My younger sister would like to replace her 320d with a 159.
Any engines better/worse? Anything to look out for?
She is currently driving approx 15k a year mix of town and motorway. Boot space, rear seat size not important it will mostly only be her in the car.

Used to own one, great cars.
I had no issues with mine and the deisel engined one I had was rock solid, but you may want to go here for a more exhaustive check.

Thanks, what engine? And what mpg did you get?

New or s/h, and what is wrong with the Beemer that makes her want to get rid and/or buy a 159?

tbh I’d estimate it will be more unreliable and cost more to run than the 320d – not better/cheaper.

I had a 1.9 JTDM lusso estate. The EGR valve failed and the numpties at the dealer in Cheltenham left something off after a service so that the fan belt cut through the turbo pipe. Something like that anyway. All fixed under warranty for me, but I wouldn’t recommend Blade in Cheltenham if she/you happen to live near there. They once had me drive the 50 minutes to their place to then tell me they needed a CD to see what the problem was and they didn’t have it!

Anyway, nice car but I would normally get low 40s mpg on a long run, so probably not as good as her Beemer on that front.

^ wot b r sed

.. And my petrol 320i can do 48mpg at 70mph, the diesels are even betterer. As much as I love the look of 159’s I can’t imagine one would be more economical or quicker or better handling than a 320d..

Had the 1.9 diesel, not a rocket ship and to be honest I never really thought about the mpg, it was probably about the same as the Golf tdi I had before.
It was actually more reliable than the Golf as well, I had the mark 7, one of the first to be built outside of Germany I think.
Compared with a similar aged BMW it is a beautiful car, in fact its the only car I have owned where strangers came up to be and commented on its looks (well, 3 people over 2 years, but even so:).
If you want a practical car then the BMW would be the best choice.

My heart say the V6. Just for the way it looks and sounds.
But my head says the JDTM

Look for all the ‘Italin’ stuff like electric and brakes.

Hope she under stands that it’s going to be less well made and more unreliable then her BM

New or s/h, and what is wrong with the Beemer that makes her want to get rid and/or buy a 159?
tbh I’d estimate it will be more unreliable and cost more to run than the 320d – not better/cheaper.

s/h £8k max budget. Nothing massively wrong with the BMW, she just wants a new car. I don’t think she’s at all bothered about how well it drives. I’ve kind of stepped in as I know as soon as she goes in the showroom she will buy something based on looks, won’t check price/history etc, she’s a salesmanship dream, don’t want to see her ripped off.

my petrol 320i can do 48mpg at 70mph

I can’t get our lass’s 1.4/140 Ibiza to do that.

Look for all the ‘Italin’ stuff like electric and brakes.

Ignore comments like this. Usually made by people who’ve never owned alfa’s (the electrics are Bosch on modern Alfa’s….and have been for a while)

I’d check out the buying guide on alfa owner, they’re pretty comprehensive. Kryton57 has just boughth one, in SW guise, IIRC.

As previously said, it’s a big car, mpg isn’t great for a modern diesel (I’m assuming she’ll go diesel as they’re the easiest to life with on a day to day basis)

I think there are 2 power outputs from the 2.0 jtdm – one lunches it’s gear boxes. Don’t pick that one 😆

Edit: 8k will buy a lot of alfa (they depreciate) so pick a good one – FSH is vital. Walk away if any stamps are missing. Having bit more of a ‘fan’ following than other marques, if you can get one that’s been ‘loved’ by an enthusiast owner, buy it.

Get onto alfaowners.com-knowledgeable, helpful lot who would be happy to help.

Most important thing with an alpha Alfa (particularly the petrol ones) is service history.

They are not like German or Japanese cars – if they say service every 30000 then do not leave it to 31000. Cam belt intervals are particularly important so check that out has been changed in accordance with the recommended mileage otherwise it will cost you.

Check all the switches etc work. If you get a good Alfa it will be brilliant for years. Get a bad one and it’ll never quite work properly.

I think there are 2 power outputs from the 2.0 jtdm – one lunches it’s gear boxes. Don’t pick that one

Thanks for this. Will look into it.

I’ve just been through this and published – after lost of investigation – a typical fault list to look for here on p2:

http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/straw-poll-car-content/page/2

Check the clutch and DMF as they are both mutually inclusive and therefore the fix is expensive. I’m getting mid 40’s out of my 1.9jtdm, performance isn’t electric but enough to give a good shove up the motorway. The boot shape is more practical on the BM but then you have RWD. What’s been said up there about looks etc is correct – I get comments all the time, the most recent about the quality of the leather interior.

Nice cars, a bit quirky and different. If you want advice go to alfaowner.com, and if you are near Milton Keynes and have bought a car it’s worth taking it to AutoLusso for one of thier free checkups.

I can’t get our lass’s 1.4/140 Ibiza to do that.

Yeah it’s amazing considering it’s 7rs old and 170HP too:

Threads like this make me want to get rid of my GT for a 159 :-/

Don’t be put off by the list of ‘possible’ faults either, Internet research would put you off any SH car once you read about the possible faults. BMW N47 timing chain, for example

I think my ideal car would be a bimmer wearing a 159’s body – they are flippin gorgeous

I forgot to mention. The weakest point is the Cambelt and water pump which needs doing earlier than recommended. If your cars approaching 60k miles and it isn’t done, either walk away or factor in that it would be done as soon as you drive it away. It kills the engine if it goes.

