Alfa 156 t spark
Discussion
Looking at an alfa tomorrow after changing my mind on Vectra i had put a deposit on, looked at it again and noticed alot more wrong with it, aswell as wrong front bumper, bulb light warning, last 3 service stamps un-readable and all in same pen etc, same writing, thermostat playing up, worn interior.
ANyway back to car hunting theres an alfa near me, that hasnt been serivec in about 30k (lol) will need belts and everyhting probebly, its done 91k worth looking at? if so what should i be offering him?
Alfa service costs?
ANyway back to car hunting theres an alfa near me, that hasnt been serivec in about 30k (lol) will need belts and everyhting probebly, its done 91k worth looking at? if so what should i be offering him?
Alfa service costs?
It's a gamble aint it, the car drives fine when you buy it, you spend £400 on belts & bit and bobs, then the bottom end goes because its not been serviced. Twin Sparks need love unfortunatly. Could be a great car, i'd not risk it personally. Plenty of serviced 156's out there!
Good cars aswel, dont let me put you off, but do get one with reciepts & check the owners knowledge of keeping the oil topped up. Many dont.
Good cars aswel, dont let me put you off, but do get one with reciepts & check the owners knowledge of keeping the oil topped up. Many dont.
Edited by exgtt on Tuesday 4th January 20:52
If it hasn't had its belts done, I'd walk away. 36k/3yrs is the interval, you want the cam variator to be changed at this point as it starts to give the car a rattle at the top end on start up after a while. Check it hasn't been ran low on oil; Twin Sparks are notorious for oil usage, and mine was no different. 2 top ups a week was the norm.
The bushes can wear at a fair rate too, so listen for any clunking or creaking from the suspension on the test drive.
The bushes can wear at a fair rate too, so listen for any clunking or creaking from the suspension on the test drive.
600 quid is its money in my opinion, or that's how much I'd be comfortable paying for a car with no service for 40k (which means its cambelt is already overdue, a 400 pound job). IIRC spark plugs are every 5 years too, so it may need all 8 plugs changing also (100 pounds for plugs alone). Chances are, if the owner hasn't bothered servicing it, that he's not all that bothered about popping his bonnet and checking things are hunky dory either. There's plenty of these cars that are loved and cared for by enthusiasts OP, keep looking.
Tons and loads and millions of these about for around 1k with decent history. Don't rush in - test a few, compare conditions and histories. Standard advice for any car I know, but even more important with these beauties. Tried any alfa owners sites?
Damn sight more interesting than a vectra in any case!
Damn sight more interesting than a vectra in any case!
Always budget to pay out for something.
In my short ownership of a T plate 2.0TS (6 months) it needed 2 x alternators (one under warranty though) an AC pump and the balancer belt pulley sheared off rusulting in the need for another cambelt/ balancer belt change.
Lovely to drive though, and nice inside with the Momo leather.
In my short ownership of a T plate 2.0TS (6 months) it needed 2 x alternators (one under warranty though) an AC pump and the balancer belt pulley sheared off rusulting in the need for another cambelt/ balancer belt change.
Lovely to drive though, and nice inside with the Momo leather.
I used to run a 156 and they're not as bad as most people say, but they do need to be looked after. If it hasn't been serviced in 30k (and who knows WTF else the previous owner skimped on) I wouldn't touch it with the proverbial bargepole.
Don't be put off them in general if you like them though, but get the 2.0 rather than the 1.8, a V6 would be even better.
Don't be put off them in general if you like them though, but get the 2.0 rather than the 1.8, a V6 would be even better.
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