Just purchased Alfa Romeo 156 2.0 JTS 2004

[sly17]

Hey Guys

Just a new member here - I'd thought I'd introduce myself and the car. Just purchased a 2004 model 156 2.0 JTS. Happy with the purchase as it was bought from a one owner, and he was an Alfa Romeo and car enthusiast. Car has done 54400km's and is in quite immaculate condition.

This is my first car (let alone first Alfa Romeo!) and was wondering if there were any general tips and warning signs I should look out for. There is the occasional brake squeal but I presume this is fairly normal due to the other forum posts.

One question I have regards start up. How long do you guys normally wait before you begin driving? Do you guys feel that the engine just varies speeds and noise when giving it that 2 or so minutes to warm up before you drive off?

Regards
Simon 

[John Hanslow]

Welcome and congratulations on your purchase. Post a few pictures on the forum. 

We have a many threads on the forum dealing with purchasing, service and points to look out for.

Have a good look at the 932 Series (156) register category on the forum.  I assume that you had the car checked out or the RWC done by an Alfa specialist who advised what has to be done and when with reference to the sevice book.

Otherwise check out our Alfa specialists on the sponsors link. Do not know where you live but try Maranello Motors, Italian Job, Monza Motors, etc.  Quite a few give discounts for club members and same with insurance.  Join up and get the benefits.

Get the car serviced or checked over by someone who knows the brand for peace of mind and if at least you will be advised what has to be done and when, i.e. pads, correct oil,  - timing belt change etc - I assume that the belt has been done within the last 3 years.

As for warming up the car, that's what my granny used to do in her old Morris. It's not that necessary these days but that's ok - at least the heaters active when you drive and in winter its a practical idea.   Probably like most cars, short trips build up carbon in the engine so a bit a spirited drive around is always a benefit.  That's what the engine was built for.

Cheers.

[sly17]

Hey
Yer the previous owner had service done at Lance Dixon and he advised me to go see Maranello Motors.

Regarding the cambelt, it has not yet been changed and the car was purchased in 2004.. should I be worried? Though, remember the car has only done about 54,400 km's.

I'm due in for a service at around 55,500. Regarding the cambelt, what price should I be looking out for? I received a quote around the $800 mark.

Regards

[Davidm1600]

Hi sly17, welcome to the world of Alfa and 156 ownership.  I have a '03 156 sportwagon, and have a few other mates over here in Tassie also who have joined the ranks of 156 ownership.

Ok re the timing belts, if it were me I would be making arrangements to get it done as soon as practical, rather than leaving it to the full recommended 60Km interval. My car is nearing the 100,000 km and I will be booking it in once it gets around the 110 to 115,000km mark. Better to have had it done a little early than for it to perhaps to fail and leave you with a very damaged engine and significant costs.  As to the quote of $800, that seems totally fair these days.  When I first looked into getting a 156, the typical cost estimate I saw was around $1000-1500.  In talking with my mechanic about this, he mentioned that the cost has come down as they are more familiar with what is required, which equates to less time/cost.  Enjoy your Alfa. 

[156southpaw]

Welcome to the wonderful world of owning an Alfa Romeo.  I've had a half-a-dozen cars (mostly sports cars) before recently purchasing my 04 156 JTS sedan, and I have to say this the best and most enjoyable car I have driven.

Fair to say that you will find owning an Alfa an experience - 99% amazing; 1% bizarre.  That 1% keeps you on your toes....

As others have mentioned, get the belt changed as soon as possible ($800 sounds like a great price).  The costs will skyrocket if it snaps - so get in early.

I've posted previously about one of the problems I have experienced with the 04 156 - Motor System Control Failure.  This is a very common problem with the JTS engines.  Should you get this message, get it diagnosed as soon as possible by one of the dealers - it is a quick process that will tell you what the problem is (more than likely one of the ignition coils).

Another important consideration with the JTS engines is keep it filled with oil at all times - the JTS engines tend to burn a lot of oil.  I tend to buy 4 litres every 8 weeks and top it up each fortnight.  Sounds like a pain in the bum, but it isn't too bad really.  Depending on how flush you are with cash, go with a fully synthetic oil - otherwise a good quality mineral oil will be OK.  I've found that Mobil 1 Fully Synthetic is great in the JTS.

With regards to the brake noises, I suggest weekly cleaning of the brakes with a high pressure hose.  The dust really builds up and causes the noisey brake squeels.  As soon as I started to regularly clean the pads, the noise stopped.

Enjoy your 156 - truly one of the most enjoyable cars to drive.

[sly17]

Thanks for your reply guys.

Regarding the oil top-up, how much do you pay for 4 litres of the fully synthetic Mobil?

[John Hanslow]

If you take it to get serviced at Maranello, they use Martini racing oil and following up the issue of oil usage, it seems to fix this.  Its premium oil to suite your car. Being good oil it lasts longer and is of acceptably high standard.  I did check this out as other Alfa Specialists who insist on this standard of oil and it pretty much solves the oil burrning and usage issue. 

So to make do with something acceptable (retail) and you want to top up the oil, firstly have a look at the recommended oil in the owners manual. Selenia is difficult to get and lets face it, you will probably go locally to to a Super Cheap Auto/Autobarn.  Doesn't mean that you have to skimp on the product.   I checked out my  local store and it's not that easy to find 10W-60 oil.

The obvious one I could get was Castrol Edge - Sport 10W60, I think it had 'racing' on the label but not sure - it was the pick of the range to suite my 156 and about $80.  Costs a bit but you can have some at home for emergencies.

If you look at the owers manual, there should be a sticker placed inside the front cover warning the user that the belt change is recomended by the manufacture at 50,000kms so have a read.

The good thing with an Alfa Specialist like Maranello is that they will tell you what needs to be done as they know the cars.

Cheers.

[Davidm1600]

Belt change on a 156 every 50,000km. Oops thanks John.  Had better get onto mine pronto then as well.  Must have misread this advice.  I for one certainly didn't mean to mislead Sly.

[sly17]

Cool thanks so much guys. I don't know where you're getting the 50,000 km figure tho... In the owner's handbook, it says 60,000km ..

Regardless, I need to pay for service soon firstly ($160) and then save up the $800 for the cambelt.

Also, I had a question regarding HID's. I was thinking of putting them on, but just wondered if anyone else has them and share their experience. Does it match the look of the car?

Cheers
Simon

[Simon Aarons]

In the owner's handbook, it says 60,000km ..

I am pretty sure it says 60,000 or 3 years, which ever comes first. But i wouldn't keep putting it off mate, they have been known to go long before 60k

Just ask my old man - not even 50,000kms done and he was going to get the belt done next service just to be sure and one morning on the way to work......next serviced ending up being 16 brand new valves!

Don't risk it, just get it changed asap.

[alfalove]

hi mate its good to see another young guy with an Alfa, i purchased my 2005 156ti a month before my 18th birthday and 8 months on I am as much excited about it as i was the day i got it, I too am closing in on the 60000km mark and will get the belts done next week, a good place to do your timing belt for a good price is Maranello motors in brunswick if you haven't already done them, HID headlights are available in many place such as autobahn etc, for a good price on HIDs try firesport.com they seem to have a few, feel free to contact me at luca_dai_1990@hotmail.com it would be good to chat to som1 similar age with similar car.