159 V6 Buying Advice

[stuka]

Im considering buying a 159 and really fancy the V6. Ive never driven one as Im in Tas and you dont see many around. Are there any known issues with this model (say around 2009), particularly the 4 wheel drive system and manual gearbox? If I cant find a V6, the tbi is even rarer so I would probably consider the 5 cylinder diesel. Any thoughts?

[colcol]

The V-6 is a bit of a gas guzzler and is based on a GM engine, no cam belt issues here, but the chains have been known to stretch and throws out the timing which will need to be replaced.
The TBI is a ripper motor, reasonable fuel economy when you stay off the turbo and goes like sand of a shovel when booted, and its made in Italy by the Fiat group.
The diesel is either a 1.9 4 cylinder or 2.4 5 cylinder, they both have cambelts, but unlike 147's and 156's have a long period between cam belt changes, the 2.4 has a massive amount of torque, 400 newton metres!, and the oiler is not too bad on fuel, part of the pollution equipment is a particle filter which cleans up the soot by burning it off, it will become blocked with too much city driving, so you have to give it a blast every now and then to get it hot, the diesel engine is built in Italy.
If it was me i would have the 2.4 diesel, but drive them and see what suits you, Colin.

[Craig_m67]

There's a 1750TBi for sale up here (Brissy) on gumtree, I only noticed it because as you say, they're quite rare

>> http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/albion/cars-vans-utes/2010-alfa-romeo-159-1750-tbi-ti-kyalami-black-6-speed-manual-sedan/1032365545

They have a V6 manual too >> http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/albion/cars-vans-utes/2006-alfa-romeo-159-jts-q4-black-6-speed-manual-sedan/1032358539


I have no association with the seller, just noticed the TBi tonight

Personally I think the 2.4 JTDM Ti Sportwagon is the pic of the bunch, all (more) the power/torque of the V6 with the economy of a derv.

[stuka]

Thanks for the responses, didnt realise the V6 was GM. There are some really nice 5cyl diesels for sale at the moment so at least there is plenty of choice. You can get a lot of car for $20k!!

[colcol]

The block was made at Victoria's Fisherman's bend, it was a Canadian design, then it was shipped off to Italy, to be fitted with Alfa Romeo heads....or so the story goes, same block as the Alloytec Commodore, as stated on this Forum, Genuine Alfa Romeo oil filters from Australian Dealers, $80, a Commodore oil filter from Repco, about $10.
I would get the 2.4 and it has a great Asin, Japanese 6 speed Auto gearbox, which gives little trouble and is used in a lot of cars, the torque of the Diesel suits the auto, [400 newton metres]

[Domenic]

Just be careful in regards to the oil filters, yes the genuine one is $80 from the dealer. Very pricey for an oil filter, but the ones you get from Repco/Burson for a Commodore are different in construction and look like they limit oil flow compared to the Alfa Romeo one. They are also slightly different in size, but then again i could be wrong and it's just my observation from looking at both and comparing them.

I'll bring a Genuine(Alfa) one, an OEM one(Hengst) and an AC Delco(Holden) one along on Sunday so you can see the difference.

Cheers
Dom

[colcol]

Not recomending you use a Repco oil filter, but just the comparison on the 159 Alfa Romeo V-6 and the V-6 Commodore, there was a member a few years ago who asked about the $80 oil filter, to which the service manager said thats the going price, went to Repco and they listed a V-6 on both cars as the same item!, Colin.

[poohbah]

Stuka,

I don't know if you are still hunting, and there is nothing wrong with choosing any of the 159s, they are a beautiful looking car. But you could pay half as much for a top notch 156 with the genuine 2.5L "Busso" V6. Nothing sounds quite as sweet, and I personally prefer the look. Or for a similar sum to a 159, you could pick up a mad GTA version with the 3.2L V6.

[Davidm1600]

I must admit I too am thinking of when I figure I need to replace my 156 sportwagon, a Tdi manual Sportwagon might be the go for me. 

I have only driven a 159 Tdi but in auto once. (Dealer car test drive day).  I must admit it felt larger than the 156 (which I believe it is) and not quite as communicative to drive as the 156 , but against that the quality of the interior did seem better.  So perhaps the tradeoff to accept. 

I noticed prior to Christmas there was a gunmetal silver manual, red leather Sportwagon for around $14-15k ('O7 model) with 125,000km on the clock.  Seemed like a pretty decent deal.

So, from owners of 159s what else is there to know about them, given I am well familiar with the foibles of the 156.  Any common major problems/expenses to be aware of aside what has been discussed ??

[Meng]

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Alfa-Romeo-156-2002/SSE-AD-2511424/?Cr=0&sdmvc=1

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Alfa-Romeo-156-2002/SSE-AD-2389012/?Cr=1&sdmvc=1

[poohbah]

Pure porn. Can there be a better value high performance car with that much style available?

[Meng]

Pure porn. Can there be a better value high performance car with that much style available?

+1

[poohbah]

So Stuka, what did you end up buying?

[[MotoPete]]

The block was made at Victoria's Fisherman's bend, it was a Canadian design, then it was shipped off to Italy...

GM's HFV6 engine family was designed as a joint team development between Cadillac and Holden.

Whilst some denigrate it as being the motor out of a taxi, the same architecture also saw service in Saab's 2.8 litre turbo 9-3 Aero, Cadillac's CTS, and Chevrolet's Camaro amongst others.

As you rightly point out, Alfa Romeo undertook an extensive revision of the design by adding their own pistons, cylinder heads, camshafts, intake and exhaust manifolds, and associated hardware.

[[MotoPete]]

I'll bring a Genuine(Alfa) one, an OEM one(Hengst) and an AC Delco(Holden) one along on Sunday so you can see the difference.

I purchased a genuine oil filter from Alfa Romeo just a few days ago for the princely sum of $69.66, yet when I opened the (sealed) box the filter itself said it was made by Hengst.

Strangely, the box, with all it's Alfa Romeo logos and part numbers said the item was made in Poland, yet the filter itself said it was made in Germany.

As I said, the box was sealed.

To me, the motto of the story is don't buy the BS, buy Repco.