156 1.9/2.4 JTD SW - your MPG?
Discussion
I'm seriously considering a 156 JTD SW as my first Alfa, but I'd like to determine what sort of figures other owners are getting re: mpg. There are a few threads which contain relevant info, but I thought it would be a good idea to have a dedicated consumption figure thread.
So come on then, what are you getting...?
So come on then, what are you getting...?
This was my 2.4 20v wagon:

The dip in December was a fast cruise to and from the Alps, 4 of us in a fully laden car with a roofbox fitted! Rest of the time each tank would be a mix of motorway and city driving usually, the better MPG were the longer motorway stints.

The dip in December was a fast cruise to and from the Alps, 4 of us in a fully laden car with a roofbox fitted! Rest of the time each tank would be a mix of motorway and city driving usually, the better MPG were the longer motorway stints.
Edited by sjg on Wednesday 14th October 13:26
I have an 54' 1.9 16v jtd (the 140 bhp not later 150 version). On average with a mix of urban and some m/way I get around 43/44, weeks with longer m/way journeys this can go up to 46/7mpg. if I let the wife have it for a week doing a 20mile cross country journey each day it would be 50+
From conversations with other diesel drivers, VW/audis etc this is about what real world consumption they get so no better but no worse but a nicer car!
From conversations with other diesel drivers, VW/audis etc this is about what real world consumption they get so no better but no worse but a nicer car!
edward1 said:
From conversations with other diesel drivers, VW/audis etc this is about what real world consumption they get so no better but no worse but a nicer car!
I understood that (for example) a 2004 Audi Avant 1.9TDi will return around 48 in real worldurban figures (actually 51mpg urban according to Parkers and 49.5 according to Honest John), with more being attainable on the motorway - up to 57-60 from what I've read.Do I understand you that in your opinion the Audi is the better car or have I got that wrong? The reason for this particular fuel consumption thread is, I have to make a decision between a 156 JTD SW or an Audi Avant 1.9TDI SE (I specifically want a diesel estate).
Fom my understanding the VAG 1.9TDi is supposed to be potentially very economical, the Audi well equipped...but as far as being a beautifully styled, dynamic driver, the 156 leaves it standing. Interested in your and others opinions...
0191mark said:
dave_s13 said:
Had mine 2 weeks.
2005 2.4JTDm 20v 175bhp
44.6mpg at the moment
Very pleased with that, very very pleased.
I contacted a guy on alfaowner who was considering selling his 156 SW - I think you bought it!2005 2.4JTDm 20v 175bhp
44.6mpg at the moment
Very pleased with that, very very pleased.
It's feckn lovely.
Beat you to it!!!

Edited by dave_s13 on Thursday 15th October 17:23
0191mark said:
edward1 said:
From conversations with other diesel drivers, VW/audis etc this is about what real world consumption they get so no better but no worse but a nicer car!
I understood that (for example) a 2004 Audi Avant 1.9TDi will return around 48 in real worldurban figures (actually 51mpg urban according to Parkers and 49.5 according to Honest John), with more being attainable on the motorway - up to 57-60 from what I've read.Do I understand you that in your opinion the Audi is the better car or have I got that wrong? The reason for this particular fuel consumption thread is, I have to make a decision between a 156 JTD SW or an Audi Avant 1.9TDI SE (I specifically want a diesel estate).
Fom my understanding the VAG 1.9TDi is supposed to be potentially very economical, the Audi well equipped...but as far as being a beautifully styled, dynamic driver, the 156 leaves it standing. Interested in your and others opinions...
Pooh makes a very good point. The VAG PD unit might be economical but it is a hideous engine to use, especially for stop start driving. I would also be amazed if those quoted A4 Avant mpg figures are obtainable by all but the most careful driving somewhere very flat (or preferably downhill). 

