alfa romeo 156 t spark lusso

cizolin

thinking of buying a 03 model, i know they can be expensive to run and service but has anyone reading this thread have more info on them having owned one or knowing someone who has driven a 156 for a period of time

Neilw

cizolin wrote: »

thinking of buying a 03 model, i know they can be expensive to run and service but has anyone reading this thread have more info on them having owned one or knowing someone who has driven a 156 for a period of time

A guy I know had two 156's over the years, he neglected the revised timing belt change interval and the belt went in both of them :rolleyes: Belt needs to be done every 36k miles iirc. Really nice cars tho

Nonoperational

Allow me....Not really expensive to run or service except that it needs a timing belt every 36k/3 years. After that its just an oil change every 10k or so and the usual service items.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055705272

mondeo

I had a 156 1.8 twinspark for 2 years. It was a lovely car when it worked but it never really did. I had nasty tappet noise issues with mine shortly after I got it which never really resolved itself. Multiple electrical issues such as sunroof having a mind of its own. It opened by itself on many a rainy day, I took the fuse out to resolve this....My reverse lights started going on with my brake lights which meant a new wiring loom for the rear lights(common issue). Headlights always seemed to blow the bulbs very quickly but I think the alternator was faulty and it was spiking hence blowing it's bulbs every 2 months or less. I paid a HUGH head gasket bill of 1,100 before I sold it, needed 2 new valves in the process. 82k on the clock when I sold it...Not impressed at all...

Captain Slow IRL

Did any Alfa owners have any trouble with ignition coils? I was talking to an Alfa mechanic before and he said when he went to change the platinum plugs (long-life), 9 times out of 10, the coils had to be changed as well. I don't know if this was down to delicate components damaged during removal or what?!

Hotwheels

Get one with a complete & proper history, no history, walk away..
Bring a Mech who knows Alfa Romeo’s…not a lad who thinks he does...

What to watch for..
Suspension: top arm & wishbone wear..you’ll hear squeaking/ knocking

T-Belt +Water Pump+ Tensioners every 36K for Petrol, vital

Check oil at least fortnightly, T-Sparks burn oil, its normal..

Good luck with the hunt, & don’t be in a hurry to buy! Wait for a good example to come along…:)

Nonoperational

There was obvioulsy some inderlying issue with the 156 with all those electrical problem. A new wiring loom for the rear lights isn't a common problem at all.

The coil packs can be damaged when you remove them to replace the plugs but if your careful they should be grand. I have replaced my plugs no probs and 9/10 is complete nonsense.

Lex Luthor

TROLL...!!!!!!!!!!! :rolleyes:

Eoin

Lex Luthor wrote: »

TROLL...!!!!!!!!!!! :rolleyes:

huh?

Nonoperational

Hotwheels wrote: »

Get one with a complete & proper history, no history, walk away..
Bring a Mech who knows Alfa Romeo’s…not a lad who thinks he does...

What to watch for..
Suspension: top arm & wishbone wear..you’ll hear squeaking/ knocking

T-Belt +Water Pump+ Tensioners every 36K for Petrol, vital

Check oil at least fortnightly, T-Sparks burn oil, its normal..

Good luck with the hunt, & don’t be in a hurry to buy! Wait for a good example to come along…:)

Dont mean to be picky but the water pump in the twinspark doesn't need to be touched.

bijapos

Anyone a vague idea what the timing belt change costs, with or without water pump.

route66

I had a 1.8 petrol from new - 1998 - and got rid of it last year when it "died"

Up to that point, I'd say it's reliability was ok:

Never burnt a drop of oil
Never any electrical problems
Never experienced/never heard of any problemn with coils
Waterpump is not a problem

On the downside, the following needed regular attention/replacement:
Rear Track Arms
Trottle Actuator (aka Stepper motor aka sensor)
Variator
Clip retaining handbrake cable on fuel tank fails leaving cable trailing
Various suspension parts - bushings, etc

The car died with terminal failures of the Steering rack and pump. Not a common problem apparently.

benj

cizolin wrote: »

thinking of buying a 03 model, i know they can be expensive to run and service but has anyone reading this thread have more info on them having owned one or knowing someone who has driven a 156 for a period of time

i have had two 156 2.0 t spark 99 and 01 and never had problems,
one of the nicest cars i ever had....oh memories

Hotwheels

gpf101 wrote: »

Dont mean to be picky but the water pump in the twinspark doesn't need to be touched.

Sure does...no point in going to all that trouble changing the belt, to have the pump pack up before next belt change. It happens..

For got to mention, I had a 04 156, pump started leaking at 16K miles, changed under warranty by Alfa...on my second 159 JTDm excellent machine...

Nonoperational

It is smart to do the water pump every second belt change but there is no need to do it every 36K (on the petrols). The belt change cost with a variator will be around €500 at a main dealer.

cizolin

cheers for the advice, will keep everything in mind

Countryripple

Ive a 02 156. Have it just over 2.5 years now. Nothing has happened it yet...........

Bought it with 53k on it, and no service history, but belt looked like it had been done anyway. 75k on it now and i got the belt done over the summer just for my own piece of mind. Sparks were last year during the service, but i bought them on ebay and saved 100 euro.

I love my alfa.....................