Owning my 156 - a month on

[vjr]

Just thought I'd give my initial feelings/thoughts/impressions now that I've owned my 156 for a bit over a month. Remember this is my first Alfa in 25 years, so it should be fairly objective. For the record it's a '99 2.0l twin spark manual.

Well, it looks great.. it's definitely nice having a car that stands out from the standard designs. Still catch myself eyeing it off quite a bit! Feels smooth and very refined, especially for a four cylinder car. Some might say it's a bit muted, but I prefer refined. Feels a bit snoozy to me, but I've just come from a car that does the 0-100 dash in 6 flat. You really need to wring its neck to feel like you're going quick, but having said that I think the quietness and smoothness goes some way to fooling you into thinking it's not as brisk as it is (is it really an 8.6sec 0-100 car as per the stats?). I'm just not used to Swifts and Hyundais keeping up with me I guess, usually they're a distant speck by the time I snag 2nd gear. But I'm loving the economy. Even if I can't keep under 10l/100km (haven't filled up enough to have a good idea of economy yet) it's still better than 15-16l/100. Is it worth doing 98ron fuel, either for economy, performance or general running? Steering is very direct--you point, it goes. Gear shift is nice and easy although it did balk going into 2nd at high revs the other day, but I probably rushed it. Ride is nice if not too compliant over the ever present speed humps. I'm slowing to max 30 even for quite shallow ones. I'm sure I used to do 50-60 without spilling my coffee in my Astra a few years back  The kids love it, especially the hidden rear door handles and boot lock. The boot is quite serviceable, even decent. Interior is nice (I have velour) and seats comfy enough, but I haven't done a long trip yet (without cruise control... sob). Real wood gear knob and steering wheel are kind of different (I like them) but the fake wood fascia is tacky. Did I mention those looks...

On the downside, I'm not loving the thought of maintenance costs, even though I knew it wasn't great (it's far worse than I knew--see a previous thread of mine). The air con sucks. Glad I didn't pay the $50k+ for it new and get a/c like that. The glove box is near useless. The stereo isn't good (I've replaced it). No cup holders *cough*. The brakes squeal annoyingly and embarrassingly, and the brake dust builds up in a week or two on all four alloys. And there's a space saver spare tyre 

As you can see the cons have little to do with the driving experience and more with the quirks character of the Alfa, and I certainly haven't put it through its paces yet (I'll feel somewhat fragile until I get that timing belt done.. ASAP I promise).

I hope this wasn't too random, and that it gives aspiring first-time 156 owners looking at the 2nd hand market an objective glimpse at some pros and cons of owning this great little car.

[Davidm1600]

Hey VJR

Nice to see some objective feedback on your car and experiences to date. Mine still continues to amaze me, requiring absolutely no costs, apart from the petrol etc.  This may well soon change as it is comming up for a service so will update my views on this once I have dealt with that. 

From what I understanding the JTS engine has a little more oomph compared to the Twinnie, but given I don't thrash it is probably rather academic.  I do love my leather interior, as it is so comfortable all year around.  I can say given I have never had a car with all the toys the 156 does that I don't have any issues with the AC.  Mine is positively Antarctic when on max.  My previous idea of AC was to open the windows on my 105 GTV etc. Ditto the Bose hifi my car came with is superb, albeit at times with the boom box I occasionally cringe a little for being a bit too duff duff.  As to the brakes squealing due to dust I don't seem to have that problem, but then again I don't drive my car daily and I do regularly wash the wheels/car.  So perhaps this keeps that aspect under control.

I do know what you mean re the glovebox.  Mine swollows the car's documentation (manuals) folder and has no space for anything else.  What spacesaver, my Sportwagon has a proper wheel/tyre.  Perhaps that is a sedan thing ?

I do know this much the car runs on the sniff of an oily rag. Fuel consumption on the open road being only marginally worse than a horrible eco Prius.  The 159 is supposed to be even better.  Dave

[vjr]

Thanks for the comments Dave. I guess they fixed up a few things in later models.. like the a/c. Calling mine 'climate control' is a really bad joke. As far as I can see the JTS has 7kW and 20Nm over the TS, which is useful but not huge. I've read the TS has max torque available at 3500RPM which is pretty amazing and tractable (and the same as the JTS). It does feel quite good once you get over 3000RPM.. maybe there's not as much need to wring its neck after all (apart from destroying the engine).

I put in 98RON at Caltex tonight.. not sure if it's worth it, but at $1.20 I thought why not. The fuel light was on and I got 57.71 litres in so only had about 5 litres left, or less than 50Km. Reasonable margin for error I guess. I did 533Km on that, so 10.8l/100km which is good. I'll be doing a country drive tomorrow, including some hilly areas, so we'll see how she goes.

Sounds like your JTS has the gadgets.. I do miss my subwoofer from my previous car . Re the brakes, I've heard its not uncommon for the OEM brakes to do that. Worse though is that my brakes are very 'grippy', that is, a slight touch applies too much braking force. Makes it very hard to drive and makes you look like a beginner, especially in stop-start traffic. I'll have to get that checked. I also regularly was my car and wheels, but I certainly don't wash the brakes

Yes I have a space saver.. I'm sure buyer pressure soon changed their mind regarding that issue after the early models. Not looking forward to a flat!

I'm going to book in for my timing belt change and thermostat replacement for the 21st (going to the tennis that day so I won't need it).

