Tell me about the Alfa Romeo 156 - any good?

[TonyRPH]

I see they're quite reasonably priced, with some decent mileage too.

I seem to recall James May raving about these on Top Gear?

Was it when he 'raced' the chap who waded across the Humber?

I'm possibly looking to buy one.

Which is the best engine? 1.8 or 2.0 ?

Are they any good? (usual Alfa reservations aside of course..)

[robsco]

The test you refer to was of the 159. I cried when I sold my 156 V6. Enough said, really.

[callahan]

robsco said:

The test you refer to was of the 159. I cried when I sold my 156 V6. Enough said, really.

Me too, same car, same girlie response to selling it.

I'm even thinking about getting another, but maybe the 1.8 or 2.0 like the OP.

Again, the Alfa Workshop is your friend: http://www.alfaworkshop.co.uk/alfa_romeo_156.shtml

And http://www.alfa156.net/

[robsco]

Tony, why are considering the 1.8 or 2.0, just out of interest? The V6 in top condition isn't far off on economy... mine was averaging 28mpg after I got the air flow meter changed, compared with 31mpg from my old 147 1.6. The Twin Sparks are a super engine, but the V6 is on another plain.

PS - Callahan, I'm glad I'm not alone!

[Rob_F]

I nearly bought a 2.0TS in a lovely spec but the insurance was more than my MG ZT 190, and the MG was newer too.

The Alfa is lovely but it might be worth considering the MG and maybe Mondeo V6 etc which are both similarly great value.

Cheers,
Rob

[redstu]

I'm taking mine to le mans this year.
You need one with momo leather and the v6!
Best to try the various suspension/wheel options as even the softest (a lusso like mine with 15 inch wheels) doesn't like bad surfaces.
I hope I don't cry when I sell mine later this year!
But whatever I buy next is likely to cost more in purchase and maintenance costs because it will have a lot to follow in terms of Looks, interior, sound and reliability. I'd like an xjr or an m5 as much less wouldn't be much of a step up IMHO.

[TonyRPH]

robsco said:

Tony, why are considering the 1.8 or 2.0, just out of interest? The V6 in top condition isn't far off on economy... mine was averaging 28mpg after I got the air flow meter changed, compared with 31mpg from my old 147 1.6. The Twin Sparks are a super engine, but the V6 is on another plain.

PS - Callahan, I'm glad I'm not alone!

I set myself a budget of £2k, and looking around (reasonably local) there only seems to be a mix of 1.8 and 2.0.

The 2.0 strikes me as a good compromise, because the power output is quite reasonable, and I guess maintenance costs will be less!

That's not to say I wouldn't have the V6 - if I could find one within budget..

[robsco]

TonyRPH said:

I set myself a budget of £2k, and looking around (reasonably local) there only seems to be a mix of 1.8 and 2.0.

The 2.0 strikes me as a good compromise, because the power output is quite reasonable, and I guess maintenance costs will be less!

That's not to say I wouldn't have the V6 - if I could find one within budget..

Not necessarily, the V6s are an extremely strong engine with less of a thirst for oil and longer cambelt intervals than the Twin Spark. You'll find yourself a great V6 for 2k with a bit of patience. I sold mine for 2k a few weeks ago, a white X-plate with 53000 miles. And that was a minter, and I mean a real minter.

[VeeFour]

I'd be looking for a 2.4JTD myself - or a late 1.9 JTD with 140/150bhp.

[robsco]

VeeFour said:

I'd be looking for a 2.4JTD myself - or a late 1.9 JTD with 140/150bhp.

Why the 2.4? Despite being a grunty unit, they're notoriously thirsty for what they are.

[VeeFour]

robsco said:

Why the 2.4? Despite being a grunty unit, they're notoriously thirsty for what they are.

A lot more economical than a V6, more reliable than a TSpark, and they sound amazing.

[limpsfield]

I have had two of the 2.0 TS and I really would recommend them as a great second hand buy.

