156 GTA Sportwagon questions
Discussion
I am in the proccess of selling my Ferrari 348 tb and want something relatively cheap for the Mrs to use instead of her old sheddy Saxo.
I use a BMW 118d so I could do with something that does most jobs.
I don't like German cars ( BMW is a company car ) and have had Alfas in the past.
The GTA SW seems to fit the bill and tick all the boxes.
How important is it to have the Q2 diff - how do they handle compared to a std 2.5 V6 ?
How much better are the 330 mm brakes ?
Anybody put an Autodelta chip on the car and how good are they ?
With the seats folded down would I get a big dog cage in the back ?
Does anyone on here track their GTA and how do they perform against M3s, Focus RS Scoobys ect ?
Thanks,
Simon
I use a BMW 118d so I could do with something that does most jobs.
I don't like German cars ( BMW is a company car ) and have had Alfas in the past.
The GTA SW seems to fit the bill and tick all the boxes.
How important is it to have the Q2 diff - how do they handle compared to a std 2.5 V6 ?
How much better are the 330 mm brakes ?
Anybody put an Autodelta chip on the car and how good are they ?
With the seats folded down would I get a big dog cage in the back ?
Does anyone on here track their GTA and how do they perform against M3s, Focus RS Scoobys ect ?
Thanks,
Simon
Hi Simon, The main reason to fit the Q2 diff is because the standard diffs aren't strong enough and there have been many failures - often breaking the gearbox casing at the same time resulting in a bill around £3k.
Once fitted though they do greatly improve the way the car handles and gets the power down. Alfa really aught to have fitted the Q2 as standard!
I've not had mine mapped, but I think the gains are only in the region of +12 bhp, so I can't imagine you'd feel much of an increase.
Only around 100 GTA SW's were ever imported, so you may have to be flexible on the spec you want.
Once fitted though they do greatly improve the way the car handles and gets the power down. Alfa really aught to have fitted the Q2 as standard!
I've not had mine mapped, but I think the gains are only in the region of +12 bhp, so I can't imagine you'd feel much of an increase.
Only around 100 GTA SW's were ever imported, so you may have to be flexible on the spec you want.
Tracking a gta is a bad idea imho and will lead to a lot of hefty bills and huge depreciation due to mileage increase. They only made around 110 gta sw meaning they are very rare and fairly depreciation proof. You can get a selespeed version which uses a better version of the selespeed which is more reliable than the original.
They are fantastic cars truly fantastic to look at and drive in sw variant. Prone to heavy suspension wear (bushes iirc and front suspension mounts).
They are fantastic cars truly fantastic to look at and drive in sw variant. Prone to heavy suspension wear (bushes iirc and front suspension mounts).
Edited by Tallbut Buxomly on Monday 8th March 18:59
- the tailgate did shut, with a bit of encouragement...he was mighty keen to get back out again 
My wife shows our dog so i don't mind if we have to fold the seats down. Do they fold flat ?
We would need to fit a 42 inch cage, trolley and grooming table.
Our Dog Enzo is a standard poodle. 28 inches to the base of his neck and weighs 30 kilos so hes a big lad.
My only worry is all the tackle wont fit ?
We would need to fit a 42 inch cage, trolley and grooming table.
Our Dog Enzo is a standard poodle. 28 inches to the base of his neck and weighs 30 kilos so hes a big lad.
My only worry is all the tackle wont fit ?
Edited by simonigrale on Tuesday 9th March 12:24
I would be tempted to try and get the cage to a viewing to size it up... the load area in an SW is notoriously snug... It is in fact smaller with the load cover in place than a standard 156 saloon's boot!.. ya got to love Alfa!!
They are OK on length, but very narrow access and the rear strut mounts impose a good way into the boot...
HTH
They are OK on length, but very narrow access and the rear strut mounts impose a good way into the boot...
HTH
"Do they fold flat ?" - believe it's the same as mine, so, base flips forward, headrests in the holes provided, backrest folds forwards. It's a two thirds/one third split. Cage wise, I'd definately try one first: access is the limiting factor, I've got all sorts of odd shaped stuff in the back, but some normal stuff just won't go through the gap. Might depend how the cage folds - if you can slide it in flat, with the seats down, then build it once it's in, you might make it work.
