Accurate 159 1750 TBI Ti Specs?

[benj]

Hi,

I'm a very excited about-to-be owner of a new 2012 Alfa 159 1750 TBI Ti, but I have a couple of questions that I haven't been able to answer by internet research.  I can't find a spec list that includes extras that the car I'm buying seems to have.  The car seems to be slightly different to the standard specs I can find for this model.  It has headlight washers, which look cool but I haven't seen them on a spec sheet anywhere.  Also, all the spec sheets for this car say it has 19' rims, but the one I'm buying (from a dealer, new) has 18' on the spec sheet on the window.  The spec sheet could be wrong, I didn't ask the dealer because I didn't realise until I came home.  The wheels aren't the standard silver alloys; they're black alloys.  Don't get me wrong, they look great, but I'm just concerned they're not spec - which makes me wonder why this car is different to others of the same year (2012).  I've read other owners talking about the low-profile tyres on this model as well, but the tyres on the car I saw today were medium-profile, not low.

I've been told by the dealer that the car was built in 2011 in South Africa - not sure if that makes any difference.

Am I worrying too much?  I test drove the car and loved it...and it looks beautiful.  I just want to make sure I'm getting what I'm supposed to when buying it.

I'd be grateful for any advice, especially if it includes a spec sheet that includes the factory-available extras/mods you could get with this car

Thanks in advance,
Ben

[Neil Choi]

Ben

Congratulations on your purchase.

The SA built Alfa you bought came from a batch from a cancelled order which destined for a different market (can't remember where, the conversation was a little while back).  Hence the slightly different spec.  But the core of the specs will be similar to the Aust spec which is usually different to other markets. ie your 18" vs 19" rims.

Others will correct me if I am wrong.

Neil

[colcol]

The order was for South Africa, and for that market only, then the order was cancelled, they didn't comply with Australia's Australian Design Rules, due to non compliant child seat restraint mountings, so they re-engineered the mountings so they complied and the moribund 159 order found a new home in Australia, i didn't know that Alfa Romeo still built cars in South Africa, they used to in the olden days, not that there is any concerns about South African cars, BMW, Volkswagon, Ford also build cars there, the 1750 TBI is an absolute ripper car, it was introduced way too late during the production of the 159, Colin.

[benj]

Hey Neil and Colin,

Really grateful for your input; you've put my mind at rest.  I guess the bonus for me might be that replacement tyres might be slightly cheaper, being the medium-profile 18s.  Anyway, just wanted to say thanks for the quick reply and I'm really looking forward to picking up the car this week.  At 40+, this is my first brand new car and I chose an Alfa because I wanted it to be special and something I would really enjoy driving.

Many thanks, again.

Ben

[colcol]

Hey Ben, great choice, even though they came out in 2006, they still look a great car, a few pictures when you get the 159 and join the Alfa Club and come along and do a few events, Colin.

[Craig_m67]

Put the VIN into ePER, that will tell you the full spec and country of origin.

[Steve S]

Hi Ben, you have bought a great car!

Keep in mind the spec of the cars sold on the Australian market are not "standard". They were just ordered with the options the importer chose for whatever reason. In other countries you would get to choose these options, not here. The car you have AFAIK was for the South African market, it just has different options to the cars sold in Australia.