New to Alfas can you help with 156 Model differences?

[Mattg]

Hi all

I have bee keen on a 156 since they were launched and they are now in my price range.

Can you please direct me or give me a quick run down on the different models, ie Monza, sport, Jts etc....

I am thinking about a Twinspark Manual for simplicity and economy but would be keen on a V6 for the power and engine note.

What economy do you get out of the 4 Pot and the V6?

Lastly what are the niggles that I should look out for on these great looking cars

Thanks for your help in advance.

Matt

[JOHN G]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfa_Romeo_156


John

[Mattg]

Thanks John

Any tips on what I should be looking for when I look at a car to buy it?

Also how long does the clutch in the Selespeed last and what is involved in replacing them?

Matt

[alfagtv58]

Mattg

Clutches wont be an issue, they should see well over 100,000kms unless you are particularly abusive to them.  The Q2 diff is what you should be looking into, you can find dedicated threads on that topic on this and other Alfa forums.....from what I have heard, now is the time to be buying them from the UK (with the dollar so strong) and have it fitted by your local Alfa specialist.

Good luck

[Davidm1600]

Hi Matt, and further to what the others have replied, I have had a '03 JTS manual sportwagon for 2 years now and it has been extremely reliable (touch metal).  The only problem being a sensor for the engine management (to do with emissions quality) died and I had to get a new one fitted.  Apparently it is a common problem.  It cost about $240 to get it fixed.  Apart from that just normal servicing costs.

There certainly has been a lot of bad press over the years comparing the selespeed (sillyspeed) to manual, but I think (maybe wrong) these issues are mostly fixed these days, so long as the car hasn't been abused.  I wanted to get as new a 156 as i could afford, and on the basis of my mechanics advice went for the JTS over the Twinspark.  Having said that I am sure the Twinnie is a fine motor.  The V6 does sound superb but as I understand it, it is more expensive to run than the 4cl.

Re economy, I seem to get excellent results out of mine with around town 8.5-10L/100 and around 6-7L/100 country driving.  I reckon this is pretty decent.  From what I have been advised and read, you do need to keep an eye on the oil levels, and an absolute must is to ensure that the belts are changed at 55-60,000Km intervals.  So check the service log books of any cars you look at.

Upgraded shocks (ie. Konis) and springs (Eibachs) from what I have heard substantially improve the handling though possibly a little over the ride.  Mine is standard and in comparison to my wife's '97 BMW 318is (E36) it is definitely softer. 

I have heard many people complaining about the air con and quality of the stereos in the earlier models.  The AC in mine is excellent and I have the Bose hi fi upgrade and so this too is superb.  I believe the AC system was improved between the earlier and later models.

Front suspension bushes do wear and typically you can tell this by clonking or squeaking in the front end.  Mine has this to an extent but as it doesn't appear to have got any worse over the past two years I havn't been worried.  Obviously if you do high kms this would be a more important consideration. 

Overall, I am really happy with my car, but do accept it is depreciating. I paid $20K for mine with 89k on the clock. It now has 101k on the clock but I reckon I would be lucky to get $15K or so for it now.  I am not sure how long I will keep the car but for the moment I don't think I would sell it. The practicality of the sportwagon suits me.  Good luck in finding the right one for you. 

[Mattg]

Thanks for the replies.

How can I tell if the Diff needs replacing and are they an LSD?

I do my own repairs is there any tricks to the Diff replacement?

Cheers.

Matt

[John Hanslow]

The Q2 diff is an upgraded performance part for a V6 engine.

Make sure that you get a pre purchase inspection from a Alfa Dealer or an Alfa Specialist.  For a $100 it's peace of mind and and RWC issue may help with negotiation of purchase price.

Good luck.

[Mattg]

What is the difference between the Monza and the Sport?

Which model has the 17inch wheels?

I also like the sill and front and rear aprin kit Is that optional or standard on some Models?

Thanks guys for your help.  Just need to find one to drive.

Cheers

Matt

[bobalfa]

From Bobalfa      I have recently gone through this exercise.  My final choice was a 03 156 JTS Selespeed with history and 93000km for $ 14500.  That was in July and I have no reason (I hope) to regret it!   Having just sold my GTV6 I am in a position to offer some comments.  Firstly the choice of gearbox is personal, the Selespeed fits my old bones and is fun to use and v convenient in cities but note some of the bad comments on that box, you have to get one with a good maintenance history (which applies to every thing else!!).  The JTS engine comes as a  very pleasant surprise, it very responsive (remember it has 121kw to the GTV6 118kw near as be damned, on a return trip from north of Newcastle to Canberra the computer gave an average of 6.0 - 7.1 lit100km and it used no oil on that trip.

Whilst the V6 has a great exhaust note, that is a passing fad, my concerns about the V6 are  the extra weight at the front end, which must effect the handling, the ability to reach such items as the plugs on the bank next to the bulkhead  and the extra expense of 6 cylinders vs four.  The timing belt change sounds simpler to do also.

Hope this helps

Regards

[John Hanslow]

Hi there Mattg.  The Sport is a Monza with extras.

It basically is a Monza with unique 17" wheels, not the 16" Monza wheels, it has Monza dash but the upgraded recarro style seats and similar to the JTS Ti, with red stripe down the seating.  I have seen leather but most were cloth.

Also has window tinting and a rear spoiler.  The suspension is lowered with red Eibach style springs so the ride is a bit firmer.  

They came out in 2002 probably to keep up sales pending the release of the newer JTS.  I have only seen red or black cars.  Came out in selespeed too.  Good value considering the extra bits you get.

Cheers.

[Mattg]

Well I think I have found one.  It has had its intrument cluster replaced but looks in great condition and and has a service history so I should be able to work out a roughly how many KMs she has done.

Is there a common fault in the instrument cluster ir is this a one off?

Cheers

Matt.

[John Hanslow]

Ok. Do the kms in the book relate to the old instruments ?  They can not relate to the new one otherwise it is a different car.  How about checking the engine & chassis number to see that it all matches up?  As in matching the old car vehicle details.  It was a old trick in the car trade was to just replace a speedo to pass off the car as a low km model of higher value.

No previous queries in the forum here re problems with the instruments per say but AR control display (post 2003, JTS etc ) has had reported issues.  Unnecessary faults can often pop up on the display when actually there is nothing wrong.

On my 2002 model, the brake warning light comes on occasionally but the pads & disk are ok. It goes out after a while.  Bit annoying but livable.

[Bruce Fowler]

John,

In regards to the brake warning light, if you look a the black rubber button on the top of the fluid reservior you will see it states push down to reset the fluid level, this is usually done after brake pads are replaced

[John Hanslow]

O.K. Bruce, thanks for that tip.  Will be usefull.

[saratoga]

Hi Mattg,  just what the other guys have said already but i would add that if you get any missfiring and the engine management sets off a warning of system failure get the electrical coils checked as they fail occassionally.  I have had 3 replaced and about to get the forth done next service and they are not cheap at $400 odd a piece.
Happy driving!!