Alfa 159

antodeco

Hi all,
Hoping to move to an Alfa Romeo 159 in the next few weeks, from my Almera. I'd be looking at at least a 2006/€7500 budget (that is assuming I'd get €3000 on my 2006 Almera). Can any tell me a little about their experience of them and best engine to go for. I'm looking for something with a bit of poke and fairly fuel efficient (getting 32mpg on the Almera). I was thinking the 1.9 JTD, but as mentioned, open to suggestions. Thanks

GavMan

Try here for some decent advice

Or more specifically, here!


This one too

Nonoperational

Buying in Ireland and that budget there's no question the best engine to go for is the 1.9JTD. There's a 120 and 150 bhp version, but the selection is so limited here that you won't have a huge choice. Both are fine engines just obviously the 150bhp is a bit faster.

The 2.4Jtd 5 pot is a lovely job but it's as rare as hens teeth here, higher tax and lower mpg.

Colts

Lovely car, and you can't go far wrong with the 150hp 1.9JTDM.

If you want some extra poke then have it mapped to 180 rather than looking for a 2.4jtdm.

I get 50mpg combined on my GT.

Saab Ed

Car porn coming up .....

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/list.asp?g=1&s=697&filter=&o=&pc=&min=&max=&txt=&px=&p=&pagesize=100&xsl=gallery&y1=&y2=&d=0&dist=&nodays=0

antodeco

Thanks for the replies. I was looking at the GT's too. Would I be better going for the JTS over the JTD?

I may still go for a GT, depends on money!

Nonoperational

Nope, the JTS offers nothing over the JTD for me.

I WILL have a 159 TI at some stage. It's something else in my book.

antodeco

As you said, I can remap the JTD! I'll wait until I go buy one (as in when all is ready to go) and see what works out best, either the 159 or the GT

bazz26

Choosing petrol or diesel will depend on how much mileage you do per year. Doing small miles doesn't make sense to go diesel as diesel cars fetch a premium over a similar petrol model so unless you are regularly filling at the pump you just will not make that extra premium back.

antodeco

See, hear in lies the problem. In the jobs I've always done, I could be travelling all around the country for a few weeks, then very little for a few weeks and so forth. I'm not working at the minute, so no idea what sort of usage I'll end up doing!

Nonoperational

Just for driving purposes the 1.9JTD is nicer than the 1.8MPI or the 1.9JTS.

McGilla

Hi OP,

The Alfa 159 is a great looking car, and a joy to drive, but be cautious, as they do have their problems.

I have had a 159 1.9JTDM for 2 years, it has only 100K km on the clock, and Im starting to get a whine out of the gearbox...which is getting worse everyday.

I brought it to my dealer and Ive been quoted €1400 for beaqrings to be replaced in the gearbox.
Im not a happy man:(

I love this car! but I cant justify that spend - so Im trading it in.

Im going to the dark side to get a Lexus IS220D - more power / more reliable
Maybe Ill come back to Alfa when I win the lotto and dont have to worry about forking out huge money!

Dont worry though, Im not going to turn into a "Dont buy an Alfa" type folk, we ha d a great two years, its just time to grow up and settle down!

Just a word of caution, there are a few horror stories of gearbox problems online. Most of which seem genuine.

The ironic thing is teh gearbox seems to be the weak link, and its an Ople 6 speed gearbox. - German engineering my arse!

murphyebass

Hi OP,

Like McGilla I too just changed from an Alfa after 2 years of lots of joyful miles.

Mine was a GT. 1.9JTD. Clutch went early so had to have that done but other than that I had 2 years of nothing out of the ordinary going wrong.

The 1.9JTD engine is fitted with an EGR valve which needs lets just say a bit of poke now and then to clean out otherwise will give you an engine light problem.

Personally I thing the 1.9JTD is a great engine. 150bhp and can be mapped if you want more out of it (although I didnt do it, have heard of it being done)

I think someone already mentioned the alfaowners website is a good resource. I'll second that.

And for servicing I used a garage in Finglas called Automaintainence
www.finglasfiat.com/Lee and Ciaran were always very helpful to me when I was getting anything done servicing etc.. I've no affiliation but would highly recommend these guys. Alfa specialists.

Gas thing is like McGilla I have moved to a Jap car in my case a Mazda 6 new generation model. I went petrol because I got a much better deal than if I went diesel plus it was auto which is what I wanted.

Will I buy another Alfa at some point? Absolutely.

If you like cars I know its cliche but you must own an Alfa. You will not regret it I promise you.

Theres a BEAUTIFUL white 159 on sale at the moment on carzone for just over 20k that I want so bad. ... must resist.

unkel

McGilla wrote: »

its an Ople 6 speed gearbox. - German engineering my arse!