All the running costs for my last one are here in my profile

http://www.pistonheads.com/members/showcar.asp?car...

[robsco]

VeeFour said:

A lot more economical than a V6, more reliable than a TSpark, and they sound amazing.

Agree on the sound (lovely 5-cylinder burble), but unless you have first hand experience of the 2.4, which I admittedly don't, I can't see if the economy argument holds a lot of water. Pretty much every 2.4 owner I've spoken to has complained of mpg in the early 30s, sometimes even worse. Compared with a 2.5 V6 knocking on the door of 30, why on earth wouldn't somebody buy the V6?

[VeeFour]

robsco said:

Agree on the sound (lovely 5-cylinder burble), but unless you have first hand experience of the 2.4, which I admittedly don't, I can't see if the economy argument holds a lot of water. Pretty much every 2.4 owner I've spoken to has complained of mpg in the early 30s, sometimes even worse. Compared with a 2.5 V6 knocking on the door of 30, why on earth wouldn't somebody buy the V6?

Because if you're driving a 2.4 JTD hard enough to see low 30s, you'd be getting low teens out of a V6.

[robsco]

VeeFour said:

robsco said:

Agree on the sound (lovely 5-cylinder burble), but unless you have first hand experience of the 2.4, which I admittedly don't, I can't see if the economy argument holds a lot of water. Pretty much every 2.4 owner I've spoken to has complained of mpg in the early 30s, sometimes even worse. Compared with a 2.5 V6 knocking on the door of 30, why on earth wouldn't somebody buy the V6?

Because if you're driving a 2.4 JTD hard enough to see low 30s, you'd be getting low teens out of a V6.

So, every 2.4 owner I've spoken to drives like Michael Schumacher?

[TonyRPH]

I've already spotted a few V6's.

Excellent value for money on the face of it.

The proof will be in the test drive!

[jains15]

limpsfield said:

I have had two of the 2.0 TS and I really would recommend them as a great second hand buy.

All the running costs for my last one are here in my profile

http://www.pistonheads.com/members/showcar.asp?car...

My 156 is the best car I've owned. Most troublesome, but still the best. It's the way it makes you feel when it's going right. Mine's a 2.0 TS with MOMO & GTA alloys. Just go into it with your eyes open. You will spend money. You need to buy the right spec and it's very sensitive to wheels too. So go for larger teldials or GTA teledials, stay away from Selespeeds and their wheels.

Looks better than a four door saloon has any right to.
Sounds fantastic for a four banger.
The seats are so nice and the leather feels yummy
Handles and goes well.

Gets (very) positive responses off the fairer sex too. And not in a "what a cute fluffy car" way either You will get checked out

[robsco]

TonyRPH said:

I've already spotted a few V6's.

Excellent value for money on the face of it.

The proof will be in the test drive!

If you test drive a V6, you'll buy a V6. End of story.

[jake15919]

I loved both of the 156s that I owned to the point where I went on to buy a 159. My V6 156 Sportwagon was an incredible car and in its perfect Nuvolari blue paintwork it looked stunning, but it did develop a number of increasingly annoying electrical problems. The V6 is very nose heavy and check the slope of your drive as the 156 is very low slung and has quite a big front overhang.

If you are not going for a V6 get a diesel and if you can get the Sportwagon do so.

Also proud to say my V6 never got anywhere near a 28mpg average even with a 70 mile motorway commute every day. You would have to be deaf to resist regularly flooring a V6.

Edited by jake15919 on Tuesday 29th March 22:49

[defblade]

jains15 said:

Looks better than a four door saloon has any right to.
Sounds fantastic for a four banger.
The seats are so nice and the leather feels yummy
Handles and goes well.

Gets (very) positive responses off the fairer sex too. And not in a "what a cute fluffy car" way either You will get checked out

I agree with all of that.

It's less fun when a con-rod decides it's time to taste freedom tho

And now I've had an Alfa I'd say go for it, but don't be too upset when it breaks....