Discussion
Was fortunate enough to trade up to a 159 ti from a kia c'eed whilst renting a car in Northern Ireland this week. It's one of the cars that I have been considering as a replacement for my bmw 320d. While my overall impression of the car was as I expected - pretty good front wheel drive car with a dose of character a few negatives would stop me buying, and I wondered if some were the result of it being an abused hire car or were inherent characteristics.
1. engine - felt very unresponive compared to my BMW (320d remapped to c.185ish bhp) and lacking in punch, but pulled reasonably well above 3,000. Can a remap cure this or would I need the 2.4?
2. rattly gear knob - if held lightly it genarated quite a nice metallic 'click' whenchanging gear. At all other times it felt cheap.
3. hazard warning lights when braking hard - can this be switched off?
4. progression from nice grippy handling to considerable understeer when 'making progress' has no warning and is quite pronounced, particularily on slightly damp roads.
5. quite a lot of tyre squeel in the dry
The car had 8,000 miles on it and about 3-4mm of tread left on the front tyres.
Looked good in red with tan leather, and the intial turn in sports car sharp.
Does anyone have any opinions on this?
James
1. engine - felt very unresponive compared to my BMW (320d remapped to c.185ish bhp) and lacking in punch, but pulled reasonably well above 3,000. Can a remap cure this or would I need the 2.4?
2. rattly gear knob - if held lightly it genarated quite a nice metallic 'click' whenchanging gear. At all other times it felt cheap.
3. hazard warning lights when braking hard - can this be switched off?
4. progression from nice grippy handling to considerable understeer when 'making progress' has no warning and is quite pronounced, particularily on slightly damp roads.
5. quite a lot of tyre squeel in the dry
The car had 8,000 miles on it and about 3-4mm of tread left on the front tyres.
Looked good in red with tan leather, and the intial turn in sports car sharp.
Does anyone have any opinions on this?
James
I presume it was a 1.9 you tried? There is a new 170bhp 2.0JTD being launched at the Geneva Motor Show next month along with a few other refinements, so you could wait for that, or go for a 2.4, or remap a 1.9. One thing though, they all need at least 20,000 miles before they start giving of their best.
It sounds like you might have had some crap tyres (or tyre pressures) on the one you borrowed. Ultimately they do understeer as you would expect, but normally there isn't any tyre squeal or sudden breakaway.
Gearknobs do come loose on some cars. You pop the shift badge off, nip it up and it'll never come loose again. (Yes, I know you shouldn't have to, but there you go).
Not sure about the hazard lights - it's a new "feature"! Suspect it will be dealer only if at all...
It sounds like you might have had some crap tyres (or tyre pressures) on the one you borrowed. Ultimately they do understeer as you would expect, but normally there isn't any tyre squeal or sudden breakaway.
Gearknobs do come loose on some cars. You pop the shift badge off, nip it up and it'll never come loose again. (Yes, I know you shouldn't have to, but there you go).
Not sure about the hazard lights - it's a new "feature"! Suspect it will be dealer only if at all...
I have the a 1.9 ti Sportwagon, and I've done just about 5500 miles in it since last August.
1. The 150bhp will feel poor compared to the 185bhp you're used to - that's nearly 25% more power. As Rick says, the 170bhp unit due soon would likely offset that a bit but if you're happy with mapping your 320d then there's no reason not to map the Alfa too. A lot of people have done just that, and are happy with the results. Personally, for power and for noise, I'd choose the 210bhp 2.4. And then remap that if you want.
2. Haven't noticed this as a problem. It's not the most satisfying piece of trim in the car, though, I'd agree.
3. Yes, irritating and standard across (I think) all new Fiat/Alfa/Lancias. I don't think it can be turned off. Whether it is a Fiat group initiative, or whether they're the first to implement some EU thing, I don't know.
4. It does tend towards understeer but I wouldn't say it was worse than any other fwd car I've driven, and it's never taken me by surprise - it's never been as snappy as you describe.
5. Again, haven't really noticed this.
So I'd say that 1 and 3 are characteristics, and 2 is likely hire car abuse. 4 and 5 I'm less sure about, but as Rick says tyre pressures might be at least part of the cause.
As far as modestly-powered diesel estate cars go, I'm pretty happy with it overall.
1. The 150bhp will feel poor compared to the 185bhp you're used to - that's nearly 25% more power. As Rick says, the 170bhp unit due soon would likely offset that a bit but if you're happy with mapping your 320d then there's no reason not to map the Alfa too. A lot of people have done just that, and are happy with the results. Personally, for power and for noise, I'd choose the 210bhp 2.4. And then remap that if you want.
2. Haven't noticed this as a problem. It's not the most satisfying piece of trim in the car, though, I'd agree.
3. Yes, irritating and standard across (I think) all new Fiat/Alfa/Lancias. I don't think it can be turned off. Whether it is a Fiat group initiative, or whether they're the first to implement some EU thing, I don't know.
4. It does tend towards understeer but I wouldn't say it was worse than any other fwd car I've driven, and it's never taken me by surprise - it's never been as snappy as you describe.
5. Again, haven't really noticed this.
So I'd say that 1 and 3 are characteristics, and 2 is likely hire car abuse. 4 and 5 I'm less sure about, but as Rick says tyre pressures might be at least part of the cause.
As far as modestly-powered diesel estate cars go, I'm pretty happy with it overall.
Test driving a 1.9JTDm 159 same spec as my 156 1.8TS really made me appreciate my Alfa more.
I found that the 159 reminded me a lot of a e39 beemer rather than a 3 series class car. Very airy in the front. I prefer tight and sporty. I didnt like the feel of the stalks. Considering the amount of functions they put on them, you'd think they could have just some better quality plastics and tactile feedback on them.
Will get one at some stage though. A germanic Alfa is still and Alfa at heart.
I found that the 159 reminded me a lot of a e39 beemer rather than a 3 series class car. Very airy in the front. I prefer tight and sporty. I didnt like the feel of the stalks. Considering the amount of functions they put on them, you'd think they could have just some better quality plastics and tactile feedback on them.
Will get one at some stage though. A germanic Alfa is still and Alfa at heart.
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