted a strut brace. Makes a big difference to the turn in, much sharper. Bought a carbon induction pipe and new cybox with cat replacement, sounds a bit boomy from inside but really great with the window down and gets nice comments, plus it is noticeably quicker. I've kept the cat for MOT time.
I get 'some' miles to the gallon but it's all good entertainment so I have given up counting really.
It gives lots of smiles to the mile so a better yardstick.
I've tracked it at Castle Combe, having done my ARDS in a fwd french thing I decided I would try practice the different handling. It goes well even though I was overtaken plenty
Oh, and it's comfy on the motorway
Edited by Oilchange on Saturday 20th April 21:24
Handling is OK, but not exactly sharp compared to something like a Focus.
Brakes are crap.
Turning circle is crap.
Ground clearance is crap.
Great on the motorway and A roads, but not tight enough for B road scratching.
Mine does 27mpg over mixed motoring.
Engine is sublime. Best engine that I've ever had the pleasure to drive. Look at my profile to see what I'm comparing it to.
The 2.5 revs better and is sweeter than the 3.2, though lacks the torque and ultimate power.
Interior is wonderful, classy and stylish. Get the right trim combination and it feels very special indeed.
Mine has only done 60k, has never let me down, is immaculate and is probably worth about ten rupees. It is also due a belt change.
I've bought a 156 2.4 JTD, which blows the V6 into the weeds and does over 40mpg, but has none of the charisma or soul.
Don't know what to do with mine. I really can't bear to part with it for what it would fetch, so it is sitting in the garage on SORN whilst I work out what to do with it.
Probably my favourite car of all time and it is worth sod all.
Brakes are crap.
Turning circle is crap.
Ground clearance is crap.
Great on the motorway and A roads, but not tight enough for B road scratching.
Mine does 27mpg over mixed motoring.
Engine is sublime. Best engine that I've ever had the pleasure to drive. Look at my profile to see what I'm comparing it to.
The 2.5 revs better and is sweeter than the 3.2, though lacks the torque and ultimate power.
Interior is wonderful, classy and stylish. Get the right trim combination and it feels very special indeed.
Mine has only done 60k, has never let me down, is immaculate and is probably worth about ten rupees. It is also due a belt change.
I've bought a 156 2.4 JTD, which blows the V6 into the weeds and does over 40mpg, but has none of the charisma or soul.
Don't know what to do with mine. I really can't bear to part with it for what it would fetch, so it is sitting in the garage on SORN whilst I work out what to do with it.
Probably my favourite car of all time and it is worth sod all.
Loved mine,
Any alfa at this age you need recent reciepts for:
Upper arms
Clutch (if aproaching 100k miles) (£450)
MAF (£150)
Radiator (£200 fitted)
Cambelt + water pump (£500)
Check front flexi pipes arnt blowing on the exhaust as these are expensive (£250 ish)
If the above been doen then usual car checks enjoy!!!
Any alfa at this age you need recent reciepts for:
Upper arms
Clutch (if aproaching 100k miles) (£450)
MAF (£150)
Radiator (£200 fitted)
Cambelt + water pump (£500)
Check front flexi pipes arnt blowing on the exhaust as these are expensive (£250 ish)
If the above been doen then usual car checks enjoy!!!
Pat H said:
Handling is OK, but not exactly sharp compared to something like a Focus.
Brakes are crap.
Turning circle is crap.
Ground clearance is crap.
Great on the motorway and A roads, but not tight enough for B road scratching.
Mine does 27mpg over mixed motoring.
Engine is sublime. Best engine that I've ever had the pleasure to drive. Look at my profile to see what I'm comparing it to.
The 2.5 revs better and is sweeter than the 3.2, though lacks the torque and ultimate power.
Interior is wonderful, classy and stylish. Get the right trim combination and it feels very special indeed.
Mine has only done 60k, has never let me down, is immaculate and is probably worth about ten rupees. It is also due a belt change.
I've bought a 156 2.4 JTD, which blows the V6 into the weeds and does over 40mpg, but has none of the charisma or soul.
Don't know what to do with mine. I really can't bear to part with it for what it would fetch, so it is sitting in the garage on SORN whilst I work out what to do with it.
