alfa romeo 159 or some recommend me something else

barry99

Rite its finally time to buy my first car, Looking for some advice. I'm in two minds as to what to buy. Its a toss up between an Alfa 159 and a Bmw 3 series m sport saloon. I've about 12k to spend could stretch a bit more if needs be (max of 14k). I really want to buy an alfa but I am concerned about reliability.

I'm going to look at an alfa romeo 159 on monday. Its an 08 one with 100000 miles on the clock, from a dealer. I'm slightly worried about the amount of millage. 25k miles per year is high enough milage, and i've no idea if the car is coming with a service history or not.

Is there anything in particular to look out for on these cars? Or any particular questions i should be asking about it?

Does anyone have any other car recommendations apart from the two above mentioned. Bearing in mind i'm a 20 year old so i don't want something too expensive to insure and tax and it has to be diesel.

colm_mcm

Your first car?

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=74344682

You had a Volvo s40 last year

carbon nanotube

barry99 wrote: »

Rite its finally time to buy my first car, Looking for some advice. I'm in two minds as to what to buy. Its a toss up between an Alfa 159 and a Bmw 3 series m sport saloon. I've about 12k to spend could stretch a bit more if needs be (max of 14k). I really want to buy an alfa but I am concerned about reliability.

I'm going to look at an alfa romeo 159 on monday. Its an 08 one with 100000 miles on the clock, from a dealer. I'm slightly worried about the amount of millage. 25k miles per year is high enough milage, and i've no idea if the car is coming with a service history or not.

Is there anything in particular to look out for on these cars? Or any particular questions i should be asking about it?

Does anyone have any other car recommendations apart from the two above mentioned. Bearing in mind i'm a 20 year old so i don't want something too expensive to insure and tax and it has to be diesel.

an alfa is bad for a first car and thats too much miles for a car of that year.

buy a 2.0 litre honda accord executive.

carbon nanotube

forget the honda, just see your 20.

barry99

colm_mcm wrote: »

Your first car?

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=74344682

You had a Volvo s40 last year

Its the first car i'm going to actually buy. I got the volvo as a hand me down from one of the family. I was going to buy last year but then decided to hold off on it, but now i'm back on the search again minus the volvo to trade in as we're holding on to that aswell.

ianmolloy

Audi A4 s line

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Audi/A4/2.0-TDI-/2013279304344670/advert?channel=CARS

barry99

carbon nanotube wrote: »

an alfa is bad for a first car and thats too much miles for a car of that year.

buy a 2.0 litre honda accord executive.

Why would you say an alfa is a bad car? I am worried about the milage as i said but i can't find one that I like that doesn't have high milage

An A4 may be an option but i'm not overly gone on audi's

Jimbob 83

Right you are ted

Veloce

carbon nanotube wrote: »

an alfa is bad for a first car and thats too much miles for a car of that year.

buy a 2.0 litre honda accord executive.

What Alfa 159 did you own? Check if the timing belt has been changed along with the waterpump and tensioners. It should have been done at 60k miles so if your buying one at 100k it would be due another change soon.

Veloce

barry99 wrote: »

Why would you say an alfa is a bad car? I am worried about the milage as i said but i can't find one that I like that doesn't have high milage

An A4 may be an option but i'm not overly gone on audi's

Sure an A4 its basically the same as buying a passat but with just the premium €€€€

L-M

carbon nanotube wrote: »

an alfa is bad for a first car and thats too much miles for a car of that year.

buy a 2.0 litre honda accord executive.

2.0 Diesel Accord?

carbon nanotube

dont know if he wants petrol or daysul but the accord will cost a bomb whether 2.0 petrol or 2.2 daysul since he is 20.

its a good a car as any audi (or bmw) dont know why people have orgasams over these marques.

barry99

barry99 wrote: »

............. it has to be diesel.

carbon nanotube wrote: »

dont know if he wants petrol or daysul...........

cozzie55

isn't the accord 2.2 litre?

