alfa 159 1.9 jtd vs golf 1.9 tdi

flexo786

flexo786

flexo786

Associate
Joined
9 May 2007
Posts
1,100
hi
recently sold my ibiza and was looking to buy a mk5 golf 1.9 tdi as after a car thats reliable and also something thats a diesel . now my budget is up to 6-7k and ive seen that i can pick up the 159 1.9jtd for the same price as the golf.

now im after something thats reliable as im saving towards other things and dont want to end up spending most of my money fixing the car and with the alfa the reputation on the old cars for getting random faults is putting me off.

is this still the case with the new ones or have they gone a lot better and if you were in my possition would you take the risk and buy the alfa or just stick to the golf

also apart from alfaowner.com any other forums to check out

thanks
 
flexo786 said:
hi
now my budget is up to 6-7k and ive seen that i can pick up the 159 1.9jtd for the same price as the golf.

now im after something thats reliable as im saving towards other things and dont want to end up spending most of my money fixing the car and with the alfa the reputation on the old cars for getting random faults is putting me off

thanks
Click to expand...


Reliable? I love Alfa Romeo with a deep passion and would love a 159. But even as the most die hard fan you ask what is gonna be the most reliable.

I think it is a bit of a no brainer. You buy an Alfa Romeo from the heart, but in this case when you really want reliability your head must rule and get a German car.

Alfa are still a long way away and will probably never build a car to rival a German car build quality.

Wish I could say different but I believe it is still very much the case. If you were considering a Vauxhaul Vectra or 159 they may have been a closer battle.
 
They are two very different cars.

VW market the Golf on it's solid build quality and reliability credentials.

Alfa Romeo on the hand are more marketed as sporty, drivers car which is also fairly practical in size. (not trying to get into a debate of whether they cut the mustard at the above).
 
Third Opinion said:
They quote on their site urban 37.7, extra urban 51.4 combined 49.5.

Doesn't sound that horrendous.

http://www.alfaromeo.co.uk/uk/Docum...cations/159_and_159_SW_Tech_spec_brochure.pdf
Click to expand...

I had the same engine in my Punto and always seemed to average 39-42mpg over a tank.
I once tried for the best ecconomy and got 51mpg over about 30 miles, I was exhausted at the end of it though.
Got to admit if I had the need for a large saloon car a 159 would be high up the list, maybe the 2.4 jtdm though :cool:
 
Out of Alfa 159 and Golf TDi then I'd choose the Golf, but VW have some of the poorest build quality of the VAG cars. VAG's own internal league table lists Skoda 1st for paint finish and defects to be rectified by the dealer. Audi is second and SEAT were No. 3 for paint and defects but VW now have a new paintshop so they are now just last for defects. VW actually took my Touareg back it was so duff. Not built in the same factory admittedly (actually they are built in the VW/Porsche factory in Bratislava), but an indication of corporate quality standards slipping off the edge of a precipice. My Phaeton was OK, but not fault-free for a car of that value.

The oily bits are the same for all VAG cars so take your pick really, but if you're badge-centric then buy the Golf or an A3. The Leon is the best looking in my opinion and I've given up trying to suggest anything Czech on here.
 
kip02 said:
I had the same engine in my Punto and always seemed to average 39-42mpg over a tank.
I once tried for the best ecconomy and got 51mpg over about 30 miles, I was exhausted at the end of it though.
Click to expand...

Third Opinion said:
They quote on their site urban 37.7, extra urban 51.4 combined 49.5.
Click to expand...

economy wise ive read that the engines limited by the DPF and that if you remove this at a cost of £500 youd see 45-50


WJA96 said:
Out of Alfa 159 and Golf TDi then I'd choose the Golf, but VW have some of the poorest build quality of the VAG cars. VAG's own internal league table lists Skoda 1st for paint finish and defects to be rectified by the dealer. Audi is second and SEAT were No. 3 for paint and defects but VW now have a new paintshop so they are now just last for defects. VW actually took my Touareg back it was so duff. Not built in the same factory admittedly (actually they are built in the VW/Porsche factory in Bratislava), but an indication of corporate quality standards slipping off the edge of a precipice. My Phaeton was OK, but not fault-free for a car of that value.

The oily bits are the same for all VAG cars so take your pick really, but if you're badge-centric then buy the Golf or an A3. The Leon is the best looking in my opinion and I've given up trying to suggest anything Czech on here.
Click to expand...

i originally started looking at leons as like the exterior looks but after beeing in one found the interior to be quite poor though ive heard the facelift is supposed to be a lot better.

for the extra running costs would the alfa be a better drive or are they about the same

thanks
 
Why are you looking at 1.9 Mk Vs?
Get a 2.0 in the Mk 5. The 1.9 belongs in the Golf IV.

I'd save a few bob and get a Leon FR (150)
 
flexo786 said:
economy wise ive read that the engines limited by the DPF and that if you remove this at a cost of £500 youd see 45-50
Click to expand...
Not sure what you are saying. Do you have to have the DPF removed to meet the claimed Alfa Romeo figures. Or can you increase it with the modification?

I am interested as my Fiat Sedici runs a 1.9 JTD. I must admit the economy isn't amazing.
 
Third Opinion said:
Not sure what you are saying. Do you have to have the DPF removed to meet the claimed Alfa Romeo figures. Or can you increase it with the modification?

I am interested as my Fiat Sedici runs a 1.9 JTD. I must admit the economy isn't amazing.
Click to expand...

to increase it on the alfas you remove the dpf.
not too sure if itd be the same for your car as not all 1.9 jtd are fitted with it
 
Disco Boy said:
If you're buying a VAG diesel don't buy the 1.9. Buy the 2.0, it's much better.
Click to expand...

Hmmm - the 2.0TDI Pumpe Duese in 140PS or 170PS have lots of issues and from 2007 generally comes with the dreaded DPF. It's more expensive to service and is less economical. The 2.0TDI in common rail form is very refined and it revs quite high for a diesel (5000-5500RPM maximum) but the downside is that the power peak is at 4250rpm so you have to rev it to go anywhere which isn't good for economy.

I think it's worth remembering that until recently all the VAG eco cars (Blueline/Greenline) used the 1.9TDI PD motor as it was the most fuel efficient, although possibly not the most refined.
 
mjt said:
The problem is that after the 2.0 came out, all the 1.9s were 105bhp, which is just rubbish.
Click to expand...

Have you checked out the torque curve though? High and pancake flat and as a result they feel super-quick. They're not of course, but they feel brilliant. And they remap to an easy 150bhp.
 
WJA96 said:
Have you checked out the torque curve though? High and pancake flat and as a result they feel super-quick. They're not of course, but they feel brilliant. And they remap to an easy 150bhp.
Click to expand...
I'd take a previous generation car fitted with a PD 130/150 and keep the change if the 2.0 are really that iffy.

Certainly do that in the case of the OP though. Mk 1 Leon FR 150 > Golf 5
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom