Sold Alfa 156 sportwagon 2.4 20v - now sold!

[New POD]

The BEST sale I ever had was Via Pistonheads. In was a 1988 998 mini and priced at a VERY keen sweet spot, £1000 more than a project and £1000 less than something 'special' (£1800) and a VERY honest advert. I went on a number of Mini forums and put a link to my advert. Had a lot of disappointed people.

I guess that there is an Alfa forum or two, but most people will only be there because they have a car. But thinking about it my mate Fergus, from NI is a serial Alfa Nut. (as in he owns more than 5 and less than 10, spread across the UK (he has a car for when he's in Derby) I'll pm his email and you can ask his advice.

[Eddie Honda]

In A&E,

In you concussed state sir, do you proffer any top Alfa 156 selling tips?

 

Hope you haven't bashed the heid too badly. Now go away until you are capable of posting in the correct threads.

[stripped fred]

The BEST sale I ever had was Via Pistonheads. In was a 1988 998 mini and priced at a VERY keen sweet spot, £1000 more than a project and £1000 less than something 'special' (£1800) and a VERY honest advert. I went on a number of Mini forums and put a link to my advert. Had a lot of disappointed people.

I guess that there is an Alfa forum or two, but most people will only be there because they have a car. But thinking about it my mate Fergus, from NI is a serial Alfa Nut. (as in he owns more than 5 and less than 10, spread across the UK (he has a car for when he's in Derby) I'll pm his email and you can ask his advice.

Thanks for the message and the PM with details.  I'll email him and see what he says.

[stripped fred]

I went along to visit Richardk the other day after his kind offer to help me prepare and photograph my car.  A true gent.  I arrived late and then had to leave soon after as i had the car booked in for an MOT.  The weather was also not kind, windy and a bit wet.  Richardk set straight to pressure washing the car and then using some Dragon's breath on the wheels.  This isn't a product i have any prior experience with but i would thoroughly recommend it.  You apply it and it then reacts with the brake dust and turns a purple colour.  The wheels only had one application but came up lovely.  We had a bit of a rushed chat about cars and i got to see some of his projects briefly but i hope we can meet up again as he's got some interesting motors and a lovely large barn to work on them. It was evident to me that he takes a lot of pride in working on his cars and doing it properly.

 

Some photos were taken but i need to take a few more of the exterior.  I've been looking at prices and they're a bit over the place.  I don't want top dollar but then again i can't afford to give it away.   I'll offer it to a fellow bonafide shiter for £1100.  If no interest it will go in a classified ad or auction (i've not yet decided) at the weekend.  I've posted my ebay description below.  It is a bit of a 'polished' description for you lot on autoshite but hopefully i don't sound too much of a cheesy salesman!  Feel free to criticise anything i say as i would value the feedback. There is really very little wrong with it and i believe it is a good example.  The only issues i am aware of are the slight crease in the rear bumper, it will need new rear tyres at some point, the heated seats don't work and there is some wear on the 2nd gear synchro (i think) which causes it to catch a bit until it has warmed up.  Like i say in the advert it hasn't got any worse and isn't that bad really.  I was also told by the previous owner that it was remapped to 210bhp.  I have no proof of this though but it's fairly noticeable when driving it as it pulls like a train.  It only smokes under fairly hard acceleration and even then it's not too bad unlike some and isn't how i usually drive it.  The onboard computer seems to think it's in km's rather than miles too which makes the readout incorrect. Someone with more knowhow may be able to rectify this. Thanks again Richardk for the photos.  Here you go...

 

For sale is my 2005 54 plate Alfa Romeo 156 2.4 JTD 20v veloce sportwagon. It has a full 12 months MOT until Nov 2016. I’ve owned it since Feb 2014.  It is completely standard and unmodified.  It is finished in blue (blu chiaia di luna) with cream leather interior. This is one of the last of the 156’s and being a sportwagon with veloce spec and the most powerful diesel engine makes it one of the most desirable. It took me a while to find this one.

