alfa 156 2.4 jtd

[tattymarbots]

111k miles any good, cheap i fancy it

[RicksAlfas]

Buy it then.

[dave_s13]

I've had one. A top spec low miles 55 plate wagon.

They are total sheite.

[crostonian]

My experience with 156 JTDs suggests the 10 valve cars are much more reliable than the later 20V cars, so if it's an early car don't let the last post put you off.

[The_Burg]

Had one for a while, sound great very un-diesel like.
Go well and handle very well, get the suspension checked over though and make sure cambelt has been done or budget for it.

[jamieboy]

dave_s13 said:

I've had one. A top spec low miles 55 plate wagon.

They are total sheite.

dave_s13 said:

Here's what I liked about my 156 (2005 2.4JTD SW)
1. It looked lovely
2. Quick, accurate steering
3. Quick to change direction
4. Lots of grip
5. Very strong engine, large powerband (for a derv)

Here's what I didn't like
1. Cramped inside
3. Very noisy
4. Crap stereo
5. Crap phone integration
6. Crashy, painful ride - shocking really
7. Engine slung so low it grounds out on speedbumps
8. The stereo turned off with the engine (I sometimes like to sit and listen to something before I get out)
9. The windscreen washers didn't hit the screen and were impossible to adjust (tried lots)
10, The Aero windscreen wipers jumped over the screen.
11. No handle on the back to open the tailgate
12. Crap Ipod integration (even with an OEM adapter)
13. The odometer would randomly go out
14. Trip computer stopped working
15. Load capacity rubbish
16. Glove box didn't fit the car properly, closed ok just looked odd.
17. Crap climate control - mind of it's own
18. Various bits of plastic trim fell off
19. Several instrument bulbs blew and all needed replacement
20. No front cup holders
21. Lack of cubby holes for "stuff"
22. The OEM roof bars damaged the rubber door seals
23. The turning circle !!!jesus!!!

It's a shame you didn't get on with yours, but to a lot of people who enjoy driving the things on your "likes" list seem a lot less trivial than those on your "dislikes" list.

[alfaeagle]

dave_s13 said:

Here's what I liked about my 156 (2005 2.4JTD SW)
1. It looked lovely Agree
2. Quick, accurate steering Agree
3. Quick to change direction Agree
4. Lots of grip Agree
5. Very strong engine, large powerband (for a derv) Agree

Here's what I didn't like
1. Cramped inside it is in the back, fine in the front. I'm 6'3" and I have the driver's seat all the way back and there is pretty much zero useful leg room behind me
3. Very noisy In a good way, but cabin can be very rattly
4. Crap stereo I have the Bose upgrade, but even that I would honestly describe as "average"
5. Crap phone integration Don't have it
6. Crashy, painful ride - shocking really Mine is a Veloce on the sports suspension, which I like, but even I would have to describe is as "firm"
7. Engine slung so low it grounds out on speedbumps I drive very slowly over speedbumps, other people have mentioned this but I have never had this problem
8. The stereo turned off with the engine (I sometimes like to sit and listen to something before I get out) Doesn't bother me
9. The windscreen washers didn't hit the screen and were impossible to adjust (tried lots) Mine do
10, The Aero windscreen wipers jumped over the screen. Mine don't
11. No handle on the back to open the tailgate True, but there's a button on the key fob and a lever by the driver's door, it doesn't bother me
12. Crap Ipod integration (even with an OEM adapter) Don't have it
13. The odometer would randomly go out Mine doesn't
14. Trip computer stopped working Mine hasn't
15. Load capacity rubbish Boot's not huge
16. Glove box didn't fit the car properly, closed ok just looked odd. Mine's fine, but it is a very strange shape
17. Crap climate control - mind of it's own [Clarkson] like an asthmatic blowing through a straw [/Clarkson]
18. Various bits of plastic trim fell off Seems better glued on than my old GTV, nothing has dropped off yet
19. Several instrument bulbs blew and all needed replacement Mine have been fine
20. No front cup holders True, can be annoying
21. Lack of cubby holes for "stuff" True, there isn't a lot of stowage space
22. The OEM roof bars damaged the rubber door seals Don't have them
23. The turning circle !!!jesus!!! LOL, I run a 20V on sports suspension, I think the turning circle owes a lot to the Moon...

Comments in italics.

I like it, it's a fun car to drive, the 20V diesel is a great engine, very tractable and eager to rev with a great five-pot burble, it has never broken down on me or failed to start.

However, in the interests of fairness, I have to say that every time I take it in for an annual service there is always remedial work to be done and it has cost me. Although these have always been known weak-spots (drive-shafts, upper wishbones, that sort of thing, so once done they won't recur for a few years and I live near a very highly regarded Alfa specialist, which helps).

Have a look at AlfaOwner, read the threads in the technical lounges and ask questions before making your mind up, they're a helpful bunch.

[dave_s13]

Ha.. Excellent detectiveness!!

They are a marmit motor I suppose...I didn't like the taste

Only car I've ever made money on though!

[redstu]

Ok I dont have a diesel , I have a '98 V6 , just to comment on a few of the points above

My radio stays on when the ignition is off , it then turns itself off about 10 or 15 minutes later, so this may be something to do with the settings.

Yes the air con is poor!

And what is it with fking cupholders! I go to the pub or occassionally a cafe for a drink not the car!

[dave_s13]

Cupholders are essential. We drove from Leeds - London - Leeds last weekend in the volvo. In a 156 you have nowhere to put your coffee/drink. VERY annoying.