Thinking of buying a 159 2.2 Selespeed

Started by Roberto1986, June 22, 2011, 03:59:40 PM

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Roberto1986

June 22, 2011, 03:59:40 PM
Hi

First i like to introduce myself. My name is Robert and Im 25 years old. I currently own a 2002 Mitsubishi Magna Sports V6. Its a great car but im getting awfully bored of it.

I have always found Alfa Romeo 159s as the most appealing cars on the road, but always considered them way out of my budget and feared servicing costs. However, I have discovered there is a 2007 159 2.2 Selespeed on the market for $19,990 Drive Away. Before I jump the gun I have a few questions in regards to this awesome piece of Italian machinery.

Reliability:
The 156 has been infamously known for its poor reliability, especially its selespeed. My Uncle who owned a 2004 V6 156 warned me about this and claims you practically have to baby your car. However, many claim the 159 has remedied these errors and is as reliable as any BMW. Is this true?

Selespeed:
I'm not so familiar with selespeed. It looks like it operates similar to a Semi-Automatic transmission which you see in most sporty automatic vehicles (just like my 5 Speed Auto Magna). I hear on 'City' mode, it drives like a normal auto. is this the case? I also hear that if there's any Issue with it, you can look up to several grand in repairs.

Servicing:
What kind of price for servicing would i be looking at?

I know many would say, do some more research, but i sometimes find direct opinions can be very useful as well and sometimes more honest than a typical car review.

John Hanslow

#1
June 22, 2011, 05:05:53 PM Last Edit: June 22, 2011, 05:08:22 PM by John Hanslow
The selespeed has been updated over the years and think of it as a robotic clutch with paddle shift with an automatic option.   This system seems to have let a few people down often stated as not that good being a poor cousin of similar technology in upmarket Italian exotics. 

It does need resetting from time to time so you should have this done at an Alfa specialist workshop.
They are well versed in their trade and know the cars and of great benefit to club members with their knowledge and service.

QuoteMy Uncle who owned a 2004 V6 156 warned me about this and claims you practically have to baby your car.

The 156 V6 was not a selespeed but full auto of sorts so he may have known someone who previously had a bad experience with a selespeed box where it was misdiagnosed or a cheap fix.
Now:
2011 Giulietta QV

Previously:
1989 164 3.0  V6
2002 156 Twin Spark Sports Edition
2002 147 Twin Spark
2002 916 Spider Twin Spark
1990 Alfa 75 Potenziata

bix

#2
June 22, 2011, 05:29:58 PM
To date our 159 2.2 (manual) has not given us any issues.
My last service from Italian Job cost $775.00 which was for oil, filter, pollen filter, air filter, new brake fluid, gearbox/diff fluid and power steering fluid.
Because it has a cam-chain as opposed to the 156 cam-belt, in theory they should be cheaper to service in the long-run than a 156. At the recent 156 technical night, GianCarlo advised us that the early Selespeeds indeed had serious issues. Every subsequent model was vastly improved, which would suggest the 159 should be robust.

wankski

#3
June 22, 2011, 06:12:22 PM
Quote from: Roberto1986 on June 22, 2011, 03:59:40 PM
Hi

First i like to introduce myself. My name is Robert and Im 25 years old. I currently own a 2002 Mitsubishi Magna Sports V6. Its a great car but im getting awfully bored of it.
How's it going mate, i would be too  ;)
Quote from: Roberto1986 on June 22, 2011, 03:59:40 PM
Selespeed:
I'm not so familiar with selespeed. It looks like it operates similar to a Semi-Automatic transmission which you see in most sporty automatic vehicles (just like my 5 Speed Auto Magna). I hear on 'City' mode, it drives like a normal auto. is this the case? I also hear that if there's any Issue with it, you can look up to several grand in repairs.
no, not like an auto at all. as mentioned its a robotised manual box, with a regular clutch... it doesn't drive at all like an auto... the g/b ecu slips the clutch for you and sometimes it can be caught out, but later models work very well indeed.... my best advice is don't just jump on the first one you see for a favorable price... TEST DRIVE IT... u may like the sele, u may loath it... test drive a few and you'll learn what a solid one behaves like, and what a not so sorted one is like....

best advice. pay the ~$100 to get a proper pre-purch inspection by an alfa specialist before you buy... they give the ok, it's likely good.. yes i'd say the 159 is no worse than a bimmer in terms of cost and reliability... but u are introducing a potentially expensive g/b into the mix... that's not to say avoid.... if you love it, go for it! it's a unique aspect of the model, and the 156 before it. But do go ahead and research the costs of it going wrong... forewarned is forearmed... the manuals are a pretty solid bet...

Roberto1986

#4
June 22, 2011, 07:12:23 PM
Thanks all for your input! Sounds like it would be a pricy to keep, but it is a one of a kind car. I must say, Alfa Romeo knows how to stand out compared to the rest of the European manufacturers out there.

I'll check out that dealer and see if its worth while. :)

Joe Garra

#5
June 22, 2011, 07:37:07 PM
WE've had our 159 manual for almost 5 years. Very, very reliable. Very reasonably priced services from Maranello Pur Sang. Once you catch Alfa Romeoitis , be warned, it's incurable, but a great disease to have!  ;D
Now: 164Q
        Giulietta QV
Before : 75
            164
            33 16V
            Sud Ti
            99 Spider
            156 Wagon
            159 Wagon

Meng

#6
June 22, 2011, 10:13:08 PM
Quote from: wankski on June 22, 2011, 06:12:22 PM
no, not like an auto at all. as mentioned its a robotised manual box, with a regular clutch... it doesn't drive at all like an auto... the g/b ecu slips the clutch for you and sometimes it can be caught out, but later models work very well indeed.... my best advice is don't just jump on the first one you see for a favorable price... TEST DRIVE IT... u may like the sele, u may loath it... test drive a few and you'll learn what a solid one behaves like, and what a not so sorted one is like....

Agree.  I have a 159 2.2 JTS selespeed.  If you go in expecting it's an automatic gearbox, you'll be disappointed especially if you drive it like it is one.  As long as you understand that all it is basically is a manual car with an automatic clutch.  It doesn't creep forward like an auto, you still have to modulate the pressure you put on the gas when taking off from standstill just like a manual, only you don't have to play with a clutch.  That, and you don't have to lift off when shifting gears. 

I haven't had any problems at all with the car, it's been great fun and reliable.  Last minor service was at 78,500km and was just under $400 at Maranello Pur Sang, they're great.  In comparison to Mercedes, the service cost is actually pretty cheap.  I imagine fixing a selespeed if something goes wrong would be more expensive than fixing a manual, but then same goes for fixing an auto gearbox.  But definitely get a specialist to check it out beforehand...

Alfa Romeo 156 GTA 3.2 V6

Roberto1986

#7
June 23, 2011, 10:10:00 AM
Damn! The Alfa got sold in just one day!  :'( Makes sense, considering its price.

Glad to know they are reliable cars compared to the known heartbreaker, the 156. It seems the selespeed will take some getting used to. I read up a lot about it and it seems there is a bit of learning involved, but not hard to master.

Meng

#8
June 23, 2011, 10:18:55 AM
Don't worry, there's always another one coming on the market, just might take a few months.  In the meantime, you can always try other 159s to see if you like them  ;)
Alfa Romeo 156 GTA 3.2 V6

Roberto1986

#10
June 24, 2011, 05:17:24 PM
I'll be on the look out for them. :)

Thanks for the links to various cars.

Unfortunately i found my car has been egged this morning, including a couple of others... Must be a sign it has to go, but im so glad its not an Alfa Romeo taking that damage, lol.
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