Thinking of buying one of these as a second car for the better half (who is currently driving a Rover 620 which I really want rid of due to ongoing problems etc).

Does anyone on here have any experience of what can go wrong with the 156? I know the niggly electrical faults which can occur, but I'm not too bothered with these, i'm more intereseted in engine, transmission & chassis.

I haven't decided between the 2.0 or 2.5 yet either, so any feedback would be appreciated.

Looking to spend betweek 3-4 grand.

Thanks, Wobbly.

 

I drive a mates one regulary.

It's a 2.5 Veloce with Sport Pack 3 on it. 6 Spd, full leather etc...

Lovely car to drive, although in town, not driving it hard, it sturggles to get 17mpg !!

Cambelt was recently replaced, along with water pump, which is prone to failing i beleive.
Think the cost was aroun £900 at a local specialist.

Dealer service is terrible from what i hear.

No electrical faults on this one, except a fault with the immobiliser, which can cause the car not to start.
Again, common fault, around £60 for a replacment unit.

A leaky window and s/roof has really been the only other niggles.

Thats about all i know..lol

Hope that helps.

 

look for a 2.4 diesel, decent engines and can chip to 200 bhp might have to pay a tad over 4K tho

 

I had a 2.0 Selespeed Veloce for two years from new.

Lovely to drive when everything works.

Build quality was far from good though, lots of rattles and trim problems as well as suspension bush problems.

I didn't have any engine gearbox problems but it's common for the twin spparks to use oil. A lot of reps 156's have had engine failures due to owners not checking the oil level. About three years ago Alfa started putting a sticker in the windscreen to warn owners to check the oil weekly.
The recommended cam belt service has also been reduced from 5 years to 3 years on the TS. A dealer will charge around £1400 for full cambelt service as this also includes changing the balance shaft belts, tensioners and variator.

The dealer are as bad as the surveys ahow.

I wouldn't have another to be honest.

Check out www.alfaowner.com

Cheers
Lee

 

I heard a great story when I was thinking of buying one about some chap who bought one and was impressed with the 6+ airbags it has. He literally drove itoff the forecourt, had a head on with a van and none of the bags went off!

I think they are lovely looking cars and everyone should own an italian sports car during their lifetime but the dealers are something to be believed. They make the Scooby dealers look interested.

 

Weekly maintenance or just buying the car?

 

Thanks for the replies, I have been made aware of the dealer network service (or lack of it). I have also been recommended to an non-franchised company in Tamworth who appear to be very knowledgable and about half the cost of the franchised guys, so I'll see how I do with them!

17MPG for the 2.5, OMG! On that basis, I may opt for the 2.0, but I've heard the servicing costs are higher due to having to replace the variator and balance shafts...... Decisions, decisions

I would like a diesel, but I can't seem to find a vehicle in my price range without intergalactic mileage...!

Thanks for the web link Lee, most helpful.

Wobbly.

 

And you are seriously thinking of getting an Alfa ?

 

I had a 2.0 veloce (non selespeed) 2000 on a W plate for about 15 months. It was a wonderful drive, and generally more solid then I was led to believe. Fuel economy wasnt too bad (28-30mpg mixed driving), and servicing costs were averagish as I used a local alfa specialist - 48k service was approx £240. Dealer network is quite pathetic.

I lost quite a bit in terms of depreciation though. I would advise you to drive both the 2.5 and the 2.0 as they are quite different, the v6 lump being quite heavy affects handling on the twisties.

The selespeed system is quite prone to failure on the earlier models. For good information, as advised above, visit www.alfaower.com/forum.

 

I had the cambelt changed (balance shaft belts, tensioners and variator, etc) the other month on my 156 2.0 and I was being quoted around £600 (including the variator change) for the work from a main dealer but got it done at a local garage for £400.

Mine is 5 years old so don't bother with the dealer network anymore. Hardly uses oil (unusual) and no problems so far (had it for 9 months - bought with 31k on the clock, one owner, full service history, W plate, sportwagon, veloce, etc. Cost me £5,800).

Nice to drive and lots of character. Whilst the 2.5 is a fantastic engine (had one for a week on hire once) I'd stick with the 2.0, nice and quick enough and fuel consumption is decent (I'm getting around 32 mpg).

Richard.