Cheers

[dehne]

hi there
re fuel econ i have a 99 mdl TS 156 selespeed i can drive just get from melb to sydney on 1 tank but thats with having a good clear run but when u get close to syd ur looking for the nearest servo

[grpa9x]

VJR,
I own an o6 model 156 v6, i too am having the same little annoyances as you, the brakes on mine are squeeky and very grippy,as you said a simple application at reasonably low speeds nearly sends you through the screen, and as for that useless a/c, it is by far the worst unit i have come across, if it over 27 degrees you may as well open the windows as it will not pull the temperature back. Mine has the 5th wheel and not the space saver. Mechanically it has been a gem, and i am very pleased with the performance and economy, all in all i adore this cars great looks and the only thing at this stage stopping me from updating to a 159 is the a/c, i wont put up with being told by dealers that these cars are not made for our conditions, that to me is a cop out for poor quality.
cheers michael

[John Hanslow]

Was just at an Alfa Specialist looking at a 156 Monza and discussing servicing issues.  He pointed out that if poor quality petrol was used, you get an fault displayed on the dash.  The Alfa Analyser is then used to reset it as it will not reset itself.  Cheap petrol and dirty tanks are the regular cause.

Previous threads here have discussed petrol and our cars just run better on 98. Caltex, Mobil or BP.  In my country travels, I ensure that I refill in the larger towns or at those freeway superstops.  I do not use Shell 98 as previously it made the car actually go slower and it lost its 'get up and go' and I do not shop at Coles.

I use BP ultimate as much as possible and you can feel the results of 98 usage on my V6 so I assume you get the benefit in the Twin Spark.  If you have to rev it a bit then you want the performance fuel as well.

As for the radio, I heard there was the BOSE upgraded radio that had better reception.

As for the aircon, I have been advised to get a lighter colour interior that does not absorb heat to much, and/or stay away from the darker colour cars as they heat up too.  Rather 'fundamental' advice I know but if it helps to stay cool in traffic, then I would have follow it for practicallity (as I have no guarage).

Cheers.

[Davidm1600]

A little further on this one, as I mentioned I havn't found any issues with the AC, it being far better than wifey's '98 BMW 318is, and certainly no worse than any modern Japscrap or local cars I drive I get to use through work.  Perhaps I just have been lucky and yes I do have the black leather upholstery. Perhaps another small consideration though is that I do live in Tassie and our weather generally is not as hot as you guys get on the mainland.

As to the fuel thing, I am not sure but I havn't had any issues with 95 ron petrol of any make. Its actually not easy to get 98 here anyway.

As for the Bose hifi, it really is excellent, and that includes both the radio and CD.  My only gripe is that I find the channel selector difficult to comprehend and so leave it permanently on Triple J.  Mind you, I am not very good at understanding manuals of any description.  Dave

[John Hanslow]

A man of experience and your comments are 'fair and reasonable'.

I was thinking contrary to some schools of thought, that the climate is cooler in Tassie and you have more trees offering shade.  And once a car heats up, it is a bit of a challenge - especially on a hot Melbourne day like today - the first of many .

Cheers.

[Davidm1600]

Thanks John I do try to be fair and objective in my views, and yes it is mostly cooler here in Tassie. Mind you today it is supposed to be 31 !  Given our air quality is supposed to be a little better than those areas subject to more smog, I guess the radiation levels can be pretty high at times.

I do agree that once a car heats up it can be a challenge, hence I try to always use a sun reflector shield accross the windscreen when parked, open the windows and put the AC on for a little while before heading off.  Dave

[vjr]

VJR,
I own an o6 model 156 v6, i too am having the same little annoyances as you, the brakes on mine are squeeky and very grippy,as you said a simple application at reasonably low speeds nearly sends you through the screen, and as for that useless a/c, it is by far the worst unit i have come across, if it over 27 degrees you may as well open the windows as it will not pull the temperature back. Mine has the 5th wheel and not the space saver. Mechanically it has been a gem, and i am very pleased with the performance and economy, all in all i adore this cars great looks and the only thing at this stage stopping me from updating to a 159 is the a/c, i wont put up with being told by dealers that these cars are not made for our conditions, that to me is a cop out for poor quality.
cheers michael

Nice car. I'm very surprised your brakes are like that. I've booked mine in for some work next week and I mentioned the brakes over the phone, and I was given a bit of a "well that seems normal to me" attitude which I didn't like much. I drove 6 156's when I was looking for mine, and only mine and 1 other had this behaviour (the other was in bad shape in lots of other ways too) so I know it's not a given. Re A/C, I had it on the other day when the outside temp reading was 40, and on full blast it did *some* good.. better than leaving the windows open at least. Full blast on my wife's Camry would freeze you in minutes.

One other issue I'm having is when starting cold, it tends to sputter and pop a bit (idle speed goes right down) and can either conk out, or suddenly fire up to normal idle speed. And then, even when it's warmed up, when I'm coming to a stop and the revs are dropping, it worries me that the car will stall (and it sometimes does) but not usually when fully warm.

Edit:
Re the fuel, I will continue to put 98 fuel in from now on (Caltex) although I doubt I'll 'notice' much difference, but that's ok as long as the car likes it better. Dave, my A/C is certainly *not* in the same league as my previous '06 Subaru or our current '98 Toyota, as I've mentioned; not even close. Perhaps I'll mention it to the service guys and see if they can rip me off a bit more. er, I mean do something about the A/C.

[vjr]

Finally had the work done today. Timing belt, 130k service (at 123k) and brakes, which were bled and are now not so grippy. They said my problem with the temperature gauge fluctuating was common/normal, although the thermostat did appear to be on the way out and should be replaced soon. My problem with hard starting/conking out when cold was not fixed as they needed more time to diagnose, so I'll have to re-book that. Anyway I'm relieved to have the timing belt done and can now relax somewhat!