LRF4N Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 Thinking of replacing my wife's car with one Love the way it looks but so many mixed opinions on reliability and build quality Il be able to see the build quality when I see one but not sure on reliability. Iv heard they're reputation goes before them and they're not that bad Anyone owned one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATTAK Z Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 I had a 156 before the Zed which was very good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricey Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 Are they that bad? I thought the 159 had made some good progress in terms of reliability. Sarnie had one (still might actually - he was flogging it) so might be well placed to comment Personally I think they look ace. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMballistic Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 Guy I used to work with had one ~ very good car in his opinion. Nice interior too I thought with faux carbon fibre around the gauges & black leather. Guessing the carbon fibre might have been an added mod though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hensh65 Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 My old manager had one and spent a bomb keeping it on the road. But he loved it and bought another alfa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LRF4N Posted July 19, 2014 Author Share Posted July 19, 2014 Yea ricey I heard that this wasn't your stereotypical alfa but do many mixed reviews. Thought if get some first hand opinions on here Kris what kind of things went wrong? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LRF4N Posted July 19, 2014 Author Share Posted July 19, 2014 I know every car can have problems and it's partly down to luck whether you have problems. You can buy the most reliable model but have problems or but the least reliable model with no service history and run it hassle free But probs best to go with the law of averages Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peak 370 Posted July 20, 2014 Share Posted July 20, 2014 Which engine are you thinking of having? Petrol or diesel? I had a 159 2.4 turbodiesel which had a Celtic Tuning re-map on it. I cannot remember the std figure but it had around 240 bhp after the work. Re-map and some exhaust system work. Yes, a better car than the 156 (although a few folks will tell you that cannot be true...lol...) Reliability will always be a bit hit and miss with Alfas but that one had done around 80,000 when I sold it with no huge bills that i know of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spursmaddave Posted July 20, 2014 Share Posted July 20, 2014 Never owned or driven one but I think they look great Sent from the golf club... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LRF4N Posted July 20, 2014 Author Share Posted July 20, 2014 Peak I'm going diesel probs the 1.9 Yea Dave it's one of the few alfas that I look at for that bit longer. Love the TIs, if I don't get one il get the TI wheels for sure Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
350 Russ Posted July 20, 2014 Share Posted July 20, 2014 the prob with the TI is they run a large degree of camber on the rear so they go through tyres is about 10k i think. I own a 156 and in 18 months and about 15k I've only had a cam position sensor go which cost about £500 just because it was behind the cam belt. its been a lovely car otherwise though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spursmaddave Posted July 20, 2014 Share Posted July 20, 2014 Peak I'm going diesel probs the 1.9 Yea Dave it's one of the few alfas that I look at for that bit longer. Love the TIs, if I don't get one il get the TI wheels for sure I like the GTV too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LRF4N Posted July 20, 2014 Author Share Posted July 20, 2014 Ti wheels it is then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtbiscuit Posted July 20, 2014 Share Posted July 20, 2014 I'm looking at them as well at the moment, but may need something bigger. Honest John website best info in their car review section. Gives all things to look for. But short version is: go for the 2.4 diesel, as its better, les issues etc. Check sub frame for rust, if it has it or caught early £100 job to have it sealed. Check Campbell is changed on time. Dpf can block but that's a standard diesel issue if its a short journey only car. But reliability is good, the 159 has made big changes. If you want to see unreliable go check out some of the german marques on honest John. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LRF4N Posted July 20, 2014 Author Share Posted July 20, 2014 Cheers rich good info there If you need boot space you considered the estate? Even that looks good for an estate lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtbiscuit Posted July 20, 2014 Share Posted July 20, 2014 That was my first choice, but as my wife has the family car at the mo it was all I needed, but she's sing at Xmas to a small car and I'm getting the family wagon and the Alfa estate is too small boot wise. Wife current boot is around 560 litres. Alfa is about 410. So I'm tempted by the 530d from BMW has 500 litres good performance and mpg. Or I might go down the xc90 or toureg road. But the mpg plummets on them. Trying to avoid the V70 route. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peak 370 Posted July 20, 2014 Share Posted July 20, 2014 The 2.4 5-pot derv is certainly a nice engine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarnie Posted July 20, 2014 Share Posted July 20, 2014 I didn't have a 159, we had/have a GT Coupe which is essentially just a three door version of the 159, sold it on eBay yesterday after only a day of being listed; http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=371104333979 Great cars in my opinion, and a great option over the usual mondeo's, 320d etc etc We had nothing go wrong with ours that wasn't usual wear and tear etc etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OllyB Posted July 20, 2014 Share Posted July 20, 2014 I had a 1.9 diesel 159 on lease. The gear box is weak, I went through 2 in 3 years. Fuel economy was 40 mpg at best. Lovely car to be in and look at, but if it were me I'd get the petrol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OllyB Posted July 20, 2014 Share Posted July 20, 2014 (edited) Oh and yes ti wheels are nice but the tires were pricy and you only got 10000 miles max to a front set, they wear very fast on the inside. Edited July 20, 2014 by OllyB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crb Posted July 20, 2014 Share Posted July 20, 2014 I love alphas.... Ever since my 155. Some of the best looking cars out there. If the Brera had a better engine I'd probably be driving one of those. (And it would probably cost me less money than the zed) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMballistic Posted July 20, 2014 Share Posted July 20, 2014 You need to get the Mrs an Alfa like this one LRF4N. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peak 370 Posted July 20, 2014 Share Posted July 20, 2014 My best was a 147GTA. 2005 I think it was. A very quick car in it's day. 6.0 to 60 and a sound track to die for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richy Posted July 20, 2014 Share Posted July 20, 2014 Loved my 156 which I had for nearly 16 years. My daughter has it now and she seems to love it just as much. I did look at buying a 159, but couldn't find one I liked, and then some how ended up with a 370Z. Still keeping an eye out for the new Giulia, as I think I have must have some Italian blood in me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LRF4N Posted July 20, 2014 Author Share Posted July 20, 2014 You need to get the Mrs an Alfa like this one LRF4N. I think she would punch me if I came home with that General consensus on here is pretty good then 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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