Discussion
OK so there I was merrily driving to work on a cold Novembers morning when BANG! A car drove right into the side of my Passat flinging me across the road into the front of a van. A few aches and pains but luckily nothing broken and everyone involved was also relatively unscathed. However, I was now car-less! In all honesty the Passat was bought as a family hack and never really did anything for me. It was the 'S' model so was as well equipped as a kitchen cupboard! The engine was dull, the handling was soggy and the looks were depressing. It did however, do a job and offer reliability.
I saw this as an opportunity to look at something a bit different. I had between £3 and £4K to spend which appears to be a bad budget. You're not in shed territory but you also can't buy exactly what you want. Spending hours gawping at Mondeos, Insignias, older BMW's, Audis, etc. I stumbled on an Alfa 159 for sale. The front end just did it for me, I fell in love instantly and had to delve deeper. I've always love the looks of Alfas but the reliability reputation has never allowed me to part with my cash. Having looked all over the internet though, I found the general consensus is that they are much better now so I took a leap of faith. I looked at an Estate version but couldn't get on with the looks really and then this one came up about 50 miles away.
It was the Lusso edition with full leather, cruise, auto lights, wipers, USB, etc. I really wanted the 2.4 engine but there didn't seem to be many around at the time and I needed a car quick sharp! I went to view this 1.9(150) at the dealers, and although I had a bad feeling about the dealer (which was later justified) I handed over my deposit and spent the drive home in my Ford Kuga courtesy car cold sweating about what had just happened.
3 months on and it's really got under my skin. The first weekend it did a DPF regen which frightened me because I had never experienced this before. A burning smell, thick smoke from the exhaust led me to believe something catasrophic was happening. I really hate the whole DPF thing and I intend to delete it in the future but for now every 500 miles or so I have this smoky burny affair to sit through for 10 minutes.
Other than that, no real issues, it did go back to the dealer after 2 weeks for a knackered wheel bearing and I've done the front discs and pads as they were in a sorry state. I was annoyed that the dealer didn't pick up on these things but they were a bit disinterested throughout the whole process really, certainly not somewhere I will be returning to in a hurry!
So far in 3 months, I've given her a good clean throughout, replaced the gearknob top as it was scratched, changed the badges, replaced a blocked washer jet and changed the boot hydraulics, upgraded the headlight bulbs for Nightbreakers, etc. All exciting stuff! Don't have many plans really, other than to swap the headunit out for something with Apple Car play, change the power steering fluid as it is Red and should be Green. The engine is the biggest let down of the whole car really, it is quite agricultural and could do with a bit (read a lot) more poke. When the DPF and EGR deletes are done I'll have it mapped up to 180ish which should help that situation. It handles nicely, but currently sits on odd tyres so I intend to replace those for some better examples.
Anyway, here she is:
I saw this as an opportunity to look at something a bit different. I had between £3 and £4K to spend which appears to be a bad budget. You're not in shed territory but you also can't buy exactly what you want. Spending hours gawping at Mondeos, Insignias, older BMW's, Audis, etc. I stumbled on an Alfa 159 for sale. The front end just did it for me, I fell in love instantly and had to delve deeper. I've always love the looks of Alfas but the reliability reputation has never allowed me to part with my cash. Having looked all over the internet though, I found the general consensus is that they are much better now so I took a leap of faith. I looked at an Estate version but couldn't get on with the looks really and then this one came up about 50 miles away.
It was the Lusso edition with full leather, cruise, auto lights, wipers, USB, etc. I really wanted the 2.4 engine but there didn't seem to be many around at the time and I needed a car quick sharp! I went to view this 1.9(150) at the dealers, and although I had a bad feeling about the dealer (which was later justified) I handed over my deposit and spent the drive home in my Ford Kuga courtesy car cold sweating about what had just happened.
3 months on and it's really got under my skin. The first weekend it did a DPF regen which frightened me because I had never experienced this before. A burning smell, thick smoke from the exhaust led me to believe something catasrophic was happening. I really hate the whole DPF thing and I intend to delete it in the future but for now every 500 miles or so I have this smoky burny affair to sit through for 10 minutes.