I'd definitely try before you buy in the situation you are in. If you can't find a GTA SW to try, and use a normal Sportwagon, be sure to allow bit of clearance, because the seats on a GTA are significantly bigger than a normal 156 and I 'think' from memory you couldn't quit fold them flat because of this. They do come with a pull up dog guard and the roll out boot space cover which might be useful to you. the whole assembly can be removed though which free's up a fair more space.
Great car to own, if you can stomach the fuel bills, they seem to go well on Track, but to be fair I doubt they are in M3 territory, can't think of many estates that are though, RS4 perhaps?.
330mm discs are a must, they stop OK with 305mm ones, but they seem to warp very easily, I did two sets in 6 months and I'm not hard on brakes generally.
Never fitted a Q2 to mine, but it's about the only modification I wouldn't hesitate to recommend having driven a 147 with Q2 since I sold my GTA. I'm not sure about the exploding diffs bit, I was always under the impression this was a 147 GTA, or a hot climate issue. There didn't seem to be much evidence of 156's failing in the UK back when I owned mine.
Great car to own, if you can stomach the fuel bills, they seem to go well on Track, but to be fair I doubt they are in M3 territory, can't think of many estates that are though, RS4 perhaps?.
330mm discs are a must, they stop OK with 305mm ones, but they seem to warp very easily, I did two sets in 6 months and I'm not hard on brakes generally.
Never fitted a Q2 to mine, but it's about the only modification I wouldn't hesitate to recommend having driven a 147 with Q2 since I sold my GTA. I'm not sure about the exploding diffs bit, I was always under the impression this was a 147 GTA, or a hot climate issue. There didn't seem to be much evidence of 156's failing in the UK back when I owned mine.
Go for it, they are great cars.
The Q2 transforms the car and is only around £500 fitted. It also gives you peace of mind as the standard diff is weak.
I had 330 brakes on my 147 and they worked well. 300s are apparently probe to warping, but a change of discs and pads can fix that, IIRC, so don't let that be a deal breaker.
A stainless exhaust is also worth it, both for the sound and the fact the stock item falls apart from rust after 3 years.
The handling can be sharpened up by fitting Bilstein shocks.
Finally, and most importantly, the cambelt should be changed every 3 years or 36k miles - not the 5 years or 72k miles the manual states. Make sure it has been done recently, or factor that into the cost (£600 ish IIRC). Mine failed and it wasn't a particularly joyous experience.
The stock waterpump has plastic impellors which can fail, but this can be replaced with the V6 GTV unit which had metal impellors.
My 147 averaged 20 mpg which seems about average for most GTAs.
Don't bother with a chip, it gives minimal gains. Check out www.autodeltashop.com for some other goodies, including the carbon intake which is a much more worthwhile mod.
Also, check out the GTA forum on www.alfaowner.com - some great guys with great advice on there.
The Q2 transforms the car and is only around £500 fitted. It also gives you peace of mind as the standard diff is weak.
I had 330 brakes on my 147 and they worked well. 300s are apparently probe to warping, but a change of discs and pads can fix that, IIRC, so don't let that be a deal breaker.
A stainless exhaust is also worth it, both for the sound and the fact the stock item falls apart from rust after 3 years.
The handling can be sharpened up by fitting Bilstein shocks.
Finally, and most importantly, the cambelt should be changed every 3 years or 36k miles - not the 5 years or 72k miles the manual states. Make sure it has been done recently, or factor that into the cost (£600 ish IIRC). Mine failed and it wasn't a particularly joyous experience.
The stock waterpump has plastic impellors which can fail, but this can be replaced with the V6 GTV unit which had metal impellors.
My 147 averaged 20 mpg which seems about average for most GTAs.
Don't bother with a chip, it gives minimal gains. Check out www.autodeltashop.com for some other goodies, including the carbon intake which is a much more worthwhile mod.
Also, check out the GTA forum on www.alfaowner.com - some great guys with great advice on there.
