Are Alfas unreliable?
Discussion
we all know the old joke.
'bet thats broke down lots'
'does it work in the wet'
etc etc.
so list your Alfa, its miles, and to your knowledge whats been replced.
Matts 99 GTV V6
99,000 miles.
FSH (3 cambelts etc)
new exhaust
new shocks (uprated)
new wishbones + droplinks
new rear suspension joints (uprated)
2 new badges
3 airbag light error code removals
1 gearbox linkage.
'bet thats broke down lots'
'does it work in the wet'
etc etc.
so list your Alfa, its miles, and to your knowledge whats been replced.
Matts 99 GTV V6
99,000 miles.
FSH (3 cambelts etc)
new exhaust
new shocks (uprated)
new wishbones + droplinks
new rear suspension joints (uprated)
2 new badges
3 airbag light error code removals
1 gearbox linkage.
My '01 GTV - it's all in my profile.
Executive summary: apart from consumables, pretty much sweet FA has been replaced.
In "consumables", I'm counting anything that needs replacement as a matter of course, so cambelt, brakes, brake hoses etc are included in that.
It's never ever needed the AA (which is more than I can say for any other car I've owned) and has never left me stranded. In my experience, the Alfa unreliability thing is simply a myth. I quite literally have never even needed to change a bulb. I'm still on the original clutch, exhaust and even AFM!
Executive summary: apart from consumables, pretty much sweet FA has been replaced.
In "consumables", I'm counting anything that needs replacement as a matter of course, so cambelt, brakes, brake hoses etc are included in that.
It's never ever needed the AA (which is more than I can say for any other car I've owned) and has never left me stranded. In my experience, the Alfa unreliability thing is simply a myth. I quite literally have never even needed to change a bulb. I'm still on the original clutch, exhaust and even AFM!
10 months of ownership;
headlight and side light bulbs
battery
cams
heads have been skimmed
all other associated gubbins like gaskets etc for top end rebuild......
BUT the only reason top end rebuild was needed was we discovered that the previous owner's mechanic hadn't tightened the top bolts properly and the cams had moved and worn smooth. She'd been running for about 40-50K miles like this and hadn't put her out of step - it was the rattle in the engine we had checked out that spotted it.
So in my opinion - bomb proof.
headlight and side light bulbs
battery
cams
heads have been skimmed
all other associated gubbins like gaskets etc for top end rebuild......
BUT the only reason top end rebuild was needed was we discovered that the previous owner's mechanic hadn't tightened the top bolts properly and the cams had moved and worn smooth. She'd been running for about 40-50K miles like this and hadn't put her out of step - it was the rattle in the engine we had checked out that spotted it.
So in my opinion - bomb proof.
'03 Spider 2.0 TS
35K (bought as a demonstrator in '04)
just the battery (the roof mechanism was my fault!)
Electrics are the main thing - just annoying little immobiliser/alarm issues which require a reset but can strand you if you can't work out how.
Expecting to do the cambelt v soon as it's recommended at 36k not in the forties as Alfa says
Go for it - they're great fun!
SG
35K (bought as a demonstrator in '04)
just the battery (the roof mechanism was my fault!)
Electrics are the main thing - just annoying little immobiliser/alarm issues which require a reset but can strand you if you can't work out how.
Expecting to do the cambelt v soon as it's recommended at 36k not in the forties as Alfa says
Go for it - they're great fun!
SG
156GTA 46000 miles 3.5 years.
Front Anti Roll bar drop links
Rear track control arms
330mm front brake upgrade
All under warrenty, nothing else apart from routine servicing. Due a Cambelt very soon, the water pump impellor will be changed too as a precaution.
My previous two Alfas'
156 2.0 TS 48000 ish
Top wishbone bushes
Track control arms
Cam belt and tensioner as a precaution at 36K
All under warrenty
156 2.0JTS 48000 ish
Track control arms..... spotted a trend yet!!
At least 3 Lamda sensors
Catalyist
All under warrenty
The only one which has threatened to let me down yet was the JTS which went into safe mode when the lamda failed, I had to limp about 50 miles back home.
