Alfa 156, repair or scrap?

MarkoF

I have an 8 year old Alfa 156 (90K on the clock). The timing belt, which had been replaced at 50k, broke yesterday. My mechanic tells me that it could cost up to €2,000 to repair the engine.

I had considered trading-in the Alfa this year.

My question is, is it worth repairing for a trade-in or sell for parts?


Cheers

Anan1

Give Gerry Campbell in TI autos a call, 01-8386567. And don't even think about giving out about Alfas, the belts on those cars should be replaced religiously every 36k.;)

Mailman

Parts value is extremely low. There are too many of them scrapped already.
If you like the car repair it as it is a better option than buying another 156 who's history is unknown.

bbability

just as an example here is one on carzone that's 7 years old and looks in pristine condition. If I were you I be putting my money into another car. Its a heart breaker but its probably the best option

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=793638

Jimbo

bbability wrote: »

just as an example here is one on carzone that's 7 years old and looks in pristine condition. If I were you I be putting my money into another car. Its a heart breaker but its probably the best option

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=793638

i second

Mailman

I have to disagree. Having owned a 156 it is really a case of "better the devil you know". It takes a lot of work to get a 156 right and buying another one means you have to start all over again. If the car is fundamentally sound you are better off repairing and it probably won't cost €2000 if you source the parts yourself and use an independent specialist to repair.
There are a lot of good heads out there on scrapped 156s where the big end has gone.
The cost of the repair will get you an oil change, probably a good time to change sparks, water pump and a new belt/tensioners which leaves you 36K miles away from more major expense.
If your clutch, exhaust, wishbones and bushes are in poor condition then it might make more sense to move on but not to another 156.

Henry Ford III

bbability wrote: »

just as an example here is one on carzone that's 7 years old and looks in pristine condition. If I were you I be putting my money into another car. Its a heart breaker but its probably the best option

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=793638

Nice old bus that. Looks to be decent value. Red is the best colour. 2.0 can move.

Earth Worm Jim

I have a 00 alfa 156 t-spark silver alloys flip down cd driving perfect with 100k on it and you could buy it for 2500 euros, so I wouldn't put 2000 euros into a car that would be worth a little over that. Alfas are expensive to service, new parts are expensive and very few mechanics will go near them - though in saying that they are great when their going well and look tops - plus if you know what your doing theres loads of parts for them in breakers going for buttons.

Anan1

Earth Worm Jim wrote: »

I have a 00 alfa 156 t-spark silver alloys flip down cd driving perfect with 100k on it and you could buy it for 2500 euros, so I wouldn't put 2000 euros into a car that would be worth a little over that.

But the OP's car will be worth close to nothing with a dead engine. €2,000 gets him a car that's just had a cambelt service.