Op I bought an alfa about 3 months ago and love it, I was the same as yourself worried about the reliability But i found a good one that had excellent history.

I'd say that if you really want the alfa then go for one, provided the one you go to see is in good nick.

The dealer will probably tell you the car was well minded but be warry anyway, as you said the millage is high but it doesn't necessarily mean its a bad car. Also just cause the car might have a service history does not mean it wasn't driven hard by the previous owner i.e. it could have been a fleet car so while it would get serviced on time, the person driving it would not care for it as it wasn't theirs. Keep an eye out for scratches and dents in the paint work and alloys, its a very good way of figuring out if the owner really cared for the car.

barry99

carbon nanotube wrote: »

dont know if he wants petrol or daysul but the accord will cost a bomb whether 2.0 petrol or 2.2 daysul since he is 20.

its a good a car as any audi (or bmw) dont know why people have orgasams over these marques.

Which car are you on about people have orgasams over?

I'm surprised by the insurance quotes i'm getting. Plus FBD are taking into account my 5 years experience so thats helping. It looks like 3rd party is only €600 for the year and fully comp is €1000.

Cozzie which 159 did you go for? I haven't tested any yet but i'm assuming the 1.9JTDM 16v, 150 Bhp car is a far better drive.

carbon nanotube

RoverJames wrote: »

didnt read it so nm

carbon nanotube

barry99 wrote: »

Which car are you on about people have orgasams over?

I'm surprised by the insurance quotes i'm getting. Plus FBD are taking into account my 5 years experience so thats helping. It looks like 3rd party is only €600 for the year and fully comp is €1000.

Cozzie which 159 did you go for? I haven't tested any yet but i'm assuming the 1.9JTDM 16v, 150 Bhp car is a far better drive.

the Audi and BMWs fantasy, tbh they are over rated and unless you go up the ante for high spec models they are nothing special.

Since I never in my life drove a diesel i cant comment.

I prefer petrol.

cozzie55

I went for the 16v car. the extra 30 Bhp makes a big difference. The 8v 120bhp car isn't bad but the 16v is far nicer.

I'm thinking of getting it remapped just for an extra bit of power. Haven't looked in to it yet though, so don't really know where to start with it.

pred racer

barry99 wrote: »

Rite its finally time to buy my first car, Looking for some advice. I'm in two minds as to what to buy. Its a toss up between an Alfa 159 and a Bmw 3 series m sport saloon. I've about 12k to spend could stretch a bit more if needs be (max of 14k). I really want to buy an alfa but I am concerned about reliability.

I'm going to look at an alfa romeo 159 on monday. Its an 08 one with 100000 miles on the clock, from a dealer. I'm slightly worried about the amount of millage. 25k miles per year is high enough milage, and i've no idea if the car is coming with a service history or not.

Is there anything in particular to look out for on these cars? Or any particular questions i should be asking about it?

Does anyone have any other car recommendations apart from the two above mentioned. Bearing in mind i'm a 20 year old so i don't want something too expensive to insure and tax and it has to be diesel.

I bought an 08 159 with 100k in january, passed first nct with flying colours and no problems so far.
Love the car!

Problems:
Normal diesel stuff dpf,dmf,egr etc same as any other.
Timing belt is more like 90k so should have been changed on the one above, the newer style water pump does not seem to be prone to imploding.
Power steering on earlier ones was a problem but was solved with a new fluid tank(same part no as the old one so difficult to check) 08 should have the new one.
The paint is awfully thin on these, small scratches will be through to the undercoat and stone chips will rust. Only pay top dollar for a perfect one.
Mine is scratched badly but I got it for 8k;)

Driving:
Front is very low and will hit the deck on sharp bumps and speed humps.
I personally prefer my brakes more progressive than the 159 but they really work:p
Stability control etc etc only kicks in if you really provoke it.
Mine does about 6-6.5L/100km when driven normally less for town and hooning;) (have never managed a careful tank)
Not that fast away from the line, but watch the turbo gauge, keep it near full boost and in 3rd, 4th and 5th it pulls like a train, bags of torque.
I love mine and i still turn back to look at it as I walk away:cool:
I could go on and on:rolleyes:
Hope this helps!

