156 - any reasons to not buy?
Discussion
I'm getting what colleagues describe as an irrational urge for the next car to be an Alfa 156 Sportwagon. Either 1.6, 1.8 or preferably 2.0 (not the V6, that'd drink too much fuel on the commute to work).
They look fantastic, are reasonably practical, have good looking interiors, generally sound good for a 4 pot. The ones I've seen tend to have climate control, and a good all round spec. It'll be used on the daily drag to work, and ferrying around the other half and the kids on weekends ....
So go on, give me reasons to not buy one - other than the niggling doubts about the reliability of earlier 156's, I can't think of any!
They look fantastic, are reasonably practical, have good looking interiors, generally sound good for a 4 pot. The ones I've seen tend to have climate control, and a good all round spec. It'll be used on the daily drag to work, and ferrying around the other half and the kids on weekends ....
So go on, give me reasons to not buy one - other than the niggling doubts about the reliability of earlier 156's, I can't think of any!
check suspension bushes (ie, service history and if/when front suspension wishbones etc have been changed on cars over about 50,000miles. The bushes are, essentially, part of the wishbones)
Our 156 had the MAF sensor and Lambda sensor go (not a problem specific to Alfas though)
They're not overly gutsy on fuel, on the 2litre at least, the gearing is quite high so they cruise at a decent road speed with a reasonably low engine speed.
Just buy one!
Our 156 had the MAF sensor and Lambda sensor go (not a problem specific to Alfas though)
They're not overly gutsy on fuel, on the 2litre at least, the gearing is quite high so they cruise at a decent road speed with a reasonably low engine speed.
Just buy one!
The suspension bushes sounds similar to that on the E36 - the rear trailing arm bushes tend to go, but thats a normal perishable item.
Ta, its going to have to happen.
The choices are tending to be an A4 Avant, E36 Touring or the Alfa 156 Wagon. In ways I'd prefer an E36 328i, but its too tight in the back seat, and only has a center lap belt.
So I'll keep my eyes out for a black 156 Wagon!
Ta, its going to have to happen.
The choices are tending to be an A4 Avant, E36 Touring or the Alfa 156 Wagon. In ways I'd prefer an E36 328i, but its too tight in the back seat, and only has a center lap belt.
So I'll keep my eyes out for a black 156 Wagon!
RicksAlfas said:
clonmult said:
give me reasons to not buy one
The glovebox is quite small.
I've got a colleague here saying "nooooo, don't buy an alfa". There's no way that the 156 can be as unreliable and irritating as the Laguna.
clonmult said:
RicksAlfas said:
clonmult said:
give me reasons to not buy one
The glovebox is quite small.RicksAlfas said:
clonmult said:
RicksAlfas said:
clonmult said:
give me reasons to not buy one
The glovebox is quite small.I can't get over how damn good the 156 Wagon looks though - possibly even better than the saloon? I'm kicking myself for not travelling to look at a 156 1.6 TS Wagon that popped up around the time I was selling my 318iS.
The 156 Sportwagon was better looking than the saloon, but with the 159 I think its the other way round.clonmult said:
I've got a colleague here saying "nooooo, don't buy an alfa". There's no way that the 156 can be as unreliable and irritating as the Laguna.
Oh dear god no - the electrics on the Laguna are far far worse than the Alfa! Plus what's that key card all about?Buy the 156 wagon, I did and I have no regrets (originally went looking for an MX5..........)
Unfortunately Alfa's reputation is far worse than the reality. I've had three now (A Sud ti years ago, a 145 and now a 156) and the first two were as good as gold over a few years each.
I'd wanted a 156 back in 2002 but the attitude of the local dealer (not one phone call!) led to me eventually walking next door and buying an Audi.
The Audi was passed on to the missus a few years ago when I bought an X-type wagon (very good) which I then traded for an Elise and MG-ZT. I've still got the Elise and had a Golf (MkV - boring) along the way. As the Elises suspension needed a complete rebuild towards the end of last year I thought that rather than pay a dealer's labour costs I'd do the job myself and spend the money saved on a snotter.
The great news for me was that decent looking 156s were available within budget and I ended up with a stunning looking Rosso Veloce 1.8. It's just fast enough but very, very enjoyable to drive (saying something from an Elise driver!). Like a lot of twinsparks (apparantly) she uses a bit of oil but other than that she feels as fit as a fiddle (despite her 112k miles). My car has the facelift interior and frankly it looks pretty well mint (amazing for the car's mileage!) and compares well with our Audi. I've been delighted with the car and although I'd intended to sell it on once the Elise is sorted (I'm a slow worker!!) I'm having second thoughts - on the other hand the GT coupes keep whispering to me
I really wish Alfa would sort out their dealer network: in my view they need to go through the network ruthlessely and get rid of the cruddy franchises that don't even seem to understand £20k being waved in their face - it makes you wonder what the after-sales service would be like.
Please do it Alfa. Your cars are now truly desirable but you need dealers with a bit of passion and who understand service. There's been too many false dawns. The upside of course, is that Alfas make cracking used buys.
I'd wanted a 156 back in 2002 but the attitude of the local dealer (not one phone call!) led to me eventually walking next door and buying an Audi.
The Audi was passed on to the missus a few years ago when I bought an X-type wagon (very good) which I then traded for an Elise and MG-ZT. I've still got the Elise and had a Golf (MkV - boring) along the way. As the Elises suspension needed a complete rebuild towards the end of last year I thought that rather than pay a dealer's labour costs I'd do the job myself and spend the money saved on a snotter.
