Tell me about Alfa 156's

Dureth

Dureth

Dureth

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14 Mar 2005
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Well my MR2 is up for sale on the IMOC forum as a cheap fixer due to rusty arches and I'm thinking about what to get next.

I've always liked the marmite looks of the Alfa 156 and the engine is said to be a cracking thing. What are they like to live with? What should I look out for when buying one?
 
Which engine?

You'll love it or hate it, technically there are many many better cars around but sometimes it's impossible to resist.

Electrics are one of the biggest issues, along with general trim and build quality. The v6s like to eat MAFs which aren't cheap and suspension is relatively complicated.

They'll rarely brake down and leave you stranded, but expect lots of little niggles - which will either make you resent it or you'll not be fazed by them
 
I'm more than happy working on a car so doing the odd bit of work isn't going to phase me. I'm not dead set on one, it just seems you get a lot of car for your money. I've been looking at 2.0TS and 2.5 V6's as they seem to drop nicely into my price range for a sub 80K mile example. Age is not so much a concern as condition and milage. I don't want another rust bucket, mechanicals I can deal with but I'm terrible with bodywork.

I've £2K to spend and want something with 4 seats (although a 2+2 will do as the rear seats will only be needed occasionally and for short distance). I'd like a car that is engaging to drive and not too slow.
 
With mine it was just the quantity of little jobs that surprised me, rather than anything major. You want to be having a good dig around the wiring loom in the engine bay and pull back the carpets in the foot well and boot to expose it - avoid any with bodged wiring jobs.

For 2k you're looking at the 2.4 jtd, the TS rather than the JTS and the 2.5 v6.

Ignore the diesel, it's a pretty decent engine by diesel standards, but who wants a diesel alfa. The TS engines are reasonably good, the newer JTS ones were direct injected so a bit better but as above they're probably out of budget for a nice one. The 1.6 and 1.8 are probably a bit slow, the 2.0 isn't too bad though. Makes a nice noise for a 4 pot and has variable timing. The timing belt intervals on the TS were revised to 36k - make sure it's been done on schedule and there's no dieselish rattle which would be the cam variator.

The 2.5 v6 is pretty similar to the 3.0 lump in the GTA and it's the one you want - it sounds glorious and is just....right in these cars.

Handling is pretty good, very good feedback and reasonable grip, feels quite attached and lively. They could ride better though.

If you want the best car for your money then look elsewhere, if you're buying one because they seem like good value then I'd suggest they probably aren't for you, but if you just really want an alfa, then you could do worse :)
 
I had a '98 V6, which on initial inspection looked pretty sound, only had a MAF failure (common to all engines not just V6's). MAF isn't expensive to replace, budget around £50 (all of the sensors are interchangable but the tubes are different, you can buy a TS maf and swap the sensor to the V6 body saving £100+).

I changed the maf and drove the car home and it was perfect for 100 miles, at this point the big end went pop. I found mine was well screwed together and didn't squeak or rattle, and once the engine was fixed it was lovely to drive.

They eat suspension components (probably a result of our dodgy roads) and it isn't the easiest area to work on. Front lower wishbones are particularly hard to change and the anti roll bar bushes tend to go and can't be replaced without dropping the subframe.

TS engines need 36k cambelt changes, and the V6 is very hard to work on because of space (i.e. expensive for a garage to change anything - think £700 for a proper cambelt change doing the waterpump as well, looking at close to £1000 for the aux stuff at the same time. Clutch is £650 ish, engine half out job).

Parts are not cheap and pattern ones are total rubbish, I went through 3 sets of pattern wishbones on my V6 and part of that is the quality of them.
 
I like Alfas. I really really do. I loved my 159, cracking car.

Do not buy one for £2k.

There are loads about, they look great (especially with a wing on the back!) but dear oh dear. The running costs are going to be a killer if you only have £2,000 to spend on a car. Suspension components are made out of paper clips and gaffer tape, the engine bay is a joke to work in and parts can cost the earth.

Having said that, when they are running properly what a glorious engine noise they make! For the era they had a pretty reasonable interior, especially if you get one with the toys.
 