166man

Think the Honda is 2.2 and that's high tax as I reckon your budget will only go to the pre-2008 models. Nice car though, bit meh for me.

The Alfa 159 is actually a very underrated car in my opinion. My dad has one (2010 1.9JTDm SW) and I'm driving it at the moment and it's a very nice car. It was bought new and now has approx 60k km on it. It hasn't had one problem, be that mechanical, cosmetically or anything in the interior.

AFAIK the diesel engine is shared with Opel/Vauxhall and you see plenty of them around with high mileage so don't be afraid of one because it is an Alfa. A full service history is a must though.

The 150bhp engine has had trouble with the swirl flaps I think so check if they have been blanked out. If not look into doing it yourself. Not sure of any other problems they have off the top of my head other than the front suspension being a bit weak but get a mechanic to check the car before you consider buying.

They also aren't as economical as they probably should be but sure when the car looks that good who cares. Our combined fuel economy is about 40-42mpg.

Drive one you won't regret it. Best of Luck if you do end up with one.

carbon nanotube

carbon nanotube wrote: »

..........

Since I never in my life drove a diesel i cant comment.

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

lol

carbon nanotube

RoverJames wrote: »

lol

don't know what your lol ing about, you seem to have some superiority complex.

each to their own but i'm happy with a 2.4 petrol.

not everyone $hits themselves over diesels.

lol


etc...

More lol from me :pac:
For someone who can't comment you seen to have a lot to say

166man

carbon nanotube wrote: »

don't know what your lol ing about, you seem to have some superiority complex.

each to their own but i'm happy with a 2.4 petrol.

not everyone $hits themselves over diesels.

lol


etc...

I can't imagine you being happy to fork over almost €1k a year to tax your Accord somehow.

166man

166man wrote: »

I can't imagine you being happy to fork over almost €1k a year to tax your Accord somehow.

He is UK based.

Jimbob 83

RoverJames wrote: »

He is UK based.

Irish and UK car markets are vastly different, i would ask on a Uk forum tbh

apc

barry99 wrote: »

I'm surprised by the insurance quotes i'm getting. Plus FBD are taking into account my 5 years experience so thats helping. It looks like 3rd party is only €600 for the year and fully comp is €1000.

.

Just curious but if you only 20years old. how are FBD taking 5 years experience into account?

166man

RoverJames wrote: »

He is UK based.

Yeah that's what I meant. I should have edited it to say forking over €1k a year in tax here in the Republic. As in I'd be surprised if he'd be driving the same car over here with the tax bands the way they are.

L-M

carbon nanotube wrote: »

didnt read it so nm

Didn't read what? The opening post? How do you expect to leave a worthwhile comment then?

166man wrote: »

Think the Honda is 2.2 and that's high tax as I reckon your budget will only go to the pre-2008 models. Nice car though, bit meh for me.

Just FYi they 2.2 accords are just over (2204cc or something) so they're taxed as a 2.3.

barry99

apc wrote: »

Just curious but if you only 20years old. how are FBD taking 5 years experience into account?

Edit should have said 4 not 5,
should really re-read my posts before submitting...... or else learn to type

carbon nanotube

tax doesn't bother me, people get in a jitz too much now with running costs, if they are worried so much on getting a car on the road they should use a bus.

diesel cars can cost several time more than petrols to maintain, i am sure the op has this taken into account....

Veloce

carbon nanotube wrote: »

diesel cars can cost several time more than petrols to maintain, i am sure the op has this taken into account....

