159 2.4 Diesel?

[Doofus]

I'm really tempted by one of these. It'll be used regularly for short(ish) journeys to the airport, along with a few longer (200mile +) journeys each month.

Am I going to run into trouble with DPF and EGR? From what I've seen, these are the Achilles' heel, and I need it to be reliable.

What are annual servicing costs like? MD probably, because there aren't any independents in my area.

Thanks

[waynedear]

Get a remap and a DPF delete, more power, better mpg..

[purpleperil]

waynedear said:

Get a remap and a DPF delete, more power, better mpg..

Sounds good - Where from and at what cost?

[Doofus]

That I do know AHM in Hartley Wintney. £600

[waynedear]

Unless you are up north, then its Alfatune, St Helens..

[Doofus]

Is that going to remove my reliability concerns? I presume neither DPF or EGR removal have any adverse affect on emmissions / MOTs etc?

[RicksAlfas]

My 2.4 gets used for lots of short journeys. The secret is to use lots of full throttle... a lot.
If you pootle around at 2000 rpm all the time, that's what they don't like.

[Doofus]

So I should buy one then, Mr Alfa?

[Rochester TVR]

Doofus said:

I'm really tempted by one of these. It'll be used regularly for short(ish) journeys to the airport, along with a few longer (200mile +) journeys each month.

Am I going to run into trouble with DPF and EGR? From what I've seen, these are the Achilles' heel, and I need it to be reliable.

What are annual servicing costs like? MD probably, because there aren't any independents in my area.

Thanks

I have a 2.4 (210bhp Ti model) and its essentially the wifes/family car used mostly for short journeys and the odd longer stint every now and then. I've had mine remapped by RedDot Racing in Enfield (highly recommended). Originally it was producing 197bhp and 244lbs ft and suffered from a power flat spot around the 1750rpm mark. Now it has 244bhp and 440lbs ft, it has completely transformed the car, pick up is effortlessly smooth and the economy has improved by 3-4mpg.

In regards to DPF removal, I spoke to RedDot about this when having mine done and they were working on producing a bypass pipe. Im not sure of their progress so might be worth giving them a call.

Personally I dont see the issue of the DPF/EGR valve removal. My 159 has done 55,000 miles and neither have given me any problems. My local MD did replace the EGR valve under warentee about 6 weeks ago mind you, but I was susprised as the issue (smoking on start up) was not related to the exhaust system, but either way I now have a brand new one

In regards to servicing; (Depending on your location) I have used Sunnyside Garage in Dagenham for the last 2 services and wouldn't take it anywhere else. They are far from a shiney swish showroom but they are very reasonable, plus they only do Alfas and really look after the car.

Had mine serviced only 2 months ago and it was about £220 IIRC. Overall they are cheap cars to run, make sure the one you get has had its geometry corrected (especially on the 19" Ti Alloys) as they tend come from the factory with too much toe and so wear the inside edges on the fronts very quickly. I got through 2 front Pirellis in 6000mls! Mine is now corrected and the new Pirellis are due to be replaced but have done 20,000mls! (Elite Racing in Essex is where I got my geometry set up)

Whats your budget? I did have mine for sale last month but withdrew after a couple of no shows and the car I wanted went elsewhere, I'll be looking to re-advertise in the new year if your interested.

Lee

[Doofus]

That's the kind of comprehensive reply I was after. Thanks!

Budget's not really an issue, but I'm not going to go daft. It's an airport - and a second - car really (I spend a lot of time abroad), and can get a Lusso for £10k or thereabouts. £10k won't stretch to a TI, I shouldn't think.

[RicksAlfas]

Doofus said:

So I should buy one then, Mr Alfa?

Not if you are going to pootle about at low revs, no.

[Rochester TVR]

Doofus said:

That's the kind of comprehensive reply I was after. Thanks!

