Going to buy a Alfa Romeo 156????

03mcgs0

Hi all,

I’m male in my mid twenty’s and thinking of getting a loan to buy a Alfa Romeo 156, probably a 2004.

What I’d like to know is the 156 as bad as what people make out. I’m not a petrol head but do like the car as it is a good looking car, and I don’t know anyone who owns one (that could be a bad thing!!).

I just want peoples thoughts on how good is the car and in what region should I pay for a 2003/4 model bearing in mind the current poor economic climate in the country. Should I even be wasting my money on a car like this, are the repairs mega expensive?

All thoughts are very much welcome

Cheers
03

10-10-20

I've a 156 amongst others.
It's great apart from some niggles.

Engine is gutsy, it's comfortable, it looks good.

Problems are: People forget to service the timing belt and the tensioners at 34k (miles). This brings on the wrath of the gods, and suddenly their chariot ends up on the side of the M50 with terminal engine failure. Service the belt, tensioners, & water pump when required and you will remain in favour with the men above.

The variator can become diesel-ish after a couple of tens of thousands of clicks. Pretty much ignore this. You can replace it if you want, but the only effect it seems to have is when starting the engine - it rattles for 5 seconds.

Electrics aren't a problem, except for the odd bulb failure. Just carry a spare set!

Bushes & suspension are know to be 'weak' points. Check the car over before-hand. They tend to show wear after 60k miles. Knocking and clunking can be upper/lower wishbones, anti-roll bar (pain to replace) or rear cross beams. As with any marque, you can fit poly bushes to further improve handling and response and tighten up loose suspension components.

Brakes may benefit from grooved pads up front, they can be kind of mushy otherwise.

Spark plugs are replaced at 60k miles (DIY-able). These used to be extortion, but the dealers have faced huge pressure from online sales. Expect to pick up a kit of 8 for ~€100 these days instead of the €32 PER PLUG the dealers used to extract...

Best of luck!

alias no.9

My experiences of 156 ownership are summed up in a previous thread here.

Anan1

Do a search, there are a few very detailed recent threads on the Alfa 156. If you just want the short answer then buy one that's been properly maintained and enjoy! BTW, if you're in Dublin then properly maintained means serviced either by TI Autos or by Alasta. Have Gerry in TI examine any car before you commit.

03mcgs0

Anan1 wrote: »

Do a search, there are a few very detailed recent threads on the Alfa 156. If you just want the short answer then buy one that's been properly maintained and enjoy! BTW, if you're in Dublin then properly maintained means serviced either by TI Autos or by Alasta. Have Gerry in TI examine any car before you commit.

Yeah I did a search earlier today and just felt that people’s views were a little carried away with the sigma attached to the Alfa from the 90’s. So I wanted to bring back up the topic, especially so as I’m thinking of buying.

I must admit, I don’t like the sound about the constant attention that needs to be given to the Alfa!! I kind of want a nice looking reliable car under €10,000, I suppose that could be asking for a little too much.

Even just in the above three posts that’s great information, cheers! I was quoted €9,000 for a 2004 Alfa 156 with 44,000 miles on the clock, do ya think that is a bit expensive???

A-Trak

alias no.9 wrote: »

My experiences of 156 ownership are summed up in a previous thread here.

Thats the post that convinced me to buy a 156! - Thanks again Alias.;)

OP bought a 156 6 months ago armed wit the requisite info from here and had a mechanic check before I parted with any cash.
Couldn't be happier with the car. love having a reason to go for a drive!
Would reccomend going for the 1.8 or 2.0 engine, much more fun then the 1.8 i found (I got the 1.8)

As for the price, I haggled down to 8K for a 2004 1.8 lusso with 40k on the clock, that was 6 months ago beofre the recession was a reality so I'd say theres room to push the price down some.

samhail

yeah the alfa is a very nice car - i never had any problems with mine, and i know i was lucky. you will enjoy it

CharlieCroker

Hi, same as you. mid 20's and bought my first Alfa last Sept.
Had a 2.0 3 series which was killing me on petrol cos i suddenly started doing way more miles. Buddy in the trade had a 03 Sportivo 1.6 with 110k and a new belt and waterpump which i picked up for just under €4000.