Probably my favourite car of all time and it is worth sod all.
Pat if your looking for a good home for that please give me a shout, I've been out searching and only appear to be turning up dross. Brakes are crap.
Turning circle is crap.
Ground clearance is crap.
Great on the motorway and A roads, but not tight enough for B road scratching.
Mine does 27mpg over mixed motoring.
Engine is sublime. Best engine that I've ever had the pleasure to drive. Look at my profile to see what I'm comparing it to.
The 2.5 revs better and is sweeter than the 3.2, though lacks the torque and ultimate power.
Interior is wonderful, classy and stylish. Get the right trim combination and it feels very special indeed.
Mine has only done 60k, has never let me down, is immaculate and is probably worth about ten rupees. It is also due a belt change.
I've bought a 156 2.4 JTD, which blows the V6 into the weeds and does over 40mpg, but has none of the charisma or soul.
Don't know what to do with mine. I really can't bear to part with it for what it would fetch, so it is sitting in the garage on SORN whilst I work out what to do with it.
Probably my favourite car of all time and it is worth sod all.
I have been driving my Sportwagon a bit lately, after it had been sat on its arse for many moons. Fitting posh tyres that cost more than the car is worth has turned out to be a good call, as the car is much better on the twisties than it used to be. You get some plunge, roll, and understeer, but the handling is still OK for an estate car, so long as you don't push too hard. As everyone agrees, the engine is simply a delight. I would say that the brakes on my one are OK, if not mega.
I often ponder selling the car, as now I use it very little, but on the other hand it is worth buttons, it costs me almost nothing to keep, it has never broken down, it is a decent load lugger, it is generally fabulous, it might one day become a 1990s classic, and it makes me smile when I drive it.
I often ponder selling the car, as now I use it very little, but on the other hand it is worth buttons, it costs me almost nothing to keep, it has never broken down, it is a decent load lugger, it is generally fabulous, it might one day become a 1990s classic, and it makes me smile when I drive it.
Edited by anonymous-user on Tuesday 30th April 10:11
If the Alfa was my only car, I would upgrade the suspension, but, as I own a couple of more handly cars, and the Alfa is now a utility vehicle that does low mileage, I can't be bothered.
The prices of old but not yet classic Alfas show the power of market rumour. Every pub bore, and most of PH, will tell you that all Alfas are crap, unreliable and rusty, usually without ever having driven or owned an Alfa. I am not going to quote Clarkson on Alfas, as everyone here knows what he says on the subject, but I will say that, much like old Saabs (that also go for peanuts), old Alfas are usually just as good as BMWs, Mercs, Audis and Volvos of the same age.
The prices of old but not yet classic Alfas show the power of market rumour. Every pub bore, and most of PH, will tell you that all Alfas are crap, unreliable and rusty, usually without ever having driven or owned an Alfa. I am not going to quote Clarkson on Alfas, as everyone here knows what he says on the subject, but I will say that, much like old Saabs (that also go for peanuts), old Alfas are usually just as good as BMWs, Mercs, Audis and Volvos of the same age.
Edited by anonymous-user on Tuesday 30th April 11:23
After eight and a half years of reliable use, my 156 borked yesterday - the alternator has failed. Well done, RAC, for taking four hours to send a bloke to confirm my diagnosis, and then another one and a half hours to send a truck to tow the car to a garage near my home thirty miles away from the breakdown. I was in the remote and distant wilds of Dunstable, Bedfordshire, near the M1. t
ts.
ts. Breadvan72 said:
After eight and a half years of reliable use, my 156 borked yesterday - the alternator has failed. Well done, RAC, for taking four hours to send a bloke to confirm my diagnosis, and then another one and a half hours to send a truck to tow the car to a garage near my home thirty miles away from the breakdown. I was in the remote and distant wilds of Dunstable, Bedfordshire, near the M1. tts.
The only time my 155 broke down was a faulty starter motor and I was parked nose downhill at the bottom of the car park so no way to get it going. RAC got me to local Alfa independent who insisted on fitting own parts - lucky as the first valeo was a dud and so he had to do the job again and replacing the starter motor on the 155/156 is never the easiest job.ts. Back to the 156, surprised nobody has mentioned the chocolate rear suspension bushes etc - on my sisters previous 156 these were replaced twice in the warranty period in under 30,000 miles.
