Buying used Alfa 156... what to check?

robnet77

Hi,

I'm about to buy a used Alfa 156 in Ireland.

Is there a way to know whether the car is stolen from the registration number? can I know the name and address of the previous owner from there as well?

Also, I was told both the timing belt and the water pump had been replaced at 87.000 miles, which someone advised is too late as they're scheduled at 75.000 miles.

Any advice on what to check? tomorrow I'll bring the car to a trusted garage anyway.

Thanks!

ottostreet

robnet77 wrote: »

Hi,

I'm about to buy a used Alfa 156 in Ireland.

Is there a way to know whether the car is stolen from the registration number? can I know the name and address of the previous owner from there as well?

Also, I was told both the timing belt and the water pump had been replaced at 87.000 miles, which someone advised is too late as they're scheduled at 75.000 miles.

Any advice on what to check? tomorrow I'll bring the car to a trusted garage anyway.

Thanks!

im no mechanic, but as long as nothing had gone wrong with the timing belt or anything, it should be fine as long as its done now!

Saab Ed

" Buying used Alfa 156... what to check? "

Your head :eek:

robnet77

Saab Ed wrote: »

" Buying used Alfa 156... what to check? "

Your head :eek:

those from 2002 on are more reliable, is it such a bad car in your opinion?

robnet77

ottostreet wrote: »

im no mechanic, but as long as nothing had gone wrong with the timing belt or anything, it should be fine as long as its done now!

I was just advised that having waited longer than necessary to replace it might indicate the owner was careless about servicing the vehicle. It was a company car by the way.

mick.fr

Let's be serious, if the belt and water pump got changed at 87k miles instead of the 75k miles like recommended by the maker, that is not really a problem. This is better than nothing. Many cars got to over 200k without a new water pump. While some fail at 60k.

If a timing belt fails your engine breaks anyway.
That's it. It is not the case here, so happy days.

Now make sure all the electronics work fine, all lights, inside, outside, press all the buttons, check electric windows etc.

And all the usual stuffs to check on a car, any service/repair history, rust, gearbox, any weird noise from engine bay, brakes, fluids/filters ever got changed, tires, serial number of the car and engine do match the certificate?

etc...

If service history is poor or almost non existant, ask for a significant price drop because you should be performing right away after you buy the car (All fluids, filters etc.). Also ask for NCT report.

Ask for a price drop in all cases anyway.

HTH

stratos

I think the 156 offers serious value for money at todays prices. A car that has done 80,000 odd miles has had most of wrinkles ironed out. If you do all the usual checks and all is okay it should be fine. I think it's a very nice looking car with a nice interior and an excellent aftermarket range so you can personalise it. In my opinion worth a shot.

robnet77

mick.fr wrote: »

Let's be serious, if the belt and water pump got changed at 87k miles instead of the 75k miles like recommended by the maker, that is not really a problem. This is better than nothing. Many cars got to over 200k without a new water pump. While some fail at 60k.

If a timing belt fails your engine breaks anyway.
That's it. It is not the case here, so happy days.

Now make sure all the electronics work fine, all lights, inside, outside, press all the buttons, check electric windows etc.

And all the usual stuffs to check on a car, any service/repair history, rust, gearbox, any weird noise from engine bay, brakes, fluids/filters ever got changed, tires, serial number of the car and engine do match the certificate?

etc...

If service history is poor or almost non existant, ask for a significant price drop because you should be performing right away after you buy the car (All fluids, filters etc.). Also ask for NCT report.

Ask for a price drop in all cases anyway.

HTH

thanks for that, I'll have a garage perform those tests and will care myself to inspect the vehicle thoroughly

stratos wrote: »

I think the 156 offers serious value for money at todays prices. A car that has done 80,000 odd miles has had most of wrinkles ironed out. If you do all the usual checks and all is okay it should be fine. I think it's a very nice looking car with a nice interior and an excellent aftermarket range so you can personalise it. In my opinion worth a shot.

I have the same opinion on 156s but early models were said to have recurring issues, hopefully mine won't but being it a private sale (hence no provision for warranty whatsoever) it's worth to tackle any possible problems/scams/likely failures in advance... thanks!

alias no.9

robnet77 wrote: »

Any advice on what to check? tomorrow I'll bring the car to a trusted garage anyway.

