2003 Alfa Romeo 156

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CJ9103

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Hi guys, I'm quite a noob here but I have a question regarding the Alfa 156. I have an opportunity to buy a used 2003 156 with about 150 000km on the clock. Any opinions? Given that she's a 14 year old car.
 
What engine is under the bonnet?

Let's be honest the car will probably give you problems and might cost quite a bit to fix if it does. But you sure will have fun driving it!

It should be a good weekend car.
 
pretty solid cars. they have only one serious issue if its a twin spark, timing belt, make sure the timing belt and variator was changed recently as its a expensive service to do and they fail earlier than prescribed interval. if the car is in good nick and timing belt looked after youll have a lovely car
 
Any idea what I could expect to pay for the cambelt service? If it's around R10 000 give or take a grand or 2 I wouldn't be too stressed.
 
I believe it's the 2.0 twinspark. Looks absolutely stunning. Its going to be an everyday car. I've actually got 3 options.. The Alfa 156, a 1995 Mercedes C180 or a 2004 Polo tdi with very high mileage +200 000km.
 
I had a 2.5 V6. Cost me about R20k maintaining in the year I had it. That included cambelt and refreshing the front suspension as well as things like the fuel pump.

As mentioned, Cambelt is a priority with these cars - budget about R10k.
 
CJ9103 said:
Hi guys, I'm quite a noob here but I have a question regarding the Alfa 156. I have an opportunity to buy a used 2003 156 with about 150 000km on the clock. Any opinions? Given that she's a 14 year old car.
Click to expand...

Some questions (in order of importance):
What do you want to use the vehicle for?
Will it be your only vehicle? Is it a one-owner car? How well do you know the current owner? Have you researched the spares situation? Is there a FSH?
If any answers to the above are negative (NOR gate) then walk away.

If not, then there are some more:
What are his / her reason/s for selling? Have you ever owned an Alfa Romeo before? Are you skilled with your hands, especially with auto electrical work? Do you have alternative transport to work? Do you have the time to love and care for this lady, to sacrifice weekends on getting her to go, and to have the capacity really enjoy her when she does? Do you have a family member / good friend with a recovery dolly, trolley jack, engine hoist, torque wrench, and lots of patience?

It may appear that you getting a whole lot of car for very little money. She's very seductive, a typical Latina beauty, Italian styling, wooden steering wheel and gear lever, great dash, cool sporty leather seats that just wanna hug you, petrol gauge that says "Benzina". What's not to love? You get to tell your mates that you are dating Monica Bellucci, and sometimes you actually get to show her off to them.

But together with all the emotional highs come some lows: endless weekends of hard work, frustration, singed eyebrows, skinless knuckles and black grease under your fingernails. Alfa Romeos are great when they go, but perhaps not so great when they are under repair.

So it depends: if you're a petrol head, and have lots of passion (and patience) it could be a match made in heaven. Or you could find yourself lighting that same match and putting in the tank.
 
I wouldn't buy an Alfa no matter the model if you have a limited budget, apparently some are very reliable but when things go slightly wrong it can be hellishly expensive.

Also wouldn't choose one as my main vehicle I need to rely on day in day out.
 
For every bad story there is a good story. I had the 46 TI for 4 years.
I had zero issues, just usual service, cambelt and variator. nothing broke on the car, no sorry I lie, a brake line split.
Take care of the car and it will take care of you...
 
Many years ago I drove the 6-speed manual 2.5L V6 and it was such an incredibly good car at that time.

Magical slick gearbox and such a beautiful engine with a gorgeous noise in stock standard form.

The offset front number plate was always such a cool quirk.

Always fancied the idea of an old Alfa as a project car, but would probably be the GTV with those super straight lines in the design if I ever did that.
 
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