RicksAlfas said:
Pooh makes a very good point. The VAG PD unit might be economical but it is a hideous engine to use, especially for stop start driving. I would also be amazed if those quoted A4 Avant mpg figures are obtainable by all but the most careful driving somewhere very flat (or preferably downhill). 
Prepare to be surprised then since i once got 800 miles out of a tank with 50 left in the reserve on my a4 1.9tdi 130 sport saloon. Not sure how to work it out but it takes 60litres in the tank iirc. That was in fairness largely motorway driving but not within the speed limit IYSWIM.
It used to be that i could not get below 700 miles per tank no matter how hard i pushed the car these days i average 650 on a tank though possibly understandable considering the car has done 247000miles. The engine after 100k became very massey ferguson in sound from outside the car but from inside is pretty insulated and unnoticeable. Car is very comfy reliable and a great cruiser. Servicing is every 18k miles or so.
The alfa is however the car i would like to replace it with.
segg250 said:
Prepare to be surprised then since i once got 800 miles out of a tank with 50 left in the reserve on my a4 1.9tdi 130 sport saloon. Not sure how to work it out but it takes 60litres in the tank iirc. That was in fairness largely motorway driving but not within the speed limit IYSWIM.
Well that is hugely impressive!You won't get that sort of range out of any Alfa, so if mpg is your main criteria you might be happier staying with VAG.
Much as i like vag
i will shortly be swapping allegience to most likely mg or alfa. Like in the next week or two i think as my audi has decided to develop what i suspect to be a 1k problem and is only worth 1-2k at most so looks like i may buy a 1 -2k mg f/tf this weekend or go against my grain and get an alfa 156 on short term credit.
I was actually quite dissapointed with that number to a degree as i felt i could probably squeeze another 100 or so miles out of the tank but an audi tech advised against trying.
i will shortly be swapping allegience to most likely mg or alfa. Like in the next week or two i think as my audi has decided to develop what i suspect to be a 1k problem and is only worth 1-2k at most so looks like i may buy a 1 -2k mg f/tf this weekend or go against my grain and get an alfa 156 on short term credit.I was actually quite dissapointed with that number to a degree as i felt i could probably squeeze another 100 or so miles out of the tank but an audi tech advised against trying.
Edited by segg250 on Friday 16th October 16:25
Don't be fooled by what the in-car computer tells you. They do not calculate the actual fuel consumption. (Not just Alfas - any car)
They estimate it by continuous monitoring of the fuel map contained in the ECU, comparing engine speed with throttle setting, temperature etc. Over the estimating period they average this to give you an mpg figure based on a perfectly tuned engine as it came from the showroom.
If you have a dodgy injector, blocked air filter or low compression, it won't know about it (although you may have to use more throttle to get the same effect, so the mpg will increase a bit). Remapping your ECU may not remap the fuel consumption map either.
My 156 1.9 JTD 16v 150 bhp frequently shows over 60 mpg on a long run early in the morning, keeping to <75mph. It's actually doing about 52 mpg (which is still quite impressive). That's checked by dividing real miles (not odometer miles) by pump-delivered gallons.
Whether or not you like the fuel consumption, it's the sweetest, punchiest, smoothest diesel I've driven (except for the Alfa 2.4 JTD, which isn't so economical and is a heavy lump). It knocks spots off the Jaguar (aka Ford Transit) 2.2D which is only 152 bhp but rougher and noisier, and less pleasant to drive.
The Alfa 1.9 16v JTD is a world beater in my opinion. That's probably why Vauxhall and Saab use it.
They estimate it by continuous monitoring of the fuel map contained in the ECU, comparing engine speed with throttle setting, temperature etc. Over the estimating period they average this to give you an mpg figure based on a perfectly tuned engine as it came from the showroom.
If you have a dodgy injector, blocked air filter or low compression, it won't know about it (although you may have to use more throttle to get the same effect, so the mpg will increase a bit). Remapping your ECU may not remap the fuel consumption map either.
My 156 1.9 JTD 16v 150 bhp frequently shows over 60 mpg on a long run early in the morning, keeping to <75mph. It's actually doing about 52 mpg (which is still quite impressive). That's checked by dividing real miles (not odometer miles) by pump-delivered gallons.
Whether or not you like the fuel consumption, it's the sweetest, punchiest, smoothest diesel I've driven (except for the Alfa 2.4 JTD, which isn't so economical and is a heavy lump). It knocks spots off the Jaguar (aka Ford Transit) 2.2D which is only 152 bhp but rougher and noisier, and less pleasant to drive.
The Alfa 1.9 16v JTD is a world beater in my opinion. That's probably why Vauxhall and Saab use it.
Very useful stuff, thanks for all contributions - if I can find the right 159 SW in time then it's a no brainer. Otherwide it's going to be the A4 TDi Avant. Don't want to, but needs must etc.