Other than that, no real issues, it did go back to the dealer after 2 weeks for a knackered wheel bearing and I've done the front discs and pads as they were in a sorry state. I was annoyed that the dealer didn't pick up on these things but they were a bit disinterested throughout the whole process really, certainly not somewhere I will be returning to in a hurry!
So far in 3 months, I've given her a good clean throughout, replaced the gearknob top as it was scratched, changed the badges, replaced a blocked washer jet and changed the boot hydraulics, upgraded the headlight bulbs for Nightbreakers, etc. All exciting stuff! Don't have many plans really, other than to swap the headunit out for something with Apple Car play, change the power steering fluid as it is Red and should be Green. The engine is the biggest let down of the whole car really, it is quite agricultural and could do with a bit (read a lot) more poke. When the DPF and EGR deletes are done I'll have it mapped up to 180ish which should help that situation. It handles nicely, but currently sits on odd tyres so I intend to replace those for some better examples.
Anyway, here she is:
Very nice, looking good in the grey.
I'm a 159 Lusso owner as well, I still think they are one of the most stylish saloon cars on the road and a relatively comforable machine for a daily. I think these are a little bit barge like to drive but it depends what you are used to I guess.
What mileage are you on? I've got 166k and mine and it's still going well overall, had the M32 gearbox bearing problem last year but it wasn't too costly to get them all changed. Dreading the clutch and/or DMF giving up the ghost but I'm guessing it must have been done previously as it's soldiering on okay (got the car with no history).
I'm a 159 Lusso owner as well, I still think they are one of the most stylish saloon cars on the road and a relatively comforable machine for a daily. I think these are a little bit barge like to drive but it depends what you are used to I guess.
What mileage are you on? I've got 166k and mine and it's still going well overall, had the M32 gearbox bearing problem last year but it wasn't too costly to get them all changed. Dreading the clutch and/or DMF giving up the ghost but I'm guessing it must have been done previously as it's soldiering on okay (got the car with no history).
Great looking car, I had an almost identical one last year, am I right in saying the centre console has a slight green tint to it?
Another clue to the regen is when driving along, look at the boost gauge, when backing off the throttle - the needle drops much quicker to zero. If you plan to keep it, get some anti rust treatment on the front subframe, they tend to rust quickly.
The 150 is crying out for a remap. Once done the engine suits the car pretty well. 159's are strange in that imo the V6 isn't the pick of the bunch.
Another clue to the regen is when driving along, look at the boost gauge, when backing off the throttle - the needle drops much quicker to zero. If you plan to keep it, get some anti rust treatment on the front subframe, they tend to rust quickly.
The 150 is crying out for a remap. Once done the engine suits the car pretty well. 159's are strange in that imo the V6 isn't the pick of the bunch.
exgtt said:
Great looking car, I had an almost identical one last year, am I right in saying the centre console has a slight green tint to it?
Another clue to the regen is when driving along, look at the boost gauge, when backing off the throttle - the needle drops much quicker to zero. If you plan to keep it, get some anti rust treatment on the front subframe, they tend to rust quickly.
The 150 is crying out for a remap. Once done the engine suits the car pretty well. 159's are strange in that imo the V6 isn't the pick of the bunch.
It does have a Green tint yes, I'm half temped to carbon wrap the whole thing as it's a bit scratched from people having too many keys on their keyring Another clue to the regen is when driving along, look at the boost gauge, when backing off the throttle - the needle drops much quicker to zero. If you plan to keep it, get some anti rust treatment on the front subframe, they tend to rust quickly.
The 150 is crying out for a remap. Once done the engine suits the car pretty well. 159's are strange in that imo the V6 isn't the pick of the bunch.
Yes, a remap is definitely on the cards as is the anti rust. When the better weather appears I'll give it a good fettling.
8IKERDAVE said:
That's impressive mileage but goes to show they are leaps and bounds above where they used to be! I bought this on 95K and its now nearing 99.
