Another 159.....my first Alfa
Discussion
I thought I'd better stop jumping in on Zombies great and informative thread. Mine won't be so detailed I don't think because he's done a good job already
Here's mine
59 reg 2.0jtdm. 138k miles. Only 4 weeks to MOT!!
Lots of receipts (for last 4 years really though)
It's not the best paint with some iffy blow overs here and there but I think with some elbow grease it can look ok. I don't mind a bit of paint correction!
Interior good...a bit of wear on drivers bolster and a few bits that need tightening etc
Everything's working though,climate getting a stern test at the moment,not tested heated seats lol. I did think there might be a parking sensor issue but it seems not
I have had to fit 4 tyres. There was a lot of road noise,bearing maybe but the tyres looked iffy so had my fingers crossed. It turned out 3 were a mess in different ways..one a new Goodyear which was a shame. They were the wrong profile though,35 instead of 40 so needed to go.
I've got one Goodyear to sell so I'll get a bit back and the noise has gone although I wouldn't call it quiet still.
I'll probably strip the brakes as Zombie has done. There loads of meat on the pads but the discs aren't the best.
Oh the best bit...£2200
Here's mine
59 reg 2.0jtdm. 138k miles. Only 4 weeks to MOT!!
Lots of receipts (for last 4 years really though)
It's not the best paint with some iffy blow overs here and there but I think with some elbow grease it can look ok. I don't mind a bit of paint correction!
Interior good...a bit of wear on drivers bolster and a few bits that need tightening etc
Everything's working though,climate getting a stern test at the moment,not tested heated seats lol. I did think there might be a parking sensor issue but it seems not
I have had to fit 4 tyres. There was a lot of road noise,bearing maybe but the tyres looked iffy so had my fingers crossed. It turned out 3 were a mess in different ways..one a new Goodyear which was a shame. They were the wrong profile though,35 instead of 40 so needed to go.
I've got one Goodyear to sell so I'll get a bit back and the noise has gone although I wouldn't call it quiet still.
I'll probably strip the brakes as Zombie has done. There loads of meat on the pads but the discs aren't the best.
Oh the best bit...£2200
First bit if a drive out.
40 miles motorway then across town.
No complaints on M way other than as stated I don’t think the wheels are the quietest spinners.
Need some speed on before 6th gear.
A few clunks and knocks when crossing town. I know the exhaust is moving a bit so I’ll check that first
Then I suppose it’s bush attack!
Maybe the imminent MOT might help in that regard.
Used Bluetooth for a bit then got a loud buzz coming through that I only stopped by turning radio off altogether???
40 miles motorway then across town.
No complaints on M way other than as stated I don’t think the wheels are the quietest spinners.
Need some speed on before 6th gear.
A few clunks and knocks when crossing town. I know the exhaust is moving a bit so I’ll check that first
Then I suppose it’s bush attack!
Maybe the imminent MOT might help in that regard.
Used Bluetooth for a bit then got a loud buzz coming through that I only stopped by turning radio off altogether???
I really like the look of these especially in that colour!
As for the Bluetooth, I assume these use the same version of Blue & Me as my Fiat Bravo, on Fiat Forums it’s widely reported the later versions of iOS have removed a lot of compatiblity/stability with the car’s software, mine used to be fine but now does as you describe, except turning the radio off does nothing to stop the buzzing!
There’s been no Blue & Me updates in the three years I’ve had the car so think it’s had it’s day.
As for the Bluetooth, I assume these use the same version of Blue & Me as my Fiat Bravo, on Fiat Forums it’s widely reported the later versions of iOS have removed a lot of compatiblity/stability with the car’s software, mine used to be fine but now does as you describe, except turning the radio off does nothing to stop the buzzing!
There’s been no Blue & Me updates in the three years I’ve had the car so think it’s had it’s day.
When I got my 159 I was disappointed that it didn't have Blue & me but the garage I got it from (Alfa main dealer) said I was better off without it. I was going to fit a dual DIN bluetooth/DAB etc unit but instead and all the associated adapter cables but I just fitted a cable so I have an external Aux in that I use with an iPod.