As someone said, the only thing thats gone wrong are bulbs so I upgraded the headlight bulbs when they went cos the origionals were crap.
Apart from that, I cant fault the car. Comfortable, quick (for a 1.6), good economy, still gorgeous looks after 10 years and massive spec. Sportivo has everything.

If a mechanic says its alright, then I'd work away.
Best of luck.
(oh ya, make sure you get the facelifted interior from '03 on.)

Bobo78

Lads one question from me, I m very interested to buy the same Alfa some time during the year and I would be probably loking for a 2003 model with 1.6 liter engine. I m just worried about one thing I read on the Honest John that Alfa s twin spark engines tend to use up to 1 liter of oil per 600 miles which sounds a lot. So is this true and did any of ye had that kind of experience with this car?

CharlieCroker

Bobo78 wrote: »

Lads one question from me, I m very interested to buy the same Alfa some time during the year and I would be probably loking for a 2003 model with 1.6 liter engine. I m just worried about one thing I read on the Honest John that Alfa s twin spark engines tend to use up to 1 liter of oil per 600 miles which sounds a lot. So is this true and did any of ye had that kind of experience with this car?

Ya, uses a bit of oil but it's grand once you keep an eye on it.

Bobo78

But would it really use that much of oil? Like a liter of oil per 600 miles?? That sounds a bit too much for me. Becouse if it is like that, there is no need to change the oil at all, cause I d only need to top up all the time.:(

techie

I have a 05 147 1.6, its uses a bit of oil (0.5l per 1000 miles) , thats with a good quality 10w40 oil in.

I'd agree with the above comments, my car has just past 100,000 miles and I service it every 6k miles and she is still going strong.

get yourself over to www.alfaowner.com/forum for any more queries on the Alfa's, just tell them techie sent you !!

CharlieCroker

techie, you know anyone good with alfa's in the city?

techie

CharlieCroker wrote: »

techie, you know anyone good with alfa's in the city?

Yes, Paul in Lee Garage is an Alfa nut !!

techie

CharlieCroker wrote: »

techie, you know anyone good with alfa's in the city?

If you have an Alfa head on over to the ROI section of Alfaowner as we have a meet coming up in Killarney !!!

techie

Op: If you are getting a 156, then get yourself a facelift 156, (04 onwards) as they are a nicer looking car from the outside and have the facelifted dash also .

CharlieCroker

I've got an '03 which has the older (better looking imo) body but with the facelifted interior!!!

Anan1

techie wrote: »

Op: If you are getting a 156, then get yourself a facelift 156, (04 onwards) as they are a nicer looking car from the outside and have the facelifted dash also .

CharlieCroker wrote: »

I've got an '03 which has the older (better looking imo) body but with the facelifted interior!!!

I've yet to see an Italian car that hasn't looked better in its original iteration, and the Alfa 156 is no exception.

techie

Ok guys you're entitled to your opinions ! (Wrong as they may be !! ) :D:D

CharlieCroker

Anan1 wrote: »

I've yet to see an Italian car that hasn't looked better in its original iteration, and the Alfa 156 is no exception.

Hasn't looked better IN its original iteration or hasn't looked better THAN its original iteration??

techie

Pre-F/L = Bad

Post F/L = Good

:P:D

CharlieCroker

techie wrote: »

Ok guys you're entitled to your opinions ! (Wrong as they may be !! ) :D:D

Your dead right, personal taste and all that. Just think they messed up the bootlid and back bumper on the facelift. front is ok though, especially with the Ti bumper.

Eoin

CharlieCroker wrote: »

Hasn't looked better IN its original iteration or hasn't looked better THAN its original iteration??

He prefers the old ones.

techie

CharlieCroker wrote: »

Your dead right, personal taste and all that. Just think they messed up the bootlid and back bumper on the facelift. front is ok though, especially with the Ti bumper.

