Which 147 to buy?

napalm@night

Hi everyone buying a 1.6(insuranace reasons) 147 now im told from 02 onwards the build quality is a big improvement.. Does anybody having any other tips when looking for one? (ie what to look for etc)

Cheers!

P.S. i dont need replies telling me how they fall apart\are useless not to buy one etc..if i wanted a car that lasted forever and never broke id buy a toyota..So helpful advice only please!

ciarsd

from 02 onwards you are correct the build is an improvement. things to look out for.. make sure its got a service history, enquire that the variator on the 120BHP model has been replaced (as per Alfa recall), check the onboard computer is functioning fully, check for a non-sticking neutral gear.

if you want a closer look at one, give me a shout!

prospect

I wanted one aswell, but i researched a 1.6 147 v a 1.6 renault megane.
The insuranc eon the Alfa was WWaaaayyyyy higher, so i figured i'd hold off on my ultimate driving machine for a while.
So hopefully it'll be a nice new 1.9JTD alfa 159 for me

So if insurance is a killer for you, maybe hold out for a year or two and let your NCB build up, along with your age!

unkel

I'd get it off a main dealer with as long a warranty as they are prepared to sell to you. [font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Donohoe's in Dublin had some ads on the radio promoting used Alfas

Did you check how much insurance is on a '03 1.9 JTD 16V? The diesel is a great engine, probably the best diesel in it's class by far. If your mileage is average / high, it might be worth it
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napalm@night

mileage wont be too bad but i cant go higher then a 1.6 due to hibernann igination scheme...thanks for all the tips guys you've been a great help!

napalm@night

ciarsd yeah your alfa is my ideal one so far!(ive been hunting all the websites!;) but i wont be in a position to purchase until july\August(if by a miracle you've still got it by then ill be intrested for defo)...Just getting all the info together now Just a quick question for you on yours though where it says leather im guessing from your site its just leather trim and cloth upholstery?

Cheers!

napalm@night

and yet another question(sorry) whats the difference between the sports interior and the standard?

Cheers!

pbergin

napalm@night wrote:

and yet another question(sorry) whats the difference between the sports interior and the standard?

Cheers!

Im not 100% sure, but it has probably red coloured dials and carbon bits on the dash, but I could be very wrong there.
The main thing to look out for when buying a second hand alfa is timing belt changes. It does need to be changed every 36k miles, the manual says 72k but that has been proven wrong. So when buying ask about belt and tensioner changes (cost 600-800 to change). Another thing to keep an eye on when you buy one is the oil level, they can burn up to 1L ever 1k miles, mine only used 1L every 4-5K. Make sure you keep an eye on this and only top up with the same type of oil that was used in the service, mixing oil types is not good, specially with full synth oils. After that they are a cracking car, I had a 156 and loved it.

ciarsd

napalm@night wrote:

ciarsd yeah your alfa is my ideal one so far!(ive been hunting all the websites!;) but i wont be in a position to purchase until july\August(if by a miracle you've still got it by then ill be intrested for defo)...Just getting all the info together now Just a quick question for you on yours though where it says leather im guessing from your site its just leather trim and cloth upholstery?

Cheers!

thats grand, sure ive not advertised on autotrader/cbg etc yet as I'm still awaiting my choice car to arrive - and by my luck its gonna be at least another month - thing is i dont mind being without a car while awaiting a new one as i can get by (just) without!

yeah you are right, my car has all the extra's besides the leather. to make up for it (in some way ) it's got the leather/chrome trim and black upholstery.

ciarsd

napalm@night wrote:

and yet another question(sorry) whats the difference between the sports interior and the standard?

Cheers!

I was told that it's the chrome detailing in and around dash, switches & dark grey/silver clocks with chrome surround, armrest, lumber adjust on seats etc...

ciarsd

pbergin wrote:

Im not 100% sure, but it has probably red coloured dials and carbon bits on the dash, but I could be very wrong there.
The main thing to look out for when buying a second hand alfa is timing belt changes. It does need to be changed every 36k miles, the manual says 72k but that has been proven wrong. So when buying ask about belt and tensioner changes (cost 600-800 to change). Another thing to keep an eye on when you buy one is the oil level, they can burn up to 1L ever 1k miles, mine only used 1L every 4-5K. Make sure you keep an eye on this and only top up with the same type of oil that was used in the service, mixing oil types is not good, specially with full synth oils. After that they are a cracking car, I had a 156 and loved it.

close pbergin

oil levels on the TSpark engines is indeed a factor, but should not pose any threats on a car with good service history. Mine consumes minimal amounts, and i've been very cautious since the variator recall which informed me of the oil consumption.

pbergin

ciarsd wrote:

close pbergin

oil levels on the TSpark engines is indeed a factor, but should not pose any threats on a car with good service history. Mine consumes minimal amounts, and i've been very cautious since the variator recall which informed me of the oil consumption.

Exactly, they only consume a small amount, keep an eye on it and you will have no problems. They do say up to 1L per 1K miles, but I have never heard anything even close to that. It is just something to be aware of, I know someone who wasnt aware and he ended up having to buy a new engine.