This is my summary, positives and negatives, and what to look out for, from a previous thread...

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=56814954&postcount=13

Anan1

mick.fr wrote: »

Let's be serious, if the belt and water pump got changed at 87k miles instead of the 75k miles like recommended by the maker, that is not really a problem. This is better than nothing. Many cars got to over 200k without a new water pump. While some fail at 60k.

The recommended interval for changing the timing & balancer shaft belts is 36k miles.

king_of_inismac

Do a search here for a buyer's guide:
http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa-147-156-and-gt/

They are a great car to drive, but you'd want to be comfortable with car maintenance. (take a look at the thread titles in that forum).

Ever time the suspension knocks or a warning light comes on, you should be handy enough to investigate it yourself, otherwise it can be a costly car to own.

However, despite the cost (and occasional heartache), I love my 156...

mick.fr

Anan1 wrote: »

The recommended interval for changing the timing & balancer shaft belts is 36k miles.

I don't know I was not commenting on the Alpha maintenance interval recommendation, the guy said 75k so I took this as a base, which makes sense.

Now a car manufacturer that recommends changing the timing belt every 36k.
Sure buddy lol. Says who and where please?

Cookie_Monster

2nd Hand Alfa, check...


EVERYTHING

:P

Lex Luthor

robnet77 wrote: »

I was just advised that having waited longer than necessary to replace it might indicate the owner was careless about servicing the vehicle. It was a company car by the way.

not necessarily so.

I found out about the revised timing belt change when my 156 was at 42k miles. The next time I changed it was 82k miles. I had the car for 8yrs and it was fully serviced from day 1.

Plenty out there about 156 buying advice. Have you a link to the ad?

A-Trak

Saab Ed wrote: »

" Buying used Alfa 156... what to check? "

Your head :eek:

Really gread advice:rolleyes:

OP check out Alias no.9s post below.

alias no.9 wrote: »

This is my summary, positives and negatives, and what to look out for, from a previous thread...

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=56814954&postcount=13

I checked everything as per his and others (Anan1 also gave great advice on Alfas) and also had checked per an indy mechanic as well.
Thanks to all that I'm driving a 156 which hasn't given me an ounce of trouble because I made sure it was looked after and followed some excellent advice from the lads here.

So I'd tend to avoid the cliched Alfas are rubbish comments - "My brothers friends dad had one etc....;)

robnet77

thanks guys, you gave me plenty of info, special thanks to alias no.9 for the comprehensive post.

I'm aware I might have minor issues on the way, hopefully doing regular maintainance there won't be bad surprises, provided the car is in good conditions as it seems.

As for the cam/timing belt, the standard change time on 156s is/was 75k, but due to quite a few failures around (especially in the early models) they started advising to inspection it / change it at 37k indeed, though several people found theirs was still in good conditions and wouldn't replace it.
I read that in an Italian forum where then a Dutch user intervened confirming the many failures that had happened in his country...
I guess if you drive carefully the wear-out time will increase.



-->>> Does anyone know where I can have the car serviced in Dublin?

... as I would need someone who's specialized on this model, don't trust too much generic mechanics though mine seems to be an all-round expert and rather cheap.

I'll go back online tonight hopefully, now need to go for the NCT retest of my current car! (Megane 1.4 1999)

kazul

mick.fr wrote: »

I don't know I was not commenting on the Alpha maintenance interval recommendation, the guy said 75k so I took this as a base, which makes sense.

Now a car manufacturer that recommends changing the timing belt every 36k.
Sure buddy lol. Says who and where please?

Your first point makes no sense whatsoever regardless of the technical point you're trying to make. All engines with timing belts have different recomended change intervals.

Says Alfa and anybody who knows anything about Alfas, including the poster you're attempting to take the piss out of.
It's reading spurious drivel and assumptions by people like yourself that's starting to put me off this forum.

kazul

robnet77 wrote: »

.

As for the cam/timing belt, the standard change time on 156s is/was 75k, but due to quite a few failures around (especially in the early models) they started advising to inspection it / change it at 37k indeed, though several people found theirs was still in good conditions and wouldn't replace it.