 

The bodywork is good with only the expected age related marks. There is a minor dent in the rear bumper but it’s not that noticeable. Other than that the bodywork is straight with no signs of accident damage and it looks good.  The leather interior is very clean without rips, tears or stains. Being the facelift model it has the updated dash. It has the original barely used space saver spare and full toolkit. It comes with a towbar and 13 pin electrics.

 

The car has a stamped service history to 91k and I have a folder of receipts for work done since then including a spreadsheet of everything I have had done since i purchased the car.  I have carried out oil changes every 6k miles and recently changed the pollen, fuel and air filters.  I have also had a lot of work carried out by Intaservices who are an independent Alfa specialist based in Leicester.  They’ve changed the dual mass flywheel, clutch and clutch slave cylinder; near side rear top suspension arm; both front wheel bearings; auxillary belt and tensioner and i also changed the rear brake discs and pads.

 

The previous owner changed the turbo, alternator, had a gearbox overhaul and changed the timing belt in addition to changing front upper and lower suspension arms. He only kept done receipts but I had my specialist give it a once over when I first bought it and they verified that the work had been done.

 

It has the original Bose sound system with CD multi changer and standard sub woofer in the boot. I have a Sony stereo fitted with matched red lighting but will also supply the original stereo with code.  It has an onboard computer, dual zone climate control and automatic wipers.  It doesn’t have cruise but this is a plug and play fitment if you require it.  It has 17†original Alfa multi spoke wheels which have some minor kerbing but overall look great.  The tyres are 215/45 17’s.  The fronts are Kumho’s with reasonable tread remaining. The rears are OK now and passed the MOT but I’d suggest they are changed at some point.

The car drives very well.  The suspension is very tight and there are no knocks.  The engine feels as though it has done a lot less miles, pulls well and sounds great.  The gearchange is good and the clutch obviously bites well and is smooth.  There is a slight catchiness to the second gear synchro but this disappears when warmed up. I only mention it as I like to be honest and it hasn’t changed in the 20k miles I’ve had it. All electrics work apart from the heated seats. I haven’t attempted to fix them so this may be possible.  It has 2 remote keys and all the manuals and service history in the original folder.

It has been a reliable and very capable car blending excellent performance and roadholding with good looks and practicality.

 

 

[stripped fred]

Forgot to add that the mileage is 141k.

[Cavcraft]

I reckon you could never get tired of sitting on those seats and looking at that dashboard. It's a work of art. GLSWRESPECTPSVHGV

[flat4alfa]

Scratchy cold 2nd syncho same on mine.  Started at 110k and now at 165k no worse

 

Trip computer thinking in km not miles is same on mine.  I changed the unit (dead pixles) from a Twin Spark petrol and wonder if they are calibrated differently as it counted properly before

 

Mine has interior lift only.  Fitted tan seats and cards since

 

 

Had it 6 years now and it's staying

[Craig the Princess]

That is a honey. GLWTS

[HMC]

'blu chiaro di luna' moon blue maybe? Colours in italian always sound great, and its a great colour especially with the contrasting cream. Great looking car.

 

my 166 is in 'rosso proteo' which sounds way better than humdrum 'changeable red'

[Taff]

how much, Fred?

[flat4alfa]

I'll offer it to a fellow bonafide shiter for £1100

 

GIB !! etc

[flat4alfa]

'blu chiaro di luna' moon blue maybe? Colours in italian always sound great, and its a great colour especially with the contrasting cream. Great looking car.

 

my 166 is in 'rosso proteo' which sounds way better than humdrum 'changeable red'

 

My Sportwagon shown above is known as Brilliant Blue (442)

 

But on the Dupont label on the tailgate it states BLU METALLIZZATO 442/B which sounds a tad less exciting.  It's a shame they didn't tap BRILLANTE into the middle for extra dramatic effect, but I suppose the label machine would have thrown a spanner.

 

It's just as well Alfa is not German.  It would then have been BLAU GLÄNZEND  which sounds rude enough to need to see the Doktor 

[outlaw118]

I KAN HAZ DISSCOWNT I R FAR AWEH

[Slappy]

I think this is utterly lovely! Like many I've had the horn for a 156, and this combo looks beautiful.

 

Out of interest what sort of MPGs are you getting out of it?

 

Just thinking aloud that if it's better than my pez Fiesta which is probably worth about the same (don't worry, not offering a swap!) then I'd be tempted.

 

Of course if someone else expresses an interest and goes for it I won't grumble.

[garbaldy]

could i request some pics of the actual car as in the whole car not arty farty bits of it, pretty please

[stripped fred]

I think this is utterly lovely! Like many I've had the horn for a 156, and this combo looks beautiful.

 

Out of interest what sort of MPGs are you getting out of it?

 

Just thinking aloud that if it's better than my pez Fiesta which is probably worth about the same (don't worry, not offering a swap!) then I'd be tempted.

 

Of course if someone else expresses an interest and goes for it I won't grumble.

 

It's not the most economical car for a diesel tbh.  I get between 36 and 40 but that's mostly lots of short, stop-start journeys.  I don't do hardly any motorway miles at all but you'd be over 40 then and if you stuck to 70 i'm sure you'd get more.  However, for the performance on tap i think it's acceptable.  It really is a nice engine.  It takes a bit to get underway as first gear is quite short and most cars will beat you away from the lights initially but once you're up to 3rd and 4th it really flies.  You have to be careful due to the amount of torque on offer, for instance not accelerating hard from low revs in too high a gear.  It will pull easily from 1k revs though and often you take your pick of what gear to be in or short shift if you're feeling lazy.

[stripped fred]

could i request some pics of the actual car as in the whole car not arty farty bits of it, pretty please

 

I took managed to find a few minutes between the rain to take some more today.  The sky was quite grey so they might appear a bit dull but hopefully these are ok?

[stripped fred]

I drove this a few miles today after using my Astra for a couple of days.  I'm not trying to be a salesman as this is Autoshite and not Autotrader but i really can't believe how little these cars are worth.  I think that's down to people's perceptions. Yes they can give you a big bill and that is a gamble but most of the expensive work has already been done on this.  Maybe i'm selling at the wrong time but after joining autoshite i just can't stick with the same car forever.  Life's too short!

 

I'm in Leicester by the way.  I don't really have time at the moment to deliver it but i can pick you up from Leicester station.

[stripped fred]

Looks like this will be staying in the family!

[trigger]

I've been eyeing this up myself as a work hack. It's a bloody good looking car.

[flat4alfa]

So.  Autoshite remains a Three-Sportwagon forum 

 

 

I've just realised it has the roof bar and tow bar full set. 

Does it have the rear self-levellers too?  Mine got to 130k and then the Boge gave up on it

[J-Rod]

Wow - that didn't take long... 

[outlaw118]

This place etc.....

[Taff]

I have a hankering for an Alfa at the moment, there is a cheap as chips one on the bay at the moment...

[purplebargeken]

Oh really? Umm, where?

[stripped fred]

So. Autoshite remains a Three-Sportwagon forum

 

I've just realised it has the roof bar and tow bar full set.

Does it have the rear self-levellers too? Mine got to 130k and then the Boge gave up on it

The previous owner had the towbar fitted. I think it's standard suspension not self levelling. I didn't even know that was available.

[Taff]

Oh really? Umm, where?

 

not saying

[flat4alfa]

 

I think it's standard suspension not self levelling. I didn't even know that was available.

 

Yes mine had the Boge Nivomats fitted from new and they worked very well: moved house with it, didn't even need to give Pickfords a ring.

 

Two years later, one blew; and finding out they were 500 notes a side, it was time to pop standard struts on instead