segg250 said:
Much as i like vag
i will shortly be swapping allegience to most likely mg or alfa. Like in the next week or two i think as my audi has decided to develop what i suspect to be a 1k problem and is only worth 1-2k at most ... I was actually quite dissapointed with that number to a degree as i felt i could probably squeeze another 100 or so miles out of the tank but an audi tech advised against trying.
- Dare I ask, or is it going straight in the classifieds
i will shortly be swapping allegience to most likely mg or alfa. Like in the next week or two i think as my audi has decided to develop what i suspect to be a 1k problem and is only worth 1-2k at most ... I was actually quite dissapointed with that number to a degree as i felt i could probably squeeze another 100 or so miles out of the tank but an audi tech advised against trying.
0191mark said:
Very useful stuff, thanks for all contributions - if I can find the right 159 SW in time then it's a no brainer. Otherwide it's going to be the A4 TDi Avant. Don't want to, but needs must etc.

Im starting to think its going through "The Change" as it has now developed yet ANOTHER problem in that when i started it this morning it had a bit of a stutter/misfire for a brief bit before it got going properly. Now of course this may be related to the fact it hasnt had a service in about 25-30+k miles but still.segg250 said:
Much as i like vag
i will shortly be swapping allegience to most likely mg or alfa. Like in the next week or two i think as my audi has decided to develop what i suspect to be a 1k problem and is only worth 1-2k at most ... I was actually quite dissapointed with that number to a degree as i felt i could probably squeeze another 100 or so miles out of the tank but an audi tech advised against trying.
- Dare I ask, or is it going straight in the classifieds
i will shortly be swapping allegience to most likely mg or alfa. Like in the next week or two i think as my audi has decided to develop what i suspect to be a 1k problem and is only worth 1-2k at most ... I was actually quite dissapointed with that number to a degree as i felt i could probably squeeze another 100 or so miles out of the tank but an audi tech advised against trying.
As for the 1k issue that would be some sort of driveshaft/clutch related issue plus the car needing a proper 300 quid service on top of that plus having just had front disks and pads at near on 200 quid and when i think about it it looked like the front shocks may be leaking when i did the disks and pads the other day as well and it goes on and on......

Hmmmmmm.
Averaging 42/43 mpg in my 1.9 JTDM. 80% motorway driving.
With you 2.4 boys getting more I evidently need to lighten the load on my right foot.
A diesel re-map should see me get an extra 3-5 mpg or so (+ 50bhp and a shed load more torque). I am selling the proposed cost of £300 to Mrs B.J.W on the basis that it will make the car more economical and thus cheaper to run.
200 BHP from a 1.9 JTDM is pretty impressive - the mid range is good in standard spec - although I am beginning to think about that 2.4 (twin exhausts and 250 bhp with the same stage 2 tune). nice
Averaging 42/43 mpg in my 1.9 JTDM. 80% motorway driving.
With you 2.4 boys getting more I evidently need to lighten the load on my right foot.
A diesel re-map should see me get an extra 3-5 mpg or so (+ 50bhp and a shed load more torque). I am selling the proposed cost of £300 to Mrs B.J.W on the basis that it will make the car more economical and thus cheaper to run.
200 BHP from a 1.9 JTDM is pretty impressive - the mid range is good in standard spec - although I am beginning to think about that 2.4 (twin exhausts and 250 bhp with the same stage 2 tune). nice
Mines gone up to 46!! 
I ragged the bumhole off it over the weekend too. For a derv it sounds really rather OK, is it worth bothering with a performance 'zorst??
Tell you what though, I had me, the old man and the wife in the back (so a fair bit of weight) the other day driving over some really horrific bumpy roads in Huddersfield. The car was virtual dragging the under tray along the road.....do they all do that? It's fine on normal roads though.
Didn't sound like a damaging thing just kissing the road every now and then, not ideal like!!
I ragged the bumhole off it over the weekend too. For a derv it sounds really rather OK, is it worth bothering with a performance 'zorst??
Tell you what though, I had me, the old man and the wife in the back (so a fair bit of weight) the other day driving over some really horrific bumpy roads in Huddersfield. The car was virtual dragging the under tray along the road.....do they all do that? It's fine on normal roads though.
Didn't sound like a damaging thing just kissing the road every now and then, not ideal like!!
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