I had a v6 Alfa 156 it was awesome when it worked ( which was fairly rare ), in two years of owning it at 6 years old, it needed a new clutch, new radiator, loads of interior fit annoyances and an electrical problem that took early a week to fix. Good job I bought it with a good warranty, even having all of these problems I was still interested in the 159 v6 when it came out, so I contacted Alfa for a test drive when they first came out. I was told that ther were no demo cars available with that engine but I could test drive a diesel one and a GT with the v6 engine (not really the same). I kicked off with Alfa UK saying I was wanting to buy the most expensive car they sell and I was not prepared to do so without test driving it first. Two days later I got a call from my local dealer saying they had a 159 v6 for me to test drive, I got there and it was a customers order that Alfa UK had told them to let me drive before he picked it up. Imagine finding out your new pride and joy had been used as a demo car before you had it! Suffice to say I bought an Audi, but I still love them!

I had the 2.4jtdm. Nice car, but the dpf caused major issues. Went into limp mode five times in a year and main dealer had to force a regen cycle. They told me that every fortnight I should go for a 30 minute drive to get the regen working. Needless to say, I sold it.

Replaced with a diesel BMW which had no problems with the dpf doing the same journeys.

Also the car is beautifully made, but the switches on the steering wheel are cheap and naff.

I don’t think she’s at all bothered about how well it drives.

there is not much point getting the alfa then – owners often put up with any issues because of how they drive – if you don’t appreciate that then you will be more likely to get hacked off with the car.

First thing is to ensure that there is a good alfa garage near, which will very probably be an independent.

I love mine, but was going to sell it for a van in the summer, as I just don’t do the miles in it anymore and is only used as a posh bike van now anyway.

I could be tempted to sell it early if she is keen, 1.9jtdm less than 80k, and just had all the problem areas sorted!
Would come in a decent amount under her budget, Nottingham if you want to have a look.

If keen pm me, or if not pm me and I can point you in the direction of what to look out for

Very happy with mine. Got a 1.9 jtdm ti. It’s a lovely drive and the cabin is a joy. All focused around the driver.
Had a couple of suspension linkages replaced and they can eat tyres. I run Accelera on mine (£200 a pair instead of £600 for the main dealer ones)
I’m I my averaging mid 30’s in mine but I’m driving lots of fun A and B roads on my drive to work. Will get high 40’s on a steady motorway run.
BMW is probably a better car but the Alfa just makes me smile when I drive it (and look at it, they’re blooming gorgeous to look at)

I could be tempted to sell it early if she is keen, 1.9jtdm less than 80k, and just had all the problem areas sorted!
Would come in a decent amount under her budget, Nottingham if you want to have a look.

Thanks very much but she’s in Dorset. A bit too far.

Thanks very much but she’s in Dorset. A bit too far.

but a nice drive back if she chooses the right A and B roads…

s/h £8k max budget. Nothing massively wrong with the BMW, she just wants a new car. I don’t think she’s at all bothered about how well it drives. I’ve kind of stepped in as I know as soon as she goes in the showroom she will buy something based on looks, won’t check price/history etc, she’s a salesmanship dream, don’t want to see her ripped off.

Best thing you could probably do then is persuade her she DOESN’T need a new car.

Dear people whom have never owned an Alfa Romeo,

You dont know what you are talking about!

regards

Real petrolheads.

:p

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/alfa-romeo/159-2006/?section=good

Thanks everyone. Looks like she’s test drove/pretty much bought one today.

Pic when you can get one…?

Pic when you can get one…?

Car or sister? 😉

Car, adorned by sister obviously.

Unless she’s rated at 5 or less out of 10, then just the car will do…

Pic when you can get one…?

Car or sister?

Ha ha, all my mates fancy my sister. She’s a bit of a bimbo and asked if I thought she should tell the car sales man today that she’s worn a hole in the carpet of the BMW by the accelerator were her stilettoe has been digging in.

No experience of the marque myself, although tempted by a Brera later this year.
These guys have a good rep for servicing etc, in Dorset http://www.redmotori.co.uk/

Thanks everyone. Looks like she’s test drove/pretty much bought one today.

What colour? Hopefully the Stromboli Grey as it’s the best colour

Ha ha, all my mates fancy my sister. She’s a bit of a bimbo and asked if I thought she should tell the car sales man today that she’s worn a hole in the carpet of the BMW by the accelerator were her stilettoe has been digging in.

Then she’ll have no problem getting ‘priority’ at the local Alfa specialist 🙂

What colour? Hopefully the Stromboli Grey as it’s the best colour

Yes yes it is. Took kryton junior skiing today, round trip to Hemel Hemstead. I asked him which car. “Yours daddy, because yours is really cool”. He’s six, and that’s all the validation I need. He’s now pointing out Alfas instead of Eddie Stobart on the motorway.

He’s now pointing out Alfas instead of Eddie Stobart on the motorway.

Easier to spot though as they’re usually accompanied by flashing yellow lights.

king ocelot, im interested in finding out a bit more about the motor if you dont mind, but you got no mail address in profile. could you mail me more details such as price and a pic or 2 please if you have any?

im not seriously looking for a new motor (happy with my octavia laurin & klement) but ive had mine a few years now and theres a bit of an itch to change car. silly i know, but there you go 🙂