147 , 156 & 159 TI = Heavenly Cars !!!!

CharlieCroker

yup, 159Ti when they drop below €10k. I'll buy one then.
Black, black or red leather, and smoked glass.
SAVAGE!!!!:D

techie

CharlieCroker wrote: »

yup, 159Ti when they drop below €10k. I'll buy one then.
Black, black or red leather, and smoked glass.
SAVAGE!!!!:D

Kevin O'Leary's have a 06 147 Ti for €14900 with 17k miles on it. The force is strong in that one

CharlieCroker

Nice bus.
big money though

techie

CharlieCroker wrote: »

Nice bus.
big money though

It's down from €18900 , been there for more than 6 months , if it keeps going I will have it by mid year I reckon !!

CharlieCroker

€12000 would be the right price for it. I'd pay a bit more if it had leather. Suprised it doesnt actually

bazz26

I'm going to buck the trend here. I much prefer the 04 facelifted 156 to the original.

Bobo78

bazz26 wrote: »

I'm going to buck the trend here. I much prefer the 04 facelifted 156 to the original.

I dont know why but me too.:)

10-10-20

And almost just to prove me right - there is a silver 00D 156 on the South-bound carrage-way in Carrickmines which has, I sure, blown it's camshaft all over the black-top... Another 156 bites the dust.

techie

10-10-20 wrote: »

And almost just to prove me right - there is a silver 00D 156 on the South-bound carrage-way in Carrickmines which has, I sure, blown it's camshaft all over the black-top... Another 156 bites the dust.

Just another owner who did not get the cambelt done on time I bet !!

cjt156

10-10-20 wrote: »

And almost just to prove me right - there is a silver 00D 156 on the South-bound carrage-way in Carrickmines which has, I sure, blown it's camshaft all over the black-top... Another 156 bites the dust.

Saw that too; praying the chap just ran out of petrol as I went by.

Pre-facelift all the way BTW. Post face-lift front is OK; aspires to the aggressive 159-look without success but, as CharlieC says, the rear is a mess.

Oh and alias no.9's post on buying a 156 is as definitive as I've seen; well done that man.

siralfalot

the 156 to have is the 2.4JTD, they're easier to run than the petrol ones, 50mpg, and they don't use oil, and quicker than all the petrols bar the GTA

this is mine

2003, with the factory bodykit and facelift interior, 121k miles miles on the clock and its running like clockwork, I'm thinking of selling her at the moment as i need a jeep to tow a trailer :mad:

03mcgs0

Cheers for all the info lads,

So do u reckon I should pay around E7,500 for a 04 156??

This might sound a daft question but I never have even put a bid in for a car before, so say if a car is going for E9,000 would it really annoy the dealer if i said i'd pay E7,750, or would he just tell me were to go?!

galwaytt

me ? I'd offer even less than that ! Try starting at....6 ?

Don't be shy, in a moment of weakness, all that can happen is you either get the car for less than you thought.......

03mcgs0

galwaytt wrote: »

me ? I'd offer even less than that ! Try starting at....6 ?

Don't be shy, in a moment of weakness, all that can happen is you either get the car for less than you thought.......

Get out of it...? Do you think a dealer would really generally let a car at around say 8,000 go for 7,000 for less???

A-Trak

siralfalot wrote: »

this is mine

2003, with the factory bodykit and facelift

Have to say that TI bodykit really adds to the car. Is there an after-market version?

solo1484

03mcgs0 wrote: »

Cheers for all the info lads,

So do u reckon I should pay around E7,500 for a 04 156??

This might sound a daft question but I never have even put a bid in for a car before, so say if a car is going for E9,000 would it really annoy the dealer if i said i'd pay E7,750, or would he just tell me were to go?!

