Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon Ti TBi
Discussion
Right, another new car...
I always enjoyed the previous 159 I had, it was just let down by the 2.0D engine. I had read about the 1.75 TBi engines variants, but never saw one for sale, there seems to be a very low number made (I've read of numbers ranging from 15/22) I really wanted another one, as I'm now looking at getting a Tentbox, the larger variant needs a car with a roof weight limit of 65kg, the Giulietta couldn't do that.
I finally spotted this 2011 159 SW, with a TBi engine at Love Alfa, who I bought my previous Red one off,
This does have 127000 miles, which I was concerned about, but the service history is huge, all done at specialists or main dealers. It's had a G tecniq Ceramic coating applied, and a brand new set of Michelin PS5 tyres. It does have an Alfa Romeo Owners club sticker in the window, which is a good sign, the exhaust is quite loud, there's receipt for close to £1000!! It's a Ragazzon apparently, also an Alpine capacitive screen HU, with the DAB rigged up and car play/Android Auto, that looked to be quite expensive at slme point, So seems to be a cherished car, it also came with this private plate, not sure what it means, but I think I'll keep it.
It's also got the later interior from what Love Alfa said, with the leather and alacantara, and black aluminum dash. Compared to the Giulietta, the seats are much more comfortable, and the car feels generally much more solid, but is very heavy!! Lovely steering feel, and it rides much better than the Giulietta did, that was stupidly harsh.
Theres no rattles from any part of the suspension, and the interior feels very well screwed together, it doesn't feel inside or outside like a car that's nearly at 130k
I'll keep an eye on the gearbox, as it's an M32, which I haven't read good things about, although it does have a lovely gear change. I do want to polish the headlights, but otherwise it seems in great condition.
I have the Tentbox arriving on Wednesday, and it has a set of roof bars that came with it, so may have a go ant fitting that at the weekend.
I know I always say it, but I do intend to hold onto this one due to its rarity.
Here are some pics,
I always enjoyed the previous 159 I had, it was just let down by the 2.0D engine. I had read about the 1.75 TBi engines variants, but never saw one for sale, there seems to be a very low number made (I've read of numbers ranging from 15/22) I really wanted another one, as I'm now looking at getting a Tentbox, the larger variant needs a car with a roof weight limit of 65kg, the Giulietta couldn't do that.
I finally spotted this 2011 159 SW, with a TBi engine at Love Alfa, who I bought my previous Red one off,
This does have 127000 miles, which I was concerned about, but the service history is huge, all done at specialists or main dealers. It's had a G tecniq Ceramic coating applied, and a brand new set of Michelin PS5 tyres. It does have an Alfa Romeo Owners club sticker in the window, which is a good sign, the exhaust is quite loud, there's receipt for close to £1000!! It's a Ragazzon apparently, also an Alpine capacitive screen HU, with the DAB rigged up and car play/Android Auto, that looked to be quite expensive at slme point, So seems to be a cherished car, it also came with this private plate, not sure what it means, but I think I'll keep it.
It's also got the later interior from what Love Alfa said, with the leather and alacantara, and black aluminum dash. Compared to the Giulietta, the seats are much more comfortable, and the car feels generally much more solid, but is very heavy!! Lovely steering feel, and it rides much better than the Giulietta did, that was stupidly harsh.
Theres no rattles from any part of the suspension, and the interior feels very well screwed together, it doesn't feel inside or outside like a car that's nearly at 130k
I'll keep an eye on the gearbox, as it's an M32, which I haven't read good things about, although it does have a lovely gear change. I do want to polish the headlights, but otherwise it seems in great condition.
I have the Tentbox arriving on Wednesday, and it has a set of roof bars that came with it, so may have a go ant fitting that at the weekend.
I know I always say it, but I do intend to hold onto this one due to its rarity.
Here are some pics,
Always liked these although not sure black really suits it although given the rarity, I guess you didn’t have much choice.
I wouldn’t be so sure about the exhaust but then I am an old fart and prefer to keep under the radar.
Hopefully will prove to be reliable for you - I have had 2 Alfas and never had any issues although never got to 130,000 miles!
I wouldn’t be so sure about the exhaust but then I am an old fart and prefer to keep under the radar.
Hopefully will prove to be reliable for you - I have had 2 Alfas and never had any issues although never got to 130,000 miles!
Boringvolvodriver said:
Always liked these although not sure black really suits it although given the rarity, I guess you didn’t have much choice.
I wouldn’t be so sure about the exhaust but then I am an old fart and prefer to keep under the radar.
Hopefully will prove to be reliable for you - I have had 2 Alfas and never had any issues although never got to 130,000 miles!