Opel is not German, they're American. "Wir leben Autos" - me hole

Most petrol engines in the Alfa 159 are GM engines and the diesels are FIAT engines...

166man

bazz26 wrote: »

Choosing petrol or diesel will depend on how much mileage you do per year. Doing small miles doesn't make sense to go diesel as diesel cars fetch a premium over a similar petrol model so unless you are regularly filling at the pump you just will not make that extra premium back.

That's true if the petrol equivalent is as good as the diesel or vice-versa, however in the 159 the 1.9JTDm is so superior to the 1.8 petrol that you would be mad to go petrol even if the diesel is more expensive.

McGilla

Op also dont forget to concider depreciation:
I was with a dealer at lunch, who just called me with a trade in offer for my car...
Firstly - Its a 2007 159 JTDM - with 100k Km
Its the Top Spec possible, with cream leather troughout, heated electric seats, cruis control...every possible extra with 17" alloys...its a beautey
Just passed the NCT!

I paid €14,500 in April 2010 for it!

He offers me - €6000:eek:...not 9...not 8...6!!!:eek::eek:

That means my car a 159 has depreciated by €354 per month!
Food for thought!

OP if you are interested I am going to get the gearbox reconditioned and I'll sell the car privately!

McGilla

McGilla wrote: »

.............

I paid €14,500 in April 2010 for it!

He offers me - €6000:eek:...not 9...not 8...6!!!:eek::eek:................

€8500 depreciation over two years isn't bad considering it needs gearbox work.

McGilla

RoverJames wrote: »

€8500 depreciation over two years isn't bad considering it needs gearbox work.

This is without considering it needs gearbox work!
€8500 is ridiculous depreciation!

166man

McGilla wrote: »

This is without considering it needs gearbox work!
€8500 is ridiculous depreciation!

It isn't really, your car with a fixed gearbox would sell for about 8k privately so a trade in figure of €6k for one with a dodgy gearbox isn't that bad.:)

Jimdagym

166man wrote: »

It isn't really, your car with a fixed gearbox would sell for about 8k privately so a trade in figure of €6k for one with a dodgy gearbox isn't that bad.:)

I got the impression the garage offering the trade in price doesnt know about the gearbox issue.

McGilla

Jimdagym wrote: »

I got the impression the garage offering the trade in price doesnt know about the gearbox issue.

Spot on!

Jimdagym

Jimdagym wrote: »

I got the impression the garage offering the trade in price doesnt know about the gearbox issue.

In fairness to them trade in prices do allow for a few things needing doing

bazz26

McGilla wrote: »

This is without considering it needs gearbox work!
€8500 is ridiculous depreciation!

OP, sounds to me like you paid a little over the odds for the car 2 years ago rather than getting stung for depreciation now. If they are offering you €6k for it then they may try and retail it at €7.5k or €8k which is about right for a 5 year old 159 diesel. Sorting the gearbox issue will eat into that margin too.

McGilla

bazz26 wrote: »

OP, sounds to me like you paid a little over the odds for the car 2 years ago rather than getting stung for depreciation now. If they are offering you €6k for it then they may try and retail it at €7.5k or €8k which is about right for a 5 year old 159 diesel. Sorting the gearbox issue will eat into that margin too.

Honestly, I wish that was the case, but €14,500 was well below market price at the time. It was an extremely high spec model, with only 35,000 km on it.

It is a fact that Alfa Romeo have the worst depreciation for cars of this budget.
And Its a fact worth considering before buying.

unkel

McGilla wrote: »

It is a fact that Alfa Romeo have the worst depreciation for cars of this budget.
And Its a fact worth considering before buying.

Did you not know this when you bought the car?

McGilla

unkel wrote: »

McGilla wrote: »

It is a fact that Alfa Romeo have the worst depreciation for cars of this budget.
And Its a fact worth considering before buying.

Did you not know this when you bought the car?

I had heard the stories but hadn't realised I would lose €357 a week.
I just think its worth highlighting these issues to someone who seeking advice on whether or not to buy a 159.

ofcork

Brother was looking at a lovely 159ti 08 on carzone last night at under 12k,fine car.

166man

McGilla wrote: »

I had heard the stories but hadn't realised I would lose €357 a week.
I just think its worth highlighting these issues to someone who seeking advice on whether or not to buy a 159.

I don't think the depreciation is as bad as you make it out to be, a quick gander online shows similar Lexus IS220d's for between €7-€9k. Roughly the same as the Alfa. BMW 320d's command more than that but that's obvious. Bearing in mind these cars cost more to buy new.