I can see why you have a Megane, you don't seem to know or understand much about cars. I can't imagine a scenario where a timing belt was due to be changed on an Alfa but the owner or mechanic had a look and decided "Seems fine, it'll do for another couple of thousand miles".

Lex Luthor

Take your Alfa to Gerry in TI Autos in Stoneybatter....

mick.fr

kazul wrote: »

Your first point makes no sense whatsoever regardless of the technical point you're trying to make. All engines with timing belts have different recomended change intervals.

Says Alfa and anybody who knows anything about Alfas, including the poster you're attempting to take the piss out of.
It's reading spurious drivel and assumptions by people like yourself that's starting to put me off this forum.

Oh oh take it easy dude what point did you missed here?

I was not making a technical point, I was saying I don't know.
If I make no sense by making such a statement, fair enough

robnet77

kazul wrote: »

I can see why you have a Megane, you don't seem to know or understand much about cars. I can't imagine a scenario where a timing belt was due to be changed on an Alfa but the owner or mechanic had a look and decided "Seems fine, it'll do for another couple of thousand miles".

so in your opinion people who know about cars have good/reliable/what's_your_point cars: I beg to differ, I have a car that I could afford and that was guaranteed by a trusted person, and that was fine for me, luckily I've had no problems so far in one year and I'm rather happy with my Megane overall (it has pros and cons of course).

An advice: if you want to be effective when using big words, try to accompany them with constructive criticism, or you'll risk to look like the village idiot.

As for the timing belt, I DO imagine and know about persons (see forums) lifting the belt cover (five seconds time, did that today at the garage), checking belt status, and if ok NOT changing it just because Alfa had advised them to do so to only make less people angry at them because of some breakages (probably making more people pissed off for the increased costs of maintainance).
Many people don't change timing belt for too long, some are lucky and some aren't, personally I wouldn't change my belt if I see it's in good conditions EVEN if it has 36k and Alfa advised to change it now, just to cover their ass.

As for the car I saw today, on the cover it was written "22k", yeah the belt had been probably last changed at that mileage, the car has 113k now and the belt was completely shiny, which means it was totally worn out (still in place though).
Also, the head gasket was gone and there were major leakages everywhere on the engine, they estimated over 1.000€ to make sure everything would be fixed.
I asked the seller for a price reduction, he seemed to agree but when I offered him 2.000€ (rather fair and way beyond my expense limits) he wouldn't even keep talking, just thanking me and saying goodbye.
Well, I'll certainly find an estate car in good conditions, and I'm in no hurry now as tonight I've passed the NCT with my modest Megane.

robnet77

Lex Luthor wrote: »

Take your Alfa to Gerry in TI Autos in Stoneybatter....

thanks, performed a research after what you wrote, found this:

cjt156 wrote: »

Gerry Campbell IS TI Autos
He's based in Stoneybatter. (01-8386567)

Recognised in Dublin as the guru of Alfas.

Lots of recommendations from the forum members on alfa156.net

robnet77

for the record, the faulty Alfa being sold as a spotless car is the following:

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Alfa-Romeo/156/1.8-T-SP/200914192357077/advert

Jokesetal

156 is a drivers car, but not suited to country roads! I've had two 156's. The first was a dream to drive, once we got the roll-bar fixed (this will be the knocking noise that you here when you drive over a pot holed road - This is a recommended test btw). Then it was hit by a 728 and written off. the second was a replacement and wasn't anywhere near as good.
Every car is different, just test drive it and you'll get a quick feel for the car.

Note:They're thirsty too!

IslandFella

I bought a 00 1.8 TS Alfa 156 about 8 months ago. A month after buying it the front lower left suspension arm bushes went. I replaced the arm and assumed that was it.
There was only 2 months to go on the NCT so I got it checked. List of fixes was huge so I put it through the test to see what they had to say.

-3 front suspension arms. (except the fixed one)
Its a double suspension. Nice on the road but a killer to replace.
-Anti roll bar.
-4 drop links.
-2 long bars with bushes on each end at the back (cant remember their name)
-complete exhaust system.

I bought car for 1k which seemed like a good deal at the time. Total cost me 1400 in parts and labour. (I went to local garage to get parts fitted. Stay away from dealerships).

