Another new Alfa 156 owner...

[FlamingM0]

Hello in here. Just sorted myself out a 2004 156 1.9JTD Sportwagon, picking up next weekend. Pretty unmolested and covered only 17k. Going from Jap to Italian so will see if the reliability reputations are true! I've read the diesels are quite well regarded and pretty trouble free. Looks fab too.

Just curious, anyone know what a BMW 3 series tourer drives like in comparison?

A minor tech q also, do these cars have a feed to the stereo for speed sensitive volume?

Thanks,

[velocemitch]

My GTA has speed sensitive radio volume, but I don't remember finding it on my previous 156's.

The 156 will compare quite well against a 3 series touring. The steering feels quicker and the engine is probably slightly more entertaining. The BM probably has better body control though and won't get as flustered over rough roads. IMO the 3 series needs the better engines, 6 pot or the big 3L diesel the smaller engined ones just feel a bit bland. Same is true of the 156, but to a far lesser extent, you can still have a lot of fun in a 1.9JTD.

You will like the Alfa more... if you've got soul as Clarkson might say (:

[cluelesscarnut]

untill it breakes down which the bmw probably wont do /

[FlamingM0]

Funny you should say that actually, it's this rather worrying thread that put me off the 320d. Speaking to a relative who works for a BMW dealer, they've seen a quite a few suffer lunched engines. Seen several offered for sale with replacement engines too. Not all their cracked up to be it would seem, plus a 320d would have been on about 80k for the same money.

http://www.bmwland.co.uk/talker/viewtopic.php?t=53...

[Wombat Rick]

cluelesscarnut said:

untill it breakes down which the bmw probably wont do /

Living up to your member name very well there!!

[flattotheboards]

my dad had a 156 1.9 jtd 16v veloce sportwagon and he had it for 2 years and did 85k in it and it never broke down once-great engine in that car.good choice.

[51mes]

I've had several (5) alfa's including 2 156's and none have ever let me down in over 160K miles..

All the usual niggles rattles and odd electric moments - but nothing serious.

Compare this with 11 months in an E39 530d Auto Sport - 18K of warranty work, and how much is the warranty?

The alfa is one hell of a lot of more smiles per mile - you'll enjoy it - lots of like minded owner @ alfaowner.com .

Simes.

[RacingTeatray]

velocemitch said:

My GTA has speed sensitive radio volume, but I don't remember finding it on my previous 156's.

It does? Mine doesn't appear to share this feature unless there is a way of disabling it that I've accidentally triggered?

[hobbadam]

there both pretty much the same id say from havin a go in both the 320d BM is faster but much MUCH MUCH less entertaining ,italian cars have much more charecter. evaluation = 40/60 to alfa

[FlamingM0]

Hmm interesting feedback, thanks all. A couple of weeks into ownership and I'm finding it a very pleasing drive. I like the direct steering and it's very well balanced round bends. A great "feel good" factor. Doesn't have that usual front wheel drive understeering lurch round that I've noticed on other cars of a similar size, it really doesn't feel like an estate.

I wonder with the 320d how much practical difference the rear wheel drive makes to the drive?

[Drewtastic]

Hi

I am a couple of months into ownership of my 2004 156 JTD 16v M jet thingy. We also have a company 2002 330d Sport to compare it to – and to be honest they are 2 different leagues. I haven’t got a wallet deep enough to keep up with the repairs on the 330d. 85k from new and in service and mechanical repair we must have spent half of it’s original £30k price tag. It is more expensive to insure and does 32 to the gallon compared to my 39.

However, it is very quick, handles well, feels balanced, but oddly similar to the Alfa. The most noticeable difference was the gearing, it is like a petrol – slightly less responsive but you can hold it down and it flies, much quicker than the Alfa [although it is DMS tuned].