Looks great and sounds like you've gotten a bargain Mike.
Mine's got blue and me too, works fine with the latest iOS. There is a known issue with the ariels though - water ingress causes the circuit board to corrode. The radio on mine doesn't pick up any stations and the quality of phone call connections is a bit hit and miss, so I think this is the problem with mine.
Mine's got blue and me too, works fine with the latest iOS. There is a known issue with the ariels though - water ingress causes the circuit board to corrode. The radio on mine doesn't pick up any stations and the quality of phone call connections is a bit hit and miss, so I think this is the problem with mine.
DanielSan said:
I’m tempted with one of these as a cheapish replacement when my M3 sells. Big question is how problematic are they? The odd niggle I don’t mind but constant crap will put it into the no bracket
Very different to 156’s, they are as solid as anything from Ford/Vauxhall/VW. There are Friday afternoon cars like any manufacturer, get a good one and you will be ok. Test drive one first though, they have a heavy feeling particularly the 2.4. Its a great engine of course but for me the 1.8 petrol is the one to get. exgtt said:
Very different to 156’s, they are as solid as anything from Ford/Vauxhall/VW. There are Friday afternoon cars like any manufacturer, get a good one and you will be ok. Test drive one first though, they have a heavy feeling particularly the 2.4. Its a great engine of course but for me the 1.8 petrol is the one to get.
Yup agree, they're good in terms of build quality, just the usual niggles that you can expect of any car that's a similar age. It just needs to be the right engine.To be clear, think you mean the 1750 tbi - They also made a 1.8 N/A 159 which is, being blunt, a crap engine.
Zombie said:
To be clear, think you mean the 1750 tbi - They also made a 1.8 N/A 159 which is, being blunt, a crap engine.
Sorry, yes that’s the engine. I didn’t know they did a 1.8 N/A. Blimey it must struggle with the 159, even the 1.9 JTD needs a remap to feel decent in one. Well mine did! More faffing about to come today. Currently messing with the back seat base which wasn't quite right.
To the front...can anyone tell me if the metalwork behind the front triangular grille is body colour or just blacked out? Mine is red and I think it looks wrong so was going to black it.
To the front...can anyone tell me if the metalwork behind the front triangular grille is body colour or just blacked out? Mine is red and I think it looks wrong so was going to black it.
Got the bumper off now so can see it's not metal but part of the bumper so I'll black it out. Getting undertray off was a nightmare. More rust nuts spinning round and round than I needed.
I don't think it will be going back on with out some lateral thinking to make new fixings. Or maybe just leave off??
I don't think it will be going back on with out some lateral thinking to make new fixings. Or maybe just leave off??
Stripped front brakes today. Drivers side seemed iffy. The inner pad was stuck fast. Took ages to remove so I can't imagine it was doing much work. Inner face of disc confirmed this.
Anyway all cleaned and greased etc so hopefully ok for a bit now
As is often said low mileage use isn't necessarily a bonus. My car has not done much in the last 4 yrs so tyres had dried out before wearing and the brakes not worn either but stuck.
However did 230 miles yesterday at around 40mpg so no major dramas.
Anyway all cleaned and greased etc so hopefully ok for a bit now
As is often said low mileage use isn't necessarily a bonus. My car has not done much in the last 4 yrs so tyres had dried out before wearing and the brakes not worn either but stuck.
However did 230 miles yesterday at around 40mpg so no major dramas.
MOT passed today
Advisory for front brakes. See above, other side needs doing.
Hopefully I’ll get some decent use out of it before I need to spend much once I’ve done these.
Done about 600 miles so far so giving some relief to my van.
I enjoy driving it actually. Just wish it was a bit tighter in general
Advisory for front brakes. See above, other side needs doing.
Hopefully I’ll get some decent use out of it before I need to spend much once I’ve done these.
Done about 600 miles so far so giving some relief to my van.
I enjoy driving it actually. Just wish it was a bit tighter in general
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