Yeah exactly, with regular maintainance they can put the mileage down without too many issues. As I mentioned above, listen out for gearbox whine as bearings are know to fail. Even with all new bearings and oil the gear change is still on the stiff/heavy side though. Surprisingly the suspension has done very well on this and hasn't needed anything, the 156 I had previously ate bushes...I kind of miss mine (Ti spec) though it did put me right off getting another black car again. Try a bit of metallic T cut or Bilt Hamber Autobalm (brilliant but expensive) then a quick wax and it sorts the scratches on the centre console, it certainly did on mine as I had the same keys on a keyring issue.
For me this has one of the best front ends of any mainstream car ever produced.
I actually prefer the estate aesthetics and seriously considered one prior to getting my Golf GTI (no brainer cheap deal and changed every 6 mths through wife's work)
I love the estate in red or black, but the engine choices are a little less than exciting.
Great car, enjoy.
I actually prefer the estate aesthetics and seriously considered one prior to getting my Golf GTI (no brainer cheap deal and changed every 6 mths through wife's work)
I love the estate in red or black, but the engine choices are a little less than exciting.
Great car, enjoy.
e got a '07 1.9JTDm Lusso estate, love it but...
It ate it's cam-belt just before Christmas, water pump seized. I'd had it changed ~3 years <40K miles ago, common problem apparently. Despite the car not being worth that much I ignored shed philosophy and got it repaired, £1,000.76 at a local specialist).
If you haven't already I would strongly suggest a new water pump and cam-belt. Oh and check for front sub-frame rust.
I have a 159 Lusso used for daily commute and family holidays. It is one of the best looking cars on the road and Ive had a lot of good comments, although I also own a 156 and still think the 156 looks sleeker from the side and rear quarter view. To own one for a long period is a very unique experience with mixed feelings thats hard to explain. Its not like any other Alfa, it still has moods but not in the usual Italian way, some days it drives brilliantly, handles well, planted, refined and quiet, then the next day it will hesitate to start, feel heavy noisy and clonky. The platform designed for the car is very strong and stable, almost over engineered but it makes the car less dynamic and rewarding to drive, but dont get me wrong they are not bad to drive, I guess they just dont conform. As already mentioned check the front subframe, the factory forgot to galvanise them. Watch out for tyre wear too, also if the steering starts making noises or feels funny, check the filter in the reservoir hasnt come loose. Mines also a high mileage M32 gearbox survivor, but I change the gearbox oil every year and overfill it to 3 litres.
The 159 is still one of the best looking cars made, from almost any angle. I shall probably get one when my 156 JTDM 150 gets too many miles on it...it is on 152,000 now ( bought it with 65,000 ). The Alfa forums are the best source of advice/experience of ownership etc. If this is your first Alfa, then you will discover that Alfa's have 'quirks' that are sometimes irritating...but that give the marque it's 'character' ie on a 156 the steering lock is poor, but then the double wishbone front suspension makes the handling so good. I have driven a 1.9 159 and I agree that it needs more grunt, so I would definitely consider a remap: I had my 156 done and it was the best £200 I have ever spent on any car that I have owned. It now has about 185 BHP, and the power delivery in 4th,5th & 6th is amazing and addictive. But as has been said, a remap will put more strain on the drivetrain, and it will hasten the need to replace the DMF/clutch.
I am sure that you will find that Alfas are addictive, and any other car seems a bit boring in comparison. I have spent way more than mine is ever going to be worth, but I do not know of anything comparable to replace it: ie design, superb handling when set up correctly, performance and decent economy, and quality/design of the leather interior/dashboard. Perhaps a 159 2.4 would be a suitable successor.
I am sure that you will find that Alfas are addictive, and any other car seems a bit boring in comparison. I have spent way more than mine is ever going to be worth, but I do not know of anything comparable to replace it: ie design, superb handling when set up correctly, performance and decent economy, and quality/design of the leather interior/dashboard. Perhaps a 159 2.4 would be a suitable successor.
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