I thought you said you never drove a diesel in your life. You prob never owned one if you didn't drive one

MuppetCheck

carbon nanotube wrote: »

tax doesn't bother me, people get in a jitz too much now with running costs, if they are worried so much on getting a car on the road they should use a bus.

diesel cars can cost several time more than petrols to maintain, i am sure the op has this taken into account....

In what way? A dmf or dpf failure? It's not applicable to all.

And tbh, from your posts your petrol Honda hasn't been a cheap car to maintain at all at all.

carbon nanotube

Veloce wrote: »

I thought you said you never drove a diesel in your life. You prob never owned one if you didn't drive one

i do know stuff about diesels.

i didn't drive one as i like petrol's and don't see the need to drive or ever own a petrol....like ever.

so its true i never drove a diesel?

carbon nanotube

MuppetCheck wrote: »

In what way? A dmf or dpf failure? It's not applicable to all.

And tbh, from your posts your petrol Honda hasn't been a cheap car to maintain at all at all.

I was prepared to spend 2,000gbp to put it right, it now runs like a dream and at 1,000euro i would still tax it for that K24 engine is well worth it. Just needed some TLC is all.

I could see myself driving this car for a long time yet.

colm_mcm

barry99 wrote: »

Edit should have said 4 not 5,
should really re-read my posts before submitting...... or else learn to type

Wouldn't that make you 21 then?

carbon nanotube

carbon nanotube wrote: »

I was prepared to spend 2,000gbp to put it right, it now runs like a dream and at 1,000euro i would still tax it for that K24 engine is well worth it. Just needed some TLC is all.

....

You didn't think it needed anywhere near 2k sterling tlc when you bought it though.

166man

carbon nanotube wrote: »

tax doesn't bother me, people get in a jitz too much now with running costs, if they are worried so much on getting a car on the road they should use a bus.

Such a bs statement.

carbon nanotube

RoverJames wrote: »

You didn't think it needed anywhere near 2k sterling tlc when you bought it though.

well at the price i paid i expected to put money into it, and i don't mean 200quid.

considering the cars original, cost i think i could easily justify the money i spent on it.

if it was a $hit heap of course it would be a different story., people have come out far worse on cars such as the lad here with a 2008 BMW.

Honda's are on of the few cars that cant tolerate abuse. The K24 engine is bomb proof and loves nothing more than to be red lined.

carbon nanotube

166man wrote: »

Such a bs statement.

Ireland is obsessed with diesel cars now so get off the high horse for a moment pls.

166man

carbon nanotube wrote: »

Ireland is obsessed with diesel cars now so get off the high horse for a moment pls.

Whats your point? You're the one on the high horse. It's very easy to say that you would fork over €1k in road tax each year than to actually pay it.

You're right though Ireland is obsessed with diesel car's at the moment but it is you who needs to get down off your high horse.

Also if you had to put £2000+ into a Honda Accord it is also quite clear you bought a sh1t heap as you put it.

carbon nanotube

166man wrote: »

Whats your point? You're the one on the high horse. It's very easy to say that you would fork over €1k in road tax each year than to actually pay it.

You're right though Ireland is obsessed with diesel car's at the moment but it is you who needs to get down off your high horse.

Also if you had to put £2000+ into a Honda Accord it is also quite clear you bought a sh1t heap as you put it.

you are just contradicting yourself, and you also know nothing about honda's so stop making a fool of yourself like a good man.

carbon nanotube

carbon nanotube wrote: »

well at the price i paid i expected to put money into it, and i don't mean 200quid. .................

Seems as you mention that...

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=77796361

After buying it you spent £200 on service parts for it and spent £50 getting an indy to lash them in...

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=77805240&postcount=6

You reckoned the clunky gearbox was the "way they are"

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=77805388&postcount=9

other than that...

carbon nanotube wrote: »

have not drove much as im wrecked from the going but initial thought are its like a maybach compared to a mondeo 1.8

everything works as they should, got HiD lights too as i saw the high voltage notice near the head lamps, must be a ballast.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=77805893&postcount=13


So after putting £1800 into it...

