Thinking about a 02 Alfa Romeo 156... any opinions?

julio arca

Considering an upgrade to a 2002 Alfa Romeo 156 (or maybe 147). Does anyone have any opinions on these cars? negative of positive feedback welcome.

Thanks

Anan1

They're a great car, but they do need proper maintenance. Do a search, you'll find loads of threads on them here.

CharlieCroker

+1

I've a 2003 1.6 156 with 135,000 miles and its the job!!
Again, make sure that it has a good history and that keep up on maintainence because thats when they start to go wrong. (Timing belts, water pumps, filters all need to be changed on schedule)

I'd buy another no problem

COB MGV8

Anan1 wrote: »

They're a great car, but they do need proper maintenance. Do a search, you'll find loads of threads on them here.

I've just bought an '04 156 - the info on here was invaluable re things to check (if it doesn't put you off !!!)

These were the main points I considered :

- I stayed with dealers, and ended up buying off an alfa dealer
- Low no. of previous owners
- Full documented service history - ask to see it
- make sure the timing belt was changed at each 30-35K interval
- make sure that the spark plugs were replaced at 60K -these are expensive
- if its before the 03(04?) facelift, make sure the suspension checks out (I read on here that the NCT should check this for you - so make sure it has a recent NCT)
- check all the electrics
- if it sounds like a diesel (and its a petrol engine obviously) when you start it up, it needs looking at, but its nothing fatal
- Make sure the temp. guage runs up to 90 when warmed. If it doesn't, its no big thing - the thermostat needs replacing
- Bargain hard - you can get real bargains if its a good one! and you can throw money away if its a banger

- best of all if you're not happy to check all this (and the other stuff you'll see on boards) try and find an alfa mechanic to check it out for you

TheColl

have a read through this comprehensive post, answers a lot of questions...

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

Driving an '07 147 at the moment and I love it, great car to drive. As said above, make sure it has been well looked after and you'll be fine.

Anan1

I'd agree with COB MGV8's points, with one exception - stay away from Alfa Romeo main dealers. I wouldn't even look at a car that hasn't been specialist maintained - in Dublin, that means either TI Autos or Alasta Autos.

TheColl

Anan1 wrote: »

I'd agree with COB MGV8's points, with one exception - stay away from Alfa Romeo main dealers. I wouldn't even look at a car that hasn't been specialist maintained - in Dublin, that means either TI Autos or Alasta Autos.

Are Alasta not a main dealer?

Anan1

TheColl wrote: »

Are Alasta not a main dealer?

They were years ago, but I think they sell Chrysler now.

TheColl

Anan1 wrote: »

They were years ago, but I think they sell Chrysler now.

i see, their website still says "Alfa Romeo Authorised Dealer" but I guess that could be old.

Nonoperational

Hav a look at the link that was posted above first. Like they are great cars and I love mine but they do have some problems and need some care. I'd storngly recommend taking someone that knows their alfas with you to give it a look over. If you get a good one they your laughing!

unkel

Anan1 wrote: »

They were years ago, but I think they sell Chrysler now.

I think it was the other way around. They used to be an Alfa indy specialist, but they are now an Alfa main dealer.

Anan1

unkel wrote: »

I think it was the other way around. They used to be an Alfa indy specialist, but they are now an Alfa main dealer.

They might have the franchise back again? All I know for sure is that they were a main dealer in 1998 and they weren't in 2003.:)

COB MGV8

Alasta are listed on the Alfa Ireland site as a main dealer :

http://dealer.alfaromeo.ie/

Are there Fiat dealers around who call themselves Alfa dealers despite the fact that they are not listed on the Alfa site ? e.g Lee Garages Cork

Eoin

They're deffo a main dealer. Check out their own site, and they're also listed on the alfaromeo.ie site as a dealer. They were selling Chryslers when I used them 4 or so years ago though.

Nonoperational

Some fiat dealers are alfa authorised service providers eg lee garage cork.