(I still prefer the 155 to the 156, especially for the go kart handling on uprated suspension)
Of my three previously owned Alfas, the 156 V6 was always my favourite by a long way, and I regret ever selling it. The 2.5 is a sweeter engine than the 3.0 that went in the GTV; more rev-happy, eager and sounds that little more highly strung, almost "exotic". Then you have the simply fantastic driver focussed dash, those beautifully deeply cowled dials, those brilliant seats. A wonderful place to be.
They are not the last word in feedback and the brakes are terrible as per all 156s, but they are just such a wonderful place to spend time. There's nothing like them for the money, if you can find a good one.
They are not the last word in feedback and the brakes are terrible as per all 156s, but they are just such a wonderful place to spend time. There's nothing like them for the money, if you can find a good one.
Had one of the first new in '98 and did over 4ok miles in two years or so. Loved it to bits and was a very comfortable and reliable drive, didn't have sports pack suspension. Front tyres needed replacing at around 1ok due to inner edge wear but a suspension realignment gave over 2ok on the next set of Pirelli's. Only other thing, other than service and consumables, was the gear knob came of but a bit of glue sorted that. I never had any issues with the brakes despite a couple of trips over the Alps. Rear suspension was fine although I know it needs to be checked regularly as was the Spider 3.2 I had a few years later. Cheap pattern parts to be avoided I would think for longevity. Can't remember the economy but I don't believe it was too disastrous.
That accords with my experience. I lost one set of front tyres due to rapid inner edge wear, but the next set lasted fine. Splashing out on some posh tyres (currently Michelin Primacy HPs all round) really helps with the grip and overall driveyness. I have found the brakes to be OK, but regular brake fluid checks are no bad thing. You do get lurching understeer if you push too hard, but you get used to that and learn to moderate your corner entry speed. Economy is kind of OK, at least by the old car standards that I am used to, although doubtless it's a bit dire by modern Eurobox standards. My gear knob has also come loose, but I have stuck it back on. The door trim, seats, and carpets look barely worn after almost 80,000 miles. The steering wheel and gear knob have worn quite heavily. The paintwork is still pretty spiffy after eleven and a half years with only rare sights of an overnight garage. The aircon stopped working, but a re-gas has sorted that.
I drive my v6 daily, it makes a sweet noise now the straight through exhaust is on, my brother was grinning like a cheshire cat when he had a go!
I swapped the front wheels with the rears yesterday, the fronts had worn about 2/3mm and the rears hardly at all. The insides were suffering a bit too. Now the turn in is improved again although the Gta arb/polybush/strut brace setup is mainly responsible. I am able to control understeer and oversteer quite well just using the throttle which works well on roundabouts...
I swapped the front wheels with the rears yesterday, the fronts had worn about 2/3mm and the rears hardly at all. The insides were suffering a bit too. Now the turn in is improved again although the Gta arb/polybush/strut brace setup is mainly responsible. I am able to control understeer and oversteer quite well just using the throttle which works well on roundabouts...
robsco said:
Of my three previously owned Alfas, the 156 V6 was always my favourite by a long way, and I regret ever selling it.
I feel the same.My first Alfa was a 3.2 GTV, which was a very nice thing, but I didn't keep it long because it was so vulnerable to parking dings and was more than a little impractical.
I then bought my 2.5 156 and have owned it for three or four years now.
About 18 months ago I got the urge for more power, so bought another 3.2 GTV. But, having never got round to selling the 156, found that I preferred almost everthing about it to the GTV.
So the GTV was sold on and I still have the 156.
Most recent purchase is a 2.4 JTD 156, which is a lovely motorway bomber. It sounds pretty good for a diesel and can be persuaded to return a genuine 45mpg if treated gently. But it has none of the verve of the 2.5 V6.
So my faithful old 2.5 sits in the garage on SORN. Not worth selling, too good to use as a snotter and too thirsty for my current daily grind.
The motor really is quite a bit sweeter than the bigger V6s and sounds even nicer.
But decent 156s of any flavour are getting increasingly hard to find. There are an awful lot out there with tatty bodywork and loose suspension. Worth the effort, though.
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