Alfa 159....or any other suggestions?

Skuxx

Hi boardsies,

The time has come to say goodbye to my mk4 tdi golf after 6 years and 140,000 great miles together!

I'm looking for another diesel, budget is around €4000 maybe €5000 at a push. I would love an Alfa 159 but I'd like to look at other options also, maybe Volvo S40 or Saab 93.

Just looking for opinions from some people in the know!

At the moment, I like the look of this one

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/alfa-romeo-159-1-9-jtdm-16v-lusso-6-speed-full/12580937

ba_barabus

Looks good but I think that is only 120bhp. You'll be wanting the 150bhp minimum.

Now things to watch out for: gearbox, whining and groaning from the bearings. It'll require a rebuild. Clutch should be done at that mileage but if not expect it soon. To get it all done together (gearbox rebuild and clutch) is a shade over €2000 at a reputable specialist.

Air flow meters go pretty regularly too. At that mileage I'd also be looking for evidence the injectors have been done as they can and do go on that engine.

As per usual give the electrics a good going over and make sure you get 2 keys.

Suspension on the passenger side, upper and lower front wishbones should be done by now but make sure you use good parts as cheap ones don't last a wet Week.

Finally the eat the inner edges of the front tyres pretty quickly.

The above is as bad as it gets really. Make sure you get a pretty decent service history with evidence the work has been done. No history present and I'd get it checked carefully but personally I'd walk away. They're a lovely car and the drive great. Not too expensive to run and rarely go wrong. Relatively easy to service too.

My personal recommendation is to buy one and to get nothing less than 150bhp.

Skuxx

ba_barabus wrote: »

Looks good but I think that is only 120bhp. You'll be wanting the 150bhp minimum.

Now things to watch out for: gearbox, whining and groaning from the bearings. It'll require a rebuild. Clutch should be done at that mileage but if not expect it soon. To get it all done together (gearbox rebuild and clutch) is a shade over €2000 at a reputable specialist.

Air flow meters go pretty regularly too. At that mileage I'd also be looking for evidence the injectors have been done as they can and do go on that engine.

As per usual give the electrics a good going over and make sure you get 2 keys.

Suspension on the passenger side, upper and lower front wishbones should be done by now but make sure you use good parts as cheap ones don't last a wet Week.

Finally the eat the inner edges of the front tyres pretty quickly.

My personal recommendation is to buy one and to get nothing less than 150bhp.

Thanks a million for the reply, very informative!! I will certainly check out those points if I go for a look at it!
If I come across a lower mileage example, that doesn't have the clutch/gearbox work done yet, do you know what sort of mileage it tends to become a problem?

Deep down I know if I buy anything other then an Alfa, I'm going to look at every one that I pass wishing........

Maybe this is a better one....
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/alfa-romeo-159-1-9jtdm-2006-150bhp/12566996

ba_barabus

Gearbox can sadly go at any time in the cars life. Mine started groaning at 205k km and was replaced soon after. I absolutely love mine. Genuinely and hands down the best car I've had. I did the flywheel and whole clutch assembly at the same time even though they weren't gone.

bazz26

Aren't the 8v 120bhp supposed to be more reliable than the 16v 150bhp version? Seems to be the case in the Opel/Saab versions and they use the same Fiat M-Jet engine.

ba_barabus

bazz26 wrote: »

Aren't the 8v 120bhp supposed to be more reliable than the 16v 150bhp version? Seems to be the case in the Opel/Saab versions and they use the same Fiat M-Jet engine.

Possibly so but mine has been faultless due to regular oil changes. My reason for advocating it as the best choice is because it's nice and lively on the road. I've found the 120bhp one to be a bit dead

Skuxx

Skuxx wrote: »

.........
If I come across a lower mileage example, that doesn't have the clutch/gearbox work done yet, do you know what sort of mileage it tends to become a problem?....

I wouldn't be reckoning the one you linked to being sold in Bill Gs has had that work done yet ..... it might/might not be getting whiney.

Skuxx wrote: »

......

Maybe this is a better one....
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/alfa-romeo-159-1-9jtdm-2006-150bhp/12566996

subframe was replaced possibly due to rot from being a UK car.

I'd sooner the 2008 with the claimed 7 service stamps from a dealer if she was Irish from new, 2008 car as opposed to 2006 UK car. Perhaps be mindful of the need to have a reserve for gearbox work. Still if it's quiet on test drive that would put mind at ease.

166man

Augeo wrote: »

I wouldn't be reckoning the one you linked to being sold in Bill Gs has had that work done yet ..... it might/might not be getting whiney.



subframe was replaced possibly due to rot from being a UK car.

I'd sooner the 2008 with the claimed 7 service stamps from a dealer if she was Irish from new, 2008 car as opposed to 2006 UK car. Perhaps be mindful of the need to have a reserve for gearbox work. Still if it's quiet on test drive that would put mind at ease.

I can vouch for that above 2006 Alfa 159. Guy who owns it is an Alfa nut and has really minded that car. If I was looking for one itd be that 2006 one as I know the history of it.

Also 1.9 8v with a remap is a better engine than the 150bhp I think. No swirl flaps to go wrong with it. As BA says though, regular oil changes are very important.