Settled on a 159 2.4 JTD Lusso - what to look out for

The_Abyss

The_Abyss

The_Abyss

Soldato
Joined
15 May 2007
Posts
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Location
Ipswich / Bodham
I've had to accept that a post 2007 E60 is out of my price range for the moment, and after a fair bit of soul searching, have settled on the 159. I've driven a couple in the past few weeks, and whilst I'm not 100%, it is a better option than anything else I've tried. Keeping my 05 Focus isn't an option.

I'm off to see a private car tomorrow - pretty much identical to this http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1509898.htm except it has a few more miles on it. It too is due a service.

What should I be looking out for on these cars?
 
Alfaowner forums are a good starting point. There are some knowledgeable people on here with Alfas (bigglesPIP etc) but a lot of people are going to try to talk you out of your decision!
 
I have had a newfound love for Alfas after seeing that under the bonnet of DRZ's new one is a sticker saying 'We recommend you use oil'.

Thats right - thats exactly what it says.
 
Don't forget the engine could spontaneously turn on, but only when it is turned off. It definitely won't spontaneously turn on on when it is turned on.
 
I need 4 doors, so unfortunately the Brera and GT are out. I was trying to avoid the fanboys on owners forums, but I'll have a look.
 
Absolutely everything will be broken (or will break), especially the electrics.

On a serious note, the steering racks can go and you should listen out for any knocking etc from the suspension.

The paintwork can be very thin on these cars so check carefully around any stonechips for signs of corrosion.
 
[TW]Fox;16279202 said:
I have had a newfound love for Alfas after seeing that under the bonnet of DRZ's new one is a sticker saying 'We recommend you use oil'.

Thats right - thats exactly what it says.
Click to expand...

What on earth :D
 
Budget is £12,000. I'm open to any ideas.

My preference is for petrol rather than diesel - I'm coming from a diesel Focus. Nowadays, I only get through around 8,000 miles a year. Uses are an odd combination. 6 - 8 months of the year I don't use it during the week, as I commute by bike. When I do commute, it is only 6 miles each way, and very stop start.

The other use is to go and see my son every other fortnight - a 130 mile each way trip down to Brighton (Shoreham-by-Sea to be precise). Pretty much all A road or motorway - A12, M25, M23, A23.

My original intention was for a facelift E60 - 523, 525 or 530. 530 preferably, and in an automatic. I wanted the facelift as they all have iDrive and the styling is a little sharper (I'm one of the few that actually really like it). But they're around a year away from being affordable, and I don't want to go over my budget.
 
All E60's have iDrive - facelift or no facelift. The only real styling changes on an M Sport were front and rear lights. There was no change to the rest of the styling - wings etc are the same.

They are immeasurably better than an Alfa, which is basically just a stylish alternative to a Vectra.
 
I like the sharper appearance of the lights. Makes a big difference to the style. Thanks for the info though - appreciate that. I'd thought that iDrive was just an option prior to 2007.
 
Get some new lights then - its really a rather subtle change. If its enough to make you consider a completely different car you probably had doubts already.

The Alfa is a poorer car in every possible way bar running costs.
 
Didn't the iDrive model also change in the facelift, along with the engines? I thought the latter moved to a 3 litre model, whether 523, 525 or 530?
 
The latest version of iDrive was not fitted to the E60 until late 2008 - not at the same time as the facelift.

The 523i never had a 3 litre engine - the only 3 litre 523i is the F10. All E60 523i's are 2.5 litre engines. The 525i, though, did indeed gain the N52B30 when the range was facelifted.
 
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