I took the plunge.
Discussion
So, after careful deliberation and some advice from fellow PHers, I've taken the plunge and picked up a Polar White Alfa Romeo 156 2.5 V6. Bought from David87, she is a prime example, just 49000 miles on the clock, with all belts and necessary gubbins changed at 44k and an uprated water pump. She's sitting on 4 new Falken tyres with fully refurbished 16" Teledials which look absolutely delightful.
A couple of things I was surprised at. Firstly, the colour. I'm astonished by just how few 156s I've seen in white, I've never seen one on the road, at a meet or for sale! Its not a bright white either, it bears more resemblance to Old English White on an old Mini, but it really suits the lines of the car IMHO. Secondly, comparatively speaking to the 147, it's worlds away. I was expecting the front end to be feel heavy and cumbersome after having a Twin Spark, but the way it turns in and the amount of feedback comparatively speaking is mind boggling. It inspires more confidence, and somehow manages to feel more responsive and confidence inspiring whilst retaining a more supple ride, and ultimately more comfort than the 147 it replaces.
Of course, no thread about a V6 Alfa would be complete without mentioning the engine. It doesn't need pages writing about it, I'll just say its everything I expected one of these units to be; free revving but grunty, muscular but silky smooth, and a noise which is just
I've attached a couple of photos, nothing special as its from my Blackberry and she is a bit dirty, but just so you all get the idea:
And thanks again to the PHers who helped me out!
A couple of things I was surprised at. Firstly, the colour. I'm astonished by just how few 156s I've seen in white, I've never seen one on the road, at a meet or for sale! Its not a bright white either, it bears more resemblance to Old English White on an old Mini, but it really suits the lines of the car IMHO. Secondly, comparatively speaking to the 147, it's worlds away. I was expecting the front end to be feel heavy and cumbersome after having a Twin Spark, but the way it turns in and the amount of feedback comparatively speaking is mind boggling. It inspires more confidence, and somehow manages to feel more responsive and confidence inspiring whilst retaining a more supple ride, and ultimately more comfort than the 147 it replaces.
Of course, no thread about a V6 Alfa would be complete without mentioning the engine. It doesn't need pages writing about it, I'll just say its everything I expected one of these units to be; free revving but grunty, muscular but silky smooth, and a noise which is just
I've attached a couple of photos, nothing special as its from my Blackberry and she is a bit dirty, but just so you all get the idea:
And thanks again to the PHers who helped me out!
robsco said:
RicksAlfas said:
Looks great. Regularly used to see a white Twin Spark near home which always looked great.
Enjoy it!
By the way Rick, I now understand what you meant about the 156s turning circle, its horrific! Enjoy it!
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