I would agree with the colour, I do like the red, but tricky to choose due to the availability of them, I do like the black showing the rear arches. I probably paid more than I should as well, but no other TBIs to check the prices with. I wouldn’t be so sure about the exhaust but then I am an old fart and prefer to keep under the radar.
Hopefully will prove to be reliable for you - I have had 2 Alfas and never had any issues although never got to 130,000 miles!
The exhaust is a bit too loud for my liking, but at least it should be worth something on the forums, I may try to source an original, or swap maybe.
Hopefully! My thinking is, most things should have been sorted by now. . it does come with a 3 month back to base warranty as well.
Wheel Turned Out said:
That's a truly lovely thing, and I think black suits the slightly menacing face the 159 has very well. Hopefully it'll give you many happy years and miles.
Thank you 
I do like the black, especially with the design of the front. Hopefully, it does seem a very solid car, and no nasty noises anywhere
MDMA . said:
One of the best looking estate cars ever made (along with the 156).
I looked at a white one years ago but decided a diesel would be better for trundling up and down the motorway everyday.
Gus at Alfatune does a good remap for these.
Thank you I looked at a white one years ago but decided a diesel would be better for trundling up and down the motorway everyday.
Gus at Alfatune does a good remap for these.
Have to agree there, such a great looking thing, I love every angle of it. I did like the diesel I had, the 2.0 was great, but the DPF didn't like the shorter journeys I was doing.
I'm 99% that's my old car, if the original plate was AO61 R** it's mine. I recognise the keyring and a couple of other things although Chris I sold it too must have put the different head unit in.
Early services will be Desira Norwich (supplying dealer) and Alfa Workshop in the book, if you look at the Alfa Workshop cam belt change pics for the TBi on their website it's that car as it was the first they'd done. I was the second owner and put about 30K miles on it.
It wasn't crashed or bashed by me and only had some paint around the boot (as the hatchback rubbed), was looked after by me and didn't want for anything. M32 gearbox started to get a bit grumbly towards the end but nothing like other M32's I've had, did do the Autolusso trick with fluid though.
Injectors were cleaned as well before I sold it which made a significant difference to the way it drove. Did the oil feed pipe work too but again that was a few years ago so you may wish to do that again.
Honesty time here....I never really gelled with that car or particularly liked it but sincerely hope you enjoy it. Any other questions please just ask, I see the previous owner to you pretty often too as he runs our local AROC group.
ETA: Just checked MoT history and definitely my old car, I ran it with standard exhaust and silver wheels. Engine was in a standard tune too for my ownership......I'm sure it is now running (or was running) a circa 240 -250 BHP remap now. Not sure whether you knew that when you bought it?
Early services will be Desira Norwich (supplying dealer) and Alfa Workshop in the book, if you look at the Alfa Workshop cam belt change pics for the TBi on their website it's that car as it was the first they'd done. I was the second owner and put about 30K miles on it.
It wasn't crashed or bashed by me and only had some paint around the boot (as the hatchback rubbed), was looked after by me and didn't want for anything. M32 gearbox started to get a bit grumbly towards the end but nothing like other M32's I've had, did do the Autolusso trick with fluid though.
Injectors were cleaned as well before I sold it which made a significant difference to the way it drove. Did the oil feed pipe work too but again that was a few years ago so you may wish to do that again.
Honesty time here....I never really gelled with that car or particularly liked it but sincerely hope you enjoy it. Any other questions please just ask, I see the previous owner to you pretty often too as he runs our local AROC group.
ETA: Just checked MoT history and definitely my old car, I ran it with standard exhaust and silver wheels. Engine was in a standard tune too for my ownership......I'm sure it is now running (or was running) a circa 240 -250 BHP remap now. Not sure whether you knew that when you bought it?
Edited by wal 45 on Tuesday 16th July 16:20
wal 45 said:
I'm 99% that's my old car, if the original plate was AO61 R** it's mine. I recognise the keyring and a couple of other things although Chris I sold it too must have put the different head unit in.
Early services will be Desira Norwich (supplying dealer) and Alfa Workshop in the book, if you look at the Alfa Workshop cam belt change pics for the TBi on their website it's that car as it was the first they'd done. I was the second owner and put about 30K miles on it.
It wasn't crashed or bashed by me and only had some paint around the boot (as the hatchback rubbed), was looked after by me and didn't want for anything. M32 gearbox started to get a bit grumbly towards the end but nothing like other M32's I've had, did do the Autolusso trick with fluid though.
Injectors were cleaned as well before I sold it which made a significant difference to the way it drove. Did the oil feed pipe work too but again that was a few years ago so you may wish to do that again.
