The 156 For Dummies?

[Beatle]

Again, thanks to everyone for the additional info on the model line.

So the GT went from 2003-2010, and the Brera 2005-2010.......?   Geez Alfa (or Fiat) knows how to confuse the buying public!!!   They overlap successive models putting cars in competition with themselves.  Then they go and discontinue a model segment (159) without an immediate replacement.

Grab some market share then let it slip from your grasp......

[Beatle]

OK, I've just had some information come to hand about the 156 which would seem to have put to bed any notion I had of owning one.    NO CUP HOLDERS !!!!

Surely that's not true?   Even on the last of the model line???

[colcol]

Alfa at that stage didn't beleive in cup holders, as it is an American thing, Alfa Club legend Neil Choi once said that Alfa 156's do have cup holders,.....they are called wives or girlfreinds, Colin.

[pep105]

147's have cup holders, unlike the ones in the 156 they don't complain, criticise your driving or tell you you've gone the wrong way.......

[Davidm1600]

Can't say I have ever needed a cup holder built into my car.  But then again, I am perfectly adept at driving and drinking a take away coffee at the same time, and yes my 156 is manual.  I think this ability is called multi-tasking and yes I also realise that us men are supposed to be rubbish at this sort of thing.

[Evan Bottcher]

Pfft cup holders. 

[Neil Choi]

You can rest a cup between the two binnacles of the speedo and tacho.

Same.....Pfft to cup holders.

When I am in the Alfa I am there to drive.  When I want a coffee, I go to a cafe.

[colcol]

I use clip on cup holders from Supercheap, they just clip onto the side of the door, where the little cutout is on the bottom, that is a long term project for me on a rainy day, to make/install adapt cup holders for the 156, had cup holders in the 33 since 1986, part of a K-Mart rubbish container, that sits between the seats, if anyone has had any luck with cup holders for 156's, tell us about it with some pictures, Colin.

[Beatle]

Resurrecting this thread to ask what is the life expectancy of the 156 engines, if correctly serviced?

2.0L TS
2.0L JTS
2.5V6

[Craig_m67]

Mine is about to hit 200,000ks and is as strong as the day I got it, no major problems.
Oil consumption has never crossed my mind, although it does burn a little (4.2L/100ks)

[Beatle]

Boom, Tsh.   There's always one 

[Neil Choi]

206K km on ours and no problems (yet!!!), usual slight oil leak from cam cover.

[Beatle]

Great Neil, but what engine?

[poohbah]

Paul,

I drive a series 1 (2001)  2.5L V6 manual. just coming up to 160k and hasn't really missed a beat mechanically in the couple of years I've owned (I've done about 50k in it). Couple of issues with cooling system, but nothing you wouldn't get with most 13 year old cars.

I'm biased, but I agree with my Alfa mechanic's view that the V6 6sp manual is the best and most reliable combination in the 156.

[Davidm1600]

I nearly have 135,000km on the clock on my '03 JTS manual sportwagon.  Engine is strong, no leaks and uses very little oil, but as it is a JTS engine I do keep an eye on this. 

A mate of mine has a '03 JTS sedan and his car has around 180,000km on the clock, the engine is still going great, but it does use oil and has a problem with the rings.  An engine rebuild or replacement would solve the problem. Both of our 156s have had front suspension overhauls, common 156 requirement. Lambda sensors have been replaced, plus normal consumables re thermostats, water pump etc. 

My view is that the real key is to keep on top of all service requirements, especially the belts and any issues that develop should ensure a long life with these cars.

There still are low km 156s out there. Plenty to choose from.