Gods honest truth, don't make him any offers; its a bad choice to get an alfa be it a 00 or a 07...i've heard of so many horror stories.
The price of alfa's speaks for itself..their so cheap because their not worth it! You'd pick up a 01 or 02 3 series for €9000 and you'll have very few probs ever. Please sit on your hands and look before you leap!!!:o

A-Trak

solo1484 wrote: »

Gods honest truth, don't make him any offers; its a bad choice to get an alfa be it a 00 or a 07...i've heard of so many horror stories.
The price of alfa's speaks for itself..their so cheap because their not worth it! You'd pick up a 01 or 02 3 series for €9000 and you'll have very few probs ever. Please sit on your hands and look before you leap!!!:o

...and a thread on Alfas almost, almost, dies without the usual old rhetoric.
Fair play to solo1484 though, he's heard a lot of stories.

Bluefoam

solo1484 wrote: »

i've heard of so many horror stories.

Moderators, can we put some sort of block on trolls and gob****es on this thread?

CharlieCroker

solo1484 wrote: »

Gods honest truth, don't make him any offers; its a bad choice to get an alfa be it a 00 or a 07...i've heard of so many horror stories.
The price of alfa's speaks for itself..their so cheap because their not worth it! You'd pick up a 01 or 02 3 series for €9000 and you'll have very few probs ever. Please sit on your hands and look before you leap!!!:o

OP
Listen to the people who actually OWN an Alfa, not the people who think they know what they're talking about cos they listen to the stereotypes.
Yes, they CAN go wrong like any car but I had a 3 series before my 156 and i couldn't go a couple of months before having to fork out €€€€€€ on it.

unkel

Bluefoam wrote: »

Moderators, can we put some sort of block on trolls and gob****es on this thread?

Last I heard, vbulletin was patenting their new trollsNgobsh1tes filter (TM)

It'll probably take a few years before it's deployed to boards.ie. In the meantime, don't feed the trolls (or the ignorants that look like trolls)!

miju

OP I own both pre-facelift and post-facelift 156's and I have to say I much prefer to drive the post-facelift version (though granted its the 1.9JTD )

look after them and service them regular and they'll look after you too

As for solo1484 I'm really happy people like him are about and have his very wrong opinion. Means you can pick up a great car that will always put a smile on your face for alot cheaper than other marques.

samsemtex

solo1484 wrote: »

Gods honest truth, don't make him any offers; its a bad choice to get an alfa be it a 00 or a 07...i've heard of so many horror stories.
The price of alfa's speaks for itself..their so cheap because their not worth it! You'd pick up a 01 or 02 3 series for €9000 and you'll have very few probs ever. Please sit on your hands and look before you leap!!!:o

What an asset to the forum you are. Have you ever owned or even driven an Alfa? Ive heard horror stories about BMWs as well but im not stupid enough to think that all of them are complete crap. Go to www.carsurvey.org and you will see plenty of happy Alfa customers. In fact most of the post 2004 Alfas are positive reviews with very few complaints and some cars having none at all.

Or have you heard a story about that site?

siralfalot

A-Trak wrote: »

Have to say that TI bodykit really adds to the car. Is there an after-market version?

you can buy it from Alfa as an aftermarket kit, its big bucks though :mad:

every now and then you will find one on ebay for a good price

a company called Zender make the kit for Alfa, and it can also be bought via their website.

solo1484 wrote: »

Gods honest truth, don't make him any offers; its a bad choice to get an alfa be it a 00 or a 07...i've heard of so many horror stories.
The price of alfa's speaks for itself..their so cheap because their not worth it! You'd pick up a 01 or 02 3 series for €9000 and you'll have very few probs ever. Please sit on your hands and look before you leap!!!:o

dear god, dou you really think that a 01 or 02 vintage BMW (or any other Marque for that matter) will be completly trouble free??

your attitude reminds me of an Alfa Romeo meet that was held in the Phoenix Park a year ago. There was 40 or so Alfas of all discriptions parked up, and we were attracting a lot of positive attention from passers by. Suddenly a clapped out corolla approches, and the bald fat driver (who was leaning halfway out the window) roars out "yisser alfas are nuttin buh balls o shoite!!"
man we must have laughed at him for 15 mins