Oh and Guilia 105 series 1750 GTV Coupe 216000 miles 39 years old
4 years and about 20000 very hard miles in my ownership including a dozen competitive rallies.... well it's not let me down yet!
Front Anti Roll bar drop links
Rear track control arms
330mm front brake upgrade
All under warrenty, nothing else apart from routine servicing. Due a Cambelt very soon, the water pump impellor will be changed too as a precaution.
My previous two Alfas'
156 2.0 TS 48000 ish
Top wishbone bushes
Track control arms
Cam belt and tensioner as a precaution at 36K
All under warrenty
156 2.0JTS 48000 ish
Track control arms..... spotted a trend yet!!
At least 3 Lamda sensors
Catalyist
All under warrenty
The only one which has threatened to let me down yet was the JTS which went into safe mode when the lamda failed, I had to limp about 50 miles back home.
Oh and Guilia 105 series 1750 GTV Coupe 216000 miles 39 years old
4 years and about 20000 very hard miles in my ownership including a dozen competitive rallies.... well it's not let me down yet!
145 Cloverleaf, owned from 48K to 117K, other than service items;
Wipers juddered at ~ 50K (motor needed cleaning)
Interior ventilation fan started squeaking at ~ 70K
Interior ventilation fan started behaving erratically at ~ 80K
Wiper linkage broke at ~90K
New ARB drop link bushes at ~100K
New radiator and thermostat at ~ 100K
Air con regas at ~110K
Generally very reliable, and no show stoppers except the wiper linkage which went as I was on the motorway in torrential rain
Wipers juddered at ~ 50K (motor needed cleaning)
Interior ventilation fan started squeaking at ~ 70K
Interior ventilation fan started behaving erratically at ~ 80K
Wiper linkage broke at ~90K
New ARB drop link bushes at ~100K
New radiator and thermostat at ~ 100K
Air con regas at ~110K
Generally very reliable, and no show stoppers except the wiper linkage which went as I was on the motorway in torrential rain
GTV V6 Lusso / 1998 -PH2 / 33,000ish mls
In 2 and a bit years has never broken and left me stranded (touch wood!). However it has required a fair bit of maintenance...
3 x Services
6 x Tyres
1 x Windscreen
1 x Cambelt change (with tensioners)
4 x wishbones
1 x centre & rear exhaust
1 x MAF
2 x Front disc & pads
4 x brake hoses (upgraded to braided)
1 x rear discs and pads
1 x rear swing arm
1 x front shock arm
1 x radiator
1 x cluck & flywheel
1 x track rod end
1 x air pipe
1 x oil cooler and pipes
1 x thermostat
1 x new front grille and badge
+ oil and filters every 6000mls
Has been used as my everyday car during this time though.
In 2 and a bit years has never broken and left me stranded (touch wood!). However it has required a fair bit of maintenance...
3 x Services
6 x Tyres
1 x Windscreen
1 x Cambelt change (with tensioners)
4 x wishbones
1 x centre & rear exhaust
1 x MAF
2 x Front disc & pads
4 x brake hoses (upgraded to braided)
1 x rear discs and pads
1 x rear swing arm
1 x front shock arm
1 x radiator
1 x cluck & flywheel
1 x track rod end
1 x air pipe
1 x oil cooler and pipes
1 x thermostat
1 x new front grille and badge
+ oil and filters every 6000mls
Has been used as my everyday car during this time though.
Alfa 156 1.6 T-spark 60,000 miles 2004 04-reg
New Speedo as fuel gauge was going up and down all the time at about 35,000
Variator
Suspension bushes at 48,000 miles service
Fog light as one cracked
Think the variator has gone again.
Other than that it has been perfect, this is actually a company car so does get abused and hits the red line allot. The only thing i would say is that is uses allot of oil. Also all above apart from the Fog light were done under warrenty.
D
New Speedo as fuel gauge was going up and down all the time at about 35,000
Variator
Suspension bushes at 48,000 miles service
Fog light as one cracked
Think the variator has gone again.