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=78754807

carbon nanotube wrote: »

Ok lads,


some might have seen my purchase a while back but turns out I put 1,800GBP into her :eek:.

quite a long list of repairs but at the price i paid i suppose it was to be expected.

I was given the run around by one mechanic and kwik fit also were rubbish.

long story short, needed a new clutch and the whole front drive train was pretty buggered, got a new half shaft from Honda, and passenger side from a breakers.

parts, labour all $$$

rear tyre had a bulge also, tracking was off too (kwik fit couldn't even track it right)

too fast tho..!.

And posting all that you expect anyone to believe you bought it expecting it to need that sort of work ?

LOL :pac:

carbon nanotube

things are really desperate when people go digging up old posts, but you are a pretty sad individual if they are the depths you get to feel smug about yourself, but each to their own.

and a 2.4 honda accord executive v an alfa romeo 166.

i know which one i would want to keep.

I would pretty guarantee if you drive my honda you would not want a rover (of any form) or a alfa 166.

anyway... this is about the op's car not mine so can we be treat this in a non after hours fashion.

You bought a car that you thought was fine, you reckoned it needed a service kit, after throwing 2k at it you than some months later claim you knew it needed work when you bought it. This is bullsh1t so to try and redeem yourself you now claim if I drove your Honda I wouldn't want to drive any sort of rover. My ZT handles significantly better than your accord, and yes i have driven one, not a w@nked one like yours either :pac:

barry99

colm_mcm wrote: »

Wouldn't that make you 21 then?

well 21 in 3 weeks. I'm assuming I won't have the car before that

Anyway enough about carbon nanotubes honda. Lets get back on topic here. I'm the one looking for a car remember

166man

carbon nanotube wrote: »

you are just contradicting yourself, and you also know nothing about honda's so stop making a fool of yourself like a good man.

Care to elaborate the whole I'm contradicting myself thing? Actually no wait don't bother, you have been proved by Detective RJ on the previous page that you're talking bs so I'll just finish up here. Also a 166 beats a common as muck Honda by the way.

Apologies to the OP for taking his thread off-topic.

pred racer

carbon nanotube wrote: »

things are really desperate when people go digging up old posts, but you are a pretty sad individual if they are the depths you get to feel smug about yourself, but each to their own.

and a 2.4 honda accord executive v an alfa romeo 166.

i know which one i would want to keep.

I would pretty guarantee if you drive my honda you would not want a rover (of any form) or a alfa 166.

anyway... this is about the op's car not mine so can we be treat this in a non after hours fashion.

Ill take my 159 over an accord any day (and yes ive driven one)
Not putting your car down I just didnt like it.
If i didnt mind running costs, I'd have a 2.4 159:D

barry99

Right I went for a sneaky look at the car today while the garage was closed. Doesn't look as good in the flesh, few marks and scrapes on it and the likes, plus hes looking for 12500 for the car. Mad money in my mind. Considering a previous poster got a similar car for 8k.

Think I mite take a look at the one linked below, half the miles and only 1k extra, the extra year is nice too but its not the be all and end all, would prefer a good motor a year or two older than a crap box newer one.

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Alfa-Romeo/159/1.9--JTD/201225208804480/advert?channel=CARS

Other than that I'm looking at having to source one in the Uk or else scrap the idea altogether.
Where would I even start if i want to import one?

barry99

barry99 wrote: »

............
Where would I even start if i want to import one?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/

barry99

RoverJames wrote: »

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/

Cheers for that smartass, I guessed i'd be starting somewhere like that

Anyone on here that has imported before want to give me some advice? Did ye go to see they car first and go a second time to buy, or did ye just test drive it, like it and buy it there and then and bring it home?

Also don't some companies import cars specifically for people i.e they do all the work