Alfa Romeo 156, 2.4JTD Sports Wagon

[indy4x]

Does anyone knowow anything about these, going to look at one tonight on an 04 plate with the 2.4 JTD engine, what do I need to look out for?


I'm of the generation that remembers Italian cars meant the 3 R's, Rust Reliability and Resale value but were usually a blast to drive, appreciate that it may have changed a lot since the 80's

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Check that all electrical things work as they should.

 

[frank horton]

like most of the modern crap, it's the electronics that let car's down.......and I'm afraid the Alfa suffers the same but there are fewer people to fix.em..........unless there's an independant Alfa garage nearby that can do elec's, ask around............
for later stuff I'd buy Japanese........or anything from 1990 that ain't rotten.....if u can find such a beast...........hahaha.......

what are the new penalty's for Deisels over there..........????????? anyone know.........
Frank

 

[rikrobson]

I used to work with a guy that had one. Drives a Merc now

 

[johnik]

been galvanising them for years so no rust to worry about unless it,s been crashed and repaired badly, electrics wise, they can be "challenging", heaps of fun to drive when they are running right tho, check servive history tho as they do go downhill if neglected.

 

[dobbslc]

They kill front tyres as they go like stink, make sure the gearbox is nice and quite and smooth. A mate had one and the DMF & gearbox went in the end.
Nice car though.

 

[bricol]

30 years of driving nine Italian cars, 7 Lancias and two Alfas, I've had one with dodgy electrics that were easily sorted . . . now if you had said Japanese bearings in a German gearbox in an Alfa that required 2 days of removal to get to, and three days to get it all back in . . . ;-)

Still, that rumour and rust one have allowed me to own and thrash some brilliant drivers cars - integrale in the garage and a 159 Q4 on the drive :-)

If it's not too late, head over to www.alfaowner.com/Forum/ - there's a 156 section.

 

[mangocrazy]

30 years of driving nine Italian cars, 7 Lancias and two Alfas

What were the 7 Lancias, if you don't mind me asking?

 

[weldequip]

I had a 2.4JDTM in a Brera, don't know if it's the same unit or not. Had it chipped from standard 200BHP to 250BHP & that didn't seem to make much difference to be honest Very quick though, with bags of torque. Got rid after a couple of years so can't comment on engine reliability.

I would be concerned now buying diesel though (went petrol last year for the first time in my life!) as it's about to get mauled by the taxman

 

[indy4x]

Thanks for the replies

Between me and my brother we have had 7 Italian cars back in the late 80's and they were loads of fun so well aware that the 3R's is not always deserved.

Went to have a look, bodywork is straight, interior OK, driver's seat does not height adjust as something is broken but does go back and fore ok, luckily being 6' 4" means I only want it on it's lowest setting. Engine and box are quiet and it pulls really well, has AntiFreeze and all fluid levels were good. All of the electrics seem to work apart from the driver's side climate control which is stuck on 22.

The advert stated it needs rear shocks as one of them is clanging but looking underneath as best I could it looks like 1 of the fuel tank straps has snapped and this is what's causing the noise.

It's £600 and has MOT till next Oct so could be a bit of cheap fun, just have to talk the boss around now