Looking at a 156 tonight...
Discussion
Hi,
Thanks for all the advice on my previous thread, after taking it all in, I’m going to view a car tonight.
I'm looking at a 2001 2.5 V6. The car is currently owned by an enthusiast I’ve been in contact with via my local Alfa dealer. I work in an Alfa approved body shop.
It seems to tick all the boxes. Although, it doesn’t have leather interior, but I’m happy to sacrifice that if the car is as good as I’m told.
I think it has done just under 90k with a very comprehensive full Alfa service history.
I'm told it has 17" wheels. They are genuine Alfa wheels, but not standard?
It also has a rear spoiler, I’m not sure if it is the big or smaller one?
Is there anything I should really look for, other than the obvious when buying a used car?
Many thanks,
Darren.
Thanks for all the advice on my previous thread, after taking it all in, I’m going to view a car tonight.
I'm looking at a 2001 2.5 V6. The car is currently owned by an enthusiast I’ve been in contact with via my local Alfa dealer. I work in an Alfa approved body shop.
It seems to tick all the boxes. Although, it doesn’t have leather interior, but I’m happy to sacrifice that if the car is as good as I’m told.
I think it has done just under 90k with a very comprehensive full Alfa service history.
I'm told it has 17" wheels. They are genuine Alfa wheels, but not standard?
It also has a rear spoiler, I’m not sure if it is the big or smaller one?
Is there anything I should really look for, other than the obvious when buying a used car?
Many thanks,
Darren.
17" alloys were available in various styles as a dealer fit option.
I had them on mine.
Or you can fit used ones off a 147/GT/GTA.
Can't think of anything else other than to check when the belt was last done. Check the tyres are worn evenly across their treads - front ones usually wear right on the insides if it's still running the original SportPack settings, back ones wear on the inside if the bushes need doing. Check all the warning lights go off and keep your fingers crossed it's a small rear spoiler.
I had them on mine.
Or you can fit used ones off a 147/GT/GTA.
Can't think of anything else other than to check when the belt was last done. Check the tyres are worn evenly across their treads - front ones usually wear right on the insides if it's still running the original SportPack settings, back ones wear on the inside if the bushes need doing. Check all the warning lights go off and keep your fingers crossed it's a small rear spoiler.
Well, I had a quick look at the 156, however, I didn't get a chance to drive it as the owner had a project on axle stands parked in the way!
I'm pleased with the way it looked, although there are a few areas where the lacquer is peeling, luckily the body/paint isn't a huge concern as I work in a bodyshop.
You'll be pleased to know the car is fitted with the smaller rear spoiler. The wheels are 17" super sports? Which seemed to suit the car quite well.
Now, I’m itching to get a drive in over the weekend, and hopefully become an Alfa owner!
Darren.
I'm pleased with the way it looked, although there are a few areas where the lacquer is peeling, luckily the body/paint isn't a huge concern as I work in a bodyshop.
You'll be pleased to know the car is fitted with the smaller rear spoiler. The wheels are 17" super sports? Which seemed to suit the car quite well.
Now, I’m itching to get a drive in over the weekend, and hopefully become an Alfa owner!
Darren.
When you drive it, look out for the following.
Any noise from the Suspension, bushes are very common consumable on 156's, especially a V6 with a Sportpack suspension.
Noisy thrust release bearing on the clutch when cold.
Hesitation on performance up to about 2,800rpm, this could mean the AFM needs replacing.
Check the sills and arches, these can show signs of rust on some older cars.
Make sure the owner can provide evidence of a cambelt change. THe V6 doesn't slip belts like a twinny but it's an expensive job (£500 inc water pump).
The most common warning light is the Airbag, most are cured by a reset. However, this may also be an issue with the Airbag ECU located behind the centre console or the contacts behind the steering wheel.
Any noise from the Suspension, bushes are very common consumable on 156's, especially a V6 with a Sportpack suspension.
Noisy thrust release bearing on the clutch when cold.
Hesitation on performance up to about 2,800rpm, this could mean the AFM needs replacing.
Check the sills and arches, these can show signs of rust on some older cars.
Make sure the owner can provide evidence of a cambelt change. THe V6 doesn't slip belts like a twinny but it's an expensive job (£500 inc water pump).
The most common warning light is the Airbag, most are cured by a reset. However, this may also be an issue with the Airbag ECU located behind the centre console or the contacts behind the steering wheel.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Picked her up today
Picked her up today
Edited by dave_s13 on Saturday 26th September 21:05
Right, bought an abused 156 V6 and spent a fortune brining it up to scratch so the below is worst case senario.
1: Upper arms on front suspension. Squeek from from end over speed bumps the give away. Under £200 to sort. Made a big difference to the front end feel. Buggerd again in 20k miles.
2: Cambelt and water pump. Listen for a claccin noise near the cambelt area on cold start up. The aux belt can sqeel on start up. Replace waterpump with any cambelt change for the 3.0 GTV metal impellor jobbie. £500-£600 every 60k.
3: Rad, 70k or 6 years and its buggerd. Cost me £160 but someone else did the work.
4: Clutch 90k miles seems to be the average. £500 job.
5: MAF, reluctance to pull over 5k revs £150.
6: Gearbox crunches from 3rd to 4th on a quick change at high revs. The gearbox is strong, my car was used hard and did 120k well abused miles. The 6 speeder is a gem in my opinion.
7: rear electric windows gave up, check all electrics.
Seriously, spent £2k getting the above fixed and the car got thrashed relentlessly for 2 years without spending anything else. Bar Oil etc. They are strong cars.
1: Upper arms on front suspension. Squeek from from end over speed bumps the give away. Under £200 to sort. Made a big difference to the front end feel. Buggerd again in 20k miles.
2: Cambelt and water pump. Listen for a claccin noise near the cambelt area on cold start up. The aux belt can sqeel on start up. Replace waterpump with any cambelt change for the 3.0 GTV metal impellor jobbie. £500-£600 every 60k.
3: Rad, 70k or 6 years and its buggerd. Cost me £160 but someone else did the work.
4: Clutch 90k miles seems to be the average. £500 job.
5: MAF, reluctance to pull over 5k revs £150.
6: Gearbox crunches from 3rd to 4th on a quick change at high revs. The gearbox is strong, my car was used hard and did 120k well abused miles. The 6 speeder is a gem in my opinion.
7: rear electric windows gave up, check all electrics.
Seriously, spent £2k getting the above fixed and the car got thrashed relentlessly for 2 years without spending anything else. Bar Oil etc. They are strong cars.
Edited by exgtt on Tuesday 29th September 00:31
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