Other than that it has been perfect, this is actually a company car so does get abused and hits the red line allot. The only thing i would say is that is uses allot of oil. Also all above apart from the Fog light were done under warrenty.
D
164 12 valve. 17 years old this year. Just coming up to quarter of a million miles...
...reckon it's about due for an oil change!
Seriously, damned fine car. I've had several 164s and they've all been pretty bomb proof. Obviously, things have been changed but nothing unreasonable for the age & mileage!
Wife's 156 1.8 on the other hand... 1999, 80,000 miles. Snapped cam belt, variator, suspension bushes, anti roll bar drop links, battery, aircon re-gas. Actually, we've never (apart from an insane appetite for brake light bulbs!) had an electrical fault with it. It's even still on its original exhaust! To my mind, nothing like as well built as the 164 but not that bad a car either. IF it hadn't done the cam belt (and it wouldn't have done if Alfa had specified their current replacement interval!) it would have been a pretty trouble-free car.
...reckon it's about due for an oil change!
Seriously, damned fine car. I've had several 164s and they've all been pretty bomb proof. Obviously, things have been changed but nothing unreasonable for the age & mileage!
Wife's 156 1.8 on the other hand... 1999, 80,000 miles. Snapped cam belt, variator, suspension bushes, anti roll bar drop links, battery, aircon re-gas. Actually, we've never (apart from an insane appetite for brake light bulbs!) had an electrical fault with it. It's even still on its original exhaust! To my mind, nothing like as well built as the 164 but not that bad a car either. IF it hadn't done the cam belt (and it wouldn't have done if Alfa had specified their current replacement interval!) it would have been a pretty trouble-free car.
2005 Alfa 156 3.2 GTA - 35,600 miles
So far:
1. Both front wheel bearings replaced under warranty.
2. Aircon regassed (under warranty unexpectedly).
3. Smashed front foglight replaced.
4. Cracked windscreen replaced (damaged by HR Owen when replacing wheel bearings).
5. Infosystem display froze (cured by simple expedient of disconnecting and then reconnecting battery enabling system to re-boot).
6. Windscreen wipers started clacking against A-pillar.
7. New front and rear Alfa roundels after old ones faded and cracked.
Have just driven mine 2,000 miles out to Moscow and it was fine. But the suspension creaks somewhat (the roads here are awful) now so suspect needs new front bushes or ARB, or possibly both.
So far:
1. Both front wheel bearings replaced under warranty.
2. Aircon regassed (under warranty unexpectedly).
3. Smashed front foglight replaced.
4. Cracked windscreen replaced (damaged by HR Owen when replacing wheel bearings).
5. Infosystem display froze (cured by simple expedient of disconnecting and then reconnecting battery enabling system to re-boot).
6. Windscreen wipers started clacking against A-pillar.
7. New front and rear Alfa roundels after old ones faded and cracked.
Have just driven mine 2,000 miles out to Moscow and it was fine. But the suspension creaks somewhat (the roads here are awful) now so suspect needs new front bushes or ARB, or possibly both.
Edited by RacingTeatray on Tuesday 28th August 12:30
156 2.0TSpark.
Bought with 110k miles on it. Now on 124k miles.
Stuff done, above and beyond the usual service parts:
2 new cats. (first one was contaminated with exhaust paste) - cheap enough at 90 quid, delivered.
Air-con pipe and re-gas.
That's about it.
Alfa 75 2.0TSpark.
Bought on 108k miles, now on 134k miles.
Bit of a list on this one:
New clutch
New slave cylinder
Gearbox rebuild (noisy diff. bearings and shot syncros)
New radiator, thermostat, fan-switch and coolant pipes.
(Needs an expansion tank)
Rot cut out of body, new metal welded in, repainted.
(Also needs some work doing on the spare wheel well, when I get around to it)
Also had a 33 1.7ie, which needed a head gasket and a 33 16v, which died just short of 90k miles - but had needed nothing in 40k miles of use. (and it was 14 years old at the time, too)
Had a 155, which needed some brake pipes and a lambda probe, but which ate it's PAS pump after I sold it - this had done well over 140k miles at the time, though.
