Alfa 156 selespeed - to buy or not to buy

[JoshXR]

Hi all

Looking around for a 2nd car due to a location change with my work

I was looking around on car sales for something different for 10k

I came up with a couple of e46 bmws and then found the 2003-04 alfa 156 2.0 twin spark

It's a whole lot of car for the money

I know there has been a few issues with the selespeed on in maintained models but does anyone know of any other issues ? Any one herd of experiences with the 156 ?

Josh

[flappist]

There is a simple axiom when buying anything.

There is ALWAYS a reason why something is cheap.....

Alphas and BMWs are not Falcons and Commodores and this is Australia not Europe.
When it breaks you will find it difficult to find a mechanic who knows much about it outside a dealership which means repairs and parts will be VERY expensive.

[Auslandau]

But in saying that ...... plenty of Euro mechanics in the cities, if you are in one, that do deal with BM's Alpha's Etc ..... but they can be a little bit more to fix, have more things that can go wrong, but are good cars (BM, AUDI, MERC better on the pocket than Alpha).

I have an E46 and so far so good. Lots of parts on Ebay if required or can do yourself. If not, friendly mechanics will use your parts you can buy OS as required.

[JoshXR]

Originally Posted by Auslandau

But in saying that ...... plenty of Euro mechanics in the cities, if you are in one, that do deal with BM's Alpha's Etc ..... but they can be a little bit more to fix, have more things that can go wrong, but are good cars (BM, AUDI, MERC better on the pocket than Alpha).

I have an E46 and so far so good. Lots of parts on Ebay if required or can do yourself. If not, friendly mechanics will use your parts you can buy OS as required.

Better off with a higher km BMW merc or Audi ?

I understand when going euro if something goes wrong its always going to be more expensive than a falcon or commodore

I'm probably opening Pandora's box but there is also a couple of high km desiel golfs around that mark too that look tempting but questionable

The era that I'm looking at is between 7-10 Years old I understand in that time there will be some significant depreciation.

All the searchs I have done on problems with xxx models there is always someone with an extreme case of a lemon or no issues for 300,000kms

With the 156's I have been looking at the models that have had the major service and replaced parts of the selespeed unit that have been common to fail

[Auslandau]

Yes .... a higher of those Euros are a better bet.

What ever you get though, most of these need belts replaced at around the 100-150k mark .... it can be a 2k or so job so make sure this box is ticked.

[RSgerry]

the selespeed was nicknamed the sillyspeed. if you do go down the alfa route, dont get a selespeed. also become friends with a mechanic and maybe buy a spare car for when it is getting fixed. lovely to look at and lovely to drive, but forever breaking down.

[smoo]

Cam belts are due at 60,000km along the the intake cam timing variator, and isn't a cheap job even when buying online from Europe. You will also need factory cam locking and engine timing tools which arent too expensive but add to the final price. Other wise take it to an experienced garage, you wont get much change from $2000. Avoid selespeed, go for 5 speed manual. Unless solid proof the belts have been changed I would do them straight away, along with water pump and cam variator. Rear suspension bushes don't seem to last long either. Apart from the higher maintenance it will be a more pleasurable car to own than any jap or korean **** box.
A bit older than what you say but also consider an optioned E36 328i manual, not the most solid built series of BMWs but the steering, handling and engine still hold their own after all these years.

[wrongwaynorris]

Do you have bottomless pockets and enjoy your car being off the road more than it is on it ? If so buy the Alfa .

[JoshXR]

Originally Posted by Auslandau

Yes .... a higher of those Euros are a better bet.

What ever you get though, most of these need belts replaced at around the 100-150k mark .... it can be a 2k or so job so make sure this box is ticked.

Cheers thanks Dave

I'll cross them off the list

Such a shame they are a good looking car especially the interior...

Back to car sales !

[mik]

myself i would be looking at Japanese rather than euro if i did`nt wan`t a local car, may not be that much cheaper servicing but i would much prefer jap reliability than euro.

[Cheech]

Originally Posted by wrongwaynorris

Do you have bottomless pockets and enjoy your car being off the road more than it is on it ? If so buy the Alfa .

This would be the case with older Alfa's of the 70's, 80's and early 90's but from then on the build quality improved.

The 156 is a very good car and a lot of car for what you are now paying.

The main expenditure, as mentioned above, will be the cam belt change.
Most Alfisti's do this with the water pump and cam variator. This was done on my 147 recently and it cost $2200 through an Alfa Indie. The cam belts need to be changed every 60k/3yrs. This was originally 120k but Alfa changed the service interval after a spate of broken engines.

Also the standard service is recommended every 12 months/20k. This is way too long and I do it myself every 10k/6 months. Overservicing is the key to a good Alfa.