Eoin

pbergin wrote:

Exactly, they only consume a small amount, keep an eye on it and you will have no problems. They do say up to 1L per 1K miles, but I have never heard anything even close to that. It is just something to be aware of, I know someone who wasnt aware and he ended up having to buy a new engine.

To state the obvious - pretty much a good idea to keep an eye on it, no matter what car you drive...

Have to say it is nice to see an Alfa thread without the usual "don't buy one, they break down every 2 minutes" yawn-a-thon

ciarsd

eoin_s wrote:

Have to say it is nice to see an Alfa thread without the usual "don't buy one, they break down every 2 minutes" yawn-a-thon

very true eoin_s - i bought one even after reading all of the usual tripe 2 years ago...i didnt let it stop me, once i knew what to look for and how to keep care of it..and as a result it has never once skipped a beat or let me down once.

its just the usual 'old' stories tarring the Alfa's, all manufacturers have had their faults ... some even more serious! I'm not doubting that there are still some faults, but from 02 onwards these have been minimal or luckily in my case non existent.

who remembers the Vanos/Nikasil issue with BMW's :eek:

prospect

First, I love Alfas.
As a famous motoring journalist once said: "If you don't understand Alfas, you don't understand driving!"

But, speaking form personal experience, the Alfa dealers are the biggest problem, not the cars.
We have tried several dealers in the dublin area for servicing etc, and everyone was crap, and I mean CRAP.

pbergin

I used Gerry Cambell of Ti Auto off NCR, he is independent but he is an alfa specialist. I know afew that use him and all have had good experiences. He isnt cheap but he is good.

prospect

Yep, but you are kinda tied to using main dealers for at least the first two years.

lomb

prospect wrote:

Yep, but you are kinda tied to using main dealers for at least the first two years.

u are with alfa, they are mechanically very poor tbh, and u NEED the warranty. i wouldnt bother with in dealer service for the likes of a toyota or even vw possibly. as cars get more complex like mercs and bmws and ALL ALFAS you need the warranty.

lomb

prospect wrote:

We have tried several dealers in the dublin area for servicing etc, and everyone was crap, and I mean CRAP.

what does that mean? if the cars were fine it wouldnt matter about the dealers. were they overcharging u or something else like not valeting the car?or was it rattles and problems they couldnt sort?

prospect

Left the car in for clutch probs,
After a week of arsing around about warranty rubbish, they agreed to replace the clutch box? (Awww thanks guys, it IS covered under warranty as i said from the start, but thanks for wasting a week checking this out)
Replacement part comes in and it doesn't fit, try again. New par comes in, it fits but has been redesigned, so a 'coupler' or something like that has to be got, la la blah blah, about 3 weeks later car arrives back.
Drive it to work, get out, press zapper, nothing. Ring dealer, 'Oy my bloody doors won't lock', 'nothing to do with the work we did, we'll have to check the warranty', :mad: another week later, doors fixed.
Every time the car is booked in, they need credit card info for 'security' there is never a replacement car available blah, blah poor telephone manner, mechanics talking down to you, CRAP.
Oh and, no the car is f-u-c-k-e-d, they are accusing us of not putting oil in! I though you guys did that during the service, 'Eh yes sir, you are supposed to check it was done afterwards :mad: :mad: WTF :mad: :mad:

ciarsd

strange one that prospect. i've used a big and well known Alfa dealership for all of my servicing and the variator warranty recall and ive nothing but praise for their service!

little touches like having a courtesy car ready and with a half tank of fuel, the only delay transferring insurance details, getting my car back to me at the time that they had committed etc

really i couldn't find fault...well except that servicing costs at a main dealer are a pain, but they stand to you come 'for sale' time i suppose

Einstein

I picked up a 2002 1.6 Lusso last May. Cracker of a car, I love it! Cruise control, climate control, armrest, 10 disc CD Changer, 16" alloys.
Like already mentioned, stick with the '02 and up, the only thing that annoys me(and i int moaning) I've had to replace the headlight bulbs more than I'd like, but after that- smashing motor! I found it a little heavy on juice, so thinkin maybe next year to go for the diesel model, find it tricky to get a 2nd hand one though!

dave

ciarsd

if youve a problem with your headlight bulb, its more than likely the earth wire attached to the headlight unit...more often than not it's not a blown bulb. thankfully ive not had this problem, but have read on another forum about it happening on some older 156s.

the JTD's are a smashing engine, some say the best in it's class - and thats a big compliment to accept considering the opposition

Einstein

Yeah, mate of mine does work in Alfa, he says the 1.9jtd is a little beaut and really good on juice. Just gotta get the dollars together first!
I was thinking there was a short somewhere alright, but the problem seems to be with both sides as opposed to just the one. plus they all often go at different times as opposed to at the same time.

prospect

ciarsd wrote:

strange one that prospect. i've used a big and well known Alfa dealership

I know, it is soooo frustrating, cause I love the cars.
Please PM me the dealer.

@Divers,
For gods sake, keep a very close eye on the oil levels, and hopefully you'll be a-okay...

prospect

Oh, and wrt the dealer,

My dropped my dad over one day to pick up his car. I was driving out and met his car bombing up the road twords me in about 2nd gear!!! :mad:

Einstein

prospect, yeah I keep the Oil topped up regularly, heard the problem with that from someone else too!

Cheers!