Buying a 156 JTS Selespeed

[jocajosh]

Hi,

I am buying my first Alfa Romeo, a 2004 156 JTS Selespeed with 49,000km on it. I will also be joing the Alfa club as I think it's a great idea to keep in touch with people who may have previous experience with this type of vehicle. Any information from previous owners on what possible issues I might encounter with this type of car would be appreciated, as well as how often it should be serviced and where I should get this done would be great (I live in Caulfield North).

Looking forward to the Alfa experience!!

Josh

[Andrew156]

Plenty of forum sponsors who can ably maintain your car when purchased. As you are in Caulfield North, there is also Donnini Motors on Dandenong Road, East Malvern. Admittedley I haven't used the forum sponsors, but very happy with the treatment the car gets with Alex (Donnini).

[John Hanslow]

Welcome. 

Come along to a club night and have a speak with some club members if you like and join up if you so desire.

You can talk to some the sponsors (alfa specialists) direct and get the facts too.

Cheers.

[jocajosh]

Thanks for the replies. I pick up the car tomorrow and will then join up.

[easside]

I purchased one 3 years ago - Same year / model

Problems:

Actuator replacement (start sign - oil leaks) $4,000

Gearshift bearing change (in low speeds, you will hearing clunky marbles that rattles) $3,000

Cat Convertor change (Motor System Fail will display) $3,400

Blown Coil pack ( Motor System Fail will display & car rattles - be very careful driving home - low speeds only) $800

All the problems within 1 year of driving (if you read all the Alfa forums, the 4 above are the MOST common not to mention more)

My Advice is that you have 3 month stat warranty on the car..make sure you take it back to the dealers as soon as something feels wrong


I don't want to sound like it's the worst car on earth or anything, mind you, it drives & looks fantastic, just watch out for the things mentioned above (very common problems, most dealers know it too, but refuse to tell it)

Keep using genuine fluids, oils (these models eat up a lot of engine oil quickly, and they are not cheap around $20 per liter)


My final advice is, if you need to replace any of the parts, sell it asap - it's like dominos, one problems leads to another non stop

[jocajosh]

Thanks easside - I know that the model has "issues". Would you recommend that once I have bought it that taking it to an Alfa garage should identify these potential problems?

[John Hanslow]

I must emphasise that you get the car serviced by someone who knows the car otherwise undetected issues become expensive problems.  It is not an option if you want to enjoy your car and get the best performance out of it.  

Would you recommend that once I have bought it that taking it to an Alfa garage should identify these potential problems?

What would be the benefit of not taking your car to some one who knows the car ?

The cost of an Alfa Specialist is not that much more usual and perhaps a pre-purchase inspection may be a safer option.  

I assume some of the costs quoted by esside (Over $10k) were charged from the dealer network.  If so, that's fine.   But know with greater knowledge and availability of parts and fault diagnosis, its all a bit cheaper. An example is that a coil replacement is about $350.

If the 2 lt selespeed is not the go, how about a 2.5lt full auto ?  I myself are considering upgrading to a 2004 V6 as I now want an auto. Good engine, bit more $ to run - but who cares as no potential selespeed, catalist or coil issues.  

A few people on the forum buy a car and then raise queries with unexpected issues, faults and costs and sometimes that is due to poor or deficient servicing by the previous owner.  Its too easy to can the car !   Do not fall for this mistake.
 
Enjoy your purchase and have a bit of fun.

[easside]

Yep, all my work was done at an Alfa Dealer (hence costing more)

I took my car to the specialists and was quoted lower but due to the fact they had to order the parts (dealers already had in stock), I opted to pay higher and take it to the dealer. If wait times are no issues, specialists are a great alternative (they also get the parts very quick).

Enjoy the car! it was a pleasure driving one, my fault was not to join this forum prior to purchase

[wankski]

i don't mean to attack your position easside, but unless there are missing details of the failures, i find it hard to believe a cat replacement (not a fault) to cost $3k. An ordinary aftermarket item costs a few hundred. Even a new oem lambda sensor you can get for under $100.... 3k? really?

"gearshift bearing" - not sure what this refers to, i assume clutch bearing?  main g/b bearing?

now selespeed... its rare for the whole actuator to go.. it is common that the accumulator which holds the fluid at pressure goes, which causes the problem... cost, few hundred... not terrible involved to replace.... given your description that you first found the issue with leaking fluid, that would likely have been it. It's crazy they replaced the whole robotised unit for that...

sorry bud, but sounds like you got hosed by the dealer.

I will say to anyone reading this, that if you are considering selespeed, it is imperative you read up on it, understand how it works and go thru the FAQ of common issues and fixes... assess for oneself informed rather than blind.

[Jekyll and Hyde]

i don't mean to attack your position easside, but unless there are missing details of the failures, i find it hard to believe a cat replacement (not a fault) to cost $3k. An ordinary aftermarket item costs a few hundred. Even a new oem lambda sensor you can get for under $100.... 3k? really?

As I said in the other thread where you made this comment - JTS catalytic converters are a part of the exhaust manifold, and basically act as the collectors in the manifold.  You can't just cut the 2 of them out and weld in new ones.

As you say, assess informed rather than blind.

[wankski]

As I said in the other thread where you made this comment - JTS catalytic converters are a part of the exhaust manifold, and basically act as the collectors in the manifold.  You can't just cut the 2 of them out and weld in new ones.

As you say, assess informed rather than blind.

ahh, the OP meant it was a failure of the PRE cats, not the main cat....  That is really unfortunate to have all 3 go...

do you know that was the case, or merely a guess?

Based on the cost, perhaps right...

[Alfa Sam]

John makes a good point about considering a 2.5 lts V6 instead of the selespeed 4.

I have had mine for 3 years and the auto has been great and can drive it shifting gears in a H pattern if i want. Dont see much difference in terms of having a selespeed or a Q System shift from a driving point of view, although I think the Q gear changes are smoother.

As for the extra costs because its a V6, well...weigh that up against likely need to replace an actuator (about $4K) at some stage and the extra power and rumble of the V6. To me its straight forward. If you dont want a proper manual, the auto V6 is a better option for me compared to the selespeed. Dont hear anywhere near as many concerns about the auto compared to the selespeed.

Having said that....theres no right answer..its all about what u want, like, can afford, and a bit of good luck as to what is available at the time. The best advice is get one with a known history, serviced by someone who knows what they're doing and you should be fine. Avoid any car where the history is unclear or has gaps.

Have fun driving your car.