At it again, advice re 156's please.

[silverback mike]

Hello folks,
You have no doubt been asked before, and I have had a good look at the alfa previous questions...however.

My BMW is a little short of space, and as a result am tempted with an alfa 156, possibly sportwagon to get a buggy, and 6 and 1 yr old paraphenalia in.

The BMW is great, but considering it is a 328ise it doesn't feel that quick, which is odd, because when you look at the speedometer it is actually covering ground rather quickly. In my previous (bad!!) experiences of alfas, they do seem to be covering ground a bit quicker.

Sorry if this has been answered many times before, but...Am I right to suggest that I 'need' a 2.5v6 rather than a 2.0 twinspark. And that the automatic and selespeed boxes are to be avoided.
I like a good engine, and manual gearbox generally.

Also, are there any pitfalls, and when do the cambelts have to be replaced...
Sorry to be a pain, I really should get a sensible oil burner.
Mike.
(ps I have had 4 alfas, and popped everyone of them )

PS I am up for a swap if anyone is interested....

>>> Edited by silverback mike on Sunday 28th March 18:38

[pwig]

You want this:

www.pistonheads.com/sales/detail.asp?i=18415&s=242

[silverback mike]

Pwig, you are right, I do want that.
My bank manager doesnt unfortunately.

[Pies]

Bored of the beemer already Mike

[silverback mike]

I know it looks that way pies, suppose I am in a way, but can't get sod all in the boot.
Fancy an alfa now......or therapy.

[number 46]

I have a 2.5v6 156 and it sounds and feels fast, not in the porsche/tvr etc ballpark but it is certainly a fast family car. The down side is that the engine is rather heavy and it does feel like there is alot of weigth on the front, also the lusso(the version I have) suspension is, I think a little too soft and the car does roll a little when pressed hard. When you do really push it though it does surprise with its level of grip etc. I will be taking it on a track day at rockingham on wednesday so can report back fully on its handling and speed after that!!!! If you go for a 2ltr then get the jts version as they have a bit more power, I test drove both and the 2ltr jts didn't feel much slower and I think the handling is probably better as the engine weight is less of an issue. Still glad I got the v6 they do sound great when they up in the 5-7.5k rev band and the power really comes on at those revs.

[wombat rick]

The Sportwagon has more weight at the back than the saloon, so tends to offset the heavier lumps (2.4 JTD and V6) at the front. The Lusso is TOO soft for these big engines, and Alfa UK have stopped the Lusso spec on the new 2.4 JTD's for that reason. The Veloce suspension is a bit crashy, but can cope. A strut brace really helps too, and is a cheap, dealer approved mod which even reduces the risk of sump smacking.

I would not hesitate in recommending the 150bhp 2.4 JTD over the 4 pot. If you are buying new, it is now 175bhp. And the torque.... ooo blimey...

[silverback mike]

Thanks folks,
I won't be buying new unfortunately. And at the moment seem to be changing cars far too often. So hopefully I will find an alfa that I can keep for longer than a few months.
Still unsure over a 2.5v6 or a 2.0 twinspark. Handling over noise I suppose...hmmm

I am off to look in my local alfa specialist later.

[dougal]

I have a 150bhp 2.4JTD Sportwagon Veloce, brilliant car, much better than the 4 pot's for real world performance, can't recommend it highly enough and would echo Wombat Ricks sentiments.

[pdV6]

silverback mike said:

My BMW is a little short of space, and as a result am tempted with an alfa 156, possibly sportwagon to get a buggy, and 6 and 1 yr old paraphenalia in.

Try one for size before comitting, as Sportwagons don't exactly have class-leading load carrying space!

[wombat rick]

The big difference is when you take the parcel shelf out of the Wagon and you can pile it high.
We went on holiday in Scotland with a 6 month old, and all his stuff went in. Couldn't see much out, but it all went in - pram, travel cot, toys, nappies, never ending!!

[surrey speeder]

A couple of words of advice as an owner of 2 alfas. Avoid the dealer network and find a good specialist who knows what they are talking about. The dealer network recommend that you change cambelts every 70,000 miles whereas the independents recommend every 36,000 miles. The 2.0 TS can easily be tuned (see Autodelta's website) and will cost you a lot less in fuel. The JTD is allegedly the best!

[silverback mike]

Thanks folks,
I tend not to use dealers, my current car is looked after by an excellent specialist that has (in my view) a greater interest and indepth knowledge of the vehicle than a dealer.
Not sure about specialists in Bristol for alfas though. I know of one near me (near rolls royce) but are there any others?

[Mon Ami Mate]

Mike,

I've started using Duncan at Alfanet (Fishponds Road). So far he has been excellent. www.alfanet.co.uk/_alfanet

[kinky]

Mike,

As pdV6 mentions above - the 156 SportWagons are not the best for load space.

I have a 146 and was looking to replace it with the 156 sportwagon - with the arrival of Kinky Junior - and all associated paraphanilia. And I have to confess we could get more in the 146 boot than the 156 sportwagon.

Kinda discussed this topic here: www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=79525&f=99&h=0

So it's probably all well and good if you have a buggy that folds up in half.

We actually went to SGT with the boot full of our normal stuff in the 146 - and could only get shalf of into the 156. However, in a year or 2, I suspect we will get one as space won't be so much of an issue then.

Suffice to say - we've ended up sticking with the 146.

K

>> Edited by kinky on Sunday 4th April 10:58

[andoverben]

Just thought I would add another tick in the JTD Box, when it comes to reliability I have had a 156 2.4 JTD as a company car for a while and am actually buying it off the company for my wife to use, but if you are worried that about the longgevity (SP?) of them mine has done 175k miles and is still going strong (admitably it is on it 2nd Turbo but other than that it still goes like sting)

it does sound a bit noisy when idling mind but is is a quite a satisfying warble when it is pushed

[sb-1]

Mike,

I had a 156 V6 from new,for about 2.5 yrs.

A fantastic car,wonderful sound.

Had no problems with it at all .

Recommended!

Steve

[silverback mike]

Thanks folks,
I ended up with a smashing twinspark sportwagon, silver with red leather veloce, sp3 pack. Full alfa history, bit high on miles (80k but have confirmed with dealer it had the major service, belts plugs etc etc done 8k ago), 2001 model and 1 owner for £5900 thats with a full mot and warranty.

Happy as larry, ideally I would have liked a V6, but at that price I wasn't going to let it go.

Must admit, it isn't blisteringly quick, but it certainly handles well, better than my previous 328I BMW and in my view would be all over the BMW in test conditions.

I am waiting for bits to fall off now, as so far it seems very well put together.

[sb-1]

silverback mike said:

I am waiting for bits to fall off now, as so far it seems very well put together.

I found it WAS very well screwed together,nothing fell off at all!

Steve

[wombat rick]

Things don't often fall off. They might sound like they are going to, and they might stop doing what they are meant to, but they rarely actually fall off.