Alfa Romeo 156 - opinions?

spank_inferno

So our eye has fallen on an Alfa Romeo 156 for sale near where we live.

My wife is keen on them because they are a good looking car.

From research the make & model seems a mixed bag in terms of quality.

So I'm seeking user feedback on what the 156 was/is like to drive & own.
In particular the 1.6 petrol model (2004)


Many thanks for your assistance

voxpop

do you know how to change the oil in your car - if not an alfa is probably not for you

Mr.Boots

Love them

ARGINITE

If you check the oil level once a week you should be grand. My father has had one for 5+ years now and he has never had any trouble from it (1.8TS).

spank_inferno

voxpop wrote: »

do you know how to change the oil in your car - if not an alfa is probably not for you

I can but tend to leave it to a mechanic family member.

I change the oil every 6-8k miles on our existing car.


If a car drops in oil level, is this not an indication of a larger problem?
Or just a 'quirk' of the Alfa Romeo I shouldnt worry about?

voxpop

spank_inferno wrote: »

I can but tend to leave it to a mechanic family member.

I change the oil every 6-8k miles on our existing car.


If a car drops in oil level, is this not an indication of a larger problem?
Or just a 'quirk' of the Alfa Romeo I shouldnt worry about?

You'll be grand then - An Alfa just requires some extra tlc that other cars dont.

Alot of cars use a bit of oil - its only when they use alot of oil that you need worry.

excaliburhc

have an alfa 156 for the last 5 years - next car is an alfa .

lovely car to drive - and the engine noise is unsurpassed - pass a guy smiling like an idiot while driving an alfa and its more then likely me , no other car made me just want to get into it and drive.

alfas tend to use a lot of oil - im runnin at about a bottle of oil a month.

plus it seems to be you either get lucky or not with your car - when they go wrong - they really go wrong .

timing belt changed at 60000 is the big thing - worth checking .

http://alfa156.net/ - tips section gives a good overview of the more common failures in the car .

get the car checked by a mechanic you trust - and get it done before you drive it , once you drive her , it wont matter you will just want it

voxpop

excaliburhc wrote: »

alfas tend to use a lot of oil - im runnin at about a bottle of oil a month.

4L or 1L bottle

Sound like quite a alot - do you do big miles ?

Stheno

I've a 2001 1.6 petrol (they were facelifted in 2002 and 2003)

Anyway I love my car, mine had had one owner before me, and the mileage was low, and they'd taken care of it. You'll need to check the service history the timing belt and variator need to be changed every 36k miles (it used to be every 72k but it was decreased to 36k) or every 3 years. Depending on the mileage the spark plugs should have been replaced too (due at 60k iirc), there's eight of them, so it's not cheap.

With my car, I'd to replace one wishbone (which I probably broke when I hopped the car off a huge pothole), the steering rack had to be reconditioned, and the motor for the windows and the wipers failed (at different times)

The window motor and the steering rack/bushings/suspension are known issues with the 156. Aside from normal servicing I've had no other issues, and I was aware that there was potential for problems with the ones that came up, (wipers aside)

That aside it's been fine, and considering it's now almost ten years old, I'm pretty happy with it. You'll need to check the oil regularly, as they can go through a lot of oil (less so than the bigger engined models), and make sure you use the correct oil.

As a car to drive, it's fun, fairly light and in heavy winds you'll feel that. The interior design is a bit retro, and I really like it. If I were buying another I'd go for the 1.8, rather than the 1.6.

There is another good forum here

Mr.Boots

Buy this one.....http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1649493

Stheno

excaliburhc wrote: »

timing belt changed at 60000 is the big thing - worth checking .

TB and variator need to be done every 36k miles or every three years, it's the spark plugs at 60k.

Not having a go at you at all, I've seen a couple of blown engines in my mechanics where alfa owners left it too late

Eoin

Stheno's post sums it up well.

I had a 1.6 for two years - the only car out of my 7 to date that only need regular servicing - had no faults with it, apart from headlight bulbs blowing nearly as often as my Golf's. My dad had a 2.0 for 11 or so years with no problems until it met an unfortunate end (not mechanical issues).

The 1.6 was quite underpowered though and no more easy on the juice than the 1.8 or 2.0 versions. I don't know if the facelift introduced any updated engines. Unless tax and insurance are issues, then I'd look to get one of the bigger engines.

As has already been mentioned, if you're not comfortable checking the oil on a regular enough basis, then it might not be the car for you.

Mr Boots wrote:

Buy this one.....http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1649493

Drool.

cjt156

Variator only needs to be changed if its making a rattly-diesel sound when started. This dies down after 5 seconds and will do no harm. It requires the removal of the timing belt to change so do them together if needed.

