Talk me out of an Alfa 159 (or don't)
Discussion
Sadly our family Passat was written off on Wednesday through no fault of my own. It was a 2008 TDi Estate which has always been a reliable bus for us and actually saved my life in reality! However, I was planning to upgrade next year to something new through the business but in the meantime I need a quick replacement.
After looking at what is available for the £2-£3k mark most of the options are pretty soul destroying. However, I spotted a few Alfa 159's in my budget and they look absolutely worlds above everything else in that price bracket. The specs on them are also good, but the only thing that puts me off is Alfas reliability reputation. However, I'm not stupid enough to think that mud sticks and they might not be as bad as people make out. All cars have their problems and something at 9 years old will no doubt attract the local mechanic.
I plan on going to look at a couple this weekend and wonder if anyone can point me in the right direction for things to look at. From my research the main things I can find are Cambelt, water pump and electrics. Anyone who has owned one though it would be great to hear your feedback. It will generally be doing about 200 miles a week, with the odd trip to London and possibly a UK family holiday next year (if I haven't replaced it by then.) The Passat was great at what it did but it never really set any fires going, but what it was good at was being reliable and trustworthy.
After looking at what is available for the £2-£3k mark most of the options are pretty soul destroying. However, I spotted a few Alfa 159's in my budget and they look absolutely worlds above everything else in that price bracket. The specs on them are also good, but the only thing that puts me off is Alfas reliability reputation. However, I'm not stupid enough to think that mud sticks and they might not be as bad as people make out. All cars have their problems and something at 9 years old will no doubt attract the local mechanic.
I plan on going to look at a couple this weekend and wonder if anyone can point me in the right direction for things to look at. From my research the main things I can find are Cambelt, water pump and electrics. Anyone who has owned one though it would be great to hear your feedback. It will generally be doing about 200 miles a week, with the odd trip to London and possibly a UK family holiday next year (if I haven't replaced it by then.) The Passat was great at what it did but it never really set any fires going, but what it was good at was being reliable and trustworthy.
I knew a chap who had a white 159 wagon with tan seats, only white car I've ever liked the look of. He ran it to big mileages with few enough problems. I think the entire engine range is pretty uninspiring: diesels and GM derived petrol engines.
I think at the "new" price they were rather uncompetitive with the 3 series etc. but you can overlook many faults in a £3k car. I'd go for it.
I think at the "new" price they were rather uncompetitive with the 3 series etc. but you can overlook many faults in a £3k car. I'd go for it.
Got a 58 plate Estate 2.4 Ti as Mrs Rxe's daily. Just come up to 104K miles.
Issues?
Interior - none. All the switches and buttons still work. I've replaced one electric window mechanism.
Suspension - several broken springs, upper and lower arms at the front. To be fair, we do live down a 0.6 mile private road that used to look like the Somme during the winter. Really eats tyres when not set up properly.
Engine - we needed a new turbo at 95K, but it is remapped to 260 HP, and is driven as such. The aux pulley disintegrated which sounded awful, but is a pretty easy fix. If looking at a diesel, make sure it starts properly from cold (i.e. view it on a frosty morning) and that power delivery is smooth when you floor it in third at about 2K rpm.
Rust - none, even the front subframe.
Electrics - all fine, never had an issue, other than a rat eating part of the rear loom (not really the car's fault..)
Edit - interior - the LHS stalk is a known weak point. Symptoms are that you lose computer control - indicators and lights still work. Default answer if you go to a main dealer = £400 new part. However, it can be fixed for £0 with a soldering iron and minimal tools quite easily.
Issues?
Interior - none. All the switches and buttons still work. I've replaced one electric window mechanism.
Suspension - several broken springs, upper and lower arms at the front. To be fair, we do live down a 0.6 mile private road that used to look like the Somme during the winter. Really eats tyres when not set up properly.
Engine - we needed a new turbo at 95K, but it is remapped to 260 HP, and is driven as such. The aux pulley disintegrated which sounded awful, but is a pretty easy fix. If looking at a diesel, make sure it starts properly from cold (i.e. view it on a frosty morning) and that power delivery is smooth when you floor it in third at about 2K rpm.
Rust - none, even the front subframe.
Electrics - all fine, never had an issue, other than a rat eating part of the rear loom (not really the car's fault..)
Edit - interior - the LHS stalk is a known weak point. Symptoms are that you lose computer control - indicators and lights still work. Default answer if you go to a main dealer = £400 new part. However, it can be fixed for £0 with a soldering iron and minimal tools quite easily.
Edited by rxe on Friday 17th November 12:22
Edited by rxe on Friday 17th November 12:27
Do it! Just make sure you've got a good independent nearby.
I have a V6 saloon that needed an engine rebuild but it has been mostly minor niggles besides that
Despite RXE's good fortune, subframes do rust and if they have gone too far you are looking at £1000 or so for a new replacement. They are hidden by the tray so it may not be obvious until too late.
Tyres as said can wear quickly, a decent alignment will fix that and also improve the handling no end (or you can go down the powerflex route).
I have a V6 saloon that needed an engine rebuild but it has been mostly minor niggles besides that
Despite RXE's good fortune, subframes do rust and if they have gone too far you are looking at £1000 or so for a new replacement. They are hidden by the tray so it may not be obvious until too late.Tyres as said can wear quickly, a decent alignment will fix that and also improve the handling no end (or you can go down the powerflex route).
As mentioned already, tyres - particularly the front - get worn down usually on the insides very rapidly unless the correct alignment is done.
I owned one a couple of years back and it did what I needed of it, including european trips and regular commuting. It felt heavy but chuckable on the right B roads. Lovely interiors too.
One word of warning though. If you've found one you like, make SURE it has 2x keys. I bought mine off a guy who 'would send the second key in the post' but never did. Quoted over 500 quid for a single coded replacement key which is absolutely insane!
The engine is strong but make sure the belts have been done recently, you don't want those failing on you mid journey... Also probably worth buying and plugging in one of the 20 quid diagnostic tools to check what electronic history the car has. Some people might sell and wipe EML lights beforehand, which will come back on once you've parted with your sweet cash.
It seems like the sportwagons have held or even gone up in value, mine was a saloon but the wagons just look so so right. Proper boot space too unlike the 156!
Was achieving 50mpg on motorway cruises, but you should get that with most diesels (1.9 engine). The 2.4 is a good unit to get remapped and reach the horsepower gains as someone has already pointed out. Gives the car real shunt when overtaking (;
I owned one a couple of years back and it did what I needed of it, including european trips and regular commuting. It felt heavy but chuckable on the right B roads. Lovely interiors too.
One word of warning though. If you've found one you like, make SURE it has 2x keys. I bought mine off a guy who 'would send the second key in the post' but never did. Quoted over 500 quid for a single coded replacement key which is absolutely insane!
The engine is strong but make sure the belts have been done recently, you don't want those failing on you mid journey... Also probably worth buying and plugging in one of the 20 quid diagnostic tools to check what electronic history the car has. Some people might sell and wipe EML lights beforehand, which will come back on once you've parted with your sweet cash.
It seems like the sportwagons have held or even gone up in value, mine was a saloon but the wagons just look so so right. Proper boot space too unlike the 156!
Was achieving 50mpg on motorway cruises, but you should get that with most diesels (1.9 engine). The 2.4 is a good unit to get remapped and reach the horsepower gains as someone has already pointed out. Gives the car real shunt when overtaking (;
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