All-in-all, I reckon we've done alright from our Alfas.
Bought with 110k miles on it. Now on 124k miles.
Stuff done, above and beyond the usual service parts:
2 new cats. (first one was contaminated with exhaust paste) - cheap enough at 90 quid, delivered.
Air-con pipe and re-gas.
That's about it.
Alfa 75 2.0TSpark.
Bought on 108k miles, now on 134k miles.
Bit of a list on this one:
New clutch
New slave cylinder
Gearbox rebuild (noisy diff. bearings and shot syncros)
New radiator, thermostat, fan-switch and coolant pipes.
(Needs an expansion tank)
Rot cut out of body, new metal welded in, repainted.
(Also needs some work doing on the spare wheel well, when I get around to it)
Also had a 33 1.7ie, which needed a head gasket and a 33 16v, which died just short of 90k miles - but had needed nothing in 40k miles of use. (and it was 14 years old at the time, too)
Had a 155, which needed some brake pipes and a lambda probe, but which ate it's PAS pump after I sold it - this had done well over 140k miles at the time, though.
All-in-all, I reckon we've done alright from our Alfas.
147 - 2 years of ownership
Variator
Selector Plate
Selector Plate again
Windscreen wiper motor back
Windscreen wiper motor assembly front
Exhaust Manifold Heatshield
New gearbox
Selector shafts
Clutch
Cambelts and pretensioners
MAF
Both keys about to die
Needs new upper wishbones all round to cure mice in suspension
Variator
Selector Plate
Selector Plate again
Windscreen wiper motor back
Windscreen wiper motor assembly front
Exhaust Manifold Heatshield
New gearbox
Selector shafts
Clutch
Cambelts and pretensioners
MAF
Both keys about to die
Needs new upper wishbones all round to cure mice in suspension
My '98 156 2.5 V6 at 90k/4 years old:
1xBattery
Suspension bushes all round (at about 60k)
1xfront wheel bearing - very early, probably faulty on delivery
Both front foglights (cracked) - not really the car's fault...
1x front undertray.... likewise... (could have just taken it off as most do)
Besides that, just routine servicing - for the V6 that means one set of spark plugs at 60k and one cambelt at 80k!
My current 05 156 GTA SW at 36k/2.5 years
1xindicator control box
1xwheel arch lining (was wrongly fitted new)
And there was a loose connector on the air con - nothing actually replaced but it was fecked for a bit. Obviously this was all done under warranty on this car.
Touch wood - neither has broken down or seemed like doing so, the niggles are mostly build/quality control/minor electrics.
1xBattery
Suspension bushes all round (at about 60k)
1xfront wheel bearing - very early, probably faulty on delivery
Both front foglights (cracked) - not really the car's fault...
1x front undertray.... likewise... (could have just taken it off as most do)
Besides that, just routine servicing - for the V6 that means one set of spark plugs at 60k and one cambelt at 80k!
My current 05 156 GTA SW at 36k/2.5 years
1xindicator control box
1xwheel arch lining (was wrongly fitted new)
And there was a loose connector on the air con - nothing actually replaced but it was fecked for a bit. Obviously this was all done under warranty on this car.
Touch wood - neither has broken down or seemed like doing so, the niggles are mostly build/quality control/minor electrics.
Edited by jwyatt on Friday 31st August 10:14
164 twin spark....has been totally reliable
bought at 60k in 2000 , now on 148k
only maintenance items in addition to consumables over 7 years :
1. rear brake calipers,pads and discs
2. some welding of brake lines
3. clutch slave cylinder x 2
thats it .... except now needs the rad fan fixing.
bought at 60k in 2000 , now on 148k
only maintenance items in addition to consumables over 7 years :
1. rear brake calipers,pads and discs
2. some welding of brake lines
3. clutch slave cylinder x 2
thats it .... except now needs the rad fan fixing.
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