156 Sportwagon 2.0JTS
Discussion
Just after some thoughts or experiences really, I have decided to get something I'm less precious about for the weekly grind as I'm forever worrying about where to park my M140i (it receiving a nice door dent the other week was the final straw).
I'd been looking to spend £1000ish or little more for the right car, my shortlist included but wasn't limited to Volvo D5/VAG PD130/Saab 9-5. However a 156 JTS has popped up very local and appears from the advert to have been well looked after although I've not contacted the seller yet.
Essentially I'm looking for a sanity check for considering it, I quite like the idea of an Alfa and I like the estates even more, life's too short etc.
At the moment the car would be used for a commute from Cumbria to Glasgow every week so will spend a fair bit of time on the motorway and won't be used during the week as I cycle to work. Come September it'll be used for a daily 40 mile commute every few weeks.
Some brief research brings up the belt changes and sensitivity to oil types with this engine, is there anything else in particular to look out for before I go and have a look?
I'd been looking to spend £1000ish or little more for the right car, my shortlist included but wasn't limited to Volvo D5/VAG PD130/Saab 9-5. However a 156 JTS has popped up very local and appears from the advert to have been well looked after although I've not contacted the seller yet.
Essentially I'm looking for a sanity check for considering it, I quite like the idea of an Alfa and I like the estates even more, life's too short etc.
At the moment the car would be used for a commute from Cumbria to Glasgow every week so will spend a fair bit of time on the motorway and won't be used during the week as I cycle to work. Come September it'll be used for a daily 40 mile commute every few weeks.
Some brief research brings up the belt changes and sensitivity to oil types with this engine, is there anything else in particular to look out for before I go and have a look?
Suspension, suspension and suspension.
They are incredibly sensitive to the set up. I hit a pothole in mine with no obvious damage.
It drove like a dog for months afterwards; multiple visits to an Alfa specialist who couldn’t sort it, eventually a suspension specialist who still struggled with it.
At its worst it would go from lane 1 to lane 3 on a perfectly flat motorway stretch within a very short distance. Once the damage had been done it would hold tracking/alignment for a few weeks at best, despite replacing lots of suspension parts. Gave up in the end and had to apply a minute (but irratating all the same) amount of steering lock to drive in a straight line.
It did drink oil but as long as you are aware of that it’s manageable. I’d put a litre in with no obvious leaks about every 12 weeks.
They are incredibly sensitive to the set up. I hit a pothole in mine with no obvious damage.
It drove like a dog for months afterwards; multiple visits to an Alfa specialist who couldn’t sort it, eventually a suspension specialist who still struggled with it.
At its worst it would go from lane 1 to lane 3 on a perfectly flat motorway stretch within a very short distance. Once the damage had been done it would hold tracking/alignment for a few weeks at best, despite replacing lots of suspension parts. Gave up in the end and had to apply a minute (but irratating all the same) amount of steering lock to drive in a straight line.
It did drink oil but as long as you are aware of that it’s manageable. I’d put a litre in with no obvious leaks about every 12 weeks.
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