As stated they do consume oil so keep it topped up or it will mean worn cams and/or big end bearings.

If the handling is sloppy and sounds noisey it'll be the suspension bushes.

These are the three big issues on this car - I've got 142k on my 2.0TS, after having a 1.8 previously. IMNERHO the 2.0 is the best of the lot; great engine and handles well. V6 is sweet but nose-heavy, and rare here anyhow.

Maintain it & it'll love you back.

CarMuppet

Ah a thread I can chew......

I currently own 3 Alfas(some in storage). And a few have passed thru the family over years.

Recently gave (nov 2010) a 156 2.0 with 142k miles on clock to brother in law. Why? Beacause he needs a reliable car. This car never drunk oil. I'll say it again. It never drunk oil, at all at all at all...

If they are looked after they will love you back for it. All be it they are less forgiving than a Jap (non turbo) car if you ignore servcing or good quality oil

There are lots of mingers out there for sale at the moment but a few goo ones too. Irish people in general don't look after cars so the Alfas out there tend to suffer.

As said above search the web for owners forums and someone on there might help you pick out a good one.

Check for knocking on rear suspension. If bad, chassis mounts can be damaged due to loose bolts. Check for timing belt changes. Basiclly you want some evidence of FSH.

I could waffle here for ages Ask for help from an alfisti online. You won't be disappointed at all.

By the way, congratulations on your wifes impecuble taste. You're a lucky man!

The Recliner

CarMuppet wrote: »

This car never drunk oil. I'll say it again. It never drunk oil, at all at all at all...

Some did and some didn't

I had a 1.8TS GT and from reading up on it before buying it I was expecting to have to top up regularly but same as you mine barely sipped any oil during my ownership

OP if you find a well looked after one you wont be sorry

Matt Simis

My input is the 156 loves rust (mine is a UK import) and the JTD diesel engines ironically dont use Oil like the petrols. Stock suspension is too hard IMO, even Koni aftermarket sports suspension feels nicer (and somehow lower too) and handles better.

Interior looks nice but fit and trim arent that good, but thats all relative.

Nonoperational

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

Read the link above.

Get a good one and they are a fine car.

Alfagtamini

i had 3

2003 interior facelift jtd. fantastic car. did 45k in it never let me down.

2004 facelift 1.6ts bit underpowered but ok

2005 facelift ti spec in alfa blu. that was a fantastic car i really regret selling it. i would recommend a 1.8, 1.6 is a bit underpowered.

there is a great alfa independent in new ross wexford. name is pat byrne. cant recommend him enough. pm me for his number

CharlieCroker

Have an 03 1.6 156. Have 155k miles on it and it's still going strong
Most important things are timing belt every 36k
Uses about 1 litre of oil every 1000 miles

Just need to keep an eye on it.

I'd buy another in a minute

Ush1

When I got my current car I was choosing between it (Ford Focus) and an Alfa 147.

Wish I went for the Alfa now, much nicer and less bland.

murphyebass

I own a diesel Alfa GT. I've never owned a petrol Alfa... But I can tell you that if you get one and its been well maintained and you just give it a bit more TLC than say a toyota you'll be grand.

Alfa's have their problems just like any other car. I like to call them quirks.

You will permanently smile however owning an alfa. Hopefully I'll get a 159 next.

Good luck on the purchase OP. The alfaowners website is good as well btw

PJMG

First time poster on this website so I figured my first post be about something thats close to my heart.Bought my one and only Alfa 5 years back,2000 reg 1.8 T-Spark,moved up from a Nissian Micra,bought the car at a good price with low mileage,had heard stories about problems with the Alfa's being from the Fiat family etc etc,but i have to say hand on heart the car never gave me a days trouble,had it for nearly 3 years and traded it in against a Passat,biggest mistake i ever made.Passat has never given any trouble either(to date) but for sheer fun and driving pleasure the Alfa beat it hands down.Have drove a lot of different types of cars over the years due to my nature of work but the Alfa's are still top of the class for me.Trying to convince the missus as I type to see the light and allow me to purchase one(She wears the pants...................and the underpants!!).Here's hoping!!!

ZENER

I've had a 1.8TS and a 2.0TS Sportivo in the past. The 2.0 was by far the best and I agree with the poster about the smile on your face while driving it. Alas I got a rush of blood to the nether regions and traded the 2.0 in against a new 147 1.6, lovely car and looked nice but just didn't have the same feel. Sold it after 7 months.

As everyone else says, look after it and it'll serve you well and you'll enjoy the drive.

Ken

Esel

cjt156 wrote: »

IMNERHO ....

Had to google that!