Budget's not really an issue, but I'm not going to go daft. It's an airport - and a second - car really (I spend a lot of time abroad), and can get a Lusso for £10k or thereabouts. £10k won't stretch to a TI, I shouldn't think.

I dont think your budget is far off TBH, lower end Ti's fall around the £11-£12k mark. I have seen some Ti examples under £10k but they look like they have had a hard life.

Mine is a 57 plate with 55,000mls so it will be towards the lower end of the used market, buy on condition rather than miles and Im sure you'll be very pleased. (As will your passengers)

Couple of other points; If you plan to use the car as a Airport car then find one with fold down rear seats, I've got this and always thought it was standard but apparently it was an option.

If you go for Alfa Red (best colour) check the front end and in front of the rear archs for stone chips, the paint is water based and can be soft. Some examples I veiwed looked like they had done 100k more than they actually had.

Other than that they are great cars, and get the balance of sensible / petrolhead perfect IMO.

[jamieboy]

Doofus said:

can get a Lusso for £10k or thereabouts. £10k won't stretch to a TI, I shouldn't think.

Not sure about budgets, but probably worth going for an '08 or newer car if you can - that's when they lost some weight.

[Doofus]

Is that when the engine changed to 210 bhp?

[jamieboy]

No, I think the 210bhp engine came in part way through '07 - not sure exactly when, but you could definitely get that engine in the pre-facelift cars.

[Doofus]

So how do I identify a facelift then?

[jamieboy]

Easiest way that I know of is the boot - if you can open the boot by pressing the Alfa badge then it's a facelift car. There are some other trivial changes too, but that's the easiest way to tell. I think February or March '08 was when the switchover point.

You get some more kit on a pre-facelift ti than a facelift - automatic lights and wipers, electric seats I think, but the weight-loss makes the newer car a better drive.

[Doofus]

Brilliant, thanks!

[AV12]

Rochester TVR said:

Doofus said:

I'm really tempted by one of these. It'll be used regularly for short(ish) journeys to the airport, along with a few longer (200mile +) journeys each month.

Am I going to run into trouble with DPF and EGR? From what I've seen, these are the Achilles' heel, and I need it to be reliable.

What are annual servicing costs like? MD probably, because there aren't any independents in my area.

Thanks

I have a 2.4 (210bhp Ti model) and its essentially the wifes/family car used mostly for short journeys and the odd longer stint every now and then. I've had mine remapped by RedDot Racing in Enfield (highly recommended). Originally it was producing 197bhp and 244lbs ft and suffered from a power flat spot around the 1750rpm mark. Now it has 244bhp and 440lbs ft, it has completely transformed the car, pick up is effortlessly smooth and the economy has improved by 3-4mpg.

In regards to DPF removal, I spoke to RedDot about this when having mine done and they were working on producing a bypass pipe. Im not sure of their progress so might be worth giving them a call.

Personally I dont see the issue of the DPF/EGR valve removal. My 159 has done 55,000 miles and neither have given me any problems. My local MD did replace the EGR valve under warentee about 6 weeks ago mind you, but I was susprised as the issue (smoking on start up) was not related to the exhaust system, but either way I now have a brand new one

In regards to servicing; (Depending on your location) I have used Sunnyside Garage in Dagenham for the last 2 services and wouldn't take it anywhere else. They are far from a shiney swish showroom but they are very reasonable, plus they only do Alfas and really look after the car.

Had mine serviced only 2 months ago and it was about £220 IIRC. Overall they are cheap cars to run, make sure the one you get has had its geometry corrected (especially on the 19" Ti Alloys) as they tend come from the factory with too much toe and so wear the inside edges on the fronts very quickly. I got through 2 front Pirellis in 6000mls! Mine is now corrected and the new Pirellis are due to be replaced but have done 20,000mls! (Elite Racing in Essex is where I got my geometry set up)

Whats your budget? I did have mine for sale last month but withdrew after a couple of no shows and the car I wanted went elsewhere, I'll be looking to re-advertise in the new year if your interested.