Tallbut Buxomly said:
Tracking a gta is a bad idea imho
Rubbish, mine was brilliant on the Alfaowner trackday, absolutley nothing broke/fell off during or in the 5000 miles since. And it more than held it's own against other non-exotic machinery.If you buy carefully (providing the dog fits) I'd whole-heartedly recommend one.
Alfaowner.com is a brilliant source of advice, info and enthusiasm for GTA's (warts and all)
Edited by swanny71 on Wednesday 10th March 18:46
swanny71 said:
Tallbut Buxomly said:
Tracking a gta is a bad idea imho
Rubbish, mine was brilliant on the Alfaowner trackday, absolutley nothing broke/fell off during or in the 5000 miles since. And it more than held it's own against other non-exotic machinery.If you buy carefully (providing the dog fits) I'd whole-heartedly recommend one.
Alfaowner.com is a brilliant source of advice, info and enthusiasm for GTA's (warts and all)
Edited by swanny71 on Wednesday 10th March 18:46
simonigrale said:
Does anyone on here track their GTA and how do they perform against M3s, Focus RS Scoobys ect ?
Having taken my 147GTA over to the Nurburgring numerous times over the years I can categorically say it won't keep with M3's on the track. Although with 70hp less what do you expect.On the road though it's a different matter and a GTA will keep with an M3 (although not the newer V8's). I've had a few bemused looks off M3 drivers who obviously just thought they will be able to trample all over a poxy Alfa hatchback.
Plus, as everyone says, the noise of that Alfa V6
The noise is one of the main things for me. My dad has had a 75 V6, 155 V6 and 156 V6 in the past all from new so I've grown up with them.
I have had a 155 2.0 and V6 so I know the score, they do sound wonderful.
The most painful thing for me is letting my Ferrari go as its not something I really want to do. I am wondering if a 156 2.4 JTD SW is the answer and keep my car.
Then again with us wanting to move house a car that can pretty much do everything is probably the sensible thing.
It wont get heavy track use just an annual trip to the ring and the odd silverstone evening session.
It will do about 5 miles a day with my wife driving it and the odd spirited run over to my mates about 50 miles away.
I have had a 155 2.0 and V6 so I know the score, they do sound wonderful.
The most painful thing for me is letting my Ferrari go as its not something I really want to do. I am wondering if a 156 2.4 JTD SW is the answer and keep my car.
Then again with us wanting to move house a car that can pretty much do everything is probably the sensible thing.
It wont get heavy track use just an annual trip to the ring and the odd silverstone evening session.
It will do about 5 miles a day with my wife driving it and the odd spirited run over to my mates about 50 miles away.
simonigrale said:
The noise is one of the main things for me. My dad has had a 75 V6, 155 V6 and 156 V6 in the past all from new so I've grown up with them.
I have had a 155 2.0 and V6 so I know the score, they do sound wonderful.
The most painful thing for me is letting my Ferrari go as its not something I really want to do. I am wondering if a 156 2.4 JTD SW is the answer and keep my car.
Then again with us wanting to move house a car that can pretty much do everything is probably the sensible thing.
It wont get heavy track use just an annual trip to the ring and the odd silverstone evening session.
It will do about 5 miles a day with my wife driving it and the odd spirited run over to my mates about 50 miles away.
I'm intending on selling mine if you are interested. Saying that, I've been intending on doing this for weeks. I just haven't had the spare time to prep it for photo's and doing the ad.I have had a 155 2.0 and V6 so I know the score, they do sound wonderful.
The most painful thing for me is letting my Ferrari go as its not something I really want to do. I am wondering if a 156 2.4 JTD SW is the answer and keep my car.
Then again with us wanting to move house a car that can pretty much do everything is probably the sensible thing.
It wont get heavy track use just an annual trip to the ring and the odd silverstone evening session.
It will do about 5 miles a day with my wife driving it and the odd spirited run over to my mates about 50 miles away.
It's a 2005 (55) 2.5JTDm SW, silver. 65k miles. PM me and I'll let you know the full spec etc.
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