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2119127.htm ?

Buy on condition, not mileage. Check history (if there is one!), preventative maintenance is key with these. Echo all the other comments posted above, especially suspension-wise. One listed above has Q2 differential, well worth having.

Not all are money-pits, unfortunately higher proportion than other similar cars in it's class.

Owned my GTA 10 months, things that i've had to do are:

  • Replace droplinks
  • Re-seat undertray 3 times
  • Fix leaky radiator pipe (just a few days ago)
  • Petrol, petrol, petrol (might just be a GTA thing)
Good cars to drive when running properly, thats for sure.
 
It's not just GTAs, my V6 had an unknown fault when I got rid so I was averaging...erm....12.

I don't think the TS or even the 2.4 JTDs are particularly efficient for what they are either - let's just call it Italian passion :D
 
Im averaging just under 19mpg. Low but explainable though, i've only put approx 4k on it since I bought it, and i'd wager 2.5k of that is horrendous Gib town driving, max 10 minute journeys, engine isnt even warm by then. 24-28mpg on motorway is the norm though. Get some ridiculous 112mpg readings when going down hills though. If only... :)

Reminds me, must book service today.

Edit, town driving, 15-18mpg, rarely over 30mph.
 
It sounds ridiculously good. The car has its failings in many respects, funny how I will allow or overlook certain things just because of how it sounds. Would love to change my exhaust if I ever get enough cash to spare on such frivilarity...it sounds fantastic and raspy before it heats up, still sounds good warm but...oof.
 
Wow that's a lot to think about. Despite all the dire warnings I'm still hankering for one so I think that may answer the "do I really want an Alfa" question! :D

I'll try and get a test drive in a 2.5 V6 and see how I like it and go from there.
 
You will like it, assuming it's a good one thats been well looked after and has evidence of so.

Obvious statement is obvious, I just think it seems to apply more with Alfa's :)
 
Well I've just picked up a 51 plate Alfa 156 2.0TS Veloce in dark blue with cream leather interior and a mahooooooooosive spoiler. I can fit my head under it! :eek:

It's done 80K miles and just had a full engine refresh (bought by an alfa garage as a non runner who I just bought it from). New pistons/rings, bottom end bearings and shells, valves, head skimmed and new cam belt, pulleys, clutch, brake pads and discs, new suspension bushes all round, aircon regas and all filters replaced. Should be good for a while! :cool:

Pictures will be coming tomorrow once the sun is up. My first impressions are that the car is stunning. Handles well for a saloon and the engine is fantastic! Smooth and silky down low and really comes to life at 3K rpm.

Plus this is the first car I've owned which is less than 10 years old! :p
 
Good man hope it's reliable, odds on it will be if that lots been changed. Dark blue and cream? Deffo pics sounds like a decent colour combination.
 
Oil, check it and often, they love it and will go boom quickly without it. I've had the 4 and 6 cylinder versions over the years and the 2l twin spark was the best. Lovely sound for a 4 too and the V6 sounds better but is not as nice to drive in my book. 2l twin spark in red please, though never liked the Recaro seats and the aircon was like an asmthic blowing through a straw.....with then end blocked up.
 
The TS does like to drink oil, the manual says 1l per 1000km is normal IIRC :eek:

What a sound for a 4 pot too!

Some superb colour combos on this, mine was cream leather with pearlescent black paint. I miss it :(
 
Dad has one. Drove it once and it did drive nice. I have requested first dibs if he gets rid of as a one owner 40k mile well looked after example won't pop up everyday.

Its a 2.0 and it has been ok, havent heard of any problems with it other then motorvouge stripping the thread on the sump for the oil plug.
 
iaind said:
They'll rarely brake down and leave you stranded
Click to expand...

iaind's been smoking the crack pipe. Again.

A 10+ year old 156 is going to need lots of bits of work done on it and at high cost too. It's 100% going to be a disintegrating car. Sure, you can replace all the disintegrating parts but thats going cost you mega £££s. It simply isn't a car that's engineered for longevity.

Not a car to buy if you're not prepared to shell out £££s in maintenance and parts.
 
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