The great news for me was that decent looking 156s were available within budget and I ended up with a stunning looking Rosso Veloce 1.8. It's just fast enough but very, very enjoyable to drive (saying something from an Elise driver!). Like a lot of twinsparks (apparantly) she uses a bit of oil but other than that she feels as fit as a fiddle (despite her 112k miles). My car has the facelift interior and frankly it looks pretty well mint (amazing for the car's mileage!) and compares well with our Audi. I've been delighted with the car and although I'd intended to sell it on once the Elise is sorted (I'm a slow worker!!) I'm having second thoughts - on the other hand the GT coupes keep whispering to me
I really wish Alfa would sort out their dealer network: in my view they need to go through the network ruthlessely and get rid of the cruddy franchises that don't even seem to understand £20k being waved in their face - it makes you wonder what the after-sales service would be like.
Please do it Alfa. Your cars are now truly desirable but you need dealers with a bit of passion and who understand service. There's been too many false dawns. The upside of course, is that Alfas make cracking used buys.
TIPPER said:
I really wish Alfa would sort out their dealer network: in my view they need to go through the network ruthlessely and get rid of the cruddy franchises
That's exactly what they've done over the last 3 years. Many old dealers have gone and all the new ones should be on the case.
tuscan_thunder said:
clonmult said:
I've got a colleague here saying "nooooo, don't buy an alfa".
the words of a man who's never owned an Alfa? Guess the main question is what engine to go for - 1.6, 1.8 or 2.0. Thats a range of 120-150bhp, wouldn't expect maintenance cost to be massively different, so it comes down to which is going to be the best drive and best on overall economy. Definitely erring towards the 2.0. Half considering the V6, but I think thats a bit of a guzzler?
To be honest I would buy the one in the best condition, in the spec you want. Better to have a mint 1.6 which has just had it's belts and plugs done than a suspect 2.0. The V6 is lovely. It is thirsty and high on road tax, but you'll probably find they are cheaper to buy and it's a much stronger engine so long term there might not be much in it. Hardest thing will be finding a V6 Sportwagon, with the best interior (mid 2002 on). Don't dismiss the JTDs either. The 1.9 8 valve lump will go forever and is still 115bhp. The 16 valve is quick and the 2.4 a beast. All are less fragile than the Twin Spark too.
Also worth bearing in mind is that Veloce (or Sport Pack on the earlier cars) drive noticeably firmer than the Lusso and Turismo spec. The Lusso was too soft for my liking, but if you are just using it as a family cruiser you may prefer the more comfortable ride.
Also worth bearing in mind is that Veloce (or Sport Pack on the earlier cars) drive noticeably firmer than the Lusso and Turismo spec. The Lusso was too soft for my liking, but if you are just using it as a family cruiser you may prefer the more comfortable ride.
Black 156 Veloce SW what a great choice. Mine is a 2.0TS 
Came from an A6 Avant. The only reasons to stick with an Audi would be those nice lights that illuminate the footwells and the ground outside when you open the doors. Otherwise the 156 is cheaper to buy, cheaper to repair, cheaper to maintain, nicer to drive, looks far better, more comfortable, sounds better (is there a better sounding 4 pot ?)
You know it makes sense buy one
Came from an A6 Avant. The only reasons to stick with an Audi would be those nice lights that illuminate the footwells and the ground outside when you open the doors. Otherwise the 156 is cheaper to buy, cheaper to repair, cheaper to maintain, nicer to drive, looks far better, more comfortable, sounds better (is there a better sounding 4 pot ?) You know it makes sense buy one
P700DEE said:
Black 156 Veloce SW what a great choice. Mine is a 2.0TS Came from an A6 Avant. The only reasons to stick with an Audi would be those nice lights that illuminate the footwells and the ground outside when you open the doors. Otherwise the 156 is cheaper to buy, cheaper to repair, cheaper to maintain, nicer to drive, looks far better, more comfortable, sounds better (is there a better sounding 4 pot ?)
You know it makes sense buy one
I was considering an A6 purely for the amount of space, but figured that I rarely need all that extra volume. Came from an A6 Avant. The only reasons to stick with an Audi would be those nice lights that illuminate the footwells and the ground outside when you open the doors. Otherwise the 156 is cheaper to buy, cheaper to repair, cheaper to maintain, nicer to drive, looks far better, more comfortable, sounds better (is there a better sounding 4 pot ?) You know it makes sense buy one
It'll be interesting to find out if the engines sound better than the M44 unit in my old 318iS.
And after having showed the other half some pics of black 156's with red leather interiors, she was totally sold! The ex wife would never have agreed!
If you buy a Twinspark, check when last cambelt change was done. It MUST be done at 36,000 miles - any doubt, get it done.
As for engine size, I suspect a 1.6 would be underpowered. I've had a 1.8 145& now have a 2-litre 147; in comparison with the 1.8 the 2-litre has much more mid-range power than the extra 200cc would suggest.
As for engine size, I suspect a 1.6 would be underpowered. I've had a 1.8 145& now have a 2-litre 147; in comparison with the 1.8 the 2-litre has much more mid-range power than the extra 200cc would suggest.
Dave Brand said:
If you buy a Twinspark, check when last cambelt change was done. It MUST be done at 36,000 miles - any doubt, get it done.
As for engine size, I suspect a 1.6 would be underpowered. I've had a 1.8 145& now have a 2-litre 147; in comparison with the 1.8 the 2-litre has much more mid-range power than the extra 200cc would suggest.
Whats the cost of having the cambelt done on one of these?As for engine size, I suspect a 1.6 would be underpowered. I've had a 1.8 145& now have a 2-litre 147; in comparison with the 1.8 the 2-litre has much more mid-range power than the extra 200cc would suggest.
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