All in all its a good car now :-) and I reckon its one of the best drivers ever. Comfort, class and performance. Its got it all. Parts dont cost that much and generally you dont have to replace them that often, I was just unlucky. When you offset the value you get for the car (high depreciation) against running costs and maintenance, you're still getting a good deal.

Alfas by their nature drink juice. Keep the revs between 2 & 3k rpm and its not that bad. When you drive above 60 mph you can actually see the fuel guage needle drop as you drive. Dont expect any great savings economically.

robnet77

thanks for the new replies guys, still looking for an estate car in good conditions, maybe a Focus would do and I could get a diesel engine in that case, while for Alfas this is nearly impossible here...

CharlieCroker

I've got a 2003 156 1.6 sportivo. Bought it last sept and I've put 10k onto it since then bringing it up to 120k and it's going like a train. Put it through the NCT last month and it walked through without doing anything to it.

Watch out for the T-belt, max should be 40k between changes
Fuel pumps are also known to give up the ghost sometimes.
Run through EVERYTHING electrical to make sure it all works.

If you need parts, www.autolusso.co.uk are a good specialist for new and secondhand parts.
Hope this helps

robnet77

CharlieCroker wrote: »

I've got a 2003 156 1.6 sportivo. Bought it last sept and I've put 10k onto it since then bringing it up to 120k and it's going like a train. Put it through the NCT last month and it walked through without doing anything to it.

Watch out for the T-belt, max should be 40k between changes
Fuel pumps are also known to give up the ghost sometimes.
Run through EVERYTHING electrical to make sure it all works.

If you need parts, www.autolusso.co.uk are a good specialist for new and secondhand parts.
Hope this helps

thanks... I guess not all Alfas are so bad, the one I saw the other day which had several issues was from a company and apparently the t-belt had only been replaced at 22k whereas the car had 113k, meaning it hadn't been serviced properly.

Of course failures may still happen, it's good to know what is more likely to go as any garage could then check that without going to a dealer's garage and spend a fortune.

The shop you mentioned seems great, with 1.500 you replace the whole engine (car like new!) and with 300 you get full leather seats and door trims, though I guess the leather quality is not as good as the original one which was said to be great.

Barname

Saab Ed wrote: »

" Buying used Alfa 156... what to check? "

Your head :eek:

rich coming from a person who sits in a saab -

saabs tend to be used by neurotic narrcisists

robnet77

Barname wrote: »

rich coming from a person who sits in a saab -

saabs tend to be used by neurotic narrcisists

pcardin

Saab Ed wrote: »

" Buying used Alfa 156... what to check? "

Your head :eek:

Oh Stop this bull, will you?! There is nothing wrong in these days with Alfas. They are no worse than Saab (if anything can be worse than saab).

homer simpson

CharlieCroker wrote: »

...Fuel pumps are also known to give up the ghost sometimes.
...

I used to work in a fiat alfa dealers, beleive it or not a lot,of people were being severly ripped of by mechanic's, the "fuel pump" problem turned out to be 8times out of ten a button under the front seat that got pressed when cleaning or by something falling, it was a safety measure put into the first of the 156's not sure now. So if you get into the alfa and it turns over but does not start thats the first thing to check!

Saab Ed

Barname wrote: »

rich coming from a person who sits in a saab -

saabs tend to be used by neurotic narrcisists

Look , having a poster of an old Alfa on your wall or telling your friends you always wanted an Alfasud doesnt count as knowing what you're talking about. Im just about to get stuck into my mates 75 ( thats an Alfa by the way ) , have owned Alfas and know lots of people who have or had them. Can they be fantastic to drive ...yes . Are they junk.....yes

Anan1

Saab Ed wrote: »

Can they be fantastic to drive ...yes . Are they junk.....yes

My family got 135,000miles over 10 years out of a 156 before retiring it, i'd hardly describe that as 'junk'.

Saab Ed

pcardin wrote: »

Oh Stop this bull, will you?! There is nothing wrong in these days with Alfas. They are no worse than Saab (if anything can be worse than saab).

You lost all credability with me at "There's nothing wrong in these days with Alfas"

And secondly , whos debating Saab????? Try backing stuff up with facts rather than spewing out the rubbish you just came up with. I couldnt care less if you thought Saabs are the sole preserve of every gay priest in Ireland and that Im one of thoses priests, fact is Alfas are still junk

peasant

' nuff