Honesty time here....I never really gelled with that car or particularly liked it but sincerely hope you enjoy it. Any other questions please just ask, I see the previous owner to you pretty often too as he runs our local AROC group.
That's the one Early services will be Desira Norwich (supplying dealer) and Alfa Workshop in the book, if you look at the Alfa Workshop cam belt change pics for the TBi on their website it's that car as it was the first they'd done. I was the second owner and put about 30K miles on it.
It wasn't crashed or bashed by me and only had some paint around the boot (as the hatchback rubbed), was looked after by me and didn't want for anything. M32 gearbox started to get a bit grumbly towards the end but nothing like other M32's I've had, did do the Autolusso trick with fluid though.
Injectors were cleaned as well before I sold it which made a significant difference to the way it drove. Did the oil feed pipe work too but again that was a few years ago so you may wish to do that again.
Honesty time here....I never really gelled with that car or particularly liked it but sincerely hope you enjoy it. Any other questions please just ask, I see the previous owner to you pretty often too as he runs our local AROC group.
Good that it's come from a member on here, the condition of it is certainly a credit to you and it's other owners!
The paint certainly does look in lovely condition,
Ah yes, I did see the injector clean, and the oil feed pipe, I may look into getting that some again, it certainly accelerates well!
I'll keep an eye on the M32, just to make sure, but it seems fine now, and the gear changes feel lovely,
Thank you for the honesty as well
So far I really do like it, and prefer the way it feels and drives to the Giulietta I had before. Great to know it's been in the AROC as well, I'm tempted to join and get it to some meets. Thank you for the info as well.
Many thanks for the kind words and recognised the car straight away. I really struggled to find one when buying it as they were pretty rare even back then, yours is absolutely one of the last 5 or so RHD SWs built.
I edited my previous post as I'm positive Chris had it remapped, I'll ask him for you. That'll probably explain why it feels pretty rapid.
As I said any questions please just ask, I'll try and find the good photo I've got of it at Brooklands and post it. Glad you got all of paperwork with it too which is great, I'll look out for the car at AROC National Day if you're there.
I edited my previous post as I'm positive Chris had it remapped, I'll ask him for you. That'll probably explain why it feels pretty rapid.
As I said any questions please just ask, I'll try and find the good photo I've got of it at Brooklands and post it. Glad you got all of paperwork with it too which is great, I'll look out for the car at AROC National Day if you're there.
wal 45 said:
Many thanks for the kind words and recognised the car straight away. I really struggled to find one when buying it as they were pretty rare even back then, yours is absolutely one of the last 5 or so RHD SWs built.
I edited my previous post as I'm positive Chris had it remapped, I'll ask him for you. That'll probably explain why it feels pretty rapid.
As I said any questions please just ask, I'll try and find the good photo I've got of it at Brooklands and post it. Glad you got all of paperwork with it too which is great, I'll look out for the car at AROC National Day if you're there.
No problem at all, thank you for getting in touch, and nice to speak to one of its previous owners. I edited my previous post as I'm positive Chris had it remapped, I'll ask him for you. That'll probably explain why it feels pretty rapid.
As I said any questions please just ask, I'll try and find the good photo I've got of it at Brooklands and post it. Glad you got all of paperwork with it too which is great, I'll look out for the car at AROC National Day if you're there.
They do seem rare, Tobin at Love Alfa reconed they've only sold 3 of them,
Ah, blimey, so one of the last then!
That could explain the way it it pulls then, it certainly feels more than 200hp, that would be great, thank you.
That would be lovely with regards to the photo as well,
I'll join up ASAP I think
As others have already said 156s and 159s have to be among the best looking estate cars made, and given how rare 1750 Ti TBi models are I suppose you can't be picky about colour but it looks like the paint would really pop in the right light. It's a lovely car anyway!
But then the thread got even better when a previous owner recognised it - the power of PH strikes again.
But then the thread got even better when a previous owner recognised it - the power of PH strikes again.
Mr Tidy said:
As others have already said 156s and 159s have to be among the best looking estate cars made, and given how rare 1750 Ti TBi models are I suppose you can't be picky about colour but it looks like the paint would really pop in the right light. It's a lovely car anyway!
But then the thread got even better when a previous owner recognised it - the power of PH strikes again.
Have to agree there, both great looking estates. It's such a shame they didn't make a Giulia Sportwagon of some kind, instead of the crossovers. But then the thread got even better when a previous owner recognised it - the power of PH strikes again.
I wasn't sure about black to begin with, but seeing the metallic shine in the sun, it does look good, it got messy on the motorway in the rain, I'm looking forward to giving it a good clean.
Really was good to hear from one of the owners too, and nice to know it's been in good hands
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