Being an Alfa owner, I would urge you to NOT buy a selespeed. Buy a manual.

My 147 is a fully loaded manual twinspark 2.0 with a lowered sport suspension. I much prefer to drive this as a daily or on a twisty road over the other car in my sig . I hope that tells you something.

The only problems I've had were a brake pedal switch ($25) and a few blown exterior bulbs.

Fuel consumption is reasonable - I drive my Alfa in peak hour each day and average at 9.5l/100klm.

My only regret with my Alfa is that I didn't get the GTA V6 version.

[aussie muscle]

Originally Posted by Auslandau

plenty of Euro mechanics in the cities,.

i found (i owned an Alfa GTV) that 'ordinary' mechanics can do most stuff on Alfas, just the parts supply is a little more difficult and much more expensive.

[Cheech]

Originally Posted by aussie muscle

i found (i owned an Alfa GTV) that 'ordinary' mechanics can do most stuff on Alfas, just the parts supply is a little more difficult and much more expensive.

Parts are quite cheap from UK suppliers on post 2000 Alfa's.

It's the mark-up here that is ridiculous.

Eg. Upper and lower front wishbones are around 400 including shipping from the UK, but cost 800+ to buy from a local supplier.

[UKXR8]

I've had 2 156s, a 2.0 twinspark manual (picked it up for £800 at an auction), I quite liked that, so I splashed out a bit more and got a 156 GTA Sportwagon, which was brilliant!
They are great cars, but as others have said avoid the Selespeed!
Loads of info on the joys and pitfalls of Alfa ownership on www.alfaowner.com

[Reefer]

I bought a 147 diesel for my wife. Good car, modern alfa's do not suffer from the same problems they used too. Having said that, avoid the selespeed! Ours is a 6 speed manual and it is great.

[zdcol71]

... A 156 was one of the best cars I have ever owned!(5 speed) Handled like a train on tracks, looked (to me) a million dollars ,and such a pleasure to drive.
Everything above is good advice, I did the belts and variator as soon as I got it, I replaced upper and lower wishbones myself with parts from a low k wreck, (there is a Euro dismantler northside of Bris, rather cheap and helpful).
They are not as ridiculously hard to work on nor expensive to maintain as many would make out (heck ..aren't we mostly enthusiasts who potter around on our cars??)
I sold mine as my needs for a leathered "2" door sports car were far outweighed by my need for a ute. (Kids left home, single bloke, dog...).
I for one would say buy it!!

[Polyal]

Find the right one, with full books and it should be ok...but as above, for the love of your bank account dont get the auto.

I have become a bit of an Alfa fan now with my 105, and have looked at 156's but remember even new that the selespeed had pretty decent issues.

Dont get me started on the 159, best looking sedan out there IMO. Whats your budget..159's can be had for BF/FG prices. The only downside is that they are about mondeo size, actually the back seat/room seems to be a tad smaller and we striked them off the list after having a drive of a 159 sportswagon TDi.

Was Alfa part of Fiat during the 156? Id have no issues at all worrying about parts/service with a 159.

[Cheech]

Fiat took over Alfa in the mid 80's.
But it wasn't until the release of the 156 & 147
that that build quality improved.
FYI the 156 was European car of the year when released.
You also tend to get the Alfa wave from other Alfa drivers.

[EASYBOSS]

Originally Posted by RSgerry

the selespeed was nicknamed the sillyspeed. if you do go down the alfa route, dont get a selespeed. also become friends with a mechanic and maybe buy a spare car for when it is getting fixed. lovely to look at and lovely to drive, but forever breaking down.

Yep, stay away from the selespeed, my father in law had one, cost a fortune when it broke down, when they finally got it fixed, he sold the car, lost heaps.

[AC/DC]

Do you have style and charisma ? If so, buy it.....

Who cares what dramas it will give you, its an Alfa !

You could always buy a camry and lead a dull life..........

[JoshXR]

Scrapped the alfa idea

It's now between

2002-04 Audi A4 2.0 n/a
2000 BMW e46 323i or 328i
2004 Mazda sp23 or sport maxx

All have between 110k -150km
All auto (wife needs to drive it)

[4.0i OHC]

Originally Posted by JoshXR

Scrapped the alfa idea

It's now between

2002-04 Audi A4 2.0 n/a
2000 BMW e46 323i or 328i
2004 Mazda sp23 or sport maxx

All have between 110k -150km
All auto (wife needs to drive it)

The choice is easy then, go the BMW, purely for what's under the bonnet.

Teach your wife how to drive manual. Of course, this may not be so easy (my mum doesn't know how to drive manual and flatly refuses to learn), but they are too good a car to be hamstrung by a slushbox.

[JoshXR]

Well after all that we have just brought a 2011 swift glx...