Lee

Lee,thats fantastic info. Cheers. I am about to give my car it's first service under my ownership and I will surely enquire with Sunnyside. I'm in SE London by the river, so that sounds perfect.

How would you measure the overall performance now? What is it comparable to? My last car was a E36 328i and its really close to it, probably quicker over 60.

[Rochester TVR]

AV12 said:

Rochester TVR said:

Doofus said:

I'm really tempted by one of these. It'll be used regularly for short(ish) journeys to the airport, along with a few longer (200mile +) journeys each month.

Am I going to run into trouble with DPF and EGR? From what I've seen, these are the Achilles' heel, and I need it to be reliable.

What are annual servicing costs like? MD probably, because there aren't any independents in my area.

Thanks

I have a 2.4 (210bhp Ti model) and its essentially the wifes/family car used mostly for short journeys and the odd longer stint every now and then. I've had mine remapped by RedDot Racing in Enfield (highly recommended). Originally it was producing 197bhp and 244lbs ft and suffered from a power flat spot around the 1750rpm mark. Now it has 244bhp and 440lbs ft, it has completely transformed the car, pick up is effortlessly smooth and the economy has improved by 3-4mpg.

In regards to DPF removal, I spoke to RedDot about this when having mine done and they were working on producing a bypass pipe. Im not sure of their progress so might be worth giving them a call.

Personally I dont see the issue of the DPF/EGR valve removal. My 159 has done 55,000 miles and neither have given me any problems. My local MD did replace the EGR valve under warentee about 6 weeks ago mind you, but I was susprised as the issue (smoking on start up) was not related to the exhaust system, but either way I now have a brand new one

In regards to servicing; (Depending on your location) I have used Sunnyside Garage in Dagenham for the last 2 services and wouldn't take it anywhere else. They are far from a shiney swish showroom but they are very reasonable, plus they only do Alfas and really look after the car.

Had mine serviced only 2 months ago and it was about £220 IIRC. Overall they are cheap cars to run, make sure the one you get has had its geometry corrected (especially on the 19" Ti Alloys) as they tend come from the factory with too much toe and so wear the inside edges on the fronts very quickly. I got through 2 front Pirellis in 6000mls! Mine is now corrected and the new Pirellis are due to be replaced but have done 20,000mls! (Elite Racing in Essex is where I got my geometry set up)

Whats your budget? I did have mine for sale last month but withdrew after a couple of no shows and the car I wanted went elsewhere, I'll be looking to re-advertise in the new year if your interested.

Lee

Lee,thats fantastic info. Cheers. I am about to give my car it's first service under my ownership and I will surely enquire with Sunnyside. I'm in SE London by the river, so that sounds perfect.

How would you measure the overall performance now? What is it comparable to? My last car was a E36 328i and its really close to it, probably quicker over 60.

Cant go wrong servicing it at Sunnyside IMO. Expect to see a messy / dirty garage though, but they've always had some classic Alfa's in there and the odd racing Alfa aswell. The guys there are definately Alfitsi through and through and really care about the cars.

Comparable performance.... cant comment on the E36 but my previous cars were a BMW 335i and an Audi A4 2.0T Quattro. Unsurprisingly it still feels slower than the 335i to 60 and only just behind the Audi but between 30-50-90 it a different animal, much quicker than the Audi was and not massively far behind the 335i.
Personally I dont go by 0-60 too much and find that 30/50 upward figures give a better idea of everyday performance potential. The only reason I dont think the Alfa is not quicker to 60 than the Audi is because of its gearing, you have to change into 3rd at about 55mph which obviously kills any chance of good figures.
I haven't done any proper timing so can only go by scientific mmmm... yeah that feels quicker.

Having some new front tyres fitted tomorrow, cant decide between sticking with the Pirelli P Zero Nero or trying out the Continental Sport Contact. Anyone have any experience with both?