Alfa 156 - Any good?

[CortinaDave]

hmm. Ive decided to pass on this occasion. im on a bit of a shoogly peg at work just now thanks to turning up late a couple of times , so a car that is likely to bugger up and make me late is probably a bad proposition at the moment. I do like them though , and i think i will own one when im not looking for something i need to do 60 miles a day with no fuss.

[Pete-M]

 

The Mk5 RS2000 engine was acoustically tuned to sound like an Alfa Twink. They do a bit, too.

 

 

So were the early Jap spec Mazda Eunos Roadsters. UK spec MX5s were fitted with a quieter pipe.

 

The 3.2 24v Alfa V6 makes addictive noises... Unfortunately, they tend to be illegal to listen to in anything bar first gear.

[Andrew353w]

Bit late on this thread but have just done a load of work on an Alfa, including: new oil cooler, rear brake calipers, new hand brake cables, new front pads and discs, oil, oil filter, EIGHT plugs (two sets of four, and one F&&K of a price) & a diagnostic check (not a normal plug in, either!) The result is a car that sounds better than a multiple orgasm and a bill that scared the owner so much he turned pale... Lesson is this: you buy an Alfa with your heart and you love it in the same way.... They DO sound FANTASTIC!!!!

[Cavcraft]

I'd love a 156 too but when owners of them tell you not to buy one it makes you think, and believe me I talked to a fair few all of whom said not to get one.I suppose if it's cheap enough and you can afford to throw the money away when it goes tits up then you'd be able to run one for a while ane enjoy it before the inevitable happens.

[pompei]

There's a cabbie in Liverpool runs a 156 and a 159 ... i think it's to show that they can be reliable if looked after. I'd love one but daren't take the plunge.

[petrolhead71]

I've had six 156s and none had any problems but you must stick to the service schedules otherwise they can break expensively...However if you think a 156 is expensive to run do try a 166 first....

[Pete-M]

There's a cabbie in Liverpool runs a 156 and a 159 ... i think it's to show that they can be reliable if looked after. I'd love one but daren't take the plunge.

A yellow 156 estate with check bits on the side. See that all the time.

[wuvvum]

However if you think a 156 is expensive to run do try a 166 first....

Had two 166s, loved 'em both. The first was a 2.0 TS - had various electrical maladies when I bought it, most of which I managed to fix (my first and hitherto only foray into modern car electronics, although I think my recently-purchased Espace may end up being my second) but drove like a dream, although I found it a bit under-geared on the motorway. Sold it when the variator started rattling. The second was a 3.0 V6 with the Sportronic gearbox - went like the clappers but it turned out the slight rattling noise at low revs was the cambelt steadily munching away at itself against the cam cover - I got rid pretty much immediately upon discovering the problem. I'd have another though - ideally a 3-litre with leather and a 6-speed manual.

[Tayne]

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[504GL]

Alfa's recommendation is Selenia Racing 10W/60 which you can pick up at any Fiat/Alfa dealer (for a doubtless extortionate price).

http://shop4parts.co.uk is a good place to get selenia and various Alfa/Fiat bits