Alfa 147 - expensive on parts?

Clareom

Hi there,
I am just wondering if any of you have any experience with Alfa Romeo 147s. I have had a Golf, Astra and both have given trouble....the Golf especially. I am thinking of changing my Astra to an Alfa or a BMW Compact. Any advice is welcome:).

PArts wouldn't be out of the way, the timing belts need doing at 36k miles which is more frequent than most other cars but parts wise there is no premium on bits.

L-M

If you're not mechanically minded (and Alfa fans lets be realistic) I would stay away from an Alfa. They always seem to throw up little faults here and there and if it's not something you can fix yourself you could be looking at frequent trips to the mechanic!

langdang

This would have been an epic Friday thread if the OP had said he was moving from VW to Alfa for better reliability.
The 147 and 159 are handsome cars, but I would be ultra careful to get a well looked after one. Some value in the 147's! The only pity being that Alfa dealers (well one particularly infamous one in cork) were telling people not to bother coming back looking to trade in any 147's bought with anything but the smallest petrol engines....

Matt Simis

Personally I have found Alfa parts to be expensive compared to BMW and Audi.

cjt156

They eat wishbone bushes and need regular timing belt changes (petrol engines). Neither of which are astronomical in cost. Good prices available online from UK specialists. Dealers are cowboys, unfortunately - apart from Alasta who I've found decent.

niall_f

Matt Simis wrote: »

Personally I have found Alfa parts to be expensive compared to BMW and Audi.

I think it depends what kind of engine you have, if you have JTD than parts are realy expensive also TwinSparks are quite expensive but if you have some basic petrol engines than you shouldn't pay more than for other compacts parts.

smash

RoverJames wrote: »

PArts wouldn't be out of the way, the timing belts need doing at 36k miles which is more frequent than most other cars but parts wise there is no premium on bits.

The 2.0 needs the balancer shaft belt done when the timing belt is done. In a main dealer it's close to 1,200 for this job with a service. I know because I'm getting mine done next week.

steve06

steve06 wrote: »

The 2.0 needs the balancer shaft belt done when the timing belt is done. In a main dealer it's close to 1,200 for this job with a service. I know because I'm getting mine done next week.

considering the op mentioned golfs and astras I would be fairly sure they won't be getting a 2.0 147. You're being ridden for 1200 too BTW

cjt156

RoverJames wrote: »

You're being ridden for 1200 too BTW

I get my parts from Alternative Autos in the UK and have a local indy do my belts; about half that in total. 2.0; all 3 belts, tensioners, pulleys and the valve timing variator done in March.

Matt Simis

RoverJames wrote: »

considering the op mentioned golfs and astras I would be fairly sure they won't be getting a 2.0 147. You're being ridden for 1200 too BTW

Good point, guess my gripe about 2.4JTD parts kinda missed the mark too!

Matt Simis

Matt Simis wrote: »

Good point, guess my gripe about 2.4JTD parts kinda missed the mark too!

Well in this diesel loving country you never know but the tax on the 2.4s makes them a non runner for many diesel lovers. The diesel and the 2.0 147s are fairly thin on the ground though.

CarMuppet

steve06 wrote: »

The 2.0 needs the balancer shaft belt done when the timing belt is done. In a main dealer it's close to 1,200 for this job with a service. I know because I'm getting mine done next week.

RoverJames wrote: »

You're being ridden for 1200 too BTW

I don't know about being ridden, tbh I was quoted €1100 and €1250 by the two Alfa service centers in Cork late year for a 2.0TS engine. Also, one (good) indy workshop in Cork quoted €1000. (T-belt, tensioners, W-pump, and harmonic balancer). In the end got most kit, pump and cam locking tools from UK. Didn't bother chaging the variator as no noise from it.

Parts as follows:
http://www.alfaworkshop.co.uk/parts/156_Cam_Belt_Kit.shtml
http://www.alfaworkshop.co.uk/parts/156_Cam_Lock_Tool.shtml

Rough instructions as follows:
http://www.alfaworkshop.co.uk/alfa_cam_belt_change.shtml

It wasn't the easist job in the world, it took me 10 hours! The instructions make it look easy... but it was very satifying when complete.... followed by the relief when the engine actually worked afterwards.. Knuckles were sore...


BTW sorry for going slightly off topic OP.

CarMuppet

CarMuppet wrote: »

I don't know about being ridden,

True